Hill Valley Hero - Aura

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Hill Valley Hero’s Aura takes listeners on a thrilling, enchanting fantasy journey. As the soundtrack to an ‘80s fantasy movie which never existed, Hill Valley Hero has created a work that is intensely enjoyable and touching. I grew up on movies like this and I have to admit that the nostalgia factor plays a part in my enjoyment of this music—but it's not only that. Hill Valley Hero composes wonderful melodies, skillfully weaves synths together and draws in the talents of first-rate instrumentalists, deepening the emotional impact on the level of musical quality. The end result is an auditory exploration of a magical realm in the company of a master storyteller.

I have to commend Hill Valley Hero on the concept and vision for Aura. The way in which he unfolds the cinematic tale he's telling is intensely engaging. I feel myself drawn to the characters and the world he conjures through music. I can picture the heart-stopping vistas and great beauty of the world he creates, along with the darkness, danger and ultimate triumph of the main character against forces of evil seeking to destroy that magical place.

Another strong component in Aura’s success is the melodic writing which Hill Valley Hero has done for the album. His melodies are instantly memorable and gripping as they skillfully convey the emotions and images he brings to life. Each melody reaches out and pulls me deeper into the journey upon which I’m being taken. The cinematic quality of the melodies also adds to the overall effect of watching a classic fantasy film, with all of its wonder and adventure.

On top of the melodic beauty, the way in which Hill Valley Hero intelligently chooses and creatively combines his synth sounds results in layered and ear-catching music. His sonic choices add to the visualization created by Aura’s different melodic and atmospheric components. He has a knack for interweaving many tones and textures within the synths in order to produce a desired effect or feeling. Once again, the musical elements are in service of storytelling and the end result is captivating.

I also want to mention the other artists with whom Hill Valley Hero works on Aura. Manuel Trabucco and Juani each bring their own skillful performances to bear on the overall vision of the album. Manuel Trabucco’s sax playing is heartfelt and powerful, filling me with emotion and nostalgia. Juani’s guitar playing is confident, skillful and full of dynamism as it contributes to the thrilling feelings and sense of adventure which permeates the album. I also want to give a shout-out to Luis M. Deltell for his mixing and mastering, which creates clarity and space for the music to unfold.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Titles” starts as rain falls and heavily sweeping bass moves with a reverberant synth, which calls out with hallowed emotion, adding a sense of nobility as it shines. A feeling of a quest waiting to begin hangs over the music; a chime echoes as the sound of the ocean washing and seagulls crying fades.

Wind rushes and soothing sounds move in gentle currents as “The Scourge” begins. Drums pulse like a heartbeat as a blazing synth creates a triumphant feeling. A slowly revolving arpeggio adds a sense of impending action, while dark chords sweep and a bell-like synth rings out. The melody it carries belongs to a beautiful fantasy world.

The dazzling notes create intensity as the melody unwinds with a timeless feeling and broad arpeggios twirl. A fragile, violin-like synth carries a pained and heartstring-tugging melody that I enjoy, before martial snare drums create a sense of nearing battle just as the music fades.

“A Journey Begins” starts as colossal drums pound heavily and portentous sounds shift. A jagged synth saws into the music as the bass begins to throb weightily. Tension grows as the rough-edged synth shivers and a floating note hovers above the track.

The drums and bass lock into an insistent pulse as a fearful arpeggio spins, ramping up the sensation of an approaching enemy. Intensity pours from the music, drawing me into the story’s urgency. A bell rings and the strings surge with a melody that is both victorious and full of excitement.

Ringing arpeggios shine as the open-voiced synth descends with a melody speaking of a world full of magic and secrets. I enjoy the enigmatic feeling it generates. A whistle-like synth carries a melody inflected with medieval and folk music influences, while the strings wind up the tension. As the track fades, fluting notes hover calmly and the sound of rain falling returns to fill the music.

A sharp-edged synth entangles and ripples as “Aura's Theme” kicks off. It continues to twirl as a tender melody emerges while wind sweeps and the gigantic drums explode forward. The main melody is ethereal and soothing, carrying a feeling of hope and dreaming within it.

There’s a sense of Aura as a character with youthful dreams and boundless possibility. The fluting synth drifts with the warming, uplifting melody as the drums continue to pulsate. Metallic sounds play as the main melody slips by with graceful joy, reaching for the sky.

As the melody unfolds, I am transported into the mind of the character, feeling her aspirations for the future. My heart is touched as Juani's guitar erupts along with a sleek synth and rippling, string-like notes that entangle. The synth creates dynamic positivity as the vocal notes feel gossamer and light.

