AM 1984 - Star Horizon
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
AM 1984’s Star Horizon is full of luscious summer vibes, Italo disco goodness and beautifully written melodies. The album is a journey through nostalgia and sonic pleasure, telling tales of warm nights and passionate embraces. This is music with style and flair that keeps me coming back for more.
Star Horizon’s balance of disco funk, synthwave influences and ear candy makes it a deeply enjoyable listening experience for me. The groove is undeniable and the more active tracks have a pumping synthwave pulse while the complex synth layers interlock into a tapestry of tones, textures and timbres that fill me with positive energy and a desire to shake my booty all over the place.
Another reason why I'm drawn to Star Horizon is AM 1984’s beautiful melodic writing. He weaves joyful and caressing melodies that explode with life and happiness. Each melody has a distinct mood and atmosphere, which deepens the overall feeling of celebration and lightness on the album. I enjoy the way in which the music transports me into a realm of energetic life.
I also want to mention AM 1984’s use of horns on Star Horizon. I really enjoy the jazzy licks and the sense of funky energy that they exude. The way they pour out brightness only makes the positive elements of the music more profound. The way the horn section intermingles with the rhythm section results in music that moves forward dynamically and carries me with it.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Argonouts” comes to life as quickly rushing, shadowy bass tumbles dramatically. A ticking hi-hat and cymbals add tension as the drums hit heavily and an angular, propulsive synth launches forward.
The track surges as dazzling synth chords drift with ghostly tendrils and active arpeggios dance through the music with groovy power. The spinning energy quickly cascades as laser-like sounds flicker. A bending synth is joined by victorious notes that leap out as the drums swirl.
The main melody bursts with uplifting dynamism as orchestra hits add another layer of power. I enjoy the way the melody takes hold of me and launches me into the sky, igniting with encouragement and joy. The bold synth flows out with bright, unstoppable motion as entangling notes move along with the brilliant orchestra hits. The nasal-sounding synth adds emotion as the bright notes shimmer again.
The low end makes me want to move my hips as a synth erupts with blinding luminosity. A shimmying synth arpeggiates with growing tension as the kick drum punches hard. Reverent sounds drift in the distance as the arpeggios become hypnotic.
The laser-like sounds continue to flash as bass rumbles and the main melody flies again, erupting into joyful motion while the sharp edges of the low end drive on. The orchestra hits continue as the trumpet cries out and fills the music with unbridled freedom and the track ends on slicing bass.
Ominous bass pulses as a hi-hat ticks like a clock to commence “Runners.” Urgency grips the music as the hard-hitting drums and dense bass push the track forward and handclaps add extra intensity. The drums flourish and worshipful notes flare as the low end continues to add dramatic weight.
Now the jumping, glimmering arpeggio spins with wild momentum as the drums and bass drop away and zapping sounds cut into the music. The bursting lead synth exudes luminescence and carries a melody full thrilling liveliness above the kinetic drums and bass. The orchestra hits explode like supernovae while the main melody launches me forward with its powerful drama.
Tightly shifting synth moves in wound-up lines as the orchestra hits explode and the drums continue to press forward. The main melody is shiny and celebratory, creating blurring speed as the low end continues to drive. The lead synth spills out brilliance as the quickly twirling arpeggios continue to swirl. Momentum and acceleration define the music as the hi-hat ticks and the low end pulsates heavily.
The bass drops away as the arpeggio continues to rapidly spin and the glowing notes climb and fly again as the drums return. The main melody sings with dynamic muscle and unstoppable energy before the track comes to an end.
“Star Horizon” begins as heavy bass punches and a warmly drifting, trembling xylophone moves with flowing ease. The reverberant notes have a smooth, chilled-out feeling as the drums leap into a heavily muscled beat and the tambourine adds a brilliant ring. The low end’s swagger is undeniable as the melody shifts with laid-back, cruising sensations while hand claps add sharp shape.
The rounded jazz organ carries a melody that is hopeful and tinged with a sense of progress as the disco beat gets moving. The way in which the rhythm grabs me is full of the joy of movement. The drums flourish again and the bass flows thickly as electric bass is joined by crisp horns that explode with brilliant dynamism.
The horn lick is ridiculously irresistible and the groove comes back in with the lambent horns. The disco vibes are floor-filling and the elevated notes explode with lively power. Now the drums and bass lock into an unstoppable heartbeat, the notes tripping in a strongly shaping motion.
Panpipes echo behind the medium-high synth as the horns leap again with a cleanly cutting melody, full of celebration and a feeling of freedom. The low end continues to shimmy and shake with undeniable rhythm while the glowing notes above fly outward. The angular horn line has a crisp, cool feeling as it unfolds and the bass adds weight while the chords punch forward. The drums flourish and the main horn lick slashes through the music before the track pulses to an end.
After a wild sonic rush, springy bass moves with a wordless vocal synth, singing a catchy melody to open “The Italian Summer.” Now the disco beat hits hard, creating an undeniably cool pulse, the percussion adding to the overall motion-filled dynamism. A glistening synth snaps out above it with a melody full of irrepressible joy, while the clapping percussion moves with the vocal-sounding synth and the horn section cuts in with frolicking happiness.
