RND87 - Now For The Sequel

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

RND87’s Now For the Sequel is a sonic journey unfolding a lush variety of synth sounds, all rolled into an album that paints vivid auditory imagery as it reveals itself. I enjoy the way each piece adds to the cinematic tale being told throughout the album, like a film’s plot unwinding through each shot.

Dense, rich, detailed sound is one of the pleasing characteristics of Now For The Sequel. RND87 skilfully combines synth sounds that range from gentle glow to gritty growl in layers that sometimes interlock and sometimes provide strong contrast. Each sound is clear and defined, but when they come together they produce ear-catching and enjoyable musical interactions.

Melody and auditory detail combine effectively on Now For The Sequel to limn vivid mental imagery. The melodies written by RND87 have a deeply emotive quality to them and skillfully evoke more than one feeling in me as they move through the music. When the melodic quality is combined with carefully considered synth choices, I find that a plethora of images are created in my imagination. It is most enjoyable to be taken on this kind of sonic adventure by an album.

I do appreciate the filmic quality of RN87’s work on this album. Sweeping strength, moments of tragedy and deep storytelling fills the music and lends it weight and scope. The album deepens the sense of involvement for the listener and I find that it draws me in more completely for that reason.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Purple Sky” comes to life as unsettled, elevated sounds rise before piano chords add power and expanding energy. Chimes flicker in the distance, snare drum flares and steady bass oscillates as piano chords add strength and life to the music. There’s a touch of hopeful feeling that I enjoy in the piano part.

Rough-edged synth adds growling strength as it supports the majestic piano chords above shaping drums and bass. Glowing, calming synth prefaces a drift into a segment in which drums keep pulsing as a high sound echoes above active piano chords. Sparkling, full-sounding synth arpeggios shimmer with a cutting edge while massive bass rises.

High synths tremble and swelling piano chords add intense life. Arpeggios whirl with a slicing shine, while swirling synth wraps around them with gentle feeling. The track ends on sweeping sound and powerful piano chords.

Shining bells ring out as hard-edged bass and drums move in uneven pulses to start “Momentum.” Bright light and a tinge of hurt fill the bells as they call out. Twinkling, trickling synth creates guiding motion as round sounding chords move. Breathy, medium-high synth exhales a soothing melody.

Clearer, gleaming synth sings a melody that is pleasingly rich with calming, tender emotion. Nasal-sounding, full synth grows in drifting chords over the shaping drumbeat and strong bass urging the music on.

Fat, lush sounds sail through as medium-high, wide synth glides and the drums keep pulsing. Echoing, gleaming synth calls out with full light and drums pop along with airy synth. The dynamic melody bursts out above broadly shining notes that ripple and dance before the track ends.

“Penrose Hotel” opens as steadily throbbing, medium-high synth repeats above a softly touching drumbeat. Bass oscillates and softly flowing synths breathe out light notes over steadily moving drums and bass. Clean, glowing synth cuts as full, metallic synth carries a melodic pattern. I am drawn to the way in which the melody is progressive and tinged with needy yearning.

Quickly flickering, dense synth trickles over the pained melody as the drumbeat keeps shaping the track. Underneath it all, bass oscillates as descending, slicing synth contrasts with misty sound. Open-voiced synth sings a melody which hovers between forward motion and nostalgic yearning before the track ends on deep bass waves.

Gigantic, dense bass thunders below open-sounding snare drum as "Vintage Ways” begins. Full-sounding synth descends into a melody that combines motion with emotional ache. Piano-like notes glitter as round-sounding synths descend in a melancholy line.

Steady bass oscillation and a solid drumbeat keeps the music moving. I enjoy the balance between sharper sounds and the piano’s tragedy tinged melody. Thick, medium-low organ is punctuated by strong bass before fragile chimes shimmer. Falling synth chords add a pained feeling while piano melody is more delicate, but still active. Cutting synth flashes and the track ends with heavy bass.

“Little Star” commences as intensely bright, brassy synth flashes in and a kick drum pounds. A full drum kit adds more speed to the pulsating, rushing bass as resonant chimes carry a melodic pattern with a propulsive quality. Higher, shiny chimes sparkle in a secondary melodic line with even more life to it.