A darker element fills the music while the keyboard sings with epic verve. The flute calls out again, evoking the opening vistas which the character experiences, creating imagery of mountains towering above her. Juani's guitar howls with passion and celebratory liveliness as it unfolds intricate lines swell while the flute sings us on to the end of the song.

“Escape the Maze” commences as intensely seething synth tumbles and bass growls with shuddering power. The drums press on now as the quickly spinning synth trips and ghostly sounds float. The fiercely flaring synth ignites in rapid pulses while the drums explode beneath. Urgency and tension fill the radiant synth as it continually slides back and forth.

As the majestic chords rise, thunderous notes erupt with looming strength. The impression of continually progressing through confusing twists and turns fills the music, along with a certainty that escape will be achieved. Now Manuel Trabucco's sax flies into the music with pure passion and jazzy joy, the solo full of lively drama and nostalgia.

Chimes dance as the sax unfurls in leaping lines. The synth rapidly cascades and descends, illuminating notes spilling through the music as the pounding percussion pushes on. The hypnotically oscillating synth continues to float through the music in animated lines as laser-like sounds pierce the distance. Hollow notes move with elegant motion as the sax cries out again, explosive and reedy, before the track closes.

A heavy mechanical sound shifts and threatening noises vibrate as “Robot Skeleton Shotgun Samurai” opens. The crushing sound of heavy machinery is joined by a rapidly charging drum beat and distorted bell-like sounds that ring in angular motion.

A brassy synth carries a melody that feels battle-ready as slicing notes cut through and the chimes add tension. A vast synth planes and the melody carries imagery of fierce battle as rounded synth twangs and continually twirling arpeggios oscillate. The bass tumbles again and the drums hammer as the lead synth surges and a steadily repeating pattern adds to the feeling of struggle.

The main melody calls out with shining nobility, filling me with excitement and wild joy as it unfolds. The ringing notes flicker past again and the unrelenting low end pounds with danger before the track ends.

“Enchantment” comes alive as a beaming string instrument carries a melody full of timeless peace and a feeling of otherworldly calm. As it sings out, images of fantastical landscapes and architecture that defies belief fill my mind.

The full-toned synth reminds me of a woodwind instrument with its rich tones as the glimmering strings carry the melody, my mind journeying across the ancient landscape with it. As the rounder notes fly, the strings trickle on.

Now an elevated, oboe-like synth calls out with a melody full of tranquility and magical sensations. The bass collides heavily as the melody climbs above it, radiating serenity before the track ends.

A strong wind whips and descending notes trickle while solid bass cuts in to begin “Blade of the Windmaster”. The lead synth floats calmly before the drums tick solidly and the melody skips past with a lithe motion.

The drums rebound densely and the fluting lead synth calls out with a melodic line that speaks of elegance and composure. Arpeggios ripple steadily in the distance as the drums burst and the luminous synth shivers.

There’s a momentary twist before the main melody luminesces again, drawing a wise, skilled portrait of the song’s character. The electric guitar cries out, ardent and fiery, twining through the music with an arching dynamism that evokes strength and nobility before the track finishes.

“You Give Us Hope” commences with soft rainfall and natural sounds that are joined by a trembling synth tumbling in slowly journeying lines. A hypnotic quality fills the tones as they descend and a distorted, thudding kick drum shifts beneath.

The bass is dense as it rebounds and the continually rippling notes fade. The massive drums collide with an explosive beat as an exhaling sound moves through the music. The incredible weight adds strength as the taut synth carries a warming, reassuring melody.

Xylophone-like notes add caressing light as the hopeful melody moves. Gigantic drums and growling bass pulse as the radiant synth descends in extended chords, filling the music with luscious and encouraging notes as strings shine in the distance. As the track ends, the sense of progress is undeniable.

Towering drums explode and guitar flares as the blinding synth rises to kick off “Training Montage.” The guitar slices in sharp lines as the scintillating synth carries the thrilling, blood-pumping melody. Juani's guitar unwinds with howling dynamism as the thundering low end propels the track. Fiercely illuminating synth is joined by twinkling chimes as an eagle cries. A jagged guitar lacerates the music, generating sensations of a combative struggle.

The guitar spins out as Manuel Trabucco's sax takes over, spilling out with wild expression and exciting life. Underneath it all, the drums surge and flaring notes bring their own liveliness. The punchy low end jams on while the guitar cries out with feral feelings as it drifts by. All the musical elements come together, creating muscled motion before the track stops.

