D r e a m k i d - Dreamkid

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Dreamkid’s self-titled album explodes with the distilled essence of retro sound, refined into a cocktail of well-produced music with intensely felt guitar performances, strong vocals and a synth tapestry that bursts with energy and melodic depth. The end result is a neon and pastel hued journey through the emotional complexities of life.

One of the defining factors of the album is Dreamkid’s guitar chops. He delivers intricate, energizing and emotive performances that see his guitar fly and howl, dancing through well-crafted solos and propelling the album forward. There’s a high octane exuberance to his playing that galvanized me.

Another reason I am drawn to the album is Dreamkid’s vocals. They are full of power and life, expressing strong emotion and imbuing the songs with a heartfelt feeling. He captures the emotional depths of his lyrics within his voice and delivers them with conviction and presence.

There are lush synth layers that build up throughout the music, giving it depth and detail. The overall synth palette is full of ear-catching variety and interesting contrasts. When one adds Dreamkid’s ability to write melodies that increase the expressive nature of the music, the end result hits home with a mixture of retro sound and crystal clear modernity.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Restart” opens with the sound of rain and a cartridge going into a console. This soundscape is joined by creamy smooth bass swirling below and slowly turning, medium-high arpeggios circling.

Gruff synth bursts quickly in angular motion as an elevated string-like sound intertwines with it.  Dreamkid’s full, expressive vocals chant out over the massive retro drums, adding a unique touch. Sparkling synth light shimmers along with 8-bit digital sounds and slow arpeggios spin. Creaking, sharp-edged synth pulses cut through while fragile sounds swirl.

Gigantic drums batter while Dreamkid sings, “Screen on, all night, locked in, feels right. Round one, game on, hold tight, street fight” Now his guitar cries out with heartfelt emotion in a yearning, dreaming melody.  Higher synth flashes in to bathe the track in starry light before it ends.

Glittering synths ripple rapidly over an oscillating bassline far below them to commence "Broken Heart Airlines.” Full-sounding, medium high synth drifts in repeating, melodic patterns before hard-hitting retro drums add guiding motion over bass oscillation. The drums propel the music with deep power as the bass keeps undulating and flashing notes dance. Raised, cosmically spinning arpeggios and trickling xylophone fall through the music over the weighty drums and solid bass.

After a drum fill, cascading, shimmering synth tumbles down over low end weight. Tight, high synth sings out a glowing melodic line over the bass oscillation and glassy lights gleam and a pipe-like synth cries out in an airy voice. I am drawn to the chest-thumping drums as the bass throbs and the higher notes add lambent shine to the music before it fades out.

“Revenge Boy” starts as wide, lush arpeggios slowly move over undulating bass and a quick pop of distorted pipes adds a bouncing quality. Dreamkid’s voice bends in before the main vocal melody moves in jumping lines. The vocals are strong and expressive as the drumbeat and bass oscillation drives on, accented by an energetic thumb piano-like sonic flutter.

Dreamkid’s vocals capture youthful energy and a sense of action. A guitar solo wheels out and flies upwards with boundless dynamism. Leaping drums launch the music forward again. The vocals have irrepressible liveliness that I find enjoyable. Quick, glimmering notes add a sparkling ease to the song. The guitar cries out again in twisting, quicksilver motion over steady drum drive.

Solid, oscillating bass keeps the song moving forward while the angular guitar arcs in slightly choppy lines. The chorus hits again, flying out as the beat pushes on. Crystalline synth bounces and gleams as a drum fill hits and the wide arpeggios twist over the beat and out into silence.

A song of loss, triumph and a little bit of revenge unfolds as the narrator talks about how “she’s looking good” but feels the disappointment as “God damn she’s back with him.” He goes on to point out that the new boyfriend took a swing at him on the last summer, but “every dog will have its day."

In the chorus, our narrator reminds him that “it’s time for your revenge boy” because he owes it to himself. He adds that he’d better have his way because “you gotta do what’s right. Stand up, own the night.”

Now there’s a “fist pump in the air” along with “cold looks” from sidekicks” because it’s “time to show all who means business. One chance is all you get.”

