At 1980 - Forget To Remember

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

At 1980’s Forget To Remember is retrowave with true heart and soul. It captures the earnestness of ‘80s music while steering clear of the cliches. The album's combination of musicianship, superb vocal performances and heartfelt emotion makes it stand out from similar styles of music. The production values are first rate and the music is full of strong melodies and engaging emotional expression.

All of the musicians and singers on Forget to Remember bring high quality performances to the album’s tracks. Josh Daily's visceral vocals and intricate guitar and Adrián Quesada Michelena’s lushly layered production are joined by talented contributions from Shadowrunner, Dana Jean Phoenix, Syst3m Glitch and Camille Gl​é​met.

I am moved by the strength of the emotion on Forget to Remember. All of the songs are brimful with touching feelings. I enjoy the mingled melancholy in warmth that fills the music on this album. There's a true sense of expression permeating all of the songwriting here. Once again, I can feel the depth of commitment to exploring intense emotional states in the music.

All of the vocals on Forget to Remember give it engaging depth. The way in which all of the vocalists are able to capture the different moods and states of mind in the songs make them doubly affecting. I also enjoy the way in which each different singer creates a fresh sound of the different songs.

The melodies on this album also draw me in. Each different melody adds to the way in which the music encapsulates feelings and transmits them to the listener. It's rare to find music that cuts right to the heart in the way that this does.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Lost in Time” opens as vibrating, expansive synth trips underneath ethereally sweeping notes that float out as metallic sounds flicker. The piano warmly slides into the music with gentle chords while caressing sounds intertwined in the background.

Delicate notes slip past and the guitar entangles with a lightly touching feeling. The piano chords imbue the music with a feeling of memory and the electric guitar slices in sharply, but not harshly while glistening synth calls out.

Josh Daily's guitar carries a soothing melody, touched by longing and tenderness as chimes sparkle. The drums come in to create shaping force while the guitar emotes with deep feeling, floating out before the track comes to an end.

Expansive, embracing notes slip past along with powerful piano chords and lightly gleaming synth to start “Never Mine.” Dana Jean Phoenix's voice comes in with trembling expression as it carries a delicate melody, imbued with emotional pain.

The piano chords and swirling synth add shape as wind sweeps past. Massive drums and solid bass support Dana Jean Phoenix's melancholy vocals as chimes glimmer. Dana Jean Phoenix's vocals wonderfully capture all of the loss and need in the lyrics as she cries out. The heartfelt vocals exude love and bereft emotion in equal measure. Now arpeggios slip past, wrapping around the vocals to add to their emotive effect.

The drums punch in with propulsive energy as flaring notes illuminate the song. Dana Jean Phoenix imbues her vocals with deep feeling as twanging guitar calls out, capturing more emotion as glimmering notes cast brightness above the towering low end.

Our storyteller says that she's lived a lie for a long time, as she's been "fooling myself about you and I." She thought the song's subject felt the same way she did. She adds that the other person said it was destiny but “I couldn't read the signs in front of me." The storyteller admits that getting over the song's subject has been taking a while because she'd been in denial. She has come to understand that the other person was never really hers.

The narrator points out that the song's subject has “lit a fire that cannot die.” It's a fire that doesn't care that the other person said goodbye. She understands that the other person never cared. The realization dawns that it isn't the fact that “you were gone, it's that you were never there." The narrator concludes by saying that “I'm just trying to live these thousand lives, but sometimes I feel that it's still taking a while. "

Huge drums explode into a propulsive beat and electric guitar leaps through the music to commence “Still in Love.” The guitar has a dynamism and uplifting quality to it as chimes ring out. Josh Daily's gruff voice is full of need and hope. The vocal melody mingles yearning and dreaming emotion as the low end presses the music forward.

The guitar flies out with an intense feeling that matches the deep expression in Josh Daily's voice. The vocals have a rough edge that traps emotion. The drums and bass push the music forward as a synth flares with light.

The guitar aches with expression as Josh Daily pours his heart out. Now the song glides through a segment in which echoing guitar entangles in luscious patterns. There's an irresistible earnestness in the vocals that pulls me in. The song ends on chugging guitar and shimmering light.

The narrator asks the song's subject to “lay with me tonight” if they still love one another. He tells the other person that he knows they're still scared but it'll be okay. He points out that “the fire that we started is tearing us apart” but perhaps he's only dreaming. He adds that he's still in love after all the time that has passed and “you're still on my mind.”

