Leifendeth - Cursed Frequency

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions
Leifendeth’s Cursed Frequency is a frightening auditory journey through demonic darkness, the swirling  shadows rising to engulf the listener as the album unleashes the music. Leifendeth’s synth palette creates unsettling sensations that combine with grumbling bass, ferocious drumbeats and disturbing vocal samples. The end result is an album that has me looking over my shoulder when the lights go out.

The evocation of a shadowed atmosphere shot through with pervasive fear is one of the reasons Cursed Frequency works as an album. Leifendeth’s synth selection is rife with howling, grunting, chittering sounds that generate tension, nervousness and outright terror as they combine. The serious bass weight contributes a sense of an expanding abyss and the battering drums add hellish aggression to the mix.

I also enjoy the way in which Cursed Frequency uses voiceovers and vocal samples to build up feelings of paranormal horror, a horror that lurks just out of sight until humans foolishly decide to dabble in it. Leifendeth has clearly thought about when and where to use this vocal element because it has a strong impact when he deploys it. I get a deliciously creepy thrill from hearing the words moving in the darkness.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Paranormal” starts off as a shadowy sonic wave is broken by a contorted vocal sample. Throbbing drums pound deeply and static sounds hiss while undulating twilight waves wash before the disturbing vocal sample grows silent.

Metallic clanking, dribbling sounds and a steady dark shiver open “Cursed Frequency.” A vocal sample breaks in, talking about haunting and giving power to evil phenomena. Wriggling sounds and haunted bass shift as a battering, charging beat forces the music forward. The writhing noises effectively add a feeling of creeping danger.

Minor key bass notes wander in a slowly developing line as throbbing drums pound on with relentless force. Lost noises float and metal clanks as a quickly rising, digital sound climbs up. The background tension ramps up, increasing the lurking threat implied in the music as drumbeat rushes on.

The vocal sample talks about the danger of being open to paranormal experiences as the rising, forceful beat throbs. Angular sounds cut over the flowing shadowy depths that guide the music back into quiet.

“Phantoms In Static (dead edit)” starts as wobbling sounds and continual static move behind a sample of a man talking about being contacted by the dead. A slightly limping, uneven beat and thundering drums drag the track along as sharp-edged bass pulses thread through the music. I am drawn to the urgent, portentous power that fills the track. Slipping, oozing sounds move and elevated, flickering notes shift in rebounding lines.

Medium-high, round synth cascades and expanding, dangerous sounds tremble through the music. Bell-like notes tumble down as the lopsided beat keeps on throbbing. Bending sounds squirm before a segment full of gently flowing synth waves moves in and the bell-like notes descend. The drumbeat pulses on and on, as descending minor key synths float into static silence.

Pulsing static forms a pattern that flows into the music along with a void-deep bass rumble as “Ghost 2” commences. Imminent, intense foreboding pours from the music, effectively creating an atmosphere of heavy dread. An angry, sibilant voice says “what are you doing, this is my house, leave me alone!” Washing sonic waves move as heavy bass and popping static backs the evil voice demanding the trespassers leave.

“Dead Signal (post-mortem mix)” opens as dense, weighty synth adds horrifying power behind the skittering sounds rushing by. Minor key, bell-like notes ring out with a harsh brightness while the drums bounce and cascade, jagged sounds and flickering chimes moving as the heavy drums fall.

There’s a spectral wavering in the track as the bells ring with a brittle tension. Falling bass contributes more stress to the music, making me feel uneasy in a powerful way. A steadily flickering sound is cut by descending bells as a voice speaks of the responsibility to warn the world of an unknown threat as densely shifting sounds and static pulsation go on.

Indistinct mutterings and high pitched sounds drift into an open void as “Eternal” begins. Deep bass waves tremble below a droning synth as a poetic voiceover beautifully mingles shadow and tenderness in its words. A voice drags backwards though the music in an unsettling motion.

A tripping drumbeat shapes the music and hollow, high synths cry out. Disturbing voices wander and the drumbeat pulses before the music drifts into a floating, rumbling void where spectral sounds waver. Static distantly crackles as we fade out into silence and hissing air.

“Headfirst Into The Abyss” comes to life as sweeping synths exude a thick umbra while drums pulse in broken moments and metallic sounds clank. Elevated, ghostly synths trail through the track as a throbbing drumbeat and rapidly oscillating, rushing bass charge in. High sounds are skillfully used to create a horrifying atmosphere that is full of danger. Drums and bass drive the music onward in a headlong leap.