Thunderous bass pulses as wide, hazy synths slowly spin out and whispered voices move to begin “Fatal Attraction.” Flashing chimes ring out with shattered glass sound over the hammering bass as Dreamkid’s vocals flow out, full of power.  Intense toms add weight as they charge into the music along with an orchestra hit. The vocal melody is mysterious and lightly gleaming synths accent it.

The drums drop out over a pastel synth swirl pierced by laser-like sounds as the massive drums heave below as orchestra hits split the music and flickering chimes add lustre. Dreamkid’s voice fills the sonic space, effectively capturing the lyrics’ dark lure. Bass rumbles with surging energy and ethereal voices echo into open space.

Now glittering synth lights flare and the vocals call out, Guitar arcs in a flying line as the vocals fill the music with emotion and strength. A dynamic guitar tide washes through the music as the track ends.

Our narrator talks about a woman whose “eyes point like a loaded gun” and when she has you in her sights, her plan will be put into action because “she’s hungry like a wolf.” The narrator warns people to get away and adds that “you better know the reason why she wants you.” He points out that she’ll upend your life and send it off like “a rollercoaster into darkness.”

The narrator says that she’ll “lure you in with her cherry lips” and her poison tastes sweet. He says she’s “like a panther to its prey” and no one can escape. He likens her to a “python wrapped around your neck” that will pull you down. He warns everyone “don’t be fooled by her deep green eyes, they distract you from the lies.”

“Game Over” begins as dense bass forms a gargantuan underpinning and airy sounds sweep as slowly descending synths glow. Metallic chimes carry undulating arpeggios that move in waves to add tension as huge bass floats. Chanted, distorted vocals repeat “life isn’t always like the movies, even though we want it to be” as trembling, delicate synths flow in pink clouds.

Drums burst in a dynamic line as broad, darkly pulsating synth and angular sounds intertwine and bounce. Twisting, bright sound shifts as the razor-edged bass and massive drums collide. Tense, elevated notes slowly fall through the music, delicate in contrast to the hard-edged bass.

The guitar moves slowly, doubled by chimes as wind sweeps. Colossal drums and broad, unevenly pulsing bass propel the music. Again the guitar leaps out, full of infectious energy as it whirls. I remain impressed by Dreamkid’s guitar chops as the album unfolds. Drums hit hard, the guitar gruff and full of potential energy while a worried arpeggio spins before the track ends.

The sound of typing is hit by all pervasive, heavy bass that swells out along with a tapping hi-hat and a tense snare to start off “Officewave.” A voice answers a phone and a slightly unsettled  arpeggio ripples in before slap bass adds funky flavour and a hollow drum keeps tapping.

Glimmering, slowly shifting synths tumble down in flickering interlocking lines and a bouncy, medium high synth plays a quickly moving pattern, adding exuberant life to the music. Rounder synths fall in over the rapidly thudding drumbeat and slap bass. The track bursts into jumping, metallically ringing synth repeating a sharp-edged pattern as full, glowing synths circle below and the endless drums keep hitting.

After a drum fill, a worried-sounding arpeggio twists above the yawning bass chasm below it.  Guitar slowly echoes out and after a windy sweep, a metallic synth bubbles over the drums and unfolding slap bass.

“Hearts Don’t Beat The Same When They’re Hurting” begins as far off, quickly spinning arpeggios dance out over oscillating bass and the drums slam in. Dreamkid’s aching, echoing voice flows out over the pulsating bass and colossal drums.

The big, bold retro beat is cut by splinters of gleaming synth as the vocals ring out over the propulsive drums. Flickering chimes sparkle and arpeggios keep whirling as the song flows into a smoothly gliding section split by quick diamond light. Dreamkid imbues his voice with deep feeling and retro sound in a way I find quite pleasing.

The drums and bass form a heartbeat as glassy lights shimmer. Circling arpeggios add shape and the drums’ heavy presence is undeniable. A soaring synth solo twists through to add a yearning feeling as distorted voices pop and gossamer light shines.