Tight, raised synth carries the encouraging main melody which effectively exudes positive emotion. Bouncing, metallic chimes add richness as the raised synth frolics happily. Now slightly trembling synth carries a nostalgic melodic line. The main melody returns to glow as the driving drum and bass pulse presses onward with verve. while The uplifting main melody fades into silence as the track ends.

Piano chords flare out expressing strength as cosmic sounds twinkle to start “In Her Eyes.” A rounded, medium high synth glows with rising light as airy sounds sweep past. As piano chords shine, lambent synth leaps with dynamic life and a bass oscillation propels the music.

I am drawn to this track’s constantly progressing energy as rapid-fire synth sparkles flicker and the wind flows. Gleaming synth cascades and weaves together in a spinning line, fading to the flaring piano chords and astral shimmer.

String-like synths dance together in a glimmering line while snare drum pulses and bass oscillates. Drums drop away, followed by the bass as dense, ethereal synths glide. Percussion returns along with bass as climbing piano chords jump in again. A breath of air touches the music, twinkling synth finally guiding it into silence.

"Still Waiting” begins as glittering, sharp-edged synth vibrates and flow between stereo channels in a circular sweep. Reverberant, full-sounding synth carries an expectant melody as slowly spinning arpeggios revolve and powerful bass rumbles and the drum pulse shapes the music.

A gentle melody, full of anticipation is beautifully carried on the lead synths deep tones. Now snare drums burst against the synth whorls that gruffly intertwine around them. Heavy bass throbs in undulating lines as a flat, hollow sounding synth creates a steady pulse.

The lead melody dances in, mingling a feeling of hope with melancholy while the snare drum’s prominent beat mixes with dense bass oscillation. As the track ends, arpeggios flash out on crystalline synths while the main melody touches the music, the drums drop out and silence falls.

Snare and kick drum create a propulsive beat as rapidly rushing synth slices to begin “End Titles.” Quickly tumbling, hypnotic synth flutters above massive, forceful bass and pumping drums. Steadily trembling, elevated synth forms another repetitive pulse.

Gigantic, sweeping sounds shifts and urgently flickering, medium-high synth twirls. Speed and clean sound define this track pleasingly as unrelenting bass oscillation and crisply cutting drums propel the music. Another massive, growling synth sweep supports string-like synth’s higher pulse while the hi hat ticks.

Constant motion drives this track, bright synth continually cascading as sharp-edged bass oscillation and unstoppable drums press on. Quick drum fills punctuate the music and bongos adds an ear grabbing element below tumbling higher synth.

The tumbling synth becomes an angular, repeating pulse as bass exudes colossal power. After another sweeping growl, the “A” section melody returns with bongos adding more texture and interest before the music fades.

Conclusion

RND87’s Now For The Sequel is a “head film” in the best possible way. Using his facility with music, the artist has woven together complex musical layers into a cohesive and ear-grabbing whole. The intense imagery that fills the album keeps me interested and coming back for more

Bad Guys Get Dead - Magmasquid3D

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Bad Guys Get Dead’s Magmasquid3D paints vivid imagery of a world raddled by rogue technology by incorporating classic FM synth and NES chip sounds, along with other synth elements. There’s aggression, jagged edges and omnipresent threat radiating from the music which unfolds in the form of a video game soundtrack.

I find the use of classic chiptune sounds deeply enjoyable on Magmasquid3D. The biting tones of the SEGA Genesis-like FM synth add razor edges and ferocity to the music while the NES chip sounds have a simplicity and clarity that creates auditory impact in every note. Together these elements give the music a distinctive quality and a well-done retro future flavour.

Atmosphere is crucial on Magmasquid3D. Bad Guys Get Dead deploys his synth palette to fill the music with ominous shadows and attacking energy. There are moments of aggressive rage punctuated by rising darkness and brief flickers of gentleness and more tender emotion. Taken as a whole, I find my mind carrying me on a journey through a wide variety of emotional states.

