Fraver - Deep Space 2175
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Fraver’s “Deep Space 2175” is a thrilling journey through a universe of adventure and darkness. Fraver pulls out all the stops to draw images of a world and a character moving through it with a mission in mind. All of the synth sounds combine to generate atmosphere and propel the story, while the melodies are evocative and the overall sound palette deepens the feelings that fill the individual tracks, forging them into a complex end result.
All of the different synth textures and timbres serve the purpose of cinematic framing and direction on “Deep Space 2175.” Each track captures a different element of the story being told and conveys it to the listener with clarity. Fraver has chosen all of his different synths with care, using them to convey exactly what he intends. Each small vignette is captivating and full of emotion, coming together into a cinematic vision that carries the listener along on the journey the main character has embarked upon.
Melodically speaking, “Deep Space 2175” is also powerfully poignant. Each melody has been composed with thought and skill to carry the storytelling forward, transmitting shifting moods and images with sharpness and expressive vigour. I enjoy the intricate layering and melodic richness that, toward the tail end, fill me with a continued sense of new horizons opening. The way the tunes pierce cleanly and engage me keeps me moving forward.
I also want to add that it was lovely to have Stilz included on a track. I enjoy it when synth artists acknowledge seminal people in the genre and I enjoy it even more when they collaborate with said people!
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Deep Space 2175” comes to life as darkly descending notes with jagged edges create shadowed anticipation. Burnished bells drift before a rising synth with razor-sharp sound climbs with dominant muscle, just before the thumping rhythm kicks in. The drums burst as the main melody combines drama and melancholy, painting imagery of a broken future world.
The rhythmic heartbeat moves with confidence, supporting the main melody as it mingles hurt and technological sharpness. The underpinnings are smooth as they guide the lead synth with its wistful, shadowed sound. I enjoy the way I’m transported to a futuristic city full of pain and beauty. Delicate chimes shine with diffuse luminosity while the underlayer undulates.
Gruff sounds soften as meditative bells echo tenderly, slightly broken and lost, above the threatening low end. There is an ominous weight beneath the delicacy that levitates before a cleanly radiating lead synth echoes again. The main melody contrasts with the driving percussion as it roams with uncertainty. The beat doubles, the main melody grows more triumphant and the low end snarls with deadly force before fragility rings out above the massive weight.
Trembling, delicate notes are cut by the sound of a jet flaring to kick off “Blind Seeker.” Slightly distorted notes vibrate as the jet sounds flash through again and glittering arpeggios undulate while the rhythmic undergirding throbs. Radiant chords flash as the solid drums add guidance and arpeggios sparkle like starlight.
Slowly gliding notes float past like planets on the horizon while the steady low end adds direction. The rhythm is rebounding and smooth and the melody creates mournful tranquility as the steady beat is joined by hollow percussion. Effulgent chords leap with sharp edges and gruff sonorities cut into the music.
A sense of traveling across vast voids, illuminated by cold stars, moves me as the haunted melody captures me with its hurting disconnection. As the underlayer throbs, actively levitating chords give off the distant glow of lost worlds and silence falls.
“Night Dreamers” opens as slowly levitating, piercing synth moves with deliberate melancholy. A deeper synth provides a counterpoint, full of resonant motion. The two intertwining lines are joined by heavily thumping bass, adding weight to the melody. A contemplative sensation fills the high end as the thudding rhythm presses on.
Starlit phrases shimmer above a slowly undulating mid-range as the drums drop away. Trembling notes drift like lost comets, while the percussion returns and angular arpeggios leap dramatically. The way this piece roams between thoughtfulness and dynamism creates an enjoyable sophistication. The synth solo drifts with haunting, darkly shaded feelings that contrast with the wriggling sounds below. Guided by a half-time beat, the main melody becomes elegiac and deeply expressive before silence falls.