Heartbreak, bitterness and loss fill the lyrics as the storyteller says that he hasn’t heard from the song’s subject for three weeks and asks if he was nothing at all to that person. He says that the other person has moved forward while he’s still sitting there. He adds that he “can’t get my head around how you played me like that” and easily twisted his arm.

Now “this drink and sunset are the only things holding me” because “hearts don’t beat the same when they’re hurting.” The storyteller points out that they are still “young and learning” as they play “vicious games.” He adds that sometimes he can't get up "when everything is so damn fucked.” Our narrator concludes that he probably didn’t mean much to the other person and remembers “the way you looked last time, your black Ray-Bans and that dead smile staring back.”

Resonant synth smoothly glides in waves as a distant siren cries out along with a police radio to kick off “The Fugitive.” Feather-light, warm synth wanders and sparkling chimes fly out as the big drumbeat and throbbing bass move the music forward. Chimes add a rippling glow as the main melodic pattern creates a sense of motion carried on a shining synth.

The retro drums have serious weight to them as broad, bell-like synth carries an uplifting melody. Dreamkid’s guitar soars out in a hopeful, encouraging melody. Luscious, shiny synth flashes with animated light and the giant drums push the music onwards. The guitar unrolls into the music, lifting it up with inspiring energy.

The track breaks into glittering, bell-like synth floating over top of seriously dense bass. A slower, reverberating beat thuds out along with a tom fill as synths like light on aquamarine water rise.  Dreamkid’s passion-filled guitar helps guide the track to an end.

"Night Ride” Lost, distant drums have a muffled beat that grows along with lambent arpeggios and a solid, throbbing drumbeat along with a steady bass flow. Dreamkid’s voice is full of dreaming hope, a nostalgic yearning for what can never come again.

The drums and bass are a heartbeat as the vocal melody mingles wistfulness and affection. Quick, glowing synth motes flicker through and the hard hitting drums and bass keep moving the song onwards. Dreamkid injects intense emotion into the words as the percussion thunders on.

Metallic synths glimmering with gentle ease before the guitar slices in, singing out a melody that reaches for the sky. I enjoy how the guitar brims with desire and melancholy, all intertwined. Sonic layers build up as the song ends, filling it with richness before fading on the rising guitar and feather-light chimes.

Our storyteller’s regret is clear as he says that if he could do things over “we may be still more than friends.” He adds that he tried to repair what was left and points out that “if I could go back in time, I would.”

The narrator talks about how he’d take the song’s subject on a “night ride” like the last time with “your face reflecting car lights” and like the last time he wants to “make us feel right, tonight.”

The storyteller is asked to see the other person’s point of view “before it all falls through.” As the song concludes he asks why the song’s subject had to leave and ends by saying “if I could go back in time, I would.”

Conclusion

Dreamkid’s debut album comes charging onto the scene with energy and conviction. The way it mingles pin-sharp production, emotional expression and a rich musical tapestry results in an excellent first effort. I was transported down the neon streets and through Dreamkid’s auditory world on a thoroughly enjoyable ride.

Sotoyoto - Other Words For Dusk

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Sotoyoto’s Other Words For Dusk is a work of intense complexity and instrumental depth. It carries listeners on an intricate, multi-layered sonic journey through moments of dark sorrow and soothing peace. Sotoyoto interlaces his complex synth palette into lush, shadowy and delicate soundscapes that unfold in emotive lines.

Sonic richness is a signature of Other Words For Dusk and all of the fascinating sounds combine to paint strong auditory images as they interact in multiple ways. There are trembling strings, mournful woodwinds and indefinable sounds that evoke a vast range of emotions and aesthetic responses as Sotoyoto thoughtfully layers them. The end result is captivating and intriguing in equal measure.

A keen ear for musical contrast also sets Other Words For Dusk apart as an album. Sotoyoto works at juxtaposing moments of beauty and light with more shadowy and unsettling experiences. The way in which these differing elements interact results in a tapestry of sensations and images. Those feelings deepen the auditory storytelling to be found throughout the album.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Wanting To Fly” begins as distant, lonely sounds are joined by a smooth, delicately flowing synth swell that rises in the background. Wind sweeps through the track and soft metallic chimes float as ticking sounds also sprinkle into the music.

