Earmake - Cosmic Hero 4
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Earmake’s Cosmic Hero 4 continues the saga of the cosmic hero in his adventures across the universe. Earmake skillfully and creatively combines a broad range of synth tones and textures with inspirational melodies and thrilling dynamism. His music creates intensely detailed and compelling imagery along with a sense of excitement and exploration. The addition of guest producers adds another layer of depth and richness to the sonic tapestry as it unfolds.
One of the standout features of Cosmic Hero 4 is the atmospheric nature of its music. Earmake has a knack for mingling fascinating sonic detail with melodic writing that is gripping and ear-pleasing. Along with the memorable nature of his melodies, all of the different soundscapes which he weaves from synths that sparkle and growl, dance and drive, are mixed with well-written melodies that are full of emotion and compelling depth.
Another reason for my enjoyment of Cosmic Hero 4 is the way in which the story unfolds across it. Each track is like a cinematic shot, composed and designed to draw one further into the storytelling. As the arc of the tale goes from dramatic battles to lonely flights in space, each track acts as a plot point to carry the adventure forward and engage the listener in that adventure with the sonic depth on offer.
Each of the guest producers featured on Cosmic Hero 4 contributes to the musical quality and auditory intrigue. They all bring their unique sensibilities to the overall project and imbue it with fresh sounds and approaches. At the same time, they respect the integrity of what Earmake is doing and combine their vision with his to create an ear-pleasing end result.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Magnum Opus” comes into being with distantly rumbling bass that swells into life along with lacerating echoes and a pounding kick drum. A synth drifts with a melody mingling eerie sounds and a sense of exploration as the low end surges forward. The vocal-sounding, reverberant synth drifts with the melody again, transporting me into a new sonic world.
Dominating brass carries the melody as it shifts with dark splendour above the driving low end. The main melodic line floats past as incandescent notes exude exultant strength. String-like notes flash past, unfurling with scintillating brilliance as the low end punches unstoppably. An impression of great strength fills the music as we move into a segment in which shadowed bass throbs below slowly pulsating drums.
Sparkling notes oscillate in a dynamic pattern as the drums rebound and the track takes on a driving quality. The bass snarls as the elevated notes pour out galactic light. The drums and bass fade for a moment and then press on as the rising notes gleam with intense brilliance, creating an impression of a journey across a vast star field. The brass section sings again as the drums and bass jump, an angular synth cutting into the music, before the track presses on to an end.
Hollow mechanical noises vibrate ominously as “Morior Invictus” begins. These sounds start to form an industrial pulse above a threatening bass that grows in power. The drums and bass erupt with massive strength as a low synth slashes in crunchy lines and dominating notes begin to shine above the crushing rhythm section.
Brassy notes leap with blazing light as the drums flourish. The lead synth is darkly insistent, erupting with dense brilliance while the track pounds on. The bass creaks dangerously as the music seethes. Breathy sounds inhale and exhale, echoing into open space and the epic-sounding, trumpeting synth is full of restrained anger and triumph as the low end continues to pulsate weightily.
The drums accelerate and a raging synth tears into the track with strikingtic strength and the feeling of inevitable success. The track explodes and flies forward with the lead synth pouring out fierce light—before silence falls on the undulating bass.
“Whispering Eons” opens with softly running water and gentle piano notes that glitter as broadly gliding sounds move with them. Crystal chimes shine with luscious luminosity while the water flows in the distance. The drums rebound as the main melody calls out with mournful grace, floating through my heart.
As the melody evolves, it takes on an ethereal feeling and a sense of distant stars. The low end is slowly throbbing as the raised chimes spill out radiance with tenderness. The piano notes sparkle and dance as they glide through the sweeping sounds.
A cleanly cutting synth moves with heavy bass in a hypnotic pulse while the drums flare and burst. As the echoing space moves, a sense of tension grows within the song. Now the bass pulses alone with ominous power before the yearning melody calls out again—reaching with hope and loneliness—while the bass pulsates and the drums shift and shape.
Loss permeates the melody along with heartache while the drums and bass continue to undulate. As the song ends, peace washes through me while the waves splash the shore.