Chanting vocals move in, delivering a message about going “headfirst into the abyss, charging into a cosmic war.” All of the sounds grow muffled before roaring into full force again. Stuttering, raised synths shiver through the music as the huge drumbeat bursts and bass throbs. The track gains angry momentum as evolving, whirling higher synths accentuate the drumbeat. As the music ends, it closes on a distorted skitter.

Gigantic, pulsating drums and jagged synth edges lacerate “Rust and Fog (Sidekickwave mix)” as it starts off. Tightly wound, elevated synth wriggles and squirms above the heaving power below it. Metallic tapping and snarling, harsh sounds move around a demonic voice's whispering. Above it, the rough, flanging sounds twist and turn.

I am drawn to the way in which the demonic voice adds a fearful layer over the torn, shattered soundscape and heavy drums. Even heavier bass rumbles below and expanding, powerful sounds contort above the terrifying depths. A terror stricken female voice cries out and the evil creature seems to respond before the track ends.

“Dark Energy”  begins with squelching sounds and a vocal sample about opening up a doorway to a demonic world and not being ready to accept the consequences of that action. Twinkling bells add a delicately worried sound as a string section’s resonant drive contributes motion.

Creaking synths descend over the slowly tapping drumbeat and solid bass. I am enamoured of the way in which elevated, bright sounds are complemented by descending weight.  A howling wind adds to the sensation of impending doom before silence falls.

Truly colossal bass rattles and growls as a steady breathy sound rushes in to kick off “Broadcast X.” Harsh, buzzing static moves while crackling sounds scratch through. A distorted voice mumbles in a disembodied fashion before the drums form a steady brushing sound broken by massive thumps.

Underneath it all, the bass is a forceful weight as the massive drums pound with aggression now to move the track forward. I enjoy the terrific heft and surging power that permeates this track before it closes out.

Conclusion

Cursed Frequency is an exploration of the hidden forces of darkness that lurk just under the surface of the world and the awful things that happen when they’re unleashed. Leifendeth has woven a shattering, howling, static-filled soundscape that creates deliciously terrifying sensations as it unfolds through the album.

Severum - Monarch Arcade

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Severum’s Monarch Arcade is permeated by shadows and driven by surging power. It captures the feeling of an ominous, digital world that seethes and heaves with dark energy. Severum layers sounds to paint strong auditory imagery and explores broad ranges of timbres, tones and textures as the album unfolds. The end result lays out a strongly detailed synthscape through which the listener can roam.

The ominous quality that Monarch Arcade exudes is one of the album's strong points. Severum creates a tense atmosphere full of massive weight and growing shadows. Each track has a sensation of danger woven by massive bass, heavy-duty drums and synths that generate sensations of shadow and gruff power. The overall synthscape is one that feels threatening and perilous in a way that I enjoy.

There’s also a sense of tremendous power and motion that seizes Monarch Arcade. Trumpeting synths, majestic melodies and arpeggios that whirl with cosmic power all combine to propel the music with speed and force. When the battering drums and active bass lines are added to the mix, the end result charges onward and drives forward with terrifying energy. It’s a feeling I find pleasing as it permeates the album.

Intensely intertwined, richly textured synths all come together to create unique soundscapes on the album. There’s a broad variation in terms of synth tones that range from clarion light to urgent shadow while textures run the gamut from ethereal smoothness to guttural gruffness and the timbres can vary intensely to produce different sonic imagery. The total package is one that keeps my ears engaged and excited for what will happen next.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Polybius” starts as gruff, ultra-low sound growls in and begins to rise, rise and rise again until it becomes a screaming, gritty slash. The throbbing drumbeat’s weight moves under an angular, oscillating, twisting melody with a jagged edge. The melody wriggles over the relentless drums and propulsive bass in a dynamic, sharp-edged line.

Digital sounds capture the arcade game atmosphere as they tremble and shift with urgent darkness. Hard-edged, rough bass shifts and a steady ticking sound contributes more energy to the track. A warmer arpeggiating pattern dances through the music in oscillating, rising ripples before and the drums slow to half time under the twisting, sharp synth angles.