I enjoy the creamy sonic tide that glides like silk through the track as deep, slowly shifting bass wells up and drifts through the music. Gentler, higher sounds become an easy going float that sends relaxation through my body.

A slowly unfolding, gruff bass sound opens “Ambition.” The bass quickly moves into sweeping chords that plane underneath medium-low, easily breathing synth whorls that glide above shadowy depths. Round-sounding, lingering synth notes move over the undulating depths far below the raised synths.

The music creates  superb impression of aquamarine waters. Massive and tidally powerful bass rises as reverent synths weave into subtly uplifting notes.  An airy rush moves over slowly trembling synth that trails tendrils out over the rich upwelling of medium-high sound.

Reverence and peace pour from the gently interwoven synths as majestic, extended chords add sweeping power to the music. Higher sounds stream out through the music as vocal-sounding synths increase its reverent feeling. Deep peace and shadow touches the music as it ends on breathy air and watery float.

“Ghost In The Gong” starts out as gently swelling synth glows and a rich, woodwind sound floats out. Softly twinkling chimes and a steady, crystalline tapping also accent the music. The airy breath of the woodwind synth has a pleasing caressing feeling initially, but grows more uncomfortable as it evolves to create interesting contrast.

The glassy tapping sound is a constant, far away presence. Underneath the other elements, bass rises as pipe-like synth adds a twisted feeling. A high, steady sound adds to the vague unease produced by the trembling synth. The woodwind synth has resonances in it that are not reassuring.

Delicate, distant tapping contrasts with the hollow, pipe-like sound while bass rumbles and rushes like wind through a cavern. Vibrating, rough sounds add another layer of complexity to the music, while the pipe-like synth taking on more uncomfortable resonances. The track's cavernous low end of the track yawns wide before silence falls.

Extended, elevated sound echoes out into space in a metallic-edged drift to commence “Labotari_A.” Thin synth drifts as massively heavy bass drops in below it along with a steady, medium-high sound that grows out into the wide sonic planes around it.

A lost, piano-like note briefly sounds as resonant bass adds more weight to the music. Higher sounds stream off into space like vapour trails behind a comet. The low end of the track has a cosmic majesty to it that I enjoy as ethereal synth moves with a diaphanous breath around it. Gigantic bass rumbles far below to lift the other auditory elements. A sense of vast, velvety blackness pervades as chiming notes play a melodic fragment with melancholy through it like a fine thread.

Soothing breezes sweep as forlorn, metallic notes hover and a towering wave of powerful sound adds immense depth. The rumbling bass tide sweeps the track out along with the elevated synth's floating emptiness.

“The Starmaker” starts off as fragile, string-like notes and an ethereal vocal sound drift in. Darkness and distant pain tinge the music as feathery synth moves in waves.  A xylophone tremulously plays tender notes while the faint hint of something worried adds a nice contrast.

Smoothly lapping, string-like synths add a fluttering feeling while dense bass wells up with shadowy power and synths reminiscent of contrabass and cello add a woodsy depth. Vocal sounds combine with a minor key twist to introduce a vaguely unsettling feeling before soft wind sweeps the music away

Smooth, feather light synth glides out in softly touching notes that move through “Hakub” with a trembling touch. Clarinet adds lush depth and nasal roundness to the music as a higher sound intertwines with it. The low end has the dark tones of a bass clarinet moving in waves that shape the music. There’s increased tension as shadowy sounds surge and intersperse with more tentative sections.

Reverberant strings create a rapidly dancing pattern, imbuing the music with propulsion. A hammered dulcimer sails in, playing a melody full of evolving drama and sparkling motion. Woodwinds and strings create a textural energy as brushing percussion adds more motion. Rapidly, lusciously rippling piano adds another sonic layer, the interwoven notes full of a constantly dancing life.

A darbuka or similar type of drum taps in and elevated dulcimer sounds trickle high above. Intricate strings are cut by bright trumpets and massive bass rises below the shimmering, interlacing higher notes. The percussion has drive as cello adds angular motion. The densely interlocking complexity of this track captures me and draws me in.

