Hill Valley Hero - Electric Outlands

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Hill Valley Hero’s Electric Outlands takes listeners on a cinematic, intricately layered journey through rich synthscapes in a grand adventure, full of action and drama. It combines well crafted melodies, intricately layered sounds and the contributions of talented guest performers. The end result is music that entertains and engages listeners as it unfolds.

One of the major reasons for which I'm drawn to Electric Outlands is the way in which Hill Valley Hero tells a story through auditory imagery. A palpable sense of new vistas, exploration and adventure fills the music. The way in which Hill Valley Hero weaves together ear catching, layered synth elements creates impactful impressions of landscapes and action that I find compelling. I enjoy being taken on this filmic quest by Hill Valley Hero.

Melodies are something which touches me deeply in music and the melodies on Electric Outlands are well-written and sometimes simply beautiful. I enjoy Hill Valley Hero’s ability to create melodies that pull me in with their emotional impact and imagery. Each melody has an expressive core that tells some part of the story and helps me to engage with the feelings which Hill Valley Hero conveys. The way in which the melodies evolve continues to create a cinematic impression in my mind's eye.

Each synth sound and instrumental choice made by Hill Valley Hero comes together to create music which weaves a sonic tapestry and conveys the  album’s story in cinematic scenes. This is music with an intense ability to evoke emotion and paint vivid pictures through the layering and interweaving of many musical elements. I also want to credit the superb guest performances on the album which contribute to the complexity and depth of the music.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Pilot Elite” comes to life as chimes flash out with crystalline light before truly gigantic drums thunder into the music along with a hint of guitar. Weighty bass adds even more muscle as chimes leap out. Cooper White’s freewheeling sax twists through the music with intensely passionate energy.

Massive drums keep throbbing and a twirling arpeggio spins through the music. Drums and bass drive onwards as an elevated sound forms a rhythmic pulse. Panpipes call out and the guitar swells into the music with growling energy.

Sharply glassy synth adds illumination above the pounding drums and bass. Now the track slips into a section in which calming and easy going flow from a caressing synth along with flaring guitar.

Drums flourish and now a brass section adds dynamic life above the colossal low end. The main melody effectively fuels inspiration as it calls out on a gleaming synth as the pulsing low end drives to a conclusion.

Razor-edged, string-like notes entwine rapidly and a vocal sample echoes out while the hypnotic low end pulses on with forceful motion to open “Ultrasonic”. A haunting quality permeates the lead synth and digital-sounding notes tremble through the music.

Arpeggios keep swirling and the main melody flies out, carried on a medium high, glowing synth imbued with a sense of dynamic life and a hint of shadow. I enjoy the synth parts’ complexity within the track. A tight-sounding synth spins in the distance while the drums throb and the bass pulses.

Slicing arpeggios move as sparkling notes flick through the music. After the drums flourish, a delicately shining synth floats and the arpeggios add texture to the music.

The drums and bass create a strong sense of motion and we glide into a segment in which piano light notes create an accelerative feeling as the drums tick. Gritty, broad-sounding synth snarls as the drums pound hard. The song drives to a conclusion with the leaping, arpeggiating pulse.

An engine starts and idles before revving as arpeggios softly drift in the distance and heavy hitting drama's pound to start “Into The Outlands.” There's a swinging quality to the low end as funky bass entangles. Widely trumpeting synth calls out with a sweeping, majestic melody as chimes sparkle in the distance.

Colossal drums provide support while a feeling of nobility flows from the open-voiced synth. Xylophone trickles in the background and the lead synth has a smoothly rounded sound as it carries a tranquil melody. Broad strength emanates from the brassy lead synth that glows through the music as drums flourish.

The gigantic low end pushes forward as the main melody tells the tale of a tremendous journey across uncharted territory. I'm thrilled by the sense of adventure that fills the melody. Now fluting synth rapidly winds through the music, adding to the sense of exotic exploration in new lands. Funky slap bass moves underneath as the drums burst before the song ends on luminous synth.

“Magnetism” begins as strong drums and hollow percussion form a steady beat while intensely gleaming synth flows out in an inspirational melody. Smoothly entangled, guitar frolics through the music before moving out with vaulting energy above the strongly propulsive drums and bass.

The music has a jubilant and celebratory quality as the synth adds illumination. The guitar wheels through the music as the urgent low end jumps forward. A feeling of freedom and joyous energy fills the music and I find it infectious.

The main melody flies out with encouragement and power. Coruscating synth dances through the music and we move into a section where rising piano chords support a tightly wound and soaring synth while the drums explode again. The guitar circles high above and the song ends with a deep sense of positivity.

Static crackles above a low rumble to start “No Turning Back.” Now softly luminous synth trembles above swirling, warm chords. The impression is one of gentleness, but huge bass growls below to add a powerful element. The low end contrasts with caressing sounds above it. Now broadly spinning arpeggios are cut by a sharp sound.

The lead synth calls out with triumphant energy and a melancholy tinge. Sparkling synth descends in a clean burst of sound through the music as the powerful bass moves below.

A starry feeling permeates the music and tremendous drums punch hard. Reverberating percussion flows out and adds even more strength. The track ends on the well-crafted sense of nobility with which it is filled.

“When We Say Goodbye” commences with glittering arpeggios that twinkle into the music and grow in strength to add bright motion. Lush bass floats out to underpin the music.

Arpeggios circle to create texture and shape as crisp drums hit hard. Trembling, solar notes add more scintillating light as they burst. Thunder rolls and the brightness grows even more intense from the flashing notes that leap into the music.

Underneath the other musical elements, the drums and bass are intensely propulsive. I am drawn to the sense of light that fills the track, generating feelings of encouragement before the music ends.

Sweeping, luminous synth swells before muscled drums throb and heavy bass smacks in to start “Victory Dance.” The low end has a strong groove and a synth pulses steadily as it flickers out. An entirely joyous feeling fills the main melody as it calls out. A wide variety of fascinating percussion is slashed by orchestra hits.

Playful energy fills the lead synth in a way that just makes me smile. Manuel Trabucco’s sax calls out with an infectious, jazzy joy as it jumps through the music. The music flows funkily as the guitar moves in while more orchestra hits add dynamism and percussion punches.

The main guitar melody flashes in with an expression of pure happiness. A sax solo wanders with excitement and ease before synth shimmers and the low end takes on a slower pulse. High, digital-sounding synth ripples and the track expresses lively emotion before it ends.

Conclusion

Electric Outlands creates a thrilling, fascinating soundtrack to an adventure that roams across wild terrain and through intense action. All of the different musical elements mingle into a deeply pleasing listening experience on this album.