59 Levels of Skill

"Hey Miaoyi, another new song?" An Qiuying asked with curiosity as she placed the last plate of mashed potatoes on the dining table. She glanced at Tang Miaoyi's phone, where she noticed a recent update on Weibo.

"Yeah, I thought it was the perfect time for a new release," Miaoyi replied, taking a moment to check the initial response on her phone before closing the app and placing it nearby. With a glimmer of excitement in her eyes, she admired the spread of dishes on the table. "Qiuying, your cooking skills have really improved lately."

On the menu for dinner were delightful dishes such as potato salad, beef sauce noodles, braised beef with tomatoes, and a small portion of olive rice.

Qiuying expressed her concern, "But won't it be exhausting for you? Shouldn't you take a break before starting a new single? After all, you still have school to attend."

Miaoyi reassured her, taking a casual bite of the braised beef. "It won't tire me out as much as you think. I've been planning this for a while, and I already have a rough idea in mind. Now, I just need the opportunity to bring those ideas to life. It's similar to how online novelists outline their stories beforehand – with an outline, they can write faster and smoother."

While Miaoyi's explanation was partially true, it failed to mention her advantage of drawing inspiration from her otherworldly knowledge, which never left her grappling with creative blocks.

"I suppose I still struggle to comprehend the mindset of a 'child' prodigy," Qiuying commented sarcastically, deciding not to delve deeper since Miaoyi had already clarified her plans.

However, deep down, An Qiuying couldn't help but admire Tang Miaoyi. She had transformed into a remarkable individual, admired for her beauty, talent, and kindness. Yet, she had gained popularity in the music world without relying on any of those traits.

Qiuying believed that no electronic music fan could fathom that TMY, revered as the electronic music princess, was actually a hardcore gamer who played as a male character and spent money on in-game items to impress female characters.

Amused by Qiuying's remark, Miaoyi chuckled softly.

"So, what genre of electronic music are you planning this time? Is it still the same style as 'Solo Dance' and 'Fox'? You know, that house...house music?" Qiuying steered the conversation toward Miaoyi's new single. She had become a devoted fan who genuinely adored Miaoyi's music.

"It's still house music... but this time, I'm aiming for something more unique, something that emits a stronger electronic vibe," Miaoyi replied, not bothering to correct Qiuying's description. While the genre she had in mind was distinct from traditional house music, it would be challenging to differentiate the two in this world. She further explained, "I would say it's a different subgenre within house music, taking a unique approach. It might have a different energy and atmosphere, although it falls under the broader house genre."

"Can I be the first to listen when it's released?" Qiuying eagerly asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Don't worry," Miaoyi replied, pretending to exude confidence. "What makes an electronic song truly exceptional?"

Qiuying's bewildered expression revealed her lack of familiarity with electronic music, prompting Miaoyi to explain further.

"In one word: explosiveness," Miaoyi said, wearing a charming smile. "While electronic music can be great without being explosive, it becomes something extraordinary when it does. Explosions are like works of art."

Qiuying couldn't help but express her skepticism. "Miaoyi, you sound quite childish, you know?"

Her words struck a chord with Miaoyi, evoking a feeling akin to the protagonist in a cultivation story coughing up blood.

"Can't I have a bit of fun?" Miaoyi playfully retorted, picking herself up from the floor. "Look at those fools. They have no appreciation for art. You have to feel art. And true art... is an EXPLOSION!"

Perplexed, Qiuying asked, "Huh? Is that a quote from some other artist?"

"Forget it," Miaoyi sighed, realizing her reference to Deidara's explosive art from the popular series "Naruto" would be lost on her friend in this world.

Undeterred, Miaoyi refocused the conversation on the main topic at hand. "Like other music genres, electronic music has various expressions. The new single I'm planning falls under the subgenre of Progressive House, which is a distinct branch of House music."

Progressive House was the style Miaoyi intended to explore with her upcoming single. It was renowned for its explosive drops and uplifting progression. Starting slowly, it built up to a tremendously satisfying drop, making it a perfect choice for clubs and energetic atmospheres.

Reflecting on her previous works, Miaoyi saw "Fox" as a stepping stone, albeit somewhat monotonous. She didn't want to rush too far ahead, fearing potential rejection. The subsequent successes of "Solo Dance" and "Closer" solidified TMY's status and even influenced the popularity of classic electronic music.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Miaoyi decided to continue her journey and reignite the flames of electronic music.

The progressive house style naturally progressed from traditional house music, emphasizing a heavier and more impactful drop. Compared to a song like "Solo Dance," which featured the drop within the first 50 seconds, progressive house built up gradually, sometimes placing the first drop halfway through the song or later. This deliberate pacing creates a sense of anticipation, so when the drop occurs, it feels like a nuclear detonation.

As for the choice of song, it was a straightforward decision.

With a cheerful smile, Miaoyi revealed, "The new single I plan to make is called 'Levels.'"

"Levels? Have you already decided on the title?" Qiuying inquired curiously.

Miaoyi nodded confidently in response.

Indeed, "Levels" was Tang Miaoyi's next choice, a monumental hit within the progressive house genre that propelled it into the mainstream spotlight.

This particular single was initially released by Avicii, a DJ Miaoyi deeply admired in her previous life. Avicii was a regular fixture on the top 100 DJ lists and ranked among the world's finest DJs and producers. From 2011 to 2015, he consistently held a spot in the top 10.

"Levels" served as the pivotal work that solidified Avicii's subsequent position and shook the foundations of the music industry. When it first made its appearance, it cast its shadow over the majority of music charts worldwide, achieving multi-platinum status in nine countries. The song received a Grammy nomination in 2012 and emerged victorious as both the best electro/dance song and the best song of the year.

Furthermore, "Levels" enjoyed immense popularity and resonated with a broad audience during Miaoyi's previous life in China, even though many listeners may not have known its title.

If you were to mention the song "Levels" to ten people in China, perhaps three or four would recognize its name. However, if you played the song in front of them, at least eight or nine out of ten would instantly slap their thighs and exclaim, "Isn't this that one, that catchy tune? Yes, yes, that's it! It's so familiar!"

The true test of electronic music lies in its longevity. Due to the nature of human hearing and memory, a poorly crafted electronic song fades into the background over time. The fact that "Levels" remained popular and continues to be remembered in the modern era is a testament to its masterful composition.

This very reason compelled Miaoyi to set her sights on this iconic song.