Memory Color - Motion Pictures

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Memory Color’s Motion Pictures is a stylistically diverse, complex and layered synth-based album that mixes fascinating influences and creates sonic portraits that unfold in melodic lines with undeniable vigour. A neon haze and uplifting vigour permeate the music, shot through with tranquil moments. I enjoy the sonic world being created by the artist as the album unfolds.

One of the factors that draws me to Motion Pictures is the sheer diversity of interesting musical influences. Along with tracks that have strong disco underpinnings, there are moments of ambient relaxation and decidedly retro synth bursts that feel like the best kind of synthwave. I also hear hints of soul, funk and jazz, which only deepen the intensity of the ear-grabbing sonic candy that permeates the album.

I'm also drawn to Motion Pictures’ superb use of synths to intricately weave imagery and create tones and textures. Memory Color has an ear for intriguing and enjoyable synth combinations, along with the ability to pair those sounds to melodic and harmonic elements. As a result, the tapestry that unfolds is luscious and richly pleasing. There are complexities and nuances that come together to form a satisfying whole.

Listening to Motion Pictures is like exploring a brand-new place where the past mixes with the present and the future. The overall atmospherics of the music are full of something nostalgic, but also a sense of yearning and reaching forward toward something fresh. The music that results is a great listen and a journey into some fascinating territory.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Welcome” starts the album as though it were a jingle for an old school VHS.

String-like synth trickles quickly and the sound of nature moves with soothing leisure to open “Motion Pictures”. Expanding bass rumbles below as gleaming synth flashes are joined by a smoothly driving low-end throb. The synth locks into a melodic pattern that is calming but full of life as the bass undulates and the drums drive. The broadly floating synth continues to split past as the oscillating bassline adds even more momentum.

Arpeggios gently twirl as the string-like synth carries a melody full of yearning, longing and nostalgia. The synth has a smoothly shining quality that adds to the wistful joy, a joy that captures me with its seeking for past happiness. As the low end continues to pulsate, open-sounding notes hover and the electric guitar slowly descends.

Now the drumbeat is gliding while the guitar intertwines and drifts with elegant relaxation. A sense of smooth sailing permeates the music as the drums continue to pulse. The kick drum accelerates now as diamond chimes sparkle and the track rises with warm positivity. The tenuous melody slides out, skipping along with a feeling of celebration and freedom, while the drums and bass press forward. Digital-sounding synth cries out as the warm melody sings with enfolding positivity before the track comes to an end.

“Transmitter” comes into being as a tense, metallic synth pulse moves while misty notes slide and a brightly crying sound briefly shifts. The drums rebound and launch into a steady pulse as the twisting synth swirls with a ghostly sensation and the background swells with ethereal synth. The drums are muscled and propulsive as round-sounding notes cascade smoothly. The bass is heavy as a sprinkle of chiming synth flickers past and gossamer notes float in the distance.

A densely revolving synth pattern calls out as the low end continues to drive. Rapid sonic bursts flit through as the low end pulses. The chimes flicker as the heavily punching drums and thick bass press on. A hypnotic feeling permeates the music as sonic flashes descend. The track floats into a segment in which easy-going synth intermingles and a peaceful sensation flows forth.

A steady disco beat throbs on varied percussion to open “Memory Lounge.” As the repeating, twirling figure spins, the funky beat boogies on underneath. Now the fat and groovy bass booty-shakes through the music as the active, fast air-catching percussion joins it and the smoothly floating synth spins and trends, inducing motion above it.

Twinkling synth shines with starlight as the low end continues to shimmy and the percussion adds a cool, laid-back flavor above the fat bass. The guitar adds more funk, increasing the dance-floor-filling energy that permeates the tune.

I start giving myself up to the rhythm as the drums cruise along. A synth flows with silken relaxation and the chimes flash. Once again, the gigantic low end and the locked-in drums have an undeniably powerful rhythm, drawing me into the boogieing music.

Now the interlocking percussion and bass are cut by a coruscant synth that leaps out with dynamic flair. The percussion smoothly slips as extended synth lines glide peacefully. The percussion is continuous and propulsive as the vocal sample adds an additional layer of disco feeling.

The low end is dense and massive as the percussion continues to pop along. The chimes flash as sliding sounds descend and the groove continues. Effulgent synth shines out as the track pulses with low-end weight and fills the music with a hypnotic pulse before the track comes to an end.

“Haute Couture” starts as a choppy synth flashes in and out and a vocal clip about haute couture cuts into the music. Quick, jazzy flashes move with a ticking hi-hat as the active percussion rolls along with trumpeting notes that leap out above the hard-hitting drums. The low end cruises into a disco-influenced pulse, full of groove and heart, while the synth cuts in cleanly.

A rounded, baritone sax-like sound wriggles through the music as the low end locks into a punchy beat. Flaring synth jump with energizing luminosity while the low end shimmies. The diverse percussion adds more ear-pleasing feeling as the sax-like sound moves out. The drums and bass move into a different tempo and rhythm—still groovy, but a little cooler and more tranquil. A nasal-sounding synth whines with twisted sound while the groove remains undeniable.

