RND87 - Waiting For You

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

RND87’s Waiting For You is powerfully percussive synthwave that unfolds luxuriantly interleaved synths and emotive melodic moments over top of that rhythmic low end to paint vivid sonic images. The album carries the listener on a journey through ear-grabbing synthscapes.

The drum and bass rhythms that run through Waiting For You are the living heartbeat of the album. They create a sense of intense propulsion and surging energy that permeates the music, imbuing it with a dynamic quality. I enjoy how the strength and continuity of the beats and bass underpin each musical element and keep everything flowing in a pulsing tide.

RND87’s skill at melodic writing is also apparent on Waiting For You. He crafts melodies that have purity and intention in them. They are able to convey an emotional punch and weave strong imagery out of their notes. There’s deep feelings embedded in the melodic moments of the album, feelings that fill me up and carry me away.

The way in which synths are combined on this album results in a rich, nuanced and layered soundscape. All of the varied synths are interwoven to form a tapestry with variegated sonic colours that all interact in unique ways. There’s a plethora of textural, tonal and timbral variations that run through the music and give it contrast, depth and a luscious feeling as the album reveals itself.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Neon Moon” comes to life as cosmically swirling synth sweeps along above unctuous bass that slowly moves below active synth chords. Solid, massive retro drums form a throbbing pulse as gruff synth swirls. Shining, medium high synth repeats a hypnotic note pattern, creating a metallic pulse that exudes a slightly worried energy.

Sweeping, glowing synth intertwines over the spirited drum and bass pulse. Now wide, slowly unfurling arpeggios weave through the music and a sharp-edged, medium high synth tumbles in. Elevated, shimmering synth carries a melody that has a tragically gentle feeling that I find touching.

The track returns to a repeating, steady synth pattern with its own melancholy feeling as hollow arpeggios wind through the track. The lead synth melody sparkles and hurts before the music ends on a metallic pulse, dense bass and sweeping synths.

“Dressing Up” opens as high, sunlit synth spills out and a broken bass pulse moves over a steady kick drum. Misty, lambent synth chords roam smoothly behind the other musical elements. Trickling, flickering lead synth carries a warming, uplifting main melody.

Open-voiced, medium high synths carry a  secondary feather-light melodic pattern as sparkling, rippling notes dance. Medium-high, enfolding synth pulsates in gliding lines before the drums shape the music. Gleaming synths intertwine in an encouraging and hopeful melodic pattern. There’s a breathy, soothing feeling in this track that I enjoy as sharper edged synth flows in a luscious pattern before silence falls.

Powerfully throbbing bass slowly oscillates over a steady kick drum and rough-edged, ethereal synth chords slip through to begin “Waiting For You.” Synth chords rise and fall as a medium-high, round-sounding synth carries slowly descending patterns.

Elevated, effulgent synth repeats a melodic pattern that bursts with glowing light over the steady drum and bass heartbeat. Airy synth breezes sail in over gently descending synths with a slightly melancholy feeling to them. I am drawn to that hint of sadness within the descending notes.

Raised synth trembles and yearns high above, feeling expectant as the percussive pulse keeps the music progressing. Oscillating synths come in with a dynamic energy all of their own. Medium-high synth whirls out in steadily unfolding lines before a rich synth tone with a nasal quality carries a pattern that fades into silence.

“Sunset Rider” commences as a solitary kick drum is joined by undulating bass while a far-off, ghostly synth slide along. Medium-low, tender synth carries a shimmering melody over the oscillating bass and tapping drums. Digital-sounding, glittering synth shivers in waves through the track.

Medium-low, caressing notes flutter through as chiming, jangling synth weaves together an addictive pattern. The way in which the lead synth pattern speaks of journeys into the growing twilight is compelling for me. Rippling, descending notes slip out in repeating patterns as high synth glows and chimes with metallic ease into quiet.

Reverent, vocal synth carries a fragile line out over a deep well of bass to start “School’s Out.” The bass forms a propulsive, angular pattern as smooth, resonant synth carries a hopeful note pattern.  Elevated, string-like synth sings the main melody out over the continuous drum and bass motion. I am charmed by the way in which the main melody brims with summery emotion and a youthful sense of wonder.