Our storyteller says that he's still nervous when the other person's around because “ you're the best damn thing, girl, that I've ever found." He asks the song's subject to dance in the rain with him and tell him she shares his feelings. He wants her to remind him he's not dreaming. He concludes that “there's a million other things that I wish I'd said, just burning ‘round inside my head.”

“Your Secret” begins as bright notes slowly grow and shine out before the percussion charges forward. Jangling strings ring out along with Josh Daily’s touching, affectionate vocals as the drums and bass jump forward. A metallic shine erupts from the bright strings as Josh Daily captures passion and heartfelt love.

There's a wonderfully encouraging quality in the chorus as the drums cascade and pulse. Chiming notes flow outwards with scintillating illumination that matches the intense passion in Josh Daily's voice. The sheer joy and affection in the music draws me inwards here.

The vocals fly out, capturing all of the feeling in the lyrics as brilliant synth flares. Solar notes glimmer and entangle while the throbbing drums and bass keep the music moving. The song comes to an end as Josh Daily gives full voice to his deep commitment.

The storyteller says that the song's subject was “born in the bay one moonless summer night." He says that she has the most lovely face and a beautiful heart. She has a hunger for life “with a million dreams alive” and she dances all day.

Our narrator says that he'll give her “the best that I have. " He wants her to run free, to remember he'll always be there and “I promise that no one will know your secret.”

Now the storyteller adds that she was born “in the land where the sun just never hides. "He talks about how the song's subject is on his mind and in his heart. He says she runs restlessly with her dreams, laughing all day.

He concludes by saying that “if you ever fall down and if you ever cry, I'll be right by your side.”

“Pieces of Me” kicks off as cymbals sweep in before the powerful bass throbs and drums form the shaping beat. Josh Daily's voice is full of deeply felt emotion and the vocal melody has a pained, yearning quality to it.

Drums and bass push the music forward as glittering synth flickers through the music. Josh Daily fills his voice with passion as it slips out above piano chords with strength and a wishful feeling. Luminous synth trickles through while the low end pushes on.

I am touched by the sense of loss in the vocals. The song moves forward while sparkling notes float above the emotive vocals. The drums drop out and the entangling piano notes move along with the lambent synth.

Expressive chords add more support to Josh Daily's aching voice. The chorus soars upwards and the drums and bass pulsate with luscious weight. The song ends with Josh Daily pouring his heart out.

The storyteller talks about drinking alone on the back fire escape in the “lonely city at night” which feels like home to him. He wishes he could take back everything he said to the song’s subject. He adds that “I'd give up anything in the world if she picked up the phone instead."

Our narrator says that he can't live in a world where they aren't together. He says she is “the sun and the stars, my forever” and continues by saying that she's the only person who knows who he is. Now he's been picking up the pieces since she's been gone.

The song’s subject has taken “the last Greyhound out of town” and moved on with the person from school that she said was the one. The narrator concludes that “there's some nights I get lost spinning around inside my head” and when he drinks, he sends messages but he hopes that they stay unread.

“Give a Little Love" opens as a warm synth is joined by Josh Daily's emotionally rich voice. Shimmering notes flash out as the trembling, hurting vocal melody moves above luscious bass. The percussion creates a heartbeat while Josh Daily expresses tender emotion. The drums explode as the vocals fill me with sensations of pure desire and longing.

Clapping percussion moves smoothly as guitar tangles together with touching notes. Josh Daily delivers the lyrics with conviction. The chorus climbs out with the earnestness of any '80s power pop ballad. The low end exudes tremendous strength as the vocals pierce my heart with need. Every element of this song is a deeply emotional experience.

Piano chords support the yearning chorus as Josh Daily's voice soars. The guitar cries out, carrying a solo that captures every bit of affection and desire the song can put out. The song ends as each part exudes absolute expression.

The narrator wants the bartender to pour him one last round and “I'll knock´em back” because it's just one of those nights. He says he's been working so hard and “God I wish that I could see you one last time!” He points out that there's no point in changing if you don't know the reason why but "I've tried so hard.”

Our storyteller asks the song's subject to “give a little love to me tonight, give a little love to me, don´t fight." He adds that it's crazy how time passes in the blink of an eye. He asks the other person to give him a little love again.

