Synth EP Review: “Along The Bay’’ by BMX Escape
BMX Escape’s “Along The Bay” is full of complicated emotions, beautifully layered synth sounds and heart touching melodies. In combination with the guest talents of By Forever featured on “The Bay” this EP weaves a nostalgic and touching tapestry.
“A Date With Jody” comes to life as a steadily rumbling rhythm joins elevated, intensely shiny tones which are met by a sweeping breath of wind. Cascading, flute-like notes float delicately while the main melody irradiates the music with positive sensations, filling me with hope and restless joy. Bells ring and a saxophone adds heartening dynamism while the heavy-hitting drums propel the track.
A jazz influence radiates from the warmly reedy saxophone as it fills me with encouragement and lighthearted energy. The lead synth suffuses the music with triumphant, youthful power that speaks of possibility and unbounded affection. Delicate chimes add a minor-key shadow as police sirens call out and darkness fills the music while the foundational pulse growls.
More positive energy suffuses the guitar as it leaps into the music with wild luminosity, adding another layer of explosive warmth before silence falls.
Lusciously revolving notes join washing waves to commence *Along The Bay (2025).* The underlying pulse becomes huge as the snapping drum beat punches forward and the resonant synth carries an excitement-filled melodic line. The main melody drifts on round tones that float with breezy relaxation as the beat presses on. Gem-like notes sparkle like sunlight as bending tones carry a melody rife with thrilling strength while twirling notes buoy it up.
After a darkly shaded pause, the guitar charges with fierce power while the raised synth blasts out victoriously above it. Excitement seizes me as I picture a powerful supercar leaping from turn to turn with its engine bellowing. The guitar slashes as lushly glimmering notes dance above the wandering synth that planes through the music with dreaming emotion.
The underpinnings surge on as tranquil tones sail out while the track radiates tropical warmth and irrepressible energy. The music ends with a madly cascading synth solo that erupts with all the drama of an Italian thoroughbred car.
“The Bay” begins as a cutting synth descends while a rushing rhythm leaps into the track. The lead singer’s resonating vocals carry the needy lyrics as a brilliant synth suffuses the music. As the piano line propels the music, By Forever’s voice rises with fierce emotion above the bouncing beat. Shadowy notes briefly tumble and the vocals climb upward, By Forever’s performance stabbing broken feelings into my heart.
The foundation jabs hard as By Forever takes hold of the words and brings them to life. Giant drums flourish and diamond notes trickle before the piano adds another dynamic layer. The synth shines along with the electrifying vocal performance while the sound of the waves briefly washes through.
A half-speed beat moves with By Forever’s hurting expression as glowing tones intertwine with the thick bass. The drums flourish and the chorus flies through the music with intensity while the tones below rumble and a brassy synth exudes coruscating light before the song comes to an end.
Our narrator wanders the streets on Saturday night “looking for this feeling that got away.” He doesn’t know how to get the feeling back no matter how hard he tries. He goes on to say that “all along the bay, you just wanted to get away, wanted to run away from all of the feelings that are holding you back tonight.” The song's subject isn’t giving up the fight and is “holding on tonight.”
As darkness closes in on the storyteller, he says that he is “out on the edge reaching out for your touch tonight.” He wonders if the city is really as bright as it looks or if it’s a trick of the light. He asks, “Is it all in vain because it faded away?” He speaks of a fire that burns deeply inside of him, “longing for this feeling to make a bright return,” as he asks how he ever let it slip right past his gaze.
In conclusion, our narrator says, “The sea’s whispers are lost in the sound of the underground and my mind is rushing a million miles, I want to turn back the clock and I'm trying to make it out here alive.”
Dynamic percussion bursts as heavy bass pumps and a spinning arpeggio gleams with fierce luminosity to start “The Love Has Gone.” A gentle synth melody slides with laid-back emotion as the rhythmic weight below drives on. The lead synth is piercing and carries the dreamy, wanting melody above a quickly oscillating underlayer and crisp drums.
The electric bass moves into a funky, half-speed pulse as a string-like synth is joined by a guitar that grips my soul with its fervent feeling. Active percussion jams with dense underpinnings and elevated notes swirl with summer light. As the melody slips out, I feel myself touched by the loss within it.
Below the other sounds, the percussion kicks out a driving beat while tiny, elevated tones wink in the distance. The lead synth solo is deep and full of sincere engagement as the guitar comes in to howl with ardent need and a feeling of loss before the song ends.