The vocal sample returns as the leaping sounds dance above the ticking hi-hat. I feel myself moving to the beat as radiant synth jumps out and bongos ripple below. The sonic layers are rich and deep as the scintillating notes shine and the disco feeling drenches everything. As the track comes to an end, the drums intertwine before they fall silent.

A heavily throbbing disco beat shakes its way into the track with energetic motion to begin “Earplanes”. The beat is addictive and strongly shaping as electric-sounding zaps move along with actively oscillating bass. Radiant synth zip into the music with bright dynamism as drifting sounds move in undulating whirls.

The track has a strongly driven disco energy as the elevated synth shifts with a jazzy, dancing melodic line and a nasal-sounding synth cries out with a super cool melody, full of smooth, sensual life. The bass shifts as chimes entangle and the beat throbs again, weaving into the funky low end while a steady triangle sound glitters.

I enjoy the infectious nature of the track as it gets down with a chilled-out vibe. The elevated, shiny synth adds a lustrous quality as the percussion moves distantly and the fat bass pulses. As the track comes to an end, the drums move in dynamic lines while the funky guitar pulsates and the music fades.

Chimes trickle past and the worshipful synth cries out as arpeggiating notes twirl again. The drums launch and haunted noises plane out in an extended line while bursting sounds add more sheen. The low end is a strong heartbeat as the track fills me with meditative energy. The floating synth in the distance adds tranquility while the muscled drums add weight. The track ends as the drums rebound and the lead synth trembles into silence.

“Resurrection” begins as serene sounds wander on a calming background, full of ethereal lightness. A steadily spinning note pattern moves above gigantically throbbing bass, creating tension and a sense of motion. The background continues to glide in placid waves before the pumping beat adds propulsion.

An intensely wound synth figure twirls out as the bass oscillates and the drums create more vitality. As the snare drum raps, spectral sounds drift and the twirling synth adds more tension. As the low end drives, a medium-high synth pulsates in addictive motion as the arpeggios swirl. The clean snare drum and thick bass move the track forward.

The low end presses on as nasal-sounding synth intermingles. I enjoy the feeling of progressive forward motion permeating the music here. The drums continue to add diverse sounds while raised synth flash with shimmering light and the taut synth weaves together.

The low end continues to punch as a delicate synth floats in the distance. The bass is resonant as the high synth gleams with dynamic forward motion and hollow notes ring metallically. The track moves forward with force as the raised synth spins together and dances out. Unique percussion sounds are joined by a soaring guitar, which has a sense of free abandon to it. The drums continue to rebound and the guitar flies out, carrying a sense of escape and liberation before the track ends.

Coruscating brass bursts and a solid bass thud is joined by a shimmering synth that trickles through smoothly as “Swimming Pool” starts . The main melody is full of flickering light as it shimmers and the driving low end has an energizing punch. Orchestra hits add even more dynamism.

Lushly intertwined drums move with the brassy synth, which are joined by intense glow as a trickling note pattern falls rapidly. The sparkling notes all ripple with story-like motion as the low end bounces and the bass throbs. I enjoy the relentless motion here along with the uplifting positivity as the orchestra hits shine and a piano-like synth carries interesting chords.

The trickling notes add sunny luminosity as the low end pulsates. There are tom hits and a warming synth that interlock with the metallic light around them before the drums continue to cruise. The track drifts into a silky section in which a cosmic synth descends in a soothing melody and bright synth glimmers.

Once again, the angular low end continues to push forward while the orchestra hits leap and assorted percussion adds a unique feeling. The chords are full of life and the entire track exudes a feeling of speeding motion while the luscious chords intertwine. Orchestra hits fly and the chiming synth trembles while the slicing low end continues to guide the music.

“Spektra” starts off as a tenuous synth flow and the sound of a video tape being inserted moves with slightly threatening bass. A reverberant arpeggio spins as the drums jump and twirl and the bass drives on. Handclaps send an orchestra hit flying and the ticking percussion adds form while the bass cuts with shadowy depth.

A caressing sound rises with tendrils extending around me and the electric guitar floats with diaphanous relaxation while the orchestra hit adds light. The low end pulses and drives as the guitar takes me on a journey, sailing out with elegant tranquility. The low end pounds heavily as the haunting synth flows and calls out. Peace permeates the music along with a rising sunset glow and the guitar continues to slip with laid-back tones.

The guitar has a comforting presence that wraps me up in a cozy sonic blanket while the drums and bass guide the track. The propulsive drum beat contrasts with the hovering guitar while the track cruises on. Raised synth sparkle and a distant sound cries out while the trembling drums move and the guitar fills the music with a feeling of reassuring tenderness before the track ends.

Conclusion

Motion Pictures attracts me with the atmosphere and energy it exudes. The way in which it evolves and explores soundscapes makes it a listening experience I feel like repeating over and over again. The fact that there's a strong groove that underpins everything only makes the music more fun to listen to.