“White Flame Pyre” opens as wobbling, droning synth moves through while winds blow and deep bass vibrates. Medium-high, gruff edged synth wanders in a mournful melodic pattern as digital sounds shiver in flickering lines. Deep bass with a round sound rises to support the other elements.

Now a poem is recited, a poem written by Sotoyoto. The poem’s beautiful imagery unwinds in a recitation by beat poet Meh Toole. While the depths swirl and rise, dark notes with a mournful feeling lend more weight to the music as rippling synths scamper through. A solemn bass sound gives strength to the low end of the track, as sere winds guide it into silence.

The imagery and wordplay in the spoken word part elevate this song. The narrator talks about how the “white flame burns bad things” and lyrically describes it in phrases like “turns mourning into dusk” and “lingers long like lovers after lust.” Our narrator talks about the fire between our head and our heart, describing it as a “white glow burning powder-ashed & tinder-piled.”

It results in the things of sadness becoming “cinder riled.” He says that when the white flame burns “everything must go, even things you’re scared to know” and the thoughts never to be shown. The storyteller ends by talking about performing a ”hurting throw of stacking ills to set alight and burn on white flame pyre.”

Rough, twisting and wide-sounding synth grumbles in shifting lines that move into open space to kick off “Saddest Hill.” Higher, melancholy sounds ring out in the background, slowly moving into prominence as the gritty soundscape growls beneath them. The music is evocatively aching and full of forlorn feeling as the richer synth chords add depth.

There’s a pained sensation here, tempered by something soothing. Despite gruff edges, the underlying warmth of the notes leavens the tragic sensibility of the music.  Intertwining synths create microtonal moments as they move. There’s a melancholy yearning permeating the music ending on one long, majestic chord that fades to silence.

Conclusion

I’ve come to view Other Words For Dusk as a symphonic work. It goes beyond ambient music into territory that I’d associate with Romantic composers from the perspective of creating sublime music. By sublime, I mean the sense of a terrible beauty that is both awe-inspiring and emotionally challenging. I have been mightily impressed by what Sotoyoto has done here. To learn more about, Sotoyoto visit him here.

Ether Diver - Tales Of Etherspace

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Ether Diver’s Tales Of Etherspace is synth-based music that overflows with fascinating sounds and complex textural interactions. The album weaves a tapestry of gentle, dark, unsettling, distorted and energetic synth sounds that hides unexpected twists and turns within its threads.

The sheer variety and range of the synth sounds used on Tales Of Etherspace is a large factor in my interest in the album. Ether Diver explores the full scope of sonic variety that synthesizers can create. The sounds run the gamut from distorted wobbles to piercing metallic jangling, exploring unique timbres and tones on the way. I couldn’t get bored with this album because there’s always a new auditory tidbit to hear.

One pleasant surprise for me on Tales Of Etherspace is the melodies that arise from out of the wild intricacy of the album’s sonic environment. The melodic content is often expressive and full of emotion, in contrast to the experimental complexities that surround it. I enjoy the extra depth the melodic writing adds to the overall sound of the album.

The use of sonic contrast is another feature of the album that I find compelling. Ether Diver creates many musical moments in which contrast between different sounds adds more layers and complexity to the overall picture. There are contrasts between darkness and light, delicacy and weight and in dynamics as well. The end result is increased richness and depth in the album.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“No Gods; Only Monsters” opens as a small, dark synth sound pulses and bounces, quickly joined by medium-high, echoing synth dancing out. Thick, strong drums throb and bright, elevated synth flashes out with a flaring light. Bouncing drums pop behind the other sonic elements as the slightly rough edged, glowing synth carries a hopeful melody above it.

I enjoy the yearning feeling in the melody as it unfolds. The surging melodic segment is broken by rising, twisting notes and the steady, hollow and bouncing drum keeps pulsating to guide the music. A tight, thin sound weaves through with a gentle feeling melody and below it the drums and bass add depth and weight.

Powerfully throbbing drums create a gigantic heartbeat as “Simple Waveforms on a Magnetic Medium” begins.  Medium-low, broad-sounding synth carries a melody that mingles power and shadowy energy while a wandering synth with a vocal quality drifts through.