Vast, slowly revolving synth moves into open space along with solidly throbbing bass to start “Auriga Anomaly.” In the distance, dazzling chords float above the steadily oscillating low end, exuding softness. The snare drum comes in now to launch the music, with radiant flashes spilling out into the track with concentrated brilliance.
The clean snare drums continue to pulse as the warmly intertwining notes interact with graceful and emotive sensation. A polished synth slowly calls out as the melody evolves with aching warmth and the drums and bass press on. The melody takes on a noble and wistfully dreamy quality as it calls out.
The kick drum pulses as glittering notes float with easy shine over the soundscape. Open sounds flicker as the kick drum continues to throb and the track feels cosmic in scope. The lambent notes spill out starlight as the drums drive on and the bass rumbles below.
A sense of progress permeates the music as the track glides into a smoother, calmer segment. The drums launch again as the glowing synth carries the melody, which reflects exploration and hope above the low end.
"Escape from Gamma Ray" commences with distantly glimmering notes swirling in a repetitive pattern as wind sweeps and towering drums and bass launch into an exciting pattern. Tightly wound synth flashes as gossamer notes hang like stars in a dark sky. The low end is heavily driving as a brass section climbs out with victorious nobility above the intensity below it. Sensations of a powerful flight to freedom permeate the music and draw me along with it.
After a sweep of sound, the low end explodes into heavily trembling motion as chimes exude radiance and the wheeling notes above arpeggiate smoothly. Tightly gleaming sounds flow through the music as the low end thunders now. Pure energy leaps forth with shining speed as the drums cruise below and the bass throbs. Every element of the music is full of urgency and rushing thrill as a twisting, nasal-sounding synth cries out with a haunting melodic pattern.
The drums are truly epic and unstoppable as the main melody cries out with cosmic mystery. The bass rumbles and high notes shiver before the main melody trumpets out again, the brass section full of pride and defiance as the low end hits. The track ends with the melody rising out and evoking imagery of a starship rescuing trapped crew and succeeding in their mission.
Threatening, rising notes cry out with dramatic force to open "Subterrania." lustre spills from trickling notes that twinkle as the drums accelerate into a smoothly shaping beat and satiny synth drifts with smooth relaxation as sparkling notes skip past in laid-back flow. Now a string section calls out with classical expression, warm and full of positivity as it radiates into the music. I feel my heart uplifted by the singing strings as the percussion drops away and quickly flashing notes leap brightly.
As the notes cascade, brightness erupts with flaring strength as the dark notes below swirl. The drums continue to pound hard as the track pours out radiance. As the music drives on, bass growls while the tiny synth lights glimmer and the track drives to the end with piano shimmering until it fades.
“Outer World” begins with a jagged synth slicing into the track along with blazing notes that spill out above the portentous low end. Strings intertwine with a melody that is majestic and full of elegiac emotion, filling me with its intensity. Crystalline notes shine proudly as they move above the steadily pulsating drums, filling the music with brilliancy.
Drums continue to rebound as the shining notes float and the sense of triumph becomes more palpable. Lustrous notes ring out as melancholy strings carry the melody above the unstoppable drumbeat. Peaceful feelings permeate the higher notes. A sense of drama rises from the smoothly slipping sounds, touching and powerful, while a polished arpeggio twirls above the heavy bass before the track ends.
A wind rages and dark notes climb with threatening feelings to start “Storm.” The bass is thick as elevated, burnished notes shine while the stormy sounds continue to intermingle. The heavy-hitting drums add shape to the music as a synth moves with delicately intertwining sounds.
The drums drive and trip while tapping sounds shift and diaphanous notes pour out. The drums burst into a smoothly moving pulsation as serenity fills every note. The rhythm cruises along while tapping sounds move and notes exude gentle luminosity. Synth ripples while the huge bass shifts.
The drums erupt as spinning notes tumble above a gently flowing background. The storm still rages as more peaceful notes glide. The main melody adds refulgent shine as the drums throb in a steadily evolving beat. Stormy sounds echo while the twirling notes dance along. The track ends with brightness and fades.
Conclusion
Cosmic Hero 4 travels across the galaxy with thrilling energy and exciting storytelling. Earmake paints vivid imagery and engages my heart and soul with the melodic and harmonic depth that he creates. The addition of guest producers only intensifies the quality and sound of the album.
