SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP (Review)

SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP
SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP

Released on 20th October 2026, “HANDS UP” is a deeply personal electronic album from Tel Aviv-based producer SONIC PULSES, transforming grief, remembrance, and emotional resilience into an expressive musical experience. Dedicated to the artist’s late sister, Shirel Sara Golan, who was lost during the Nova events, the album carries an especially profound significance. Its release date coincides with the day that would have marked her birthday, making the project a heartfelt birthday tribute and a lasting memorial through music. Beyond its personal dedication, the album represents an important chapter in the artist’s creative journey, turning an overwhelming experience of loss into something meaningful, expressive, and enduring.

SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP
SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP

Musically, “HANDS UP” explores an engaging fusion of house, techno, and trance, bringing together rhythmic energy and emotionally reflective songwriting. The production balances melancholic lyrical expressions with groovy basslines, creating an interesting contrast between the album’s emotional subject matter and its movement-driven electronic foundations. Rich harmonies, intricate arpeggios, and carefully incorporated guitar work contribute additional colour and depth, allowing the arrangements to develop a distinctive atmosphere. The vocal contributions of Juliata Cohen, Yam Gronic, and Myia May further enrich the project, bringing expressive qualities to the compositions and complementing the layered instrumental arrangements. Together, these elements establish an album that connects electronic dance music with personal storytelling.

HANDS UP Album Track Reviews:

Where Can I Find:

“Where Can I Find” is a seven-minute electronic composition that explores introspection, longing, and the search for deeper meaning through an immersive production style. Built around a hypnotic, repetitive structure, the track establishes a persistent rhythmic foundation through pulsating electronic beats and atmospheric textures. Its arrangement maintains a consistent energy, allowing layered soundscapes and bass-driven movements to shape the listening experience. The vocal presentation is deliberately sparse and processed, with fragmented phrases functioning almost like additional rhythmic elements rather than conventional lyrical passages. This approach gives the production room to breathe while strengthening its hypnotic character. Lyrically, the repeated question “Where can I find?” gradually develops into more personal reflections about finding life and love, giving the composition an emotional direction centred on searching, uncertainty, and connection. Through its combination of electronic minimalism, rhythmic persistence, and reflective themes, SONIC PULSES creates an engaging track that balances dancefloor energy with meaningful introspection.

SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP
SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP

I’m Trying:

“I’m Trying” is an immersive electronic composition that explores mental strain, frustration, and emotional entrapment through atmospheric production and hypnotic repetition. Running close to eight minutes, the track builds its identity around a persistent electronic pulse, using minimalist instrumentation and layered textures to establish an increasingly intense soundscape. Rather than relying on conventional melodic progression, the arrangement maintains a cyclical structure that reinforces its emotionally charged atmosphere. The vocals are sparse and heavily processed, becoming an additional instrumental element within the production. Repeated phrases such as “There’s no escape” and “I’m stuck between” communicate a sense of psychological confinement, while expressions of wanting to run away deepen the feeling of internal struggle. The deliberate repetition gives these emotions a continuous presence, allowing the listener to become immersed in the track’s mood. Through its combination of electronic intensity, atmospheric textures, and vulnerable lyrical themes, SONIC PULSES delivers a compelling exploration of emotional unrest and perseverance.

Run (For Your Life):

“Run (For Your Life)” is an energetic electronic composition built around relentless rhythms, hypnotic repetition, and an atmosphere of sustained urgency. The track moves away from conventional melodic structures, placing its emphasis on a driving mechanical beat that establishes continuous momentum. Deep synthesized basslines provide a powerful foundation, while dense electronic layers create an immersive soundscape that maintains its intensity throughout. The production embraces minimalism, allowing subtle changes in texture and rhythmic patterns to shape the listening experience without disrupting its consistent energy. Sparse, fragmented vocal interjections appear throughout the arrangement, functioning as rhythmic accents rather than traditional melodic performances. These brief vocal elements introduce a human dimension to the otherwise synthetic production, reinforcing the track’s frantic and urgent character. Through its pounding electronic foundation, atmospheric depth, and carefully layered sound design, SONIC PULSES delivers a compelling dance-oriented experience that captures movement, tension, and uninterrupted rhythmic intensity.

SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP
SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP

Just a Dream:

“Just a Dream” is an atmospheric electronic composition that explores abandonment, emotional isolation, and the difficulty of moving forward after losing a meaningful connection. Built around a steady, pulsing electronic foundation, the track embraces minimalism and hypnotic repetition to establish a melancholic listening experience. Rather than relying on elaborate melodic arrangements, the production incorporates isolated melodic hooks and restrained percussive elements, allowing its emotional atmosphere to develop gradually. The sparse, expressive vocals function almost like another instrument, blending into the surrounding electronic textures as the composition progresses. Lyrically, the expressions of loss and the struggle to find a reason to move forward give the track a deeply personal dimension. Through its haunting soundscape and introspective character, SONIC PULSES creates a compelling reflection on loss and lingering memories.

SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP
SONIC PULSES – HANDS UP

Across the collection, the interplay between uplifting rhythms and emotional depth creates a consistent musical identity. The house influences provide an engaging rhythmic foundation, while the techno and trance elements introduce expansive electronic textures and evolving soundscapes. Meanwhile, the melancholic lyrical direction gives the music a more intimate dimension, allowing its emotional message to remain central throughout the listening experience. Much of the album was created in SONIC PULSES’ professional home studio, providing the artist with the creative freedom to shape the project according to its personal vision. Mixing and mastering were handled by Zohar Bartov, whose professional credits include work associated with Drake and Infected Mushroom. The project also represents the artist’s third release of 2026, following an intensive period of studio activity.

HANDS UP Is A Deeply Personal Electronic Album Blending House, Techno, And Trance Into An Emotional Tribute To Love, Loss, Remembrance, And Resilience
~ Faithfulness (Dulaxi Team)

Behind the music is an artist whose relationship with electronic music developed through 15 years immersed in Tel Aviv’s nightlife scene. Drawing inspiration from influential acts and producers including Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Jan Blomqvist, and Marsh, SONIC PULSES has developed a sound that moves between house, techno, and trance while maintaining a personal lyrical direction. Having channelled experiences of addiction, C-PTSD, grief, and healing into renewed creative expression, the producer presents “HANDS UP” as an important statement of artistic perseverance. Ultimately, the album serves as a loving tribute to Shirel Sara Golan while demonstrating how music can preserve memories, communicate emotions, and offer a meaningful outlet for personal experiences.

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