Raised, gleaming synth carries a well-crafted, mysterious and gentle melody along with flickering chimes. The track floats out into a resonant, metallic synth swirl below a higher, hissing sound and broken percussion. The lost, delicate and enigmatic melody floats and then fades into quiet.

An actively oscillating bassline moves below raised, gleaming synth to kick off “Any Day Can Be Bicycle Day (If Your Mind is in the Right Gear).” A series of metallic percussion sounds and a hollow, steady drumbeat creates a powerful sense of propulsion below the medium high, nasal sounding synth carrying a tender, softly caressing melody.

I am drawn to the way in which that melody moves in chopped segments. Another percussive pulse taps out a slow rhythm as a dense, rushing sound roars through the music. The slowly wandering, bright melody keeps spinning out above the low end’s massive power. An indistinct voice chatters in the background while the hollow drums reverberate and the thudding beat continues as more fragile sounds wander over top and the music fades.

“Twisted Trees, Winter Tiger” starts as hollow, distant sounds swirl and reverberating bass pulses.  A radio transmission echoes out into vast field of air, giving the impression of outer space’s openness. The distant voice is surrounded by emptiness, sounding forlorn. A rumbling sound is touched by ethereal, diaphanous sounds and a steadily expanding noise. I enjoy the utter desolation which has been created in this track.

Vibrating, twisting synths flow out in trembling lines as an elevated, slowly sweeping sound floats through to open “Coven of the Outer Dark.” Bubbling, wobbly vibrations move underneath as a sharp, tense sound cuts in. Clean, raised synth chimes in to add brittle brightness as long lines of lower sound move into the open space around them.

Watery bass spills out through the music to form a pleasingly undulating line as razor-edged sounds shift. Distant, elevated sounds shimmers constantly over the sweeping medium-high synths and the aquatic upwelling below. Raised, flickering synths begin to fade out into silence as the track ends.

“Desire for Freedom Does Not Beget Freedom from Desire” comes to life as an active, dense sound forms a slightly uneven rhythm underneath brassy, distorted synth carrying a roaming melody. The lead melody drifts in flashing notes out over a rubbery bassline which quickly becomes a deeper well.

Sonic fragments flow with wandering, uneven motion. I am drawn to the fragmentary synth’s lackadaisical quality as it contrasts with steady bass depths.  The track breaks into an actively shifting bassline and fades on the choppy, roving melody.

Sparkling, raised synth delicately echoes out in a mournful line to bring “Even the Strongest Swimmers Falter Among the Tides of History” into being. Elevated notes flow and a deep gong rings before being broken by a higher gong. Ultra-high synth wheedles through the music as the sounds of bird song and nature move in.  Warmer synth flows up to surround the listener’s ears as rough-edged, heavy bass contrasts with the lighter sonic elements.

Tightly wound synth trembles through the music, sounding lost and untethered over the gigantic drum and bass weight dropping underneath.  Gongs ring out in a gleaming melodic pattern that pulls me into the track. There’s haunted sound flowing along with more aquatic noises as the chiming high synths ring out in their flickering pattern and the track ends.

Conclusion

Tales Of Etherspace is experimental synth music that doesn’t lose sight of the fact that it can still be enjoyable as a listening experience. Ether Diver seems to realize that experimental music can still remain ear-pleasing and engaging while exploring boundaries. To learn more about Ether Diver, visit Bandcamp here.

Kiffie - Pixelation

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Pixelation is digital-sounding, lyrically interesting synthpop showcasing Kiffie’s unique vocals and his intelligent songwriting. Ear-catching sonic interactions and fascinating synth instruments combine with propulsive drums and bass to bring Kiffie’s musical vision to life.

A major reason for Pixelation’s success is Kiffie’s voice in my view. He's a singer with the ability to make his voice sound bleak and gentle at the same time. There’s a measure of desolation that permeates his singing, but there is also an aching build up of emotion behind the bleakness. He can sound coldly robotic one moment and the next, he’ll sound deeply human. It’s a contrast which I enjoy deeply.