The way in which this album tells the story in video game format worked for me. I got the distinct sensation of traveling through different levels, each track like a stage in a game. The tension and drama built with each track before resolving in the end. It was a fun way in which to organize the tracks.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Factory Approach” begins as clicking sound like a gun being cocked is joined by a hard-hitting drum throb and oscillating bass. Drifting, wandering waves of medium-high FM synth sweep and a guitar growls, adding an umbra to the music.

The shadowy guitar snarls as heavy, varied percussion moves through open space and jagged bass smashes far below. The harsh ferocity in the music draws me into it.  Now open, tapping percussion shapes aggressively pulsing, dark bass and unsettled synth whorls sweep before a threatening, authoritative voice issues orders.

Powerfully rushing drums and airy sounds move with shaker percussion to open “The Factory.” Churning, gritty guitar forms a hypnotic pulse as elevated, twisting FM synth effectively generates nervous feelings.

The drums are a colossal force as muscled bass heaves along with them. Distorted, elevated sounds create tension as the guitar snarls through. The drums go on full attack before creaking synth moves above them. Shredding bass and ferocious drums smash hard before the track ends on high, tight sound.

"The Port” kicks off with evenly throbbing drums, broken by sharply cutting sound. A groovy pattern forms as percussion and heavy bass interlock. Dangerous, razor-edged synths pulse and growling bass looms in a wonderfully ominous way above the bursting drums. There’s threatening feeling in the gruff sounds that permeate this track. Wildly wandering, high synth ratchets up sensations of growing danger and jangling nerves before the track ends.

A reverberant series of gentle, slightly hurting synth chords accompanies a launch countdown as “Leaving Earth” begins. FM synth notes flare to support drifting piano chords. Undulating, flat-sounding bass moves below a gossamer piano carrying a melody that hopes, but is full of tragic feeling.

Sharp-edged synth shivers through arpeggios spinning above guiding drums. I enjoy the way in which the arpeggios leap and tremble, reaching for the stars. Flat, hollow bass and skittering drums move together. Pained, delicate piano notes float over a steady buzzing drone and into silence.

“Space Walk” starts as hissing breath is surrounded by a bass void and vibrating synths shimmer through it. Slowly pulsing bass adds form while solid, warm synth chords exhale into the track. The way in which the digital sound of the chords creates a majestic, soothing feeling is deeply pleasing to me.

A single bass note throbs continuously and breathy sounds shift. and Gritty, sharp synth adds more motion to the track along brushing snare drum and tom hits. Flaring chords give way to shadowy, but delicate synth moving with more wistful emotion as a steady, rounded pulse repeats.

Jumping drums and broad-sounding, medium-high synth pulses with great weight leap in to open “Space Station.” Twisting, catchy synth wriggles and colossal bass undulates rapidly below swelling synth chords. Ghostly, floating FM synth has and sweeps in extending chords that echo above the surging bass below.

There’s an open, echoing sound to the whole track that gives me the pleasing sensation of floating in outer space.  Drums pulse and tom hits add another percussive element as the yawning bass void throbs. Longing chords give way to a hard hitting, slightly threatening synth pulse before silence falls.

“Into The Time Rift” kicks off as slap bass bounces along with an ominous, lacerating synth. Drums drive with intense force, rushing forward with tremendous speed. After a laser-like blast, a chip sound writhes and intertwines as the raging beat rushes.

8-bit sounds dance and wriggle in intensely quick fashion. I enjoy the way in which the chip sounds evoke wildly twirling guitar. The underlying beat surges before the music fades on shadowed NES sound that moves in tight lines.

Quickly throbbing drums move along with oscillating, layered synths to bring “Re-entry” to life. Nasal-sounding, chip arpeggios sound rapidly unfurl in flying lines. Open-voiced, medium high synth ripples in rounded, gleaming arpeggios that dance with diamond light.

Snare drum creates steady motion. I am enamoured of the NES chip melody that is rich with uplifting emotion. Luscious, enfolding synth creates a reverent, gentle feeling as sharp synth drifts and the sound of a splashdown hits.

“City Street (1985)” commences as tripping, twisting 8-bit sounds flare into a triumphant line before shimmering over the classic chip “drums” that skip along. The distinctive, cutting sound  from the NES chip is well-utilized by Bad Guys Get Dead in this track. Wandering sounds move above breaking, wriggling notes.

