Caspro - Distance

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Caspro’s Distance paints strong sonic imagery which mingles with melodic storytelling and a well-thought-out synth palette to carry the listener on intriguing journeys through sound and emotion. The way in which the artist skillfully works together the sonic canvas and the ideas he wants to reflect allows emotive expression and the creation of strong imagery to come to the forefront.

I'm especially enamoured of the way in which Caspro combines melody and synth sounds into an engaging whole that carries a deep weight of feeling on Distance. His melodic writing captures the wide range of human emotion with clarity and beauty as he weaves together his synth selections to form fascinating and ear-catching patterns. All of the different synthesized tonal and textural elements mix with the melodies to produce compelling imagery and sensations.

Another reason for my enjoyment of Distance is the way in which Caspro skillfully uses instrumental tracks to evoke impressions of feeling and emotion. A good songwriter can use their words to elicit deep feelings, but weaving instrumental magic is also something I admire. Caspro superbly combines melody and harmony with his synths to drive home the different mental states and feelings that fill his music. Wordlessly, he tells a tale and draws me into it.

I also want to comment on the clarity and sharpness of the production here. Distance is full of heady sounds that are well combined and the mix is just about right to balance out all the different auditory elements. The end result is music that is full of interest and clean sound, adding to the overall quality of the album.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Sand Waves” comes to life as expanding bass moves with angular notes that shimmer and tremble above the throbbing drums. The echoing synth ripples in slow waves as a medium-high, string-like synth carries a melody with a sense of timeless drifting. Sharp-edged synth moves in shifting lines that intertwine and flow above the unstoppable drumbeat.

The low end has a powerful undulation, moving like the tide, as widely echoing chimes carry an elegiac melody that captures slow but gradual change. A razor-sharp synth with its wide sweep carries the haunting melody before strings interlock with warmth and the bells ring with a hollow openness. The bass continues to pulsate with strength as the serenity of the higher notes glides past.

Drums burst again as the lead synth calls out into open space with a melody full of yearning and dreaming life. The drums and bass lock into a heartbeat as the string-like synth glides in silky, elegant motion. Once again, the ghostly notes intermingle and call out above the vibrating low end before the track ends with the strings calling out in aching, short bursts.

Smoothly bubbling notes glide with an uplifting feeling as the background drifts with cloudy warmth to start “Through Her Eyes.” As the drumbeat comes in, wind blows and a resonant synth carries a melody that is full of affection. The drums and bass subdivide into an almost reggae-like backbeat which guides the music with rhythmic strength, giving it a funky groove. The bass is heavy as it throbs and the tumbling synth adds more depth.

The beat smoothes out again as sharp-edged notes drift with tremulous energy. I enjoy the flowing gracefulness of the melody as it unwinds above the jumping low end. Peace permeates the music as the bass adds motion and slips. Now the clean, rapidly swirling synth cuts in and gleams past before the fiercely lucent notes above it smear and trip. Incandescence pours from the elevated notes as they shiver and drift above the agitated sounds that move below. The drums burst with muscled power as the slicing notes add a blazing sheen.

Deeply driving bass moves with the throbbing drums as the reggae-like pulsation returns again, adding more hip-shaking motion. An open-voiced, woodwind-like synth carries emotive strength as the drifting melody roams and the twisting notes spin over each other. The low end is shaping and proceeds with energetic strength while the brighter notes above it glide one on the other before the track ends.

“Imagery Reality” opens as gigantic, reverberating synth ripples above deeply resounding bass. A softly touching snare drum moves with the massively undulating synth as it leaps with brilliant dynamism and the kick drum pulses. As the gleaming synth cries out, the melody is majestic and ancient while chimes flicker in the distance and the low end throbs. Glistening strings intermingle with the drifting synth while it wanders lusciously and the bass actively shifts.

As the tremulous notes roam, smoothly rising and falling chords add depth while the drums continue to drive forward. Now a glimmering synth calls out, enchanting me with the nobility and graceful unfolding of its sounds. The chimes ring with diamond-like clarity as the resonating notes undulate and the drums punch.

Static trails through in the distance as the luminous synth carries a delicate and warm melody while the unstoppably tidal synth floats. The drums and bass are colossal as the string-like notes call out with a dreaming sensation. The skipping, flickering synth has a hypnotic quality as the distant notes sweep with touching emotion and the track ends.

Tumbling, sharp-edged bass and distant synth moves in a misty haze to kick off “Dispersion.” The solid drums hit hard as rubbery sounds shiver and synth flickers tenderly. As the drums cruise on, shiny chimes ring and crystalline notes pour out rich luminosity. Now the hauntingly twisted sounds float above the steady low end heartbeat. Spaced-out notes flicker past and the track evokes imagery of stars and planets swirling.

The bouncing notes shift smoothly while the metallic chiming exudes radiance and the low end sails with shaping strength. I enjoy the starry motes created by the ringing notes while the drums grow slightly muffled. The drumbeat continues to shape the music as ethereal notes levitate peacefully. A sensation of floating fills the music before there’s a crescendo and the massive bass rumbles again.

Delicate notes sparkle with an effervescent glow as the percussion keeps driving. The trembling notes echo and undulate as the track moves onward. A sweeping note pattern climbs and the expansive sounds come to an end with a frolicking synth.

“Through The Dunes” kicks off as a radiant synth moves in gently drifting lines which bend above the smoothly pulsing drums. There’s a floating delicacy to the gleaming synth as it frolics in smooth lines while the low end adds guidance.

I enjoy the distant notes which shine with luscious light while the rebounding drums and deep bass guide the music. As the brilliant synth spills out sunlight, the low end shifts with shaping weight. While the tremulous notes tumble over each other, metallic glistening sounds fill the distance.

The drums fade away briefly as a fluting synth twirls upward with an uplifting, emotive quality and the bass rumbles powerfully. The drumbeat returns as computerized notes vibrate with a warm resonance and the low end moves forward. Once again, the vibrating synth exudes flowing energy as the roaming notes glimmer and dance.

The sound of washing rain and a bustling street starts off “Noodles In The Rain.” Rebounding notes add intense luminosity as the conversations all mingle. Now the beat locks into a sharp-edged groove as vocal snippets pulse past and bursting strength pours out. As the resonating notes contribute brilliance, the drums and bass intermingle, before the razor-sharp notes contrast with the smoother, more caressing sounds that carry the soothing melody.

Again, the angular beat throbs with propulsive power, and now the bouncing synth transmits a melody with dark tones and an unsettling sensation before spectral sounds unfurl. The low end becomes uneven for a moment before returning to the main drumbeat, and then the shining synth sings with a more gentle presence while the edgy notes vibrate. I enjoy the momentary peaceful nature of the track mixed with harder and more dramatic sounds.

“Pixel Pleasure” opens as a cleanly gliding synth echoes above the steady low-end heartbeat and gigantic bass. The synth glimmers and slides with caressing elegance above the pulsing low end which drives on. A sensation of enigmatic mystery permeates the music and intrigues me as the track pushes forward.

The melody’s minor key nature gives it a ghostly drift as the drums and bass continue to throb. The bass is massive and undulates below the trailing synth, which swirls out in glass emotion. Now the drums snap sharply and the bass growls while the main melody climbs upward and rings out with echoing grace. The drums and bass disappear as the tranquil notes levitate before returning to close the song.

Conclusion

Distance is a wonderful instrumental synth exploration of loss, tenderness, tranquility and nostalgia. Caspro uses his skill and sensitivity to weave music that carries me along and touches me with emotion and enjoyment.