The lyrics on Pixelation are also a strong attraction for me. Kiffie crafts words that wander between loss, anger, pain and deep affection. His songs explore the lives we lead and our often complex and messy emotional states. I enjoy how he can deliver nuanced and sometimes devastating messages in a minimal number of words. Brevity works well for Kiffie on this album.

All of the musical elements on the album are well-judged. There are some unique instruments that generate sounds which suck me into the music and they combine to form undeniably digitized, but expressive soundscapes. KIffie has a knack for using his synth palette to craft texturally rich, tonally engaging music driven by a strong, percussive heartbeat.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Pixelation” begins as bouncing, hollow synth drums carry a slightly uneven beat as chiming sounds twinkle in the distance. The drums crescendo and Kiffiie's ghostly, drifting voice carries a wandering melody. Shadowy, elevated synth plays a repeating pulse while the drums keep the same steady pulsation. Kiffiie's vocals manage to sound desolate and hurt simultaneously while  shimmering chimes wander.

Hard-edged, growling synth slices in a compelling melody with an ancient sound, reminiscent of Nordic folk music. Elevated, repeating synth blasts out in a high cry as a snare drum and a tapping metallic sound move in. The bleakness in Kiffiie's vocals matches the lyrics as the steady drum and bass pulse flows on and an elevated, metallic sound ticks.

Elevated synth pulses like sonar over the steadily bouncing drums. The main melody, carried on a synth reminiscent of traditional pipe instruments, has a timeless and ominous quality that is matched by Kiffie’s vocal performance. The song ends on a surging sonic pulse and jangling, ringing bells.

The narrator talks about “the lies we tell ourselves” and how we don’t need “those people” as he also adds “we can all be equal.” He points out that some people are “born to rule” and they won’t give that up also adding that others “don’t obey the rules” and avoid capture. He says, “Don’t you understand? We don’t need those heroes.”

Our narrator adds that politicians don’t have to “join the people” to fight to make enough money to eat and “pay for real.” He says that if he has to “rescue you from harm” he won’t fail to take that person away from a boring life, adding “to live is to feel.”

The storyteller explains that we are lied to about the facts that  “we are not those people, we were not born equal.”  He talks about how “pixelation” is hiding from the “things they steal” and concludes that “there won’t be a sequel.”

Rapidly throbbing drums dance out into open space as “Stay Awake” starts. Kiffiie's voice is ethereal above the angular synth that bounces into an oscillating line.  Elevated sounds flow above the bursting drums that alternate with slower segments and blocks of slowly moving bass shift heavily. Kiffiie's vocals are tender yet icy in a way that suits the song well.

A raised, shining synth melody glides far above the other musical with a gritty edge.  Sharply angled synth bounces and moves through the darkly drifting pattern around them, The angular synth bursts into dynamic life while swirling, elevated sound uncurl above the gently frozen vocals. Round-sounding, cascading synths cry out above the heavy-hitting drums and bass and around Kiffiie's haunted voice.

Our storyteller addresses the song’s subject, asking them to shut their eyes and not speak. He goes on to ask the other person to “lay down under my eyes” and adds “don’t look at me so terrified.” He asks the song’s subject to lay on his skin as he says that there’s “no need to be preoccupied.” They can close their eyes and not talk. The narrator asks the other person to “close your mouth around me then lay your love upon me.” As the song comes to an end, he says “don’t say a word, it’s alright. Stay awake all night.”

“One More Night” opens on a dully thudding kick drum and a vibrating percussive sound. Trembling, bluntly gruff synth moves in uneven pulses and Kiffiie's pained, bereft vocals are joined by a drumbeat alternating with the blunt, rough edged synth pulse. I enjoy the way in which the vocals are spectral and lost over the hypnotically repeating drum and bass pattern.

The vocal melody is full of a lonely ache as high, full synths repeat in the distance. The drumbeat has a trance-like quality followed by the chanted chorus pierced by nervous-sounding, high synths. The drums thunder and break underneath along with the undulating synth pattern leaping in a rising line before fading.