Warmth grows in the distance as the brushing drums flicker. A tender melody exudes caressing feelings as smooth arpeggios whirl. Glistening high sounds add ease to the track, over the guiding 8-bit “drumbeat.” Continually spinning arpeggios add texture and a single repeating note closes the track alongside metallic clanking.

A towering, aggressive synth howls out above distantly battering drums as “Endgame” starts. A gruff synth pulse and the hollow, gigantic drums create an effective, crushing beat.  Mechanized, digital sounds fall in angular arpeggios over hard-hitting drums.

Cascading arpeggios add lacerating motion as darkly triumphant notes climb above them. The open-sounding drums batter as tense, raised sounds shiver through the music. Intensely tumbling, interlocking lines of chip sound madly dance above distant drums before the music ends.

“Fanfare” sweeps to life as jet-like sounds fly into the music above victorious chords.  Trumpeting synth weaves a dynamic, flashing melody that is tempered by minor key, 8-bit sounds unwinding over huge drums.  Smooth synth unwinds line with lively energy over charging bass and pounding drums. A more enfolding, gliding synth melody calls out over the rebounding drums.

I find the melody’s elegiac feeling quite emotive as it moves along. Skittering percussion hops while wide synth chords with a metal edge gleam above it. There’s a grittier edge as taut FM synth calls out a tragic melody before mechanistic sounding arpeggios break into flickering chip sounds above bursting drums. Heavy, smashing bass with angry grit and distantly sparkling synth end the track.

Conclusion

Magmasquid3D seethes with darkness and power while taking the listener on a dramatic journey across layered soundscapes. The end result is an album that is exciting, atmospheric and dynamic. I am drawn to Bad Guys Get Dead’s approach to music-making here.

Alex Vecchietti - Blessed

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Alex Vecchietti’s Blessed combines intricate guitar, layered synth sounds, powerful vocal performances and thoughtful songwriting to deliver a message of hope, individuality and forward progress.

The guitar performances on Blessed form the core of the album’s musical personality. Alex Vecchietti is a skilled, sensitive and expressive guitarist as he plays intricate and emotive solos and strong melodies. I enjoy the sheer energy and power that pours from his guitar along with the emotional depth in the music.

All of the musical collaborators on Blessed add richness and unique perspectives to the album, along with their distinctive voices. Joao Esteves, Kosmic Kiss and Daniel Hugh bring their strong vocal performance abilities to bear along with their songwriting skills. The end result is music that is full of heart, emotion and aural pleasure.

The album is also a showcase for Alex Vecchietti’s synth skill. He’s able to weave together sonic tapestries that use synths to add tonal colour, textured sounds and support for the guitar and vocal performances. His synth palette is deployed in a way that contributes to the album’s overall richness and musical variety.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“On The Flesh” comes into being as popping, distorted sounds are overwhelmed by pounding drums, throbbing bass and slicing guitar. The guitar’s howling passion moves with Alex Vecchietti’s resonant, emotive voice as drums shape the music. I enjoy the way in which the vocal power is lacerated by ferocious guitar as the gigantic low end of the track throbs.

Alex Vecchietti’s singing captures the anger in the lyrics. Now angular, sharp-edged sounds pulse and bass oscillates. The guitar intricately whirls through a solo combining energy delivered by Alex Vechietti’s flying fingers. Heavy bass and hard-hitting drums support the powerful, expressive chorus and the track ends on the nasal distortion and cutting guitar.

Real life is becoming an increasingly rare experience and this song explores the consequences of that situation. Our storyteller asks the audience to “reverse all your hatred, reverse all your feelings” and go back to a time when living was worth it. He says that our hearts have been polluted and we ought to “revert to an age when we weren't far apart.”

Now the narrator points out that data tells us what to feel, how to live and defines our sense of reality. He adds that they “scream for your attention” and for more clicks through time and people until “life becomes sick.” He tells his audience to throw all of these things out, to “take all you show and take all you hide” and run. He asks us to show that “you still crave, a life on the flesh, and not in the grave.”