Now metallic synth echoes out in tremulous lines over the leaping drums and throbbing bass as gossamer threads of sound float past. Wandering, reverberant synth repeats in a flitting pattern and the lead synth melody sings again, calling to mind sunlight filtering through green leaves. Sparkling synths shine and the dreamy main melody fills the track with all the emotions of an escape to carefree days.

“Driving Home” starts out as bright, slightly gritty synth chords burst and fade into open space with a piano like element. A pulsing bassline and a shaping drumbeat move the music on as a creaky, angular synth pattern moves in rapid waves. Flaring synth leaps out and the solidly propulsive drums and bass keep pushing onwards.

Delicate light pours from a background synth as the shifting chord pattern moves beneath the creaking synths. I am enamoured of the strength of this track’s low end and its dynamism. Luminous synth trembles high above and medium-low, sharp-edged synth keeps cutting into the music. Chords flower outward and the percussion drops off before all of the musical layers mesh again and throb out as if they’ll never end.

Conclusion

Waiting For You is synth-based music that has a layered power to it along with moments of gentleness and a sense of exploration. I enjoy the journey on which it takes me when I listen and I hope to hear more from RND87 in the future. For more information on RND87, visit him here.

Novablood - Pretty Disco Lights

Photo credit: Vincent Muller

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Novablood’s Pretty Disco Lights takes listeners on an emotional, deeply felt lyrical journey enhanced by excellent vocal performances and a lusciously layered synthpop background. The songs explore the full range of human feeling over a well-produced, complex sonic tapestry. Novablood is music that takes hold and draws listeners in.

One of the primary reasons for Pretty Disco Light’s strength is lead singer Dave Beattie’s voice. His vocal style combines passion, expression and emotional flexibility in equal measure. He can fill it with power or let it ache and tremble as the song’s lyrics and overall emotion require. He’s also got a wide range that gives him the ability to match the music’s peaks and troughs.

The lyrics on Pretty Disco Lights are another reason why the album works well for me. The writing is clear, strong and explores life, loss, passion and the complex mixture of feelings that can entangle and coexist within us. They weave emotionally engaging stories and create imagery that grabs a hold of the listener and pulls them in.

Musically there’s a great deal of layering and the use of synth instruments to create different tonal colours, timbral differences and sonic textures that provide luscious support for Dave Beattie’s voice. I enjoy the quality of the melodic writing on the album along with the propulsive strength of the drums and bass. All of the elements combine to create compelling and enjoyable songs that are engaging for my ears.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“See The Dawn In” starts off as flaring, medium-high synth rises and a subtly wavering, elevated tone moves into the music. Vibrating, shimmering synth trembles before Dave Beattie’s passionate, airy voice carries the equally impassioned lyrics. Steadily oscillating bass forms a strong underpinning to the emotion-drenched lyrics and the tremulous synth.

The vocal melody glides easily over the glittering synth and the throbbing bass and guiding drums. Chimes flicker through and the bass grows more reverberant and sharp-edged underneath the tenderness of the vocals. Expansive keyboard notes carry a melodic pattern that glows and caresses over the snapping percussion.

The synths have a warm tone like the sunrise mentioned in the lyrics. The luscious vocals add to the pure sun-drenched feeling. Now the full-toned guitar cries out and whirls through a densely cascading solo and Dave Beattie’s voice aches with powerful desire.

This is a song about a deep love and intense passion between two people. Our narrator asks the other person to give him her eyes and “that sweet smile” along with her time “all the time.” He says that he can’t wait to look at her “sweet face” as they share summer days together.

I am drawn to the image of them “dancing in the haze of the morning” and seeing the dawn breaking as “the birds come calling.” Our narrator asks how she can say he’s doing it her way and adds “don’t let these good days go astray.” The storyteller concludes, “Your love it got me without warning, your love was there to see the dawn in.”

