RND87 - Back In Time
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
RND87’s Back In Time is evocative and atmospheric synth-based music that roams across varied emotional landscapes. RND87 creates auditory imagery that captures the complexities of human feelings on the album, using a plethora of intriguing synth sounds to explore a broad range of mental states.
In my view, it’s a special skill for an artist to use synthetic instruments and still evoke a visceral response from their listeners. RND87 manages it on Back In Time. His use of the right sound at the right time mixes with his compositional abilities as he explores loss, pain, tenderness and triumph. The end result took a hold of my emotions and drew them out of me.
A skillfully composed melody is something I find impossible to resist and RND87 has filled Back In Time with some superb examples. The element that really pulls me into the melodies on this album is their complexity. A variety of different mental states and moods seem to exist simultaneously in the melodies as they reveal themselves. I enjoy the melodic journey on which I’m taken by the music.
Atmosphere drips from this album’s every pore. It drenches each track in a veil of evocative sound, painting powerful imagery in my mind through musical interactions. There’s a transporting quality in the tracks that lifts me out of the mundane and carries me to new realms and emotional terrains.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“City Lights” comes to life as worshipful synth grows along with a bursting, softly hissing snare drum. Muscled bass oscillates and snare drum and kick drum push on. Resonating sound adds depth to a raised synth radiating clean light.
The lead synth carries a pleasing melody that is contemplative and hopeful. Drums and bass interlock in an active rhythm to support other musical elements. Raised synth glides out in a sparkling exhalation before broadly glowing synth carries a melody yearning for bright city lights.
Tremulous, rounded notes shiver below elevated synth as its lambent illumination sparkles out. The low end’s strength guides the track while distant, twisting notes drift before ending on vibrating, metallic notes.
Resonant, digital-sounding bells undulate, cut with a harsh hiss as they ring out to start “Opportunities.” Flaring, wriggling synth glides as dense bass adds weight and drums push the music onward. A shining synth carries a melody tinged with loss, but still reaching out hopefully. Slowly volleying, gleaming synth shifts in bright walls through the music.
Mistily shimmering synth carries the main melody, full of need massive bass throbs and sonic stars shine. Nasal-sounding, broadly flashing synth bounces in slowly unfolding lines and soft-edged, bell-like synth calls out. I enjoy the way in which the main melody embodies aspiration and touching feeling. Glistening synth rises and falls before fading on reverential notes.
“The Cube” starts as impacting drums smack in and bass undulates as a steadily throbbing synth moves. In the distance, effulgent synth suffuses the music while a lower, flaring synth carries an upbeat melody.
Smooth, rich synth sings an enfolding melodic pattern that effectively creates calm as flickering sound sweeps. The drums disappear as crystalline synth cascades above intense bass, elevating the mood. Rippling, deep-toned synth flows in arpeggios and now dynamic, triumphant synth supports the elevated shine above it.
Hard-hitting drums press on and bass adds another below as the coruscating synth glows. Massive bass pulses on as high notes flit through, leavening the depths below it. The drums drive on while the active sings the victorious melody while diamantine notes flower into the music. The track ends on glittering notes and twanging synth.
Terrifyingly huge bass pounds and undulates along with a throbbing kick drum to open “Excursion.” Radiant, guitar-like synth chords leap and brassy synth sings an inspirational, deeply confident melody that I find touching.
Guitar-like notes add power and drums drive on. Trumpeting synth moves with gritty guitar chords as the drumbeat and oscillating bass push forward. Arpeggiating, smoothly flowing synth adds lush texture while the glowing lead synth moves joyfully.
Sharply leaping synth accents add sunlit sensations while a rippling arpeggio tumbles down. The main melody flies out, soaring onward with positivity above the driving drums. The track ends on flashing notes flying out into silence.
“The Synthesist” begins as quickly vibrating, rushing synth flits into the track. A solid kick drum pulses and lustrous synth shimmies in a positive melodic line as glistening synth grows in the distance.
A snare drum guides the music as climbing, victorious chords sing out with a tinge of more pained emotion in them. The balance and contrast of feeling achieved in this track deepens its impact for me. Guiding bass pulses while the drums fade and full-sounding, repeating notes create a steady throb.
Synth chords carry the music upward on broad wings. A wistful element in the chord progressions balances out the uplifting feelings. The track fades on poignant strings before the song ends on a breath of wind.
Raised, string-like synth descends along with flashing, metallic notes to kick off “Postcards.” Darkly throbbing bass and strong drums pulse as fully surrounding lower synth supports the glittering higher synth carrying a gently nostalgic melody. Starry notes twinkle and metallic, medium-high synth carries a dreaming melody.
Actively moving bass adds weight as string-like synth uncurls. The summery melody is beautifully tinged with the sadness of remembrance. Shimmering notes add more light and washing synth resonates. After a drum fill, the main melody drifts with tranquility feeling and higher notes gleam as the track flows to a conclusion.
“Don’t Hesitate” comes to life as galactic sound fades rapidly and widely echoing synth glides along with powerful bass. Tautly bouncing synth pulses while rapidly flickering synth dances out.
Medium-high, gritty synth sings an energizing melody broadly whirling arpeggios add texture, bass oscillates and a snare drum jumps in. The main melody calls out, carried on wide swathes of synth.
Arpeggios twirl out on rounded, popping synth as actively shifting bass shapes the music. The main melody pleasingly pours out, brimming with a sense progress and life. Texturally undulating synth adds a carpet of cosmic light before the track finishes.
Slowly spinning synth with a slight shimmer flickers as steady bass pulsates to start “Take Care.” Warmly deep synth carries an affectionate melody, effectively evoking a caring embrace while briefly flaring synth accents glisten.
Bass drops out, the snare drum keeps pulsing and bass waves slip through. Medium-low, softly rounded synth sings the melody, exuding kindness and drums shape the music. Quickly arcing arpeggios lend brightness and the airy synths contribute gentle impressions.
The main melody is soothing and easy going. The track fades on deep bass and shining notes along with a vocal sample speaking about wishing to travel back in time and change things.
Conclusion
Back In Time is one of those albums that invites repeated listening. Each time one listens, a new aspect appears in the music. I find that there are deeply intertwined soundscapes that reveal more layers each time one hears them. In the end, they fill me with rich emotion and a sense of wanting more.
