LukHash - Home Arcade

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

LukHash’s Home Arcade transports listeners on a journey through chiptune-influenced synth music, conjuring up late nights of 8-bit gaming and the thrill of adventuring in a computerized realm. LukHash skillfully combines his chiptune background with a wide variety of other synthesized elements to paint strong mental images. Added to that, he has a real facility for writing melodies and layering music in a way that's compelling and entertaining.

One of the standout features of Home Arcade is the way in which LukHash weaves together all of the different elements of his sonic palette. Of course, the chiptune elements are prominent, mingling different sounds from classic computer systems with their unmistakable clean attack. But there are also unique synth sounds that weave together and draw the listener on an exciting ride through a computerized realm.

As far as melodies are concerned, Home Arcade is rich with LukHash’s talent for crafting them. Each melody is full of deep engagement and powerful imagery. He is able to elicit a wide range of emotional responses with each melody, sometimes varying the mood within a single track. As a result, each melodic moment is full of feeling and depth as the album unfolds and we travel along with it.

Another excellent feature of Home Arcade is the way in which all of the different musical elements come together to create a luscious whole. Every different aspect brings a freshness and creativity to the entire package which is hard to ignore. There’s a cohesiveness to the way in which the sounds come together, while still allowing for diversity and aural interest as the tracks unfold.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Carrier Wave” Starts with monumental bass descending as warmly trembling notes slowly plane out with a computerized sound. Nostalgia soaks the digitized sounds as they levitate above the deep bass well and glide smoothly past me. This opening enchants me as it pulls me into the music before fading.

Broadly bouncing 8-bit notes flicker back and forth along with rebounding percussion to commence “Bootloader.” The bass is vast and dances dynamically while the computerized pulses continue to flash. A dramatically jumping synth with a taut quality carries an energetic melodic line before a smoothly slipping synth calls out, carrying a majestic melody, full of power.

8-bit notes volley back and forth while a quickly flitting synth carries a motivational melody. Digitized notes add nobility, imbuing me with adventurous feelings. The low end continues to hit hard as the beaming synth calls out. As the surging digital notes drive on, twisting slightly, the bass batters. Rumbling notes move and the ominous flare of synth fades to silence.

“199X” begins as a fiercely radiant synth moves with a ferociously attacking bassline. The bass is raging and incredibly powerful as the popping, echoing synth rings out in mad lines. The main melody kicks in with a shining explosion, erupting with unstoppable strength. Strangely serpentine sounds ring out along with the angrily throbbing drums and gigantic bass.

Slipping sounds wriggle past with wild exuberance before the main melody echoes out again, leaping with unrelenting motion, carrying me along with its sense of freedom. The melody continues to erupt as brilliantly glittering synth flicks through and the low end roils. Open-sounding, echoing synth hypnotically pulsates and the drums and bass thunder fiercely. The track ends abruptly.

A driving, pulsing bassline slices with razor edges to kick off “Magnetique.” As the dense bass undulates, brightly bursting synth cuts in swirling lines and the drums pound. The thin-sounding, digitally slicing notes move in a melody that is insistent and energizing, while worshipful sounds float in the distance. Drums flourish as a brassy synth calls out with a darkly dramatic melody and the nasal-sounding, sharp-edged synth continues to whirl.

A choral synth calls out in the distance. I enjoy the intense strength and trance-inducing melodic pattern as the 8-bit notes cry out with a piping quality, full of adventure and ancient power, carrying me along with them. The melody reminds me of the great video game melodies from the past as it unfolds with triumphant life before the track ends.

Easily trickling, computerized notes tumble as a steady, repeating creak moves in the background to start “CopyParty Memories.” Now the drums and bass move along with luminous chords that swell behind the digitally bouncing notes which cavort wildly The 8-bit melody echoes with excitement and new horizons. Solid bass descends as piano notes resonate with strength and uplifting zeal.

The drums explode as sparkling notes swirl through the music and the bright, digital-sounding notes wander crazily. The main melody grabs hold of me and carries me along with dynamism and encouragement, evoking sensations of youthful joy. As the drums continue to pound, ragged bass snarls and the thrilling synth fades into extended piano notes and rumbling depths.