Solidly undulating bass and gliding drums pulsate to open “My Subconscious” before Dave Beattie’s smoothly expressive voice comes in. The vocal melody flows like silk over the steady drumbeat and strong bass. Hollow chimes ripple through the song as the vocal melody adds emotion and a warm, sensual touch.

Digital-sounding, open-voiced synth drifts in a slightly mournful melody over the guiding beat as a gossamer sound softly moves around it. The song breaks into dense bass oscillation and the drums keep guiding the music while string-like flashes accent the vocals. I enjoy the way in which Dave Beattie’s smooth voice mingles gentleness and deep feeling.

Hollow synth ripples in tremulous lines as the drums and bass add motion. Distant, wide-open sounds trickle in and medium-low, rich synth chords shift with an ethereal feeling. The vocals unfurl in a soft, airy line and the trembling synth keeps floating.

As the song begins, there’s a wry twist as the narrator asks why anyone would want to know about his life followed by wondering “Ain't you got enough problems of your own?” He encourages the other person to go easy on themselves adding “there's no need to twist the knife.”

Our storyteller says that he remembers “when you showed me home” it was like he was hit as if by a wave and knocked off his feet. He goes on to say that “my subconscious speaks to me” and hides behind the truth until “I don’t know just what is real.” He wonders if he imagined the other person.

The narrator likens people to “many faces on the wall” who are constantly fighting their own private battles. He asks, “Do we know just what they’re hiding from?” He points out the fact that people should take it easy on others “because you might need love someday.” The song’s subject is addressed as the narrator says he remembers them showing him some love.

There’s an ambivalent feeling from our storyteller who talks about waking up with a “weird feeling” in this “strange season.” He says that the days are nameless now, so “they just come and go.” He asks why he thinks that he’s “watching my world sinking” and concludes that “I guess it depends on which way the wind blows.”

“Stray” starts off with shadowy, vibrating synth waves gliding easily through open space. Rapid, solidly pulsing drums and a tinkling metallic bell create a quick beat as rough-edged, angular bass throbs. Dave Beattie’s voice has a pleasingly silken edge and a caressing quality as it carries an aching melody.

Glittering chimes echo into open space and the energetic drum and bass pulse carries the music on. Dave Beattie captures and transfer the emotion in the lyrics effectively. The glassy chimes intertwine through the vocals, adding another layer of lightly touching sound. Drums and bass shift as flaring, digital-sounding high synth accents the vocals.

Round-sounding, trembling lead synth resonates in sweeping swathes through the music. The deep, steady synth pulse adds a hip-shaking feeling along with the endlessly shifting percussion. The vocals arc into the music again, strong and full of deep emotion, as the song drives onward.

This is a song about a relationship’s dissolution. Our storyteller addresses the other person and suggests that maybe they should be the better person and say that “this ain’t working.” He continues to say that he’s had enough of trying to find answers and adds “It’s kinda tough, missing all the chances.”

Now the narrator tells the other person to make their last move because he’s got “no more cards to play.” He just wonders if they’re waiting for the “endgame.” As he continues, he says that he doesn’t know why “I'm a prisoner to your eyes” and adds that “they’re capable of breaking up my inside.”

The storyteller says that just seeing “the remnants of your smile” takes him back into both the good and bad times now gone by. He adds wistfully that “when all is said and done, you were the only one.” He asks the other person to “ignite my flame again” before they leave. He asks plaintively “Why don't you let in love?”

Tightly wound, raised synth moves over sharp-edged, descending bass and constantly pulsing synth to commence “Back Then.” Higher, brighter sounds burst underneath the vocals that carry the gentle, hurting melody. Surging synth tides glow in quickly moving lines while the drums and bass provide an energizing pulse below them.

The resonant vocals are well accented by gleaming synth that enfolds them. The vocals move against the grit-edged bass oscillation as rapid, full-sounding synth drifts. Flickering synth vibrates along with the propulsive beat and the emotive throb in Dave Beattie’s voice adds more feeling to the song. After a huge drum fill, trumpeting synth cries out in an impassioned howl as the drums and bass keep up their relentless pulse.


