If you thought Tiësto couldn’t go any more mainstream, you’ve clearly never been “Wasted”.
Played at Ultra this year, the brand new life-beer soaked Tiësto track is accompanied by country guitars, screaming girls and chanting bros (possibly the same ones from the Asher Roth campus). Boderline EDM, the four-to-the-floor bass is the last electronic stem standing, and even it is easily overtaken by vocalist Matthew Koma.
If you’ve been following Tiësto for a while, the continuing diversion away from his roots shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but the degree to which he’s now diverted is worthy of a double-take. The thing is, you can’t judge this track as EDM, even in the most liberal definitions of the acronym, because it isn’t.
“For many years, I’ve wanted to make a song that straddles the line between indie/alternative rock and dance music,” says Tiësto, “It may sound a little different from what you were maybe expecting to hear but I’ve always made the music I wanted to make. I’m incredibly proud and excited about this track! Expect the unexpected.” As a pop song it does alright. Still sophomoric and far behind the trending indie soundscape, but it should fit it reasonably well with those who take their summers carefree and on the beach.
Of course, there will be plenty who will still see this as a sign of the electronic music apocalypse. This is where Ummet Ozcan comes in. As if making up for the original, the remix throws down some massive synths before obliterating the Avicii-like guitars with the pull of an electro house buzz saw. It doesn’t matter what you think of the original, you’ll want to hear this.
Tiësto, the 45-year old Dutch trance legend, might seem out of place here, but “Wasted” should be judged only for what it is, not what we think it should be. It’ll catch on the top-40 radio this summer without a doubt, and while it does, Ozcan will be crushing the remix at all the festivals. It’s sounding like a good time either way. Listen to previews of both below.