Those in power create a compulsion to follow blindly so they can increase their “stats.” They encourage people lie and “steal from a digital world of fiction” until it becomes reality. They force people to seek attention and show how needy they are. He warns of being seduced by the compulsion to “flick through lies and fake smiles” in a mistaken attempt to make life worthwhile.

The rush of waves on sand and caressing vocal chanting along with blues-inflected guitar open “Escape.” Undulating drums move and massive bass pulses while flashing synth chords swell. Kosmic Kiss’ silky smooth, pleasing voice comes in as it carries a yearning melody. Tentative hope fills Kosmic Kiss’ vocals as the colossal drums and bass throb.

The chorus rises, reaching out with aspiring feeling before unique, ethnic percussion comes in.  followed by Passionate, trembling sax carries a smoothly gliding solo supported by the dense bass and drum heartbeat. The sax leaps and grooves on over the pounding beat and Kosmic Kiss' voice soars again, deeply emotive as it flies out and the track gently washes into quiet.

Emotional struggles can drive someone to seek escape when they become too intense. Our narrator talks about being seduced by his imagination, saying he’d “rather pay the price and look the other way.” He adds that he’s “no enemy to life’s temptation” so he needs to redefine himself and escape.

Now the storyteller finds that he can’t face the battle because “I’m losing this fight.” He can’t find his passion and is losing pride. He admits he’s made mistakes so now he’s “gotta find a new way, make my greatest escape.”

He hears his internal voice screaming as the walls fall around him. He addresses another person and says “you see through all my lies” and adds that the other person never seems surprised “when I disappear into the night.”

“Awakening” starts as medium-high, string-like synth entangles in minor key lines that overlap over flowing bass. Gigantic drums create a driving beat underneath rippling synth and add propulsion to the track. Soft sound breathes and a tense arpeggio spins before Alex Vecchietti’s bright guitar cascades into life.

The guitar snarls heavily as the massive bass and weighty drumbeat surge below. Hollow, elevated synths spin above the guitar’s aggressive mass as it slashes through the track. The darkly intricate guitar solo unfurls in madly twisting lines that I find thrilling.

Insistent energy fills the guitar as it spirals with fierce strength above the tidal weight supporting it. As the track comes to an end, the leaping guitar has a palpable presence, leaping and shredding before the track fades out.

Wobbling, grating sounds burst into a retro drumbeat and smoothly throbbing bass to open “Better Angels.” Daniel Hugh’s emotive voice spills into the song over the energizing drumbeat. Glistening synth echoes in the background with a crystalline feeling. A jangly acoustic guitar strums as the driving, dynamic drums and solidly throbbing bass push on.

Daniel Hugh’s voice soars over rough-edged synth pulsation and  effectively fills the lyrics with deep expression. The vocal melody is full of defiant energy and lively feeling as the muscled drums and bass support it. Alex Vecchietti’s guitar radiates light as it intricately weaves above the explosive low end sounds. Daniel Hugh’s strong voice carries the charging melody as the track ends on slowly slipping pulses.

Our narrator tells the story of his escape from an emotionally damaging situation. He begins by saying that he can’t believe he ever let the other person in. He admits that he was “blindsided, beguiled by your spin” as the song’s subject won his trust. The narrator realized that something wasn’t right, but let it continue. However, he now adds that "I don't answer to you any more.”

The storyteller says that his “better angels won this bloody war” and he goes on to say that he won’t answer to the other person again. He continues by saying that the other person isn’t “an enemy one can’t simply beat” but had to be conquered over and over to stop the pain. As the song ends, our storyteller confidently states that "I won't do your bidding anymore ‘cause I have grown stronger than before.”

“Neon Groove” commences as distantly brushing drums preface a sharp-edged bass pulse and quickly tumbling guitar. Hard-hitting snare drum bursts underneath gently swirling, rising synth chords add warmth.

Active, wide-sounding bass throbs under Alex Vecchietti’s guitar as calls out the melody, full of lively passion and a sense of rising joy. Throbbing drums and bass create a guiding heartbeat in the music.