The narrator addresses an unknown subject, telling them that “you don’t own me, you’ll never control me at any time.” He talks about his youth when “this life was so special” and peace was “essential” along with rights that were fundamental.

Our narrator reminisces about being “young…free…crazy all the time” as they went running through the fields. He reminds us all that “we’re no more than each other, we’re the same.” He adds that he has his “suspicions that we’re all being conditioned” by the powers that be as part of their vision.

Now the storyteller talks about how the “golden days we reflect upon” are gone but that we keep them near our hearts until “those golden days return.”

“Transcendent” comes to life as slowly moving drums and a reverent, delicate synth web flow in, growing in volume. The percussion ticks steadily with a hollow quality as Dave Beattie’s fragile, expressive voice carries the song’s poetic message. A cloudy synth swirls and the bass rumbles below it as the drums shape the music.

Glossy, shining synth adds subtle accents to the vocal richness before the song is stripped back to drums and bass. Dave Beattie sings with a wonderfully gentle, clear quality to deliver the song’s message. Distant, medium-high guitar calls out, adding to the song's deeper emotion. Glittering, string-like synth wriggles high above the piano that brushes the music.

Raised synth moves in wandering drifts over the bass solidity and tapping drum guidance. Piano notes rustle through the music, feather-light and tender, as the bass rumbles and the percussion moves with it. Undulating, flickering high synths roam through the music as the vocals whisper. We end on reverberant, medium-high synth and guiding percussion.

This song’s lyrics are in the form of a near poem. The words talk about an inner state that is “disconnecting reality” as it encourages us to “stop talking, start living.” The lyrics warn that “a monologue” is one’s defence mechanism. The song tells us that “infinite love” is a human condition and points out that “if you believe, you will receive without limitation.”

Now the lyrics speak about becoming transcendent, finding inner peace and “reconnecting synergies.” The song’s words encourage us to “shut the world out and meditate” to become transcendent and regenerate. The song talks of freeing oneself of “media feeds” and letting go of material needs. The song ends by saying that “we'll never know, maybe when we're bolder, when the war is over.”

Gleaming chimes sparkle into open space as misty sound grows in waves and medium-high synth shifts and carries a tremulous line to begin “Decadence.” Oscillating, powerful synth and snapping percussion form a propulsive flow. Medium-high synth carries an active, expressive melody as Dave Beattie's airy vocal sensuality comes in to lift the song.

Bright chimes dance in a metallic line that accents the vocals. Unique percussion taps into the music as string-like synth twines through. Dave Beattie’s voice brims over with breathy emotion as broad synth moves in a brassy line and the chimes glitter. Drums and bass shape the music as the medium-low, glowing synth flashes in along with sweeping sonic flows. Emotion leaks from each pore of the music as echoing, lambent synth trembles out and the song ends.

This song describes a selfish, shallow person who rose to the top only to topple back down. The narrator starts by talking about how this person was “the face of the city” who had everything but “lost it in the casino of life.” The “cars…horses…trophy wife” were all gone and his wife “fell back into her old ways, walking the night.”  Now “ the ‘80s turned to ‘90s like a flashback to a dream” as all the “fake smiles and decadence” sat between those points.

Our storyteller points out that “the trust in the mirror” was gone and asks where the song’s subject’s self control went. There’s an interesting contrast as the narrator says that “you gave it all up for Jesus when you traded your soul.” He goes on to point out that the song’s subject was “the life of the party” before the money disappeared. The narrator says that this person “sold your friends down the river, one by one.”  In the final lines of the song, the storyteller says that once “I saw you in a magazine, now you’re alone inside your dream.”

“Shadows” stars off as bouncing, tautly stretched bass pulses unevenly.  Quickly arpeggiating open-sounding synth is joined by a solidly throbbing drum and bass heartbeat and Dave Beattie’s emotionally expressive voice.  Flashing, cascading synth tumbles in before the vocal melody oozes with melancholy and the arpeggiating synths vibrate.

