The month of July is no usual month for Eric Prydz. On the 19th of July, the groundbreaking artist celebrated his 48th birthday and today on the 25th of July, “Opus,” one of Prydz’s most famous tracks, celebrates 9 years since it was first released. Eric Prydz, the Swede whose career skyrocketed with the release “Call on Me” in 2004, has carved out a unique niche in the world of progressive house and techno and has, thanks to his flawlessly crafted tracks and legendary live performances, been captivating audiences worldwide ever since.
Using different aliases throughout his career has allowed Prydz to push the boundaries of electronic music, each with its own distinct sound and influence. His alias Pryda, for example, is one that he uses as he delves into house and progressive house, creating tracks that are both melodic and deep. Cirez D, on the other hand, is devoted to his ventures into the darker realms of techno.#
“Opus” was released on August 17th, 2015, as the lead single on the album (released a year later) also named “Opus,” and marked a significant milestone in Prydz’s career as it was his first official full-length studio album. One of the most distinctive features of the track “Opus” is the fact that it’s a whole 9 minutes long, which defies the conventional structure of electronic dance music singles, which usually range from three to five
minutes.
The song’s length allowed Prydz to explore a gradual buildup that feels almost hypnotic and resulted in a mastery of tension and release starting with a minimalistic introduction that features a simple yet captivating melody, and then slowly progressing by carefully adding layers of sound where each element flawlessly builds into a powerful, euphoric climax. A methodical progression that creates a sense of anticipation from the very beginning and draws you into an immersive, sonic experience.
The innovative structure and emotional depth of “Opus” have been praised by both fans and critics. A great example of this being when Pete Tong, the legendary DJ and broadcaster for BBC Radio 1, highlighted “Opus” on his show, calling it a “masterpiece” and a defining moment in progressive house music.
As “Opus” takes you on a dramatic emotional journey, Prydz also likes to use it as his closing piece during his live performances – ensuring that the audience gets to leave with intense and long-lasting impressions after his immersive shows. Prydz’s HOLO shows are renowned for their use of holographic and 3D technology, blending his masterful music production with cutting-edge visual effects, which makes them some of the most anticipated events in the electronic music scene.
With that being said, it’s worth mentioning that Prydz’s career hasn’t been without challenges as his fear of flying has strongly impacted his touring schedules and limited his performances to locations that he could reach by other means. Despite this, Prydz has managed to maintain a strong presence in the electronic music scene, which is a testament to his talent, skill, dedication, and passion for his craft.
The landscape of electronic music is fast-paced, ever-changing, and not for the fainthearted. While many dream of fame and success within the industry, it’s only a few who actually have what it takes and are willing to put in the tremendous amount of work to get there. On that note, Prydz’s career and work behind “Opus” set a perfect example of how important it is that we carve our own paths, remain authentic, question norms, and shoot for the stars with unwavering determination.
Let’s celebrate Eric Prydz and the 9th anniversary of “Opus” by listening to this iconic track and letting ourselves get fueled and empowered with the incredible magic and power that it transmits. Pro tip: if you think about one of your own goals or aspirations while listening to “Opus,” you might just find some long-lost energy and motivation to make your own dreams come true because this track hits hard – every single time.