A sweeping wind moves through as the rapidly trembling synth is joined by speeding drums and blocks of active synth chords. The beat has strong forward motion as the arpeggios whirl. A half time drumbeat throbs in again while the angular lead synth moves. The track ends on bright flowing synths fading into silence.

Rapidly striking snare drum and gruff, oscillating bass notes drive forward in a propulsive rush to kick off "Monarch Arcade”. After a quick drum fill, minor key chords with round tones float in quick succession as wind sweeps and the unrelenting drums keep charging. Chords swirl and rise, adding shadowy energy as bass oscillates while the drums strike.

Broad, gritty synth notes move in an angular pattern along with the charging beat as a voice counts down. A madly tapping hi-hat is joined by flashing, dangerous synth chords that tumble through the music as the drums keep adding speed and motion.

The synth chords have an organ-like quality, lending a pleasingly portentous quality as the tempo speeds along. Hollow drums burst and break as quick, subdued arpeggios spin. Silence falls after the unaccompanied synth chords shift.

Glowing, shimmering synth chords move over actively throbbing bass and a kick drum heartbeat to start “Night Time Bike Fly II.” Elevated, shining arpeggios undulate above the hollow percussion and deep bass. Now gleaming, raised synths call out in an enjoyable melody that’s full of dreaming energy and bright life over steadily pulsating drums.

The main melody has a wandering quality that moves into drum pulse, bass throb and glistening chords. Arpeggios roam in waves as a uniform background glow keeps fills the track with light and the drums and bass guide the music. After a drum fill, the leaping main melody roams with a sense of optimism and dynamic strength.

Kick drum thuds and bass shifts while repeating arpeggios imbue the music with textural motion. The hi-hat taps away, creating an even stronger pulse below the circular motion. The track ends on active synth chords and the drumbeat’s steady time-keeping that eventually fades to drifting chords.

“Eternal: Time Travel II’ begins as ethereal, starry chords flow out into space in a cosmic line, echoing and distorting slightly. Bass undulation and smoothly pulsating drums guide the track before synths flash out in climbing, coruscating notes. Drums and bass add forward motion and solid weight to effectively anchor the lighter notes. Drums and bass drop out as fragile sonic tendrils flicker.

As the drums return, a very high, taut synth cries out in a dynamic line that is doubled by trumpeting synths. Elevated arpeggios dance rapidly, adding a sense of acceleration before the track returns to delicate synth notes drifting into space.  I am drawn in by the balance and contrast in this track.

High synth with a sharp gleam sings out a melody full of a sense of speed, given power by the brassy synth line that doubles it. Wide arpeggios swirl again as raised notes soar higher in the background to add intensity while the percussion pulsates. We fall silent on high notes.

Powerful drums throb in along with a rapidly arpeggiating harpsichord synth to open “Haunted Nights.” The harpsichord sound wildly leaps and cascades over a gruff throb of synth and pounding drums. I enjoy the way in which this track is full of palpable terror and rising tension

A repeating line of dense, medium-low synth begins to wander darkly while distorted, whispering voices moves with the rapid bass oscillation. Wide, rough synths move in an undulating line while the drums hit me deep in the chest. Angular, slicing arpeggios spin while a quick drum fill throbs in.

There’s a return to the threatening, breaking pattern of roving synth. Lines of densely intertwined sound are joined by twisting, nervous synth above them.The beat keeps pulsing, guiding the music as the shadowy synth pattern of shifts, subdivides and moves. The harpsichord arpeggiation goes onward until everything abruptly ends.

“Colours” kicks off as digital-sounding, open-voiced synth and solidly pounding drums join dense, oscillating bass. The drums create a steady throb as digital-sounding synth carries a lost and drifting melody that is taken up by a more muscled, broad-sounding synth.

Active bass shifts rapidly and the drums add even more speed to the proceedings as the angular bass writhes. After a sweeping sound comes in, the medium-low, thick synth pattern drives in with surging power.

I am compelled by the sense of darkness looming from the slightly hissing synths. The drums keep up their heartbeat and bass waves shift quickly. Once again, open-voiced synth roams through the music in slow moving lines as the drum and bass throb continues far below.

Incredibly low bass throbs massively as elevated, writhing sounds shiver and hard-hitting drums pound to open “東京 2683.” High above, full synths distantly slide and wide-band, slowly twirling arpeggios add more strength over the gigantic drum and bass weight. The lead synth melody breaks the arpeggios into majestic melodic moments as the drums and bass take on a tripping, dragging motion.