“Chiptune Ride” swells into life with a powerfully rising sound. The snare drum bursts into a funky beat as the bass pulsates and a sharply tripping synth skips through the music. The low end rides a groove as the orchestra hits flash and a silky synth carries smoothly glowing chords. The computerized notes bop, full of lively '80s vibes and joy.

As the low end slams hard, dazzling chords interlock and a flat-sounding pulse tumbles. The drums flourish again and the earworm of a tune wriggles and shimmies, filling me with childlike enjoyment. Ticking percussion moves as the slightly muffled chords flicker and filmy notes float.

The 8-bit melody flicks again with unstoppable, youthful pleasure as the digital arpeggios in the background leap. The low end pounds on as the funky bass surfs and the song fades into silence with orchestra hits.

Hovering sounds slowly move along with what sounds like a printer to commence “Dream Off.” A quickly rippling drum and bass beat trips past as the rounded, computerized-sounding melody dances. Elements of celebration and uplift fill the melody as zipping synth noises intermingle in the distance and the stuttering drum and bass pattern adds shape.

The main melody takes hold of me and flings me out into space, erupting with hopeful life above the unrelenting low end. Active bass moves in shivering lines as the drums pop with hard edges. The lead’s chippy sound gives it clarity as it flies through the music, trailing dynamic power.

The drums and bass continue to cruise smoothly as the music unfolds. The 8-bit melody is clean and cutting, bumping through the music with animating fire. The surging bass continues to drive the music as the snare drums snap and the track comes to an end.

“Fading” opens as smoothly spinning arpeggios permeate the music with tenderness, while a clock-like ticking fills the percussion. Bass moves in deep pulses and the militaristic drums batter above the unending arpeggios. The bass rises as a slicing synth moves in the distance and the glowing notes around it wrap everything in warmth.

The synth has a violin-like quality, crying out with resonance and affecting feelings. The huge drums rebound as the arpeggios ripple and the bass swells thickly. Now there’s a crescendo and the classically inspired melody calls out with yearning and reverberant, touching emotion. I am pulled inward by this beautifully composed melody that fades quietly away.

“SIDStorm” begins as a ferocious bass onslaught mingles with explosive chip sounds that leap into the track. The chip notes rush forward with aggression and a harsh digital sound.

Digital-sounding notes undulate and dance while the low end hits with impressive force. The chip notes have a cutting feeling as warmer chords flow up around them. The percussion has power as it drives on while the chip notes arpeggiate and the background adds illumination.

Now a lucid synth bends, carrying a melody that has a certain magnificence to it. The bass exerts overwhelming force before it drops out briefly. The bass returns with punching drums as the glowing, nasal-sounding synth carries a noble melody. I enjoy the intense strength that this music radiates as it unfolds.

Gruff, computerized pulses shifting rapidly as a twirling 8-bit arpeggio rushes through the music in a quick flow to start “Raster Bar.” The drums are clean and punch hard as the 8-bit melody cries out with hopeful spirit and an uplifting, joyful feeling while the gruff noises in the distance continue to slice through.

Arpeggios tremble in rapid motion while caressing notes in the background add depth. The lead melody cries out again, filling the music with positive vibes and energetic life. I am drawn to the heroic and dreamy quality of the melody as it unfolds.

Grandeur pours from the melody before a secondary melodic segment twirls through, feeling quite “Castlevania”-like in its darkly dancing minor key qualities. Meanwhile, the rebounding drums and bass add weight. The first melody soars out again, flying and full of victorious life before the track comes to an end.

“Power Up” starts with an industrially churning beat and weirdly wandering, digital-sounding synth. A nasal-sounding note pattern vibrates above the tumbling drum and bass propulsion, as echoing, xylophone-like noises leap with dynamic power.

The main melody is full of encouragement and indomitable strength as the classic computerized arpeggios pulse. The tightly wound synth carrying the main melody bounces out with motion and life above the stuttering low end. As the xylophone taps brightly, the unrelenting drum and bass motion shutters below.

The melody is triumphant while the thrilling arpeggios spin with radiance. I find the main melody compelling as it adds victorious feelings before gently caressing sounds move and fade into silence.

Conclusion

Home Arcade is a thrilling and ear-pleasing adventure that moves through digital landscapes and synthesized sound paintings as LukHash carries us along. I've been a longtime follower of his work and this is another superb installment in a series of well-done albums and singles.