Threatening bass rumbles with a sense of approaching danger to commence “Downtown.” Roaming notes drift through open space, full of bereft emotion as the bass continues to rumble. Gently moving sounds rush with ghostly undertones, conveying loneliness and brokenness. A sensation of moving through a desolate space fills the music, painting scenes of a city fallen into disrepair and anarchy.
Trickling tones float like ragged mist as the track evolves. Faraway figures shift and shivers, conveying feelings of loss as it trails like tatters of fog. The subtle music creates an empty atmosphere through distant, melancholy sounds that touch my ears. Randomly flowing textures add to the disconnection while the ominous low end continues to drift, a feeling of bleak solitude permeating the track as it unfolds.
“The Guardian” comes into being as breathy, tender and tranquil notes flow, while expanding sounds tremble through the music and the drums begin to coalesce into an accelerative rhythm. The bass undulates with rough-edged energy and the lead synth trumpets with triumphant uplift, while colossal, snarling underpinnings are driven forward by leaping drums.
The main melody climbs skyward with nobility as the lacerating low end slices beneath it. Worshipful choral sounds move through the track while the bass towers with ferocious motion. A sense of victory and encouragement radiates from the melody as it wraps around me, imparting a heroic feeling of forward progress.
The roughly slashing bottom layer drops away and the kick drum thuds as a glistening line flows like stars lighting the way. Once again, the fearsome low end growls with forceful domination before the main melody takes flight once more, full of majesty.
The worshipful choir returns with renewed elegance and strength as the low end batters insistently and the song slips away to its powerful conclusion.
Slowly heaving bass moves with heavy shadow as the drums subtly shift and string-like voices begin “Paradigm Shift.” Climbing chords shine with a gruff edge while the rhythm pulses smoothly. Ethereal pitches hover with graceful lightness, evoking hope and positivity in contrast to the darkness moving below. The bass surges as crystalline patterns float like sunlight through shadow, while gossamer notes trace through the music.
The synth glints like precious stones in soft light, while piercing high tones carry a wandering, sharply defined melody. The intermingled bass and drums are dense and powerful as the synth climbs sonorously, creating imagery of clouds clearing and progress being achieved. I enjoy the interplay of darkness and light as it unfolds before the track comes to an end.
“Green Eyes” opens with a smoothly oscillating bassline and frequencies that glitter like the breaking dawn. The low end flows with graceful relaxation as an elevated synth carries a fragile little melody that drifts past like a memory of beauty, touching my heart with the affection it contains. The rhythm is steady and soothing as it unfolds, while the main melody glides with loving tenderness, moving outward in extended lines that enfold me in mist-veiled brilliance.
The drums thud with even-handed ease while twisting higher notes wander through like tendrils of warm remembrance as the steady pulse moves forward. Swirling sounds slip past with meditative tranquility and the drums fade out as the bass continues to undulate. Peaceful sensations abound before the track slides into quiet.
A powerfully growling sound moves with pounding drums to create a massively surging rhythm as “New Tomorrow” kicks off. The lead synth rises with noble light, projecting a sense of aspiration and a future expanding with boundless possibility. A steady rhythm underpins the music with solidity, while raised notes exude crystalline hope. The secondary melodic line is caressing and gentle, while the main melody climbs with fortitude.
The track drifts into a segment where slow waves tremble and lucent sounds shiver like glass chimes. Tremulous synth moves into emptiness as the track exhales airily. The drums return as ethereal sounds bind together and the snarling low end erupts while a climbing lead synth bursts with brilliance, conveying images of a spacecraft soaring into the velvet firmament. Rushing underpinnings flash forward as the majestically climbing synth floats past. I enjoy the way resilience and optimism mingle in the melody before the track closes.
Conclusion
“Deep Space 2175” is an intense auditory journey through cinematic landscapes and musical beauty. Fraver engages me through skillful combinations of synth sounds, melody and atmosphere, conveying the drama and sweeping scope of the unfolding story.