Shining, medium-low synth carries out in a floating, trumpeting pattern and wind sweeps through the music. The speeding drums and bass charge again as the dense, rough-edged arpeggios spin.The main melody has an almost classical influence to it as the arpeggios whirl along to shape the track.

Underneath it all, the track’s low end drives forward with accelerative speed. The entire piece of music exudes palpable motion and effectively conveyed energy as it unfolds. The music ends on quickly volleying, high synth sounds and the thunderous power of drums and bass.

“Under Our Stars (Never Lost” comes to life as resonant, deep synth chords burst out amongst the lost, floating sounds of space.  A wide-sounding, majestic synth carries a melody that exudes positive energy and a reassuring sense of optimism over steadily pulsing snare and kick drum. Bell-like chords dance out beneath the main melody as it dynamically evolves. I am enamoured of the way in which the main melody is hopeful and full of encouragement.

Drums burst into a solidly guiding beat as cosmic sounds float and medium-low, dense synth lines climb upwards, further emphasizing the music's uplifting qualities. Now drums stutter as the energetic, open-sounding synth carries a shifting melodic pattern, as rumbling bass and darker chords add more shadow. After a brief drum fill, the main melody rises again with its majestic emotional tenor as the massive drums throb onwards and bells distantly chime.

There’s a growing motion in the music as the space sounds delicately drift and rising synth lines create yearning emotion. Choral voices add to the power and nobility of the music and the drums provide a steady heartbeat. Slightly rough-edged synths climb and fade into drifting openness as planetary sounds move through the music.

Fragile, tenuous synths roam into slowly expanding, twisting sounds that permeate the music with serenity and ease. Profound calm radiates through the music as distant, strange sounds chirr and move past. The music has become cooling and smooth, trembling sounds wandering into open space as elevated sparkles flash. The entire track breathes with a peaceful light that I deeply enjoy.

Conclusion

Monarch Arcade is an album that succeeds in creating unique, engaging audio imagery.  The music takes listeners on a journey through shadow and surging power, across vast soundscapes and into different emotional and psychological states as it unfolds.

Walmind — Night Ride

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Walmind’s Night Ride combines a varied and well-considered synth palette with Ligia’s expressive vocal performances and a smoothly flowing overall feeling to create a richly layered, warmly emotive album. Serenity and peace is balanced with driving energy and positive emotion as each track unfolds and carries the music onward.

As the synths weave together on Night Ride, they reveal a soundscape that roams from pulse-pounding drums to aquatically drifting sounds, making stops along the way to include flashing string-like sounds and rumbling bass. The overall effect is lushly layered in a way that keeps my ears and my imagination engaged.

Ligia’s vocal performances are strong on Night Ride. Her voice has a compelling, emotive quality to it that captures the warm and wanting emotions in the song lyrics. There’s a trembling passion in her vocals that adds extra feeling to the music on the album. She’s an asset to the production for sure.

I also enjoy the melodic writing that Walmind has done for the album. His melodies have a gentle and touching quality to them when it fits and can also generate energy and dynamism when that’s what suits the music. Each melody has been carefully crafted and fits well within its musical context.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“No Words Could Tell” comes to life as full, smoothly flowing synths expand in flaring chords over throbbing retro drums. Gleaming, medium-high synths flash out and from a melodic line that is delicately caressing and softly optimistic. The drums and bass have real weight as the glowing synth carries the encouraging melody.

Now drums lightly tap and tick as the broad swathes of rounded synth flow and grow behind the brighter synth thread wriggling through. Again the melody calls out, deep with yearning and feelings of possibility that I find touching. The track floats as deep bass swells and extended chords flow. The main melody flashes out again, embodying positive progress while the drums and bass shape the other musical elements. As the song ends, flaring notes glitter and then fall silent.

Expanding synth notes flower into the music along with lush, descending bass to open “The Sound Of Your Heart.” String-like, rippling synth flickers out as the vocal melody, brimming with expression, is carried by Ligia’s voice. The melody is passionate and dynamic as the colossal drums throb and quick synth notes add brightness. Ligia’s vocal poise and power draws me in as the open-sounding, elevated synth flashes out in a hopeful melody.