Flaring synth moves in slow chords as another ghostly synth with a floats in the distance. The chorus loses the percussion and bass for a shining synth’s light touch and arpeggiating, hollow notes shiver.  A string section adds an uplifting and elegiac melody as it soars out over the song's heartbeat. The lyrics capture the complicated emotions of loss and memory.

The narrator asks, "Hey boys! What you do today?” The response is that they “said goodbye to a friend, this is not the end” as they gave him a send off. He goes on to add that he meant to say that “no matter where or when” the person in the song is with him until the end and “I know he got his way.”

Our narrator talks about how he’ll “be with you until the light goes” adding “turn the lights out” as they go “walking through the shadows, on the dark side of our own lives.” They’ll walk down the street “where we'd meet that we both know.”

The storyteller goes on to say that when they went away, they “hit Berlin from the ‘Lisle (Carlisle)” and he saw the feeling in his friend’s smile “right until the end.” They would play sessions on a Saturday in which they set the “world to rights in every way.” He talks about how the “thin white duke just lost its face” in reference to the David Bowie character and ends by saying that “this Brixton boy just left his space.”

Distantly echoing, drifting synths are broken by a dreaming trumpet as a synth with a similarly trumpeting quality also roves through “Wanshu.” The trumpet has a slowly slipping quality as carries an ethereal melody that glides with consummate ease.

A tapping, sliding drumbeat gives the music forward motion into the wide open spaces of the track. The trumpet’s got a jazzy sensibility as the filmy synth that floats behind it adds more easy going feeling. The percussion is gentle and touches the ears lightly as the sharp-edged synth trembles.

Once again, the trumpet makes its shining and elegant journey through the music, breathing with calm and peaceful emotion. The drumbeat is delicate and the bass is a river underneath it as it buoys up the other musical pieces of the track. I enjoy the sense of cosmic wandering in the trumpet and hollow percussion taps into the music before we fade into silence.

“Pretty Disco Lights” kicks off as broad, open percussion moves with round-sounding synth swelling in smooth waves over the metallic tick of the drums. Dave Beattie’s voice is like molten dark chocolate as it moves into the song. The steady percussion and synth washes lap like ripples on a breeze-stirred pond. The drumbeat and bass become a throbbing pulse below the funky guitar-like synth, giving the track a steady motion.

Dave Beattie’s voice is  engaging and sensuous as it curls through the music. Elevated, shimmering synth carries a tender melodic pattern as the funky guitar cuts in with accenting notes. The drums and bass give this song an addictive feeling. Large synth blocks pulsate along with the beat while the shiny guitar lick flashes in.

Metallic synth blocks undulate and the chorus rises above them. Jazzy, funky synth carries an active melodic pattern that unfurls through the music over the smooth drum and bass motion. The song move into a subdued segment as musical elements intertwine, quiet down and then swell back to full dynamism. Through it all, the drums and bass don't let up as the guide the music on.

Our narrator begins by asking to be prescribed “some medication to see me through the night” because he explains that “I used to dream about you, girl, every night” but now she’s gone and he feels lost.  He asks her “what you dreaming of” and concludes that she had "just set your sights a little higher than the two of us.” Now he’s seeking out “pretty disco lights” to keep him company at night.

Conclusion

Pretty Disco Lights is mature, complex and emotionally rich synthpop that mingles Dave Beattie’s tremendous voice with well-crafted lyrics to take listeners on a journey through different emotional states and life experiences.

Embed Block

Add an embed URL or code. Learn more

Ametrom - Club Balkan

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Ametrom’s Club Balkan combines expressive guitar playing, intriguing synth sounds with active electric bass lines and throbbing drums. The end result is an album with a strong percussive heartbeat, laid back sonic sensations and textural, ear-catching synth sounds. The music also showcases Ametrom’s melodic abilities. This is music for a summer’s afternoon, relaxing in a tree’s dappled shade.

The combination of Ametrom’s skilled guitar work and his melody writing abilities strongly appeals to me on Club Balkan. His guitar playing has a loose-limbed ease to it and his guitar tones are mellow and luscious. The way the guitar carries the melodies he’s written helps to enhance their elegant, flowing feeling and lends them extra depth.

