Elements of Life

On Elements of Life, the Netherlands' most famous DJ tries to spice up his trademark up-tempo trance style with fresh influences. Christian Burns, formerly of British boy band BBMak, adds appealingly poppy vocals to lead single ''In the Dark,'' while a soaring, sensitive performance from L.A. singer-songwriter Charlotte Martin boosts ''Sweet Things.'' Elsewhere, though, it's back to Tiästo's pulsing synths and insistently thwacking drum machines — an all-too-familiar combination that's more likely to evoke apré-club exhaustion than a wild night out.