Broken Videos - Memories Of Tomorrow

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Broken Videos’ Memories Of Tomorrow captures all of the emotion and melancholy of memory through intricately layered synth sounds and beautifully composed melodies. There's a yearning yet hopeful feeling that permeates this album as it unfolds. Broken Videos capture complicated feelings in their instrumental synth music in a way that draws me in.

Memories Of Tomorrow is an example of the way in which all of the rich variety of synthesized sounds can be harnessed to express emotion. The interactions between the different tones and timbres create feeling and beautiful imagery as they unfold. The sonic layering’s lush complexity is an element that I find intensely engaging in each track of this album.

I'm in love with well-composed melodies and Memories Of Tomorrow is filled to the brim with them. Broken Videos are able to harness emotion and convey it through their melodic writing in a way that has enormous appeal for me. I'm impressed by their skill at reaching into my heart and extracting the emotion within it through melody.

This album also attracts me because of the atmospheric quality within the music. I deeply appreciate the way in which each track generates diverse feelings and moods in me. Without any vocals or lyrics, Broken Videos are able to evoke the whole range of different states and environments through music alone.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Broken Videos” comes to life as tensely trembling, metallic synth moves with a swirling background. Solid bass rumbles as medium-low, rough-edged synth carries a light, melodic note pattern above rapidly twirling, ringing chimes and pounding bass. Higher, trumpeting notes flare in as the drums and bass pulsate.

The resonant lead synth carries a wandering pattern above the tightly structured arpeggios. Roughly glowing notes pulse steadily as higher, more radiant synth calls out with a wonderfully majestic feeling. The bass’ heavy heartbeat throbs and tense arpeggios add nervousness as chimes ring out before silence falls.

Drums create a steady heartbeat and widely sweeping arpeggios slip through the music as “A.I. Awakening” starts. The arpeggios grow in volume as luminescent notes spin through and the drums and bass create motion. A bass oscillation adds propulsion as brilliantly glowing chimes ring out carrying an elegiac, peaceful melody.

Twinkling notes flit through the background as ringing, metallic synth trips through the music and the arpeggios swirl out, galactic arms swinging through space. The steady low end pulse keeps flowing out with even motion as arpeggios spin. The way in which the chiming melody calls out draws me in with its wistful emotion.

Now bass pulses in throbbing motion and metallic notes unfurl with glistening light. Drums flourish and the undulating bass and twirling arpeggios come together to shape the music. The track launches forward with energetic strength, as radiant and tender chimes move over top of the drums and bass before silence falls.

“A New View” begins as driving percussion pushes into the music and fragile chimes with rounded tones ring out. In the background, softly glistening notes climb. After the chimes ring out, a warmly singing synth carries a melody rich with tender emotion and a sense of potential.

Widely caressing notes sing behind it as the enfolding, trumpeting synth carries the encouraging melody as soft edged chimes flicker through. I can't help but love the melody’s heartwarming quality, creating a childlike sense of future possibilities. Underneath all of the other musical elements, the drums and bass add shape.

Flickering, string-like synth twines through the music while brightly shimmering notes fill my heart with gentle emotion. Medium-low, reverberating synth dances along with chiming notes that blossom with solar light. The track ends as the main melody fades out.

Rapidly splashing, woodsy notes move along with flaring, round sounding chords to start “Memories Of Tomorrow.” Rapidly twinkling notes tumble through the music as powerful, sharp-edged chords cut in. Frolicking synth descends as the drums flourish.

Xylophone-like sounds move past before climbing notes add pleasing, positive emotion. The heavily pulsating, dark bass contrasts with the xylophone as it creates dynamic motion. There's a quick rush of glittering notes before a medium-low synth swirls. Slightly muffled background chords flare into full life and reach a crescendo.

The rippling main melody spins out through the music, keeping the track flowing forward. Solid, punchy drums push the music forward as brassy notes ring out above them as the bass creates a rich well. After a crescendo, the xylophone trembles into silence.

“Radio Days” opens as softly swelling, sunny synth glows along with solidly throbbing drums and bass. Now the chimes ring out behind a widely gleaming synth, carrying a melody rich with summer feeling. Trickling notes descend into a tranquil melody, nostalgic and tinged with aching emotion.

Smoothly tumbling synth spins through the music as the drums and bass throb and a twisting, nasal sound rings out. I am warmed and touched by the melody's reflection on days gone by. Quickly sparkling synth twirls past as open-voiced, gentle notes spin in the distance.

Xylophone-like notes mingle with glistening chimes before the main melody calls out again, full of wistful feelings and hopeful tenderness. The drums keep pulsing, mixing with the chimes as the main melody closes the song out.

Breathy, galactic notes move behind a quickly pulsating, taut synth to open “The Golden Hour.” Solid drums and bass shape the music as brilliantly shimmering synth sings out in an ethereal melody. In the distance, interwoven notes trip past with a string-like sound. Uniquely reverberating synth trips as luminous notes call out.

Expansive, flanging notes flow before the drums and bass add form. The main melody drifts with gently melancholy emotion, creating an orange sunset radiance. Tripping, intertwining notes descend as unctuous bass complements flaring chimes and caressing synth.

The track's gentle sunset light fills me with relaxed joy. Tumbling synth drops through the music in an entangling pattern. Chimes sparkle as they carry a melody with a laid-back quality to it before the music ends on rippling notes.

“Drive The Stars” begins with a quick drum flourish before lightly glowing notes float out with a softly touching feeling. There's a relaxed quality to them above the propulsive low end. After shining notes descend, the dreamy melody calls out on a radiant synth with a nasal sound.

The drums and bass undulate as a tightly wound synth skips past. The main melody cries out with yearning emotion, bringing me a sense of contented warmth. The soft-edged, effulgent lead synth deepens the sense of wonder exuded by the main melody.

Chimes ring with delicate illumination as the drums and bass press the music forward. The track slips into a segment in which airy sounds float above rapidly trickling, starry notes and warmer, round-toned synth.

The drum beat launches again, adding a sense of journeying excitement, as the main melody sings out affection and nostalgia. The track ends on shimmering notes dancing out with the flaring synth and pulsing drums.

Gossamer synth flickers along with pink clouds and guiding drums to commence “The Last Ride.” A laser-like sound briefly shifts before a glockenspiel carries a tender melody above the pulsing drums and bass. Lustrous synth carries a melody mingling melancholy and caring.

The glockenspiel trembles with fragile light as quickly trickling arpeggios softly move in the distance. Medium-high, glimmering synth calls out with longing to deepen the melody’s emotional qualities. Flitting notes slowly cascade in the background as a broadly luminous synth calls out.

Bright arpeggios rapidly curl through the music before the drums punch in with more power. Glockenspiel infuses the music with a charming lightness that I find appealing. Nasal-sounding synth calls out with sympathetic feeling as the low end presses forward. Arpeggios scintillate as the gently caressing glockenspiel carries the song to an end.

Conclusion

Memories Of Tomorrow takes listeners on an emotive, touching synth journey as it evolves. I am drawn to the richness, depth and complexity of the music and the emotional core of the album.