Glistening guitar notes interlock before the main melody leaps in, moving into a shredding guitar segment, as wildly howling notes create a dark uncertainty. Underneath, the beat drives on and again the main melody cries out, full of joy and a sense of progress before fading out.

Joao Esteves’ voice twists out over gruff, quickly shifting synth pulsations to begin “Awake.” Sweeping sound flows and massive, hard-edged synths add dynamism to the song. Joao Esteves’ voice is smooth and a little pained as it echoes out over rippling synths with a limpid clarity.

The vocal melody has a drifting, hurting quality over the gargantuan bass and pounding drums. Joao Esteves’ singing is hopeful but melancholy still flows from the melody. Bright guitar twangs through the music as the drum and bass pulse goes on. I am drawn to the way in which Joao Esteves’ mingles strength with aching emotion in this singing. Heaving, slicing bass guides the song to an end as huge drums pulse.

This song explores breaking free of the traps of modern life. Our storyteller talks about the bright screen lights on “the iris of my eyes” as he sits in a darkened room “looking out a window that connects me.” Each thought is “blinking energy.”  His thoughts aren’t robotic but “sentient of their liberty.”

His realization that the thoughts are “not a trick, not illusion” brings him to wakefulness. He talks about “a sun, rising, ascending” in a dawn in which “I'm walking in a fantasy, a dream perpetuated.” He feels energy flowing in him, reaching a peak. He talks about how he is now "blooming, the gardens of every day’s moments.”

Our narrator creates verses for his birth as it is “the first time breaking the loop of slumber.” He is “chanting, whispering” as he awakens. The narrator is once again illuminated by the sun as it rises and he ascends.

Conclusion

Blessed is a superb example of what can happen when musical artists combine their talents. Alex Vecchietti and his collaborators have produced an energizing, emotionally powerful and musically engaging album that I find quite enjoyable as a listener.

Hunter Complex - Airports and Ports

Review By Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Hunter Complex’s Airports and Ports is full of fascinating soundscapes, nuanced musicality and incredibly intricately woven synths. All of these elements combine to form a rich, thoughtful and complex album that takes one on an aural journey.

Texture, timbre, tone and the way in which each of these elements interact drive the musical depth of Airports and Ports. Hunter Complex takes his synth palette and inventively combines its different sonic characteristics to produce music that journeys through detailed, intricate auditory imagery. When one adds in all of the live instrumental performances, the end result is intriguing.

All of the musical guests on Airports and Ports help to create the addictive soundscapes that are on offer. Alexander Hawkins adds piano textures that grab hold of one’s ears, Aquiles Navarro sounds like no other trumpet player I’ve ever heard and creates scintillating sounds.

Kat Epple’s flute performance is serene and ethereal, Justin Sweatt’s guitar work brings an otherworldly mood to the album and Jantijn Prins’ acoustic guitar weaves warm textures into the music. Coen Oscar Polack’s field recordings contribute more interesting sonic depth to the album.

Atmospheric emotional expression fills the album in a way that charms me. Hunter Complex writes music that isn’t only for the head, it’s also for the heart. Deep, mingled emotion pours from each track and creates intensely detailed auditory imagery. I find myself completely absorbed in the music as it unfolds.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Airports and Ports” comes to life as steadily throbbing bass is joined by Alexander Hawkins’ shattered, high piano notes that wander in the distance. Synth shards twinkle in between the piano notes as the bass keeps throbbing. Airy sounds float through and minor key piano trembles briefly. Starry synths are broken by medium-high, steady pulsing synth as Alexander Hawkins plays a majestic melody.

Breathy synth notes add texture as quick fragments of piano flicker and bass throbs. A rising tide of glowing sound effectively adds more triumphant and exciting qualities to the track. Insistent synth pulses move as the piano cascades. Broadly shining synth soars above piano fragments and the bass pulse adds more strength.

Shimmering synth floats as high chimes break through and that driving drums and bass push forward. The bass has massive weight against which the piano notes vibrate. Sparkling synth gently falls through the music, split by airy notes and the bass throbs on. The track ends on flitting notes and the far away piano trails into silence.

