Hypnotize by John B – Full Review & Analysis

With Hypnotize, John B delivers a statement piece that’s as bold as it is visionary. Hot off the heels of his Metalheadz stormer Ventil-8, he returns to his own Beta Recordings imprint with a track that rewires the dancefloor blueprint through a widescreen, cinematic lens. This is more than just a club weapon – it’s a sonic event.

Opening with a sprawling synthscape that feels like Jean-Michel Jarre conducting Vangelis in a concrete warehouse, Hypnotize immediately asserts its scale. A towering choir and ominous reece bass rise in tandem, building tension until a chilling scream – part warrior cry, part alien invocation – slices through the mix. It’s a breathtaking intro, calling to mind the dramatic sci-fi soundworlds of Dune or Blade Runner 2049.

The drop, when it hits, is pure John B: unapologetically massive. Heavyweight stepper drums and expertly chopped breaks drive the track forward with brutal grace. Indian flutes and Arabic horn stabs weave through the mix, evoking the mysticism of ancient rituals transposed into the future. A whispered female vocal – “Hypnotize” – loops hypnotically, anchoring the track with eerie poise.

At its centre is a striking synth motif that echoes the golden age of rave – all stabs, swells, and starry-eyed energy – but filtered through a cyberpunk aesthetic. The result is part retro-futurist dream, part ritualistic dancefloor march. It’s a hybrid sound only John B could pull off, rooted in tradition yet reaching for new dimensions.

In an era where cinematic Drum & Bass often leans ambient or abstract, Hypnotize dares to be dramatic, melodic, and emotionally intense. It’s big music, made for big moments – and another reminder that John B remains one of the most fearless, forward-thinking producers in the game. As he continues to build his Patreon community and smash live shows across Europe, Hypnotize reinforces what long-time fans already know: John B doesn’t just follow trends – he invents them.

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