The narrator explains to the other person that he has to leave “even if you want me” and “even if you need me to stay.” He says that he can give one more night and then he has to “leave and board the plane, I need to fly.” Again he apologizes and says that he has to go, even though “I don't believe it took so long to find you and now I need to leave.”

Digitized sounding synths undulate in actively moving lines while the drum beat drives “Kissy Kissy” forward. Kiffiie's empty-sounding voice adds to the song’s robotic feeling as angular bass throbs in a shifting motion.

The drumbeat keeps hitting hard and nasal, deep synth forms a richly jumping melodic pattern. Elevated, glittering synth flicks through rapidly evolving note patterns. Kiffiie's voice chants the hypnotic line. There’s a fidgety, energized sensation in this song. All of the wriggling, trembling synth parts draw me in from the nasal, bursting bass to the flickering higher synth waves and the insistently ticking drums.

There’s a contrast between the narrator saying that he’ll take his love away but replying that no matter how long that person stays, he’ll never say “that I am fed up with the the things that you do” or throw their love away.

He adds that he won’t tire of “the silly things you do” and that he wants the other person to stay and “never take my love away.” He adds “but if you’re ever used to me and you can no longer see, I Iove you more each day” he’ll never throw his love away.

“Feline Fire Daemon” commences as airy, rapidly whirling arpeggios spin out in leaping lines. Kiffiie's voice takes on a warmer, more expressive feeling in this song and solid drums add a pulsation below the textural arpeggios.

There’s yearning need in the vocals as solid, oscillating bass moves below the tapestry of densely packed arpeggios. The drums and bass create an uneven pulse as flute-like synth carries tumbling notes. Kiffiie's vocals call out, deep with feeling.

The flute-like synth is  charmingly delicate and drifting as it contrasts with the jumping arpeggios and active bass line. As the song ends, the flute-like synth becomes clearer over the tremulous drums and soaring vocals.

This song is a declaration of love as the narrator says that he’s “falling in your eyes” and that the other person can say their goodbyes. He points out that it has been some time since "you remembered how to smile.” He goes to to point out that it has been too many days “since you had this to say” and many years in which “you have cried too many tears.”

Now the narrator has come into the other person’s life and he tells that person that “there’s no need to cry, I fall into your eyes.” He says, as he's falling to that person’s eyes, “you need me now!” As the song draws to an end, he finishes by saying that “I need you now.”

Buzzing, electronic, wide-open synth is joined by metallic, bell-like noises and thumping drums to kick off “Time.” A bagpipe-like synth plays distant and tense notes while Kiffiie's voice solemnly, emotively chants, The bagpipe synth adds the quality of an ancient lament to the music.

Kiffiie's voice is hurting and full of a timeless quality which I find pleasing. The music has a broken, twisting feel in contrast to the gentle lyrics. The constantly ringing bells lend a ceremonial quality as the drums guide the music on. Kiffiie's chanting, wavering voice calls out while dark notes descend. There’s a reverent quality in the music before it ends on metallic chiming.

This song is a paean to a deep and enduring love. The narrator says, “All this time I lay awake and dream of you In my arms.  In my arms, I breathe in you for ever more. I think of you and holding you. Holding you in my eyes 'til the end of time.”

“I Love Synthpop” starts off as full, resonant synth arpeggiates in densely rising lines and thick bass flows. Easily pulsing drums guiding the music as a hollow, ethereal pipe synth carries delicately touching melody imbued with gentleness. Arpeggios arc and undulate as the drums burst into an interesting rhythmic pattern and the breathy synth melody floats like a feather on a summer breeze.

The arpeggios add depth and dynamic motion to the track. The drums guide the music over the velvet bass while the tender melody flows. Now the track moves into a section in which rough-edged synth chords climb in between round, yearning sounds as the drumbeat pulses. Cosmically drifting, gossamer synth pipes carries the tremulous melody before ending on oscillating sounds.

Conclusion

Pixelation mingles Kiffie’s distinctive vocal style with engaging lyrics and a synthpop background that is full of aural interest and strong energy. As a whole, I felt that this was charming, touching music that made me perk up my ears and listen. To learn more about Kiffie, visit him here.