It's been a while since they last spoke but the narrator says the song's subject is still on his mind. He points out that he’d do anything for the other person and adds that "you’re still the one, damn I wish you only knew.” He's done changing himself so the other person should take him as he is without asking why.

Our storyteller asks the song subject to go dancing once more, just like they used to when they were together. He concludes “close your eyes and drift away ‘cause it will all be okay.”

Cymbals sweep before brightly gleaming, string-like notes echo out to start “Somebody Else.” Josh Daily holds raw emotion in his powerful voice as effulgent notes add shining gentleness. Cymbals sweep again while the vocal melody trembles with emotion and massive drums collide along with hard-hitting bass.

The intense, deeply felt vocals carry the heartbreaking melody as the low end drives on. Glistening notes fill the music with radiance as drums and bass shape the music. Now the shining notes intertwine with Josh Daily's powerful vocals.

Chimes shimmer and the song soars to a crescendo as the guitar sings out in a yearning, passionate solo. The guitar deepens the emotional connection created by the intensely expressive vocals while the drums and bass pulse hard underneath. The song ends on an emotive guitar crying out before silence falls.

This tale‘s teller tries to convince himself that he has it all but realizes it's just another day without the song's subject. He says that it's too late because the other person is moving on "while I'm still writing songs about you " He asks if he can turn back time.

As the narrator looks back on his life, he feels a sense of regret that he walked away from the previous relationship. He sees that the other person is now “living my life with somebody else.”

Our storyteller says that it seems like the other person is doing fine but his nights are "empty now without you." He admits that the song's subject has found someone new and he hopes that the new person will treat them well. He concludes by saying "you got so tired of me, how could I doubt you? "

“Let Me Go” begins as bass glides out below Camille Gl​é​met’s touching voice as it gently caresses the listener's ears. Glistening keys carry a delicately shining melody that twines around Camille Gl​é​met’s softly expressive voice. The vocal melody embodies tenderness and pain, capturing the brokenness of the song's emotions.

Bright synth glimmers, expressing more affecting emotion as the bass flows below it to create. Camille Gl​é​met’s voice suits the emotional tenor of the lyrics as it slips past. Josh Daily's voice echoes out with all of the emotional complexity he can summon, its rough edge deepening the expression. The drums rebound and throb as the vocals fly out above them.

Now both singers' voices come together in a chorus that punches the song's feelings home in a way that I find intensely compelling. In the background, broadly sweeping synth sails out as flickering keys contribute more shine to the music.

The song reaches a crescendo with heavily pounding drums, brilliantly sparkling notes and roughly snarling sounds as both singers give the music an emotional punch that can't be ignored. Silence falls on Camille Gl​é​met’s fragile voice.

The first narrator talks about the song's subject walking down a busy street that feels empty to her. She can hear glasses clinking and laughter but she “still feels so desolate." She tries to remember if the other person was ever kind, adding that “he can be so selfish.” She can't go on and so she speaks her mind.

The song's subject pleads with the other person to let her go. She says that they'll be better off if the other person lets her go to where "my love's enough." She adds that their love seemed invincible and now “I feel invisible.” She asks the other person to break the chain and let her go.

The second storyteller talks about how she “feels his touch and his breath on her skin" but he's betrayed by his eyes. She hears him make promises and hears the lies in them. The song’s subject knows that he's playing with her and she “tries to explain she craves something else.” The other person can be distant and so she has to leave and say goodbye.

Cosmic synth forms a lissome flow, creating intertwining layers to open “Ab Aeterno.” Bass billows below as sharply string-like notes intertwine, carrying a melody full of softly touching emotion as guitar also adds luminosity. Hollow percussion creates shape while scintillating notes carry a dreamy melody permeated by wishful nostalgia.

I find this music moving for the way in which it generates fond memories in me. Colossal bass towers as the metallic string-like sounds call out, encapsulating all of the melancholy feeling of the album. The open percussion adds more form to the music while gleaming notes flash into the music.

The drums flourish and the track rises again, intense emotions of tenderness and loss flowing out. Now the drums and bass launch into a propulsive beat, while entangling notes shine out, contrasting with the motion below them. All of the sounds slowly float out into a moment of silence before the track ends on warm light and airy pan pipes along with a cutting guitar chord

Conclusion

Forget to Remember has a heartfelt, earnest emotional core that I find irresistible. All of the musical elements and songwriting combine to create a touching whole that engages me with its expressive power. At 1980 and their guests have a winner with this album.