“Hold Me Close” begins with wind chimes and a crackling fire as slowly floating notes play out above the gruff low end. The lead synth is tremulous and carries an affectionate, soothing melody above the luscious bass. Leaping notes transmit the melody’s emotional depth and tenderness, touching my heart as they do so. Warmth suffuses the synth, bathing the music in sunset orange. Shining notes flow past, gentle and dreamy, as soft breaths exhale.

A flute adds fragility as Manuel Trabucco's sax soulfully captures love with a full-sounding richness that only increases the caring and devotion within the melody. Radiant synth trickles, chimes shine and the sax reaches deep to fill the listener with overwhelming love.

Military drums erupt and brass rumbles with foreboding while hollow percussion trembles to start “Gear Up.” The drums throb with dominant weight while a churning bassline shifts below steadily gliding notes. The synth pulse creates drama while the threatening brass rumbles and climbs with diamond-lit brightness and triumphant muscle. The drums are a warrior’s heartbeat as the scintillating synth flashes.

Images of banners snapping in the breeze and weapons being honed to a keen edge fill my mind as the low end thunders. Trumpeting notes speak of preparing to fight for a righteous cause against a dire enemy. The pulsating low end drives forward while a blinding synth carries the nobly successful melody. The drums pulse again with indomitable strength while a piercing synth rings out with undeniable energy to end the piece.

“The Battle and Beyond” opens as a soft wind flows past and birds call out. A sense of anticipation fills the music as a bell rings. Distantly throbbing drums add looming danger as the angular synth carries a tightly wound melodic line and a flute calls out with a melody that creates imagery of an impending battle and all that it entails. The melody speaks of forbidding castle walls and armor glinting in the sun while the sweeping percussion becomes a monumental beat slashed with snarling guitar.

The glistening synth cries out with defiant readiness. I find my heart throbbing in time to the beat, feeling the blood pump in my veins as Juani's guitar flashes with unstoppable power. A thrill runs through me as the instruments pour radiance above the low end. Feelings of danger and potential triumph shoot through the music.

Now a tensely trickling synth moves with gleaming strings while a sharp-edged series of sonic bursts on guitar and trumpet leap. A guitar solo howls above the track, filled with all of the resolve of a true warrior, while the low end rumbles and the drums beat. The guitar unwinds in free-flowing lines that intricately twist and turn while an elevated flute sings again. Broadly expansive synth glows as the brassy notes call and the track comes to an end on dark bass.

Lambent notes slowly float above a mournful background to start “I Am the Storm Rider.” Smooth, brassy notes with an orchestral feeling move with a softly shadowed bass and hollow percussion. A horn-like synth carries an elegantly flowing melody above the continually throbbing bass as diamond sounds flicker. A rough-edged synth carries the melody, which is full of pure sensation and a feeling of growing hope.

As the bass continually pulsates, a broadly shifting synth calls out again, filling me with a sense of single-minded strength. The drums continue to throb with martial precision and lustrous notes illuminate the distance. A gruff melodic pattern continues to rise and as the drums throb in a battle-ready beat, the horn-like synth carries a dreamy melody tinged with an aching feeling.

The propulsive but slow-moving beat proceeds majestically. The main melody yearns and reaches, tinged with unstoppable strength, while Juani's guitar slices with honourable emotion. The track grows to a crescendo before silence falls with the gleaming guitar.

“Epilogue / End Title” opens as an orchestra sweeps with power and intensely felt emotion, metallic brass crying out in elegant but forceful motion.As the trumpet rings out, actively explosive drums move in varied lines as Juani's guitar spins out a melody speaking of endings and victory. As the evocative chords gleam, rebounding drums support the refulgent melody that slides into the music. The horn section skirls and rises with serene triumph as the brass is supported by the strings.

A feeling of completion fills me, bringing to mind the sensation one feels at the conclusion of a great adventure film. The piano trickles with a delicate and affectionate melody as the guitar adds soaring, uplifting sensations. Calm descends as the battle ends and our main characters go back off into their lives, wiser and stronger for what they’ve gone through.

My heart swells with the growing music while the colossal drums drive. The melody is tender, sweet and full of heart as it closes out the wonderful journey on which we've all been in the company of the artist. I am left smiling and fulfilled as the strings fade away.

Conclusion

Aura transports me to a world of dreams and on a quest to save that enchanted place from an evil blight seeking to destroy it. Hill Valley Hero fully brings me into his world and musically elucidates the adventures of the main character within it. This is music which compels me to continue listening and painting pictures in my mind.