Club Balkan’s mix of electric bass with strong drum work is another appealing aspect to the album. The bass playing is lively and creates strong grooves or pulses while the drums provide a steady, shaping and guiding flow to the tracks. I enjoy the sense of life that comes from the electric bass, as opposed to synth bass and the way in which the drums lock into the groove.

Ametrom’s synth selection adds a wonderfully layered quality to the album. His palette is full of many ear-catching sounds with resonant and tender timbres balanced with rougher-sounding synths and elevated sparkles that accent the other sonic elements. In the end, they suit the gliding character of the album while providing enough contrast to keep it interesting.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Catania” comes into being as wide, medium-low and slightly rough-edged synth pulses form a steady pattern doubled by throbbing drums that form a shaping motion underneath. Broad synth pulses oscillate as a guitar with a lush tone carries a warm melody with a gliding ease and an electric bass and steady drumbeat moves the music onward underneath it.

The rich guitar’s melody dances along, full of hope and a smooth groove that I find quite pleasing. Trembling, medium-low synth moves through in slowly flowering notes while the drums and wide synth support the lead guitar’s caressing melody. The track flows into a new segment with a funky bassline sitting in the pocket along with the drums. Slowly descending, elevated synth floats down over a unique, repeating figure carried on a round-sounding synth.

The bass groove is undeniable and the drums are locked in. Descending, raised synths tumble down and a different, hollow synth plays a hypnotic pattern along with the softly tapping cymbal and steady beat. Resonant, medium-low synth carries a bouncing pattern and the broad blocks of medium low synth dance. Now the guitar carries a secondary melodic pattern that’s yearning and energetic over the active drums underneath it before the track ends.

Tremulous, delicate synths vibrate into open space, tinged with a slightly tenuous emotional feeling as “Black Forest” opens. The drums create a propulsive pattern as the electric bass repeats a lick that I find addictive. Elevated, digital-sounding, reverberant synth echoes in brief bursts over top of the bassline.

A smoother, brighter synth flickers in between the fatter, rounded sounds as it becomes a sparkling light dancing in between. The drums have a smooth beat and the bass locks into an easy riding pattern. Now rougher-edged, full-sounding synth echoes out in a slightly melancholy pattern while digital, medium-low synth dances in.

High, intertwining synths flash in shifting patterns and the drums and bass sit in their groove. Trumpeting synth carries a breezy and gentle note pattern over the endlessly active drum and bass pulse before fading on shaking synth sounds.

“Breezy Nyx” starts as rapidly revolving, grit-edged arpeggios move in a dense pattern as the track opens, interlocking in a hypnotic pulse. Solid and sizeable drums form a throbbing beat that interacts with the arpeggios to create unfolding patterns.

Nasal, medium-high synth drifts through in a wandering pulse that is guided by the propulsive nature of the drums and echoing arpeggios. Raised synth flutters out and fades as the drums and bass lock together in the pocket. The drums and bass are an anchor as gritty, medium-low synth cascades down above them.

I am drawn to the way in which this music has a heartbeat to shape it. Now the wide, continually oscillating synth blocks create a repeating pattern that undulates along with the drums and bass, together creating the feeling of continuous motion as elevated sounds vibrate away above it.

Gliding drums and thick bass well up below distant, delicately touching guitar carrying a breezy melody to begin “Sky Mind." The lead guitar has a gleaming tone as it carries a gentle melody, full of tenderness and soothing emotion. I am drawn to the guitar melody’s emotional content here. Drums and bass form a pulsation that carries the music easily along above it.

Hazy synth unfolds and caresses the music as the drums and bass fade out. Glowing synth flares into life in circular pulses that are joined by ticking drums building in energy, and now the guitar flashes back into the music, a lacy swirling tone to it as the gleaming synths flare again and dance out.

Now the lead guitar melody sails ethereally with a relaxing feeling before brassy synth trumpets out in a more energetic line. Brighter synth contrasts with the guitar’s sliding feeling as the drums and bass drop out. Rough-edged, but still warming guitar trembles in slow lines before fading.

