So You Think You Can Trance?

Don’t you dare call the music sculpted by Paul van Dyk trance. True, the Berlin, Germany-based masher of noise still makes dance-floor-busting beats with the aid of two onstage computers that play music in synch. Yes, van Dyk’s art still emphasizes trance-esque elements, such as electronic noise, repetition, and upbeat movements of multi-layered sounds. It’s just that the heavy-hitting producer and passionate DJ has distanced himself from the popular ’90s genre by delving into more ambient and softer elements, especially on his 2007 studio album In Between. So if you want to ask him to dial up some of that good ol’ trance on his digital DJ station, feel free. Just know that you’ll blow your chance of being the dude’s best friend. (And you wouldn’t want to do that, would you?)