Classic Tiësto single ‘Traffic’ turns 21: revisit the track here

Over the last 21 years, a lot has changed around the world and within the dance music scene. One constant throughout that time has been the impact of Tiësto and his legendary productions.

Initially released on October 8th, 2003, Traffic preceded the release of Just Be, the sophomore album for Tiësto. At the time, electronic music didn’t have the global spotlight and platform that it currently encompasses and it was visionary trance artists who were pushing the scene forward and defining the genre’s direction. For the Dutch producer, he was hitting a period of incredible creativity and output, and Just Be, along with tracks such as Traffic and Adagio For Strings would grow a legacy that continues to draw in fans new and old. For Traffic, opening with a driving kick and percussion, the track builds slowly, ramping up every few measures as Tiësto continues to introduce new elements.

Across the tracks five and a half minutes runtime, the producer builds and then breaks down the whole process with just the kick drum as the constant. The synth stabs just past the two-minute mark provide warmth and melody that were built for the festivals and clubs that Tiësto has occupied throughout his storied career. Although he is output and sets have steered away from the trance sounds of the early 2000s, fans, and fellow producers continue to look to Just Be and Traffic for inspiration and motivation.