Having apparently contracted the neo-electro, indie-dance fever that was so contagious in 2009, the usually trance producer and stadium DJ
Tiësto pulls out some surprises with his fourth effort,
Kaleidoscope, a diverse album guided by its rangy guest list. The most surprising (and the most successful) collaboration is placed right up front, when
Sigur Rós vocalist
Jónsi and a nostalgic
Tiësto conjure the spirit of
Tangerine Dream for an electronic, meditative title track that captivates for seven-and-a-half minutes. It's the album's creative high point and
Tiësto's most risky cut to date, but the alternative dance and indie ideas don't stop here, as Australia's
Sneaky Sound System bounce between soul and
Kate Bush-like drama for the great club track "I Will Be Here."
Calvin Harris brings more retro ('80s-flavored this time) and some humor ("Now put your hands in the air/For a century") to the party, while
Bloc Party singer
Kele Okereke offers some convincing art-pop heartbreak on the memorable "It's Not the Things You Say." Longtime fans get a handful of widescreen instrumentals plus familiar-sounding, straight dance tracks with
Nelly Furtado plus
Tilly and the Wall member
Kianna Alarid. An overstuffed track list makes this otherwise accessible album a bit too cumbersome, but with a little editing,
Kaleidoscope is an unexpected and satisfying step forward from a producer who could have racked up the big numbers by sticking with his proven formula.