Starfarer - Dawless Explorations

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Dawless Explorations takes listeners on an atmospheric, majestic and dark cosmic journey that mingles tranquil moments with danger and threat. The purity of sequenced hardware synths and some live performance adds to the stripped down, sharp-edged nature of the music. I am struck by how much expression and power can be achieved taking this more direct approach to the music making process.

I am drawn to the atmosphere that Starfarer weaves on Dawless Explorations. His analogue synth sounds have clarity and well-defined sonic signatures that he utilizes to paint images of great beauty and fierce darkness. I appreciate the way he combines synth sounds to create layered musical tapestries that carry me away on a grand adventure in the vastness of space.

It’s rare these days to hear an album not made in a DAW with sequenced hardware synths, so I enjoyed Dawless Explorations for that reason. I feel that it has a clean sound that takes advantage of the different auditory profiles of each synth. The time and effort Starfarer took with a more traditional process results in a surprising freshness in the audio profile here.

I appreciate the compositional approach taken by Starfarer on this album. It foregrounds the different synths and allows them to translate the expression within the melodies, harmonies and bass lines into sounds that drive home the sensations and feelings that are being created.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Beyond The Stars” starts off with undulating, sharp-edged bass that flanges into the track. Extended, shifting bass with the same cutting, hard-edged sound moves out with sweeping force as it unfolds through the music. It contains a weighty darkness as it begins a pulsating oscillation that has a laser-like quality.

Warning synth drifts with a haunting feeling as it hypnotically repeats and then fades out into echoing space. Now intensely flaring laser sounds rush in over tensely wandering notes that effectively ramp up nervous feelings as they keep intertwining while gritty bass keeps on slicing into the track with shadowed feeling.

A high synth creates a trance-like pulse. There’s something threatening in that hard edged bass as it slashes while the higher synth ramps up the worry and discomfort in the track. The song ends on the laser like zapping and feeds into silence

Overlapping, warmly glowing synth washes out in caressing waves that roll easily to start “Sunset Waves.” Dense, rounded bass throbs while ticking drums burst out while the waves continue to roll on with unctuous feeling. I am carried away on images of a burnt orange sun sinking into a dark blue ocean, feeling calm and meditative.

Trembling synth echoes into open space. Rich bass flows before the smooth drums pulse and razor sharp synth shivers above the tenderly slipping notes that sail along. Vibrating synth keeps moving in choppy lines while radiant sounds flash out with intense illumination. The music ends as deeply echoing, enfolding waves float into silence.

“Near Orbit” opens as popping percussion moves with flatly tapping drums as huge bass ripples and heaves. Buzzing synth flows out as elevated notes steadily pulse while fat, flanging synth blares out as drums throb and massive bass adds threatening shadows that loom far below.

Elevated synth keeps reverberating as medium-low notes slice past and percussion shifts with a metallic sound while weighty bass seethes far below and flaring notes add more dangerous sound. Wobbling, zapping notes shiver alone out into space as the track ends. I am drawn to the feeling of cosmic dread that permeates the track, imbuing me with a deep fear of the void all around me.

Steady drums burst out into open space in an even beat before bass with wide contours begins a pulsation that grows more intense with each beat to commence “At Galaxy’s Edge.” Sweeping, bending synth carries a drifting, noble galactic melody above cutting bass to create images of interplanetary travel.

The lead synth wobbles, shivers and twists as dark, dense bass glides in pulsing motion and haunting, distorted notes shift out. There is uncertainty in the track along with the overwhelming feeling of awe in the face of vast power. The lead synth floats with disembodied and wandering motion out above the thick bass void and guiding drums before silence falls.

“Jump Drive” opens as flatly throbbing synth moves in an even pulse that is joined by glistening synth trumpeting out in steady motion. Hi hat ticks along as undulating bass forms a propulsive flow far below. Nasal-sounding synth flows on and grating, growling synth shifts while higher, rounded notes move in distorted progress.

Raised synth bends and wiggles as flat notes start to pulsate again. The low end vibrates onward with darkly oscillating progress and harsh synth snarls and is broken by elevated sound which shivers out before silence falls.

There is a strong sense of movement in the track conveyed by the low end’s unstoppable motion. I also enjoy the nervous qualities embodied in the higher synth’s uneasiness.

Crushing bass slams with aggression as ferocious drums smash in hard to open “Breach Protocol.” The bass has raging, angular weight to it as a hi hat clashes while the angry low end keeps shattering with power.

There is pure threat and gigantic, destructive strength here as the drums and bass batter with a maelstrom that I find compelling. The whole track surges with destructive force and endless weight as rushing sounds carry the track to an end.

“Sensory Overload” comes into being as bass hits with unrelenting, tidal force that shoves the track onward inexorably. Kick drum punches in and snare drum rushes as high, tangled synth shakes into the track and the bass is irresistible. I think this song’s title is right on the money.

Hollow percussion joins nervous, open synth howling out in rounded motion, expanding and contracting while the low end force is endless. The elevated synth is agitated and tense above the enraged drums and bass that muscle in. Metallic percussion taps and the vibrating synth shimmies past and the slashing pulse comes through as the taut synth takes us out.

Conclusion

Dawless Explorations uses real sequenced, analogue synths and their unique properties to weave a sonic tapestry that travels with nobility, shadowed danger and massive power as the album unfolds.