Synth EP Review: “levels” by Dream Commander
by Karl Magi
Dream Commander's “levels” is a work of intensely layered, richly complex sounds that have their own fascinating qualities, but never lose sight of the melodic beauty that Dream Commander weaves. Each track is like a sonic jewel that fascinates while it enchants and the way in which it's crafted leaves no doubt about the skill of the creator.
“Beautiful Fruit” has an all-encompassing radiance that spills out above a flourishing rhythmic pulse and cruising bass while trickling chimes undulate and bending sounds create flexible levitation. A glowing melody slowly unfolds while a piano with chilled out, jazz inflected feelings creates midnight relaxation.
Haunting tones twist, evoking nocturnal contemplation, before laser-like notes create contrast to the piano’s elegant motion. Swirling lusciousness creates an impression of a chilled out night club. A piercing tonal pattern drops through the music with deep complexity and more jazz sounds before arcing skyward.
Rhythm pulsates as clapping percussion joins screaming crowd sounds before luminescence transfers to me. All of the fascinating variation within this track pulls me in and galvanizes me. Sliding smoothness is briefly touched by timbales before metallic notes flicker and a wandering pattern closes the song.
Sneaky bass wanders with bright tones that slip like street lights through the darkness and “Actual Malice” vibrates with unique sounds and a jazz-infused melody, full of twists and turns, that engages the brain and the ears in equal measure. The bass continues to move enigmatically, evoking sensations of subterfuge and luminous tones evoke flashes of moonlight across shadowy streets.
All the melodic notes move with laidback sensations, slipping past in a floating line while the percussion is unsettled and an elevated synthesizer is contrasted with twinkling tones that wash like brief bursts of starlight. A piano line cruises in with dynamic sensations that feel more like cars rushing by on the highway before choppy notes flash together and the track closes out.
“Redemption/Loss” moves with mournful gentleness, its tones muffled and rounded with a surrounding radiance that creates sensations of calm and thoughtful silence as the entire track hovers weightlessly. A pool of delicate sound spreads outward with tranquility and unbelievable peace that captures me. All of the gentleness is interrupted by a grating sound before the track winds down.
A wide open soundscape is created by hollow drums with a plethora of sonic signatures which join notes that carry a melodic pattern full of caring as “I Can Feel Your Love” grows into life and spreads out word with encouraging tenderness. An atmosphere of affectionate depth glides with exceptional smoothness and a feeling of unending serenity, grasping me with its passionate, loving relaxation.
Pictures of two lovers entwined, holding one another near in a paradise of intense emotion permeate me while the echoing beats mirror to heartbeats coming together. A computerized synth doubles the soft edged notes that carry the ardent melodic line, broadcasting all of the intimate feelings which flow through the entire piece. a glockenspiel casts one more iridescent light through the music before it comes to an end on the achingly touching melody.
A knot of jangling piano is joined by an underlying foundation of off-kilter percussion as “Hypercolour” grooves into existence before neon illumination gleams with a melodic line that plays metallically above the supporting beats. A sunlit burst of chimes frolics in a repeating pattern which adds another element of joyful, exhilarating sensation to the continually pulsing underlayer.
A burst of rainbow light suffuses the foreground as the groove continues to develop. Colliding drum walls echo into the hypnotic patterns that intertwine, evoking fractured colors spilling with intensity and animating me with the vibrancy of their energy. Dream Commander captures love balanced with melancholy in his trembling voice, carrying a mysterious melody.
As the song unfolds, compellingly honest expression spills from Dream Commander to pierce me with affecting emotion. Scintillating notes evoke crystalline surfaces as the even beat delivers a shaping influence while the vocals drift free. A slow tempo lends a feeling of hesitation while the vocal melody continues to evolve. Before the song closes, a whirling dervish synth solo leaps wildly and the music stops.
Wandering through loneliness and darkness, the storyteller finds himself stumbling and falling into a place in the earth. Loss permeates his words and he warns the person to whom the song is addressed that something in him isn't quite right. Phantoms of memory haunt him, remembrance of the person who has left.
Sleep escapes him as he misses the other person laying near him. He ponders the question of why he can't alter the path he's on and figure out what happened before concluding that the song's subject has never found him.