The drums softly tick and Ligia’s voice is intensely emotive as it carries the hopeful vocal melody. Sunny, glittering synth carries the main melody and through it all, the huge drumbeat and solid bass provide a strong foundation. Synth ripples wash over slowly shifting bass, trickling out in a hollow line before the heartening vocal melody moves. The lead synth line bursts with need before the song ends on shining notes.

Our narrator talks about feeling all the love and affection she dreamed of in the other person’s arms. She says that she can see “all the galaxies in the universe shining” in the other person’s eyes and talks about how she hears “the sound of your heart” every day.

“Time Is Over” starts as resonant, full-sounding synth bubbles up as an airy flow glides behind it. Laidback drums tap in to add some shape while swirling, nasal-sounding synth drifts in soothing notes.  Arpeggios slowly spin in textural circles while the drums guide the music onward. I enjoy the purity and relaxation that radiates from the music.

A watery, gliding segment comes in as the drums fade out and aquamarine visuals are created. Percussion accents the low, rich arpeggios while the nasal, medium-low synth conveys a sense of tumbling drift. Now the drums drop out once more and an upwelling sonic current creates slow ripples before the percussion shapes the track again. This is music full of a meditative sense of quiet floating and aquatic peace.

Quickly fluttering synth pulses move over a dense bass background as the gigantic retro drums pulsate to commence “Tell Me Why.” Ligia’s voice is luscious as it carries the melody that mingles need and a sense of aspiration over the solid drumbeat and undulating bass. Medium-high, glistening synth carries the man melody as it reaches out to dance over the continually shaping drumbeat. Ligia’s vocals are intensely emotive over the drum heartbeat and bass float.

The vocal melody effectively pours out a feeling of want and ache. Medium-low, glowing synth unfolds the melody’s wishful dreaming feeling. Ligia’s voice is compelling and the lead synth sails along with a sunny glint. The drums are steady and weighty as the bass wells up below them. A secondary vocal melody unfurls in a gentle line and the lead synth cascades out in a shiny melodic pattern. The chorus rises, tremulous with feeling as the massive drums throb on. The track ends on the needy, hoping melody.

Our storyteller has heard that the object of her affection is leaving and she asks “What can I say if you’re dreaming?” She goes on to say that she was told the other person is alone and she asks what to do if she’s in love with that person. She questions why she has to love that person and wonders “Where have you been all my life?"

“V8” opens with the lumpy idle of a big V8 engine as expanding synth and a steady bass oscillation along with pounding drums move. Slowly spinning arpeggios glide and the engine throbs as a medium-low, resonant, nasal-sounding synth carries a pleasantly aching melody over the bass oscillation.

The arpeggios have a tense, fragmented feeling and the resonant lead synth sings the melancholy melody as the heavy drums and powerful bass add direction. The V8 rumbles again and the nasal, rounded synth carries the hurting melody as the drums and bass throb, adding slowly evolving motion before the music stops.

Void deep bass flows and quick, rough-edged synths burst to begin “Sistema Universo.” A snare drum ticks and taps to create a lightly touching beat as warm synths flare. Trickling, full-sounding synth trembles through the track and higher, round notes also wander through the music. Drums shiver and bass adds deeply drifting weight to the proceedings.

A segment full of quickly flaring synths and extremely deep bass moves in as the drums guide the music. I am enamoured of the track’s gently undulating feeling and the elevated synths that move with dynamic energy. There’s a luscious, watery glide underneath the other musical elements. Nasal synths climb and remind me of slowly rising bubbles in a water column. There’s an easy slipping feeling in this track as expanding sounds wash and move through the track.

“Magic Kiss” comes to life as slightly gruff, undulating bass is touched by sparkling, slowly rising synth arpeggios. Ligia’s richly expressive voice carries the affectionate lyrics and the caressing vocal melody climbs, touched by the sparkling arpeggios. Xylophone twinkles in rising lines over the solid guidance of the drums and active bass, giving the music a metallic glitter.

Synth pulses accent the needy, heartfelt melody carried in the strong vocals. I enjoy the deep feeling flowing through Ligia’s voice as shimmering xylophone rises in glowing lines and is given shape and direction by drums and bass. Now the song sails into a breathily moving segment cut by sharper synth pulses. The throbbing drums returns along with the encouraging xylophone sound and the steady, rough-edged accents. The song ends on medium-high arpeggiating notes and a bass underpinning.