“Beats Moderne” kicks off as knotted electric bass intertwines with a smooth percussive pulse that coasts through the music. Resonant, jazz organ notes slowly float in as fluttering chimes move in the distance and gnarly electric bass shapes the music. The melody that the jazz organ carries cruises along with a tinge of melancholy that emphasizes its gentle nature.

Drums and bass interlock underneath to guide the track along. Rising, bright synth clouds swirl and delicately billow over the throbbing beat as soothing organ and soaring synth fly breezily high above. Rough-edged, buzzing synth vibrates over the steady motion of drums and bass before glowing synths rise and the organ-like instrument smoothly moves above the other elements.

Reverberant synth bounces and oscillates into open space in rapidly shifting patterns as “Sudden Head Key” gets started. The drumbeat balances the synth’s wandering feeling with something more grounded. Softly climbing, ethereal synth rises in a tenderly touching line over the richly throbbing note pattern oscillating underneath it along with the pulsing drums.

Rough-edged synth cuts through in sweeping notes that extend below the fragile, fluttering synth as it trembles out. Synth pulses volley and a gently gliding higher instrument trickles in round-sounding notes. Slicing synths move in and the drums and bass act as a shaping guideline for the track.

Now synth with a riverine flow sends a satisfying wave of relaxation over my mind while the drums stutter. Elevated, diaphanous sounds run feather-light fingers out through the track before rapidly shifting, active synth cascades in intertwining patterns and a high sparkle flashes out over the continual drumbeat.

“Wander Vogue” comes to life as gossamer, full-sounding synth drifts and electric bass and drums provide a heartbeat to move the track forward. The synth's lightness is broken into by tight, elevated string-like synth playing a dynamically moving note pattern. Bright, high synth sings an uplifting melodic pattern and the drums keep up their steady influence along with thick bass.

Steadily hissing cymbals touch the music and lush synth moves in a curtailed pattern. Higher synth pops in quick pulses while the electric bass steadily repeats and the drums push the other sonic elements on. Nasal, enfolding synth trembles in aching notes over raised sonic flashes and the steady drumbeat fades.

Conclusion

Club Balkan is an album that puts me at ease and soothes me. I find the music invigorating and stimulating, but it also suits a more settled frame of mind. Ametrom has a fresh, unique approach to making music that I personally enjoy immensely.

Embed Block

Add an embed URL or code. Learn more

Silicon Empire - New Paradigm

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Silicon Empire’s New Paradigm combines awe-inspiring power with darkness, a tinge of aching emotion and a sense of computerized, mechanized motion. Shadows abound, synths are layered and interlocking and electric guitar adds energy and even more power over the crushing low end elements of the album.

The major sonic elements that make New Paradigm so effective are the truly gargantuan bass and the massive drums. The surging, guttural bass forms a dense tide that propels the music onwards with physical force and the drums batter and charge to increase the energy that permeates the album.  The overall feeling Is one of overwhelming darkness and power.

Another compelling part of New Paradigm is the guitar’s presence on the album. Silicon Empire creates textural, dynamic guitar parts that deepen and strengthen the music as a whole. They possess the same colossal scope and crushing power as the drums and bass, only enhancing the terrifying atmosphere that fills the album and seizes the listener by the ears.

This album also benefits from the interesting synth choices that Silicon Empire has made. The varied tones, timbres and audio textures paint interesting sonic imagery that ranges from howling rage to fragile shimmer. There are moments of that feel pained, triumphant segments and sounds that are heavily textured and aurally corrugated. The end result is a series of layered sounds that come together into a cohesive whole.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“202X AD” starts off as madly oscillating, intertwining arpeggios spin darkly into vast space as a cosmically deep, harsh bass wave growls below. Trumpeting, massive synths echo out as a broken drumbeat stutters into the music. Gritty synth carries a gigantic sonic wall over the battering bass.

