Flash Cassette - Forgotten Frequency
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Flash Cassette’s “Forgotten Frequency” takes listeners on a playful trip with a retro twist, pounding with disco energy and exploring everything from roller rinks to outer space. Flash Cassette’s creative and entertaining approach to synth-based music doesn't neglect excellent melodies or detailed sonic craft, but it does take a lighter look at the world. We're allowed to escape from the current darkness and travel to the future we dreamed of in the past. I enjoy the mixture of styles and ideas along with the way the album paints pictures of the past we all wish existed.
Melodic creation and rhythmic dynamism play to Flash Cassette’s strengths on “Forgotten Frequency.” Each of the tunes is anchored by themes that are well considered and full of ear-pleasing life. Evocative and enjoyable, the melodic motifs are supported by a foundation of varied and rich percussion, adding direction and motion. They also bring an enhanced level of groove and funk which is appreciated.
Without words, “Forgotten Frequency” creates emotion and draws pictures of fantasy vistas. One can be spinning across the roller rink, getting down at the disco or traveling across the vast reaches of outer space with the music as a guide. The cinematic way in which vignettes are formed from sound takes me on a trip which is incredibly enjoyable.
An atmosphere of retrofuturistic fun radiates from every segment “Forgotten Frequency” Flash Cassette conjures up a sense of boundless possibility in the future we all dreamed about. In a world which grows increasingly dark and challenging, this music gives us freedom from the stresses and strains we experience. Pop this on the stereo and relax, let yourself be carried away from the mundane.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Dream Station Pt. 1” hisses with radio static before stations begin to tune and indistinct voices whisper as a kick drum thumps distantly and a zapping noise drifts in alien pulses while the underpinning chords illuminate like city lights. A steady snare drum burst moves with a theme broadcasting affectionate memory as echoing percussion travels below the radiance around it. The stations tune in and out and silence falls.
Laser-like sounds flash and “Forgotten Frequency” establishes an unstoppable heartbeat as percussion snaps and a broadly spreading, undulating synth pattern sweeps like cosmic wind. The track is relentlessly energetic as silken notes slip past with a solar wind that swells while the taut underlayer slashes.
A nasal-sounding, brassy synth transmits adventure, matching well with the locked-in foundation. Limpid notes drift through the distance and serpentine tones wander to summon astral feelings. The melodic line wriggles with a sense of galactic adventure before ending.
“The Final Gate” is born as blinding tones bounce off one another and climb, intensifying the dynamic flow, before the snare drum and kick drum create propulsion. Technical-sounding, angular notes drop in enigmatic lines to weave a gossamer theme that conveys imagery of otherworldly realms while the beat pounds.
Alien notes bubble while the muffled beat adds form and coruscating tones rise. The main motif captures me in its wild energy before undulating notes create hollow patterns. Again the predominant theme returns as alternate dimensions are revealed before the music stops.
Communications in space echo across radio signals as “Interstellar Horizon” shifts with an urgently pounding kick drum pierced by a halo of light. A twirling arpeggio launches with blurring speed like a spacecraft. A burst of cosmic light flashes while the computerized voice offers the pilot flight options.
Limpid sounds move past like space structures as a ticking hi-hat only increases the tension. An image of deep-space combat fills my mind, ships flashing and cannons firing, before the track closes out.
“Body Heat” bumps into life with a solid disco beat as the theme weaves encouraging emotion and is joined by the surfing foundation. The low end grooves and the elevated melody is playful while chords change in smooth transitions. A stuttering synth broadcasts nightclub energy while the beat locks in to keep the gyration going. The main melody makes me want to hit the dance floor before the track concludes.
Boisterous crowd sounds move behind a sneaky little synth figure as “Radiotron” takes shape and expands with a steady hi-hat and broken beats before the main theme holds youthful dynamism before the chimes flicker with intense brightness.
Vocals cut in while the track pops and locks and the melody adds a laid-back feeling while the slipping chimes spark. As lasers flashes, the choppy vocal samples are joined by the slippery theme while an elevated synth creates sharp liveliness and the track ends.
“Sally's Roller Disco” grooves into existence with actively bouncing bass and hollow, intriguing percussion as an echoing note pattern floats, unfurling above the funky underpinnings with irresistible happiness while chimes sparkle with electric luminescence.
I’m charged with freedom as the beat guides, images of roller skaters spinning around the rink, getting down to the dirty low end come to mind and the trippy, gliding notes shine with pearly radiance.
The synth lead has a cool, vibey feeling of late-night roller skating to life, everyone moving with ease and speed across the hardwood floor. As the track slows to a sensually twisting groove, notes float with a mysterious feeling before the track slides into silence.
Slowly growing like a dream forming out of consciousness, “Dream Station Pt. 2” expands with a solid synthwave heartbeat and drifting notes that weave a wandering melody, like clouds across a dreaming sky. Zapping sounds swell as notes with an aquatic feeling slip off into washing static.
Conclusion
“Forgotten Frequency” is a funky blast that invokes visions of the fantastic future we imagined in the past. The way in which melody, harmony and rhythm conjoin here results in music that grabs hold of you and won't let go. My advice to you is to lay back and let yourself travel on Flash Cassette Air.