The horns carries a melody that locks into the low-end pulse with an unstoppable sense of forward motion. The horns unfurl with blaring radiance, lifting my heart along with them. I can imagine the dance floor full of sweating, shaking bodies as the slap bass locks into the low end.
The drums flourish and the reverberating, bouncing synth leaps through the music while the brass section fires again. The leaping, glistening brass is full of summery sensations while the low end makes me shake my hips. Gigantic bass pulsates heavily as the vocal-sounding synth bops through the incredibly catchy melody and the full disco heartbeat comes in again.
There’s a sweet, free-swinging quality to the track that I find deeply enjoyable. The hand claps send the grooving slap bass rolling, keeping things moving as the vocal synth is joined by the cleanly shining horn section. The drums punch one final time as the low end jumps forward and the track comes to an end.
“Blu Tropical” comes to life as tightly wound synth revolves and the flaring chords are joined by thudding bass. The track is heavy with disco power and the slap bass adds bright accents while the elevated synth wriggles.. Brilliant notes flash as they dance out above the low end.
The thick synth chords are joined by the horn section slicing with Latin flair, creating a tropical feeling within the music as the low end heaves. I enjoy the steamy heat that radiates from the track like a Miami night as the heavy drums and dense bass throb.
After the drums flourish, strumming notes move with the undulating bass and thumping kick drum to create an irresistible heartbeat. The guitar swings smoothly, blasting out incandescence as the giant bass shimmies. The bass and gleaming synth chords intertwine as a trumpeting synth flies outward. The drums flourish and the Latin energy erupts with torrid passion from the horns as the strumming guitar flashes past.
The horn section is clean and sunlit, crying out with ardent dynamism. Blaring chords shine intensely and the drumbeat launches again. As burning fire permeates the horn section, the track draws to an end.
An accelerating, rising sound climbs above dense bass to begin “Palm Beach.” Gently lucent, pulsing synth moves in rounded flashes as clapping percussion joins twanging electric bass. A tambourine taps as the guitar intertwines and the drums and bass collide in a propulsive disco heartbeat. The guitar adds brilliance as the drums flourish and the low end fills with a powerful, throbbing rhythm.
Slowly evolving notes have a chilled-out feeling as they drift along with the slap bass which is joined by a blazing synth. The bass descends before the elevated, flashing synth leaps into a melody that explodes with dramatic aspiration and the feeling of hot summer nights.
The low end continues to throb heavily as the bass rushes and the quickly flickering synth reverberates. The saxophone cries out with impassioned, sensual strength as the disco rhythm continues to shift below. I enjoy the way the rhythm fills me and the saxophone adds rich flavor.
The delicately gliding synth chords are joined by the brass again, ringing out with irrepressible motion as the low end drives on. The drums flourish and the track comes to an end on the actively leaping main melody.
“Exotic Night” starts with crushing bass and a vibrating synth which flows in descending motion. A tambourine begins to shake as sharp-edged synth pulsates along with it in an active rhythm. The low end creates dramatic action along with the slicing synth, which is joined by a snare drum adding to the dynamically flying heartbeat.
The bass is joined by a slowly trembling synth which illuminates the music in a moonlit glow that I enjoy. The swirling synth spins out in active lines as the low end drives on with a disco feeling. Now the luscious synth chords grow and add rich support as the main melody brings a sense of lively freedom. The low end continues to punch as the elevated notes flicker ecstatically. Underneath the other elements, the bass is a steady force.
As the melody ripples on a bouncing synth, it adds a playful sensation while the brass section exudes free-flowing pleasure and the low end hits hard. Now the rebounding synth is joined by a swirling synth which entangles as the drums smack hard and the synth chords contribute a soft radiance. The drums flourish and the twirling synth is joined by a dancing pulsation which shines with increased lustre.
The main melody skips past with abandon as the bright notes slice through the music easily. The low end pulses unstoppable as the shining notes spill out above it. Once again, bouncy notes frolic and the horns fly out as the track ends.
A tambourine and echoing drums reverberate into open space and commence “Lost Memories.” The softly brushing sounds flow out into the track as the drums throb and softly swelling chords contribute rounded luminosity and metallic glow. The echoing percussion drifts as tenderly touching notes skim through the music with a feathery feeling.
The arpeggiating notes dance as the drums punch and gruff notes add contrast while the bass drives. A nasal-sounding, scintillating synth cries out with a wistful melody that evokes memory and dreaming. The melody becomes more uplifting and positive as the guitar slashes and my heart rises with the joy and encouragement within the melody.
The drums burst as the ballad continues and the rough-edged guitar moves with entangled, burnished synth The percussion continues to add shape while trickling notes glimmer and the guitar adds more warmth. a synth pours out solar effulgence which slides through the music, feeling soothing and delicate.
Shimmering notes continue to sparkle freely as the broadly descending synth chords adapt. The drums flourish and the main melody shines while the drums continue to punch in. The track ends with a growing sense of liberation and pleasure.
Conclusion
Star Horizon balances melody, harmony and groove in a way that I find intensely pleasing. There’s an overall sense of encouragement and frolicking energy within the music that makes me want to hit the dance floor. This is instrumental synth music with soul, fire and sonic pleasure that fills me to the brim.