Incredible shadowy energy pours from the track as an angular synth streams in and the tripping, throbbing drumbeat is matched by the oscillating sonic rush. Medium-high, glowing synth bursts in dynamically propulsive lines that effectively add an urgent feel to the music. Majestic synth chords rise and flow. A hollow, guitar-like sound echoes out into the density around it and fades on gruff bass and into silence.

Tense, full-sounding synth carries a nervously writhing note pattern quickly into “Electric Hydra’s” open spaces along with a high, steady sound and rough bass. Metallic percussion, like a hammer striking an anvil, is surrounded by slowly tripping drum.

Thunderous electric guitar carries a threatening wall of colossal, low sound to enhance the sheer muscle of the music. Agitated, broadly bright synth carries a trembling line over the electric guitar's snarling dominance. Swirling, rich synth rises to be cut by elevated sounds with a jagged edge as the bass rumbles below.

The guitar’s aggressive sonic attack contrasts with the haunted, mournful sounds flowing above it as the metallic percussion keeps on pulsing. The sonic wall fades to huge bass growling and a tight, high sound that also is subsumed by the tremendous bass weight.

“Global Nervous System” begins with an airy sound as angular, razor-edged bass forms a pulse along with the hammering percussion. A danger-filled guitar sound towers into the music, carrying a lacerating and vibrating line before the steady drum and bass pulse propels the track forward.

The background is full of writhing, swirling sound that has a majestic quality as the percussion’s hammer strikes cut through it. Shredding, slashing guitar carries a ferocious pulse that rams into the music over the heaving drums and bass underneath it. The guitar shakes in agitated lines and now we drift to a wide-open, spectrally floating segment propelled by the relentless beat and battering drums.

I enjoy the guitar’s powerful shine as it slices through the darkness roiling around it. The whole track has a gigantic, urgent surging running through it as the angular bass lacerates. The track end’s on the guitar’s undulating, tidal pulse as the flowing drift behind it fades.

A crushing, guttural bass wall rises with terrible power to open “Mechanized.” A floating, distant synth drifts above the impossibly deep bass. An unbelievably heavy bass surge forms a pulsating pattern over the hard hitting drums and the sound of a hammer ringing on an anvil.

Now intertwining, string like synths trail soft tendrils over the giant mass underneath them. The hollow, drifting sounds that flow through provide a lighter contrast to the dense bass. The airy, spectrally floating higher elements lend the music a pained, lost quality that I find touching. The drums propel the track on, smashing as the bass roils and writhes in clotted, massive lines.

“Godless Prayer” commences as guitar smoothly calls out in a gently unfolding melody that is open and tinged with melancholy as glittering synths flash high above it. Synths sparkle as the guitar is supported the deep bass.  The guitar takes on a sharper edge as flickering motes of light dance through the music.

Guitar reverberates out into open space as the high synth dances and the bass adds extreme depth to the mix. Above the other elements, the full-toned synths flow in an easier feeling line and the rough bass is cut by razor-edged sounds. There’s an effective contrast between the track’s fragile elements and heavier, more shadowy sounds. The way they combine forms a balanced whole in the track.

Expanding, overwhelming bass rumbles out into open space as softly touching, caressing synths shimmer and flash to bring “Phoenix” to life. The bass weight is a physical force while the trickling, metallic sparkle of the higher synths echoes out in tremulous lines.

The bass forms a supremely ferocious pattern as the metallic hammer strikes fall to add more shape and the drums throb. The guitar churns in a grinding line that only increases the weight of the music. Below it the bass is a palpable, angry force that rapidly collides as majestic, gliding synth far above adds a reverent quality to which I am drawn.

Higher synths create delicacy and shine that lifts the music even as the bass and drums create an anchoring force far underneath. The track ends on the cavernous bass and lighter sounds that glide along in contrast.

Conclusion

New Paradigm is an album with presence and power. It unfolds soundscapes that loom and threaten, touched with brief flashes of gentler emotion and permeated by a mechanistic, industrial sensibility. I enjoy the approach that Silicon Empire takes to synth music and hope to hear more from him soon. To learn more about Silicon Empire, find him on Bandcamp here.