Synth Single Review: “star of wonder” by Anniee

by Karl Magi

Anniee’s “star of wonder” is an ancient carol for modern times. The song begins as a soft sweep of sound drifts in and bells shimmer with flickering luminosity while the drum beat rebounds. Anniee’s powerfully moving voice carries a melody with ancient weight and lyrical elegance.

The solid rhythm throbs as the bells scintillate like stars set in night’s velvet veil and Anniee’s voice captures all of the coruscating emotion within the words. The synth melody is tinged with melancholy despite its ethereal grace, carrying me along with a timeless feeling. The vocals are full of deep emotion and worshipful energy and then silence falls.

Our storyteller describes a “star of wonder, star of light, star that aches with beauty bright.” She doesn’t know where the star is leading, but she doesn’t want it to leave her and asks it to “guide us to thy perfect light.”

She speaks of this same star burning on through the night and says, “Hope is fleeting, pain repeating,” before wondering how we will ever make it right. She says, “Star of wonder, star of light, show the way through endless night.” Despite not knowing where the star is leading, she adds, “still I’m believing, guide us to thy perfect light.”