The narrator talks about how she sees the other person on a Monday and asks for them to wait for her so she can cross the street. She says that the other person is a dream come true for her and adds that when that person looks at her it makes her shiver. Now our storyteller says that “your smile is mesmerizing and I wish it to be mine.” Romantic feelings fill her and her heart races as she talks about “the magic in your kiss.”

Warming chords rise upwards in enfolding lines as broadly floating arpeggios slowly turn to open “Reconstruction.” The smoothly pulsing drumbeat and slightly rough-edged bass form a steady motion to shape the track. Chiming, yet string-like synth carries the main melody which exudes calming emotion as it slides over the easily throbbing drumbeat.

I enjoy the way in which the melody washes through the music as the slowly revolving background synths add shape and relaxation drifts through. Gleaming, string-like synth carries the serene melody. The drumbeat adds direction and the bass rises up from underneath to lift the music and guide it to a conclusion on the laidback melody.

Conclusion

The combination of engaging melodies, strong vocal performances and layered synth richness makes Night Ride an enjoyable listening experience. I am excited to hear more from Walmind as he continues to produce music and refine his sound.

Life Patterns - Bedroom Days

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Life Patterns’ Bedroom Days is a nuanced, layered and complex examination of the mixed emotions of nostalgia, wistful memory and hope for the future. Life Patterns has effectively captured the feeling of remembrance in music with his music on this album.

One of the strengths of Bedroom Days is the way in which it creates and maintains a musical mood. Life Patterns weaves together melody, harmony and synth sounds in a way that evokes nostalgic feelings that shade between joy, remembrance and yearning. All of the various sonic elements serve to intensify the longing expressed within the music on the album.

Melody is another gift that Life Patterns exhibits on Bedroom Days. He has a good ear for creating poignant, effective melodies that drive right into the emotional heart of the music. There’s a knack he demonstrates for mingling different feelings in a single melody, creating a balance between dreaming and loss. The end result are melodic moments that I find deeply touching.

I also enjoy the way in which Life Patterns combines the various tonal colours, timbres and sonic textures of the synths he deploys on the album. They all mix together to produce an end result that is full of nuance, richness and expressive emotion. I am drawn in by the fact that all of the synth elements serve the overall integrity of the album as a musical expression.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Saturday Morning Fever” comes to life as randomly scanning radio stations are joined by snapping electric bass. Broad, digital-sounding notes roam in an energetic pattern along with steadily tapping snare drum and solid bass throb. Now nasal, piping notes float in over round-toned synth playing a wriggling melodic pattern. The sheer complexity of sonic interactions is deeply pleasing to me in this track.

Elevated, shining synth dances in a slowly intertwining figure and crystal chiming sounds trickle as the hard-hitting bass provides an underpinning. First elevated and then medium low synths carry a wandering pattern and the drums and bass pulsate. Wildly wheeling, medium-high synth spins out over the driving hi hat and ticking snare drum. The track fade on funky slap bass and bursts of static sound and an 8-bit version of the melody.

A full drum kit leaps in to provide a slightly stuttering beat as the elevated, tight sounding synth and fuzzy guitar move in to kick off “Bedroom Days.” The synth melody has a speeding, energetic feeling to it as it ranges over the guiding drums. Chimes flicker with sunny light while sharp-edged guitar slices in dynamic bursts as the full drum kit sound adds richness.

The lead synth unfurls with charging energy that I find motivating. Madly flickering chimes move and a string-like synth drifts smoothly through the track carrying a laidback melody over the easy-going drumbeat. After another fuzzy guitar line, the medium-high, mellow synth carries the relaxed melody.

A higher energy section comes in with climbing guitar and sparkling chimes driven by bursting drums. Digital-sounding synth floats out in roaming notes while the guitar-like sound flies in a widely roving pattern. Kick drum and hard-edged synths surge while huge, bright blocks of sound slowly drop in. The beat keeps throbbing on as the guitar growls out.

“Welcome to the Fantasy Zone” opens as warm, gruff edged notes rise as a voiceover about video games from the ‘80s comes in. Tense, high notes drift through open space as elevated, gleaming synth trickles in glittering lines over richly moving bass.  After a drum fill,  a guitar carries a dreaming melody cut by flourishing drums.

The way nostalgia permeates this track is enjoyable for me. Broad-sounding, medium-high synth sings a majestic, hopefully melody over the breaking, jumping drums. The voiceover speaks about a digitized society as the drumbeat pops and guides the music.

