Synth Single Review: “Serotonin” by Missing Words

by Karl Magi

Missing Words’ “Serotonin” travels down melancholy pathways as it begins with voices moving into an empty space before a rhythm pushes with insistence. Cascades of radiant notes spill into a melody that mingles emotional ache with dynamism as drums provide forward motion. 

Vocals unfurl from James Meays with broken sensations, moving in patterns of loss and hurt before the chorus is joined by vaulting synth which gently illuminates the music. A meditative moment touches the song before the beat creates energy, while James Meays tenderly fills me with painful feelings with his affecting performance.

Rising like dawn, the lead synth melody reaches out to connect with damaged affection before the song flows quietly for a moment. Bursting back into life, the underpinnings charge while the vocals are a mixture of hope and uncertainty. Contemplative patterns fill the lead synths before the surging rhythm fades to silence.

The storyteller tries to run and hide, but he can’t take one more night because “I’m falling in too deep again.” He sees images of faraway light and calls out, standing by its side. The light tells him he’s free again.

“Give it one more try, one last sigh, because I can’t live a lie,” as our narrator says he can’t and won’t sleep tonight. He adds that “it takes away the pain of yesterdays.” He concludes, “I said I’d change in so many different ways, but I’m still here on the floor.”