Washing synth notes glide into the melody as it reaches out and yearns. The drums and bass create a propulsive throb as the twisting, raised guitar whirls in flickering lines. There’s a triumphant energy to the melody over the battering power underneath it and the track ends on delicate, slowly roaming notes and a solid bass flow.

Undulating xylophone notes resonate under a narration speaking about the sound of the ocean and walking toward it as “Imaginary Coastline” gets underway. Smooth notes drift and soft, hollow percussion guides the music under the soothing narration. Elevated, glowing notes gently shift over oceanic washing and the rippling synths’ steady slide.

The narration paints a vivid image of the ocean and the beach as it effectively creates a sense of calming ease. Caressing guitar notes slide through the track as the steadily shaping percussion continues. The voice over guides the listener into total relaxation as the full drum kit hits to add motion and the guitar grows.

The same soft undulation still moves along with bass that drifts lushly. The guitar melody is a shimmering light, skipping along like a dolphin on the waves. The sound is massive and multi-layered as elevated notes climb to a crescendo. The music slips back into the washing waves and gentle tendrils of notes as the hollow percussion keeps slipping through.

“Sakuragaoka” starts off as a floating, faintly distorted piano plays emotive chords out into open space. I am drawn to the way in which the melody is nostalgic and warm. A xylophone rings out in vibrating notes to accent the melancholy piano chords.

Strings weave together, adding depth and a resonating warmth to the music. The piano melody is softly touching, aching with a mixture of memory and loss. Strings tremble and create emotional weight as the fragile piano notes call out, evoking a bittersweet feeling.

Deep, slightly bending chimes flutter through rapid patterns to open “Phantasmagoria.” The melodic patterns have a slight note variation as each line ends, resulting in a descending feeling. Chimes with a melting quality in their tones are given direction by a steadily repeating percussion element.

Now the drums form a more solid beat as the shadowed, twisting synths are broken by a tense, Theremin-like sound. The beat stutters as the vibrating chimes tremble, skilfully creating a haunted feeling. Harpsichord notes with a Baroque feeling provide a counterpoint to the dissolving chimes.

A medium-high guitar with a rough edge carries a spectral, ominous melody while the chimes flicker. A jagged sound cries out, slashed by static hiss that adds more weight. The main melodic line oozes dark energy as sonic elements blend together. The track ends on a melancholy piano cascading in the distance.

“Keen Dreams of A Better Life” commences as soothing synth notes arpeggiate with a gentle flow. The arpeggios are lifted by powerful bass as full synth chords flow through the track. Drums lightly shape the music and clear-toned guitar sings a melody that pours forth caressing, enfolding emotion.

Gigantic bass and guiding drums shape the music as a segment characterized by glowing digital synth begins. Sonic threads trail delicately through the music, carried on digital sounding synth. I enjoy the sheer sunny warmth pouring from the medium-high synth. Drums flourish in the background as the raised, glittering melody radiates hopeful light.

Now a segment with hard-edged bass rumbling below the voiceover speaking about “keen dreams of a better life”comes in. Wide, spinning arpeggios create a swirling motion and the drums pulsate. Gleaming synth notes all intertwine to create an uplifting pattern over the continually moving drums and a line of lambent notes dances the track to an end.

Resonating, deep synth carries a hazy melody with the distant sounds of children playing moving around it to start “Hikikomori.” The melody is tenuous and carried by medium-high, digital-sounding synth that has a trembling reticence in it. I am drawn to the way in which melody conveys the tension between an ache for human connection, tempered by the desire to hold back and continue to exist in one's own world.

“Sunday Night Blues” kicks off with the sounds of an arcade before dense, medium-low synth carries a melody that mingles positive feelings with a distinct stab of wistful emotion. The medium-high, computerized synth sings out a melody full of dreamy warmth.

I am enamoured of the feather light piano melody that skips along through the track. A jazz organ creates a bell-like contrast to the softly touching higher notes and a medium-low, resonant synth takes up the expectant melody and carries it out to a conclusion with the arcade noises behind it.

Conclusion

Bedroom Days is emotionally deep, musically intricate and overflowing with a profound feeling of nostalgia and memory. I was both charmed and affected by the music as it unfolded. Life Patterns has created musical beauty here.