Colossal, resonant drums pound into the music as medium-low synth sweeps through to open “The Garden.” Reverent choral sounds flow before the drums heave powerfully. A fragile, lightly touching melody is carried on rich, medium-low synth out over the throbbing weight below it.

Jangling synth flows along, cut by breathy light. Now Aquiles Navarro’s trumpet comes in playing a dreamily gliding melody, crying out with emotive strength. Only a skilled player like Aquiles Navarro can extract that kind of expression. Drums keep throbbing and the feathery, jangling synth wraps around the trumpet as it fills the track with wistful emotion before it fades out.

“Across The Atlantic, Into Africa” starts as xylophone sounds and a pipe-like synth create a textural pattern that undulates through the music, woodsy and reverberating. Gleaming, high synth washes through and rounded synths descend in a trickling pattern.

String-like synths create a soothing, enfolding background as elevated sounds flicker and warm choral sounds flow. Slowly pulsing, repeating synth creates a heartbeat that accelerates into a rapid oscillation. Metallic sounds brush through while the gentler, glimmering synths call out. The rushing oscillation beautifully adds life and energy to the music.

The sound of rain on a metal roof sloshes and trickles as synth sparks flutter. Coen Oscar Polack’s field recording sounds add another layer to the track as they move through it. Medium-high, full-sounding synths drift while windy noises blow through. Layers of sound all interlock to create a lush soundscape in this track. Steadily pulsing bass dances lightly as worshipful choral sounds move and an elevated synth sparkles.

Birds cry out and wheel in the distance as tranquil synth waves lap to start “The Windburn Is Terrible.” Kat Eppel’s flute echoes out in haunted lines as dense, wet-sounding metallic synth rings out and a steady, smoothly flowing synth oscillation moves through.

Kat Eppel’s flute has a haunted delicacy to it that I enjoy deeply along with a breathy floating feeling. Raking metallic sounds and active, full-sounding synth pulse move as Kat Eppel’s flute trembles and emotes while a higher, sharp-edged synth drifts.

Minor key, elevated synth supports the otherworldly flute playing. Shadowed feelings touch the music, contrasting with gentler sounds moving through before sweeping wind and birds calls end the track.

“New Arrival On The Island” commences as metallic, percussive synth rings out in dully resonant patterns. The wide, descending synth pattern is broken by a slightly buzzy trumpet as cascading tonal layers tumble. There’s something delicate and vulnerable about the layered sounds as sparkling higher synths sing out.

Aquiles Navarro’s trumpet distorts, lending it a slightly otherworldly quality as a hypnotic synth pattern descends, shaping the music. The trumpet floats out in roaming fragments that intertwine with the metallic synth pattern as gentler, more caressing sounds wrap around it. Wet sounds shift and enfolding synth slips through as Aquiles Navarro’s trumpet wriggles and gasps.

Soothing ease effectively mingles with more troubling, challenging feelings from the sharp glow of the trumpet. There’s a gliding relaxation in the distance as hypnotic synth anchors the track. Twisted trumpet sounds shift and quick digital sparks leap while the watery sounds sail through

Gruff, quickly pulsing bass that has flaring variations repeats under dynamic, brightly gleaming synth to open “Dirty Snow.” A sweeping hiss repeats while the varying bass undulates. The piano-like notes effectively pour out hope, dreaming and yearning as sweeping sounds shift.

Drums throb in steady, subdivided patterns while Jantijn Prins’ acoustic guitar adds another layer of  warm feeling underneath the inspiring piano. Far below, drums bounce evenly and the bass oscillates. The guitar gleams and dances in intertwining notes. Forward motion and life fills this track as rounded, rich sounds roll and fade into silence.

“City Pulse” comes to life as slightly echoing guitar notes are touched by string-like synths playing quickly shimmering notes. The full-voiced keyboard intertwines with the string-like synth and easy going, swirling sounds.

The guitar’s tone is uniquely lush and enfolding as Justin Sweatt skilfully adds expression to the track. There’s a feeling of ease and settled emotion in the track as a glowing synth thread runs through it. A misty sonic flow accompanies a distantly twirling arpeggio as it rises along with caressing guitar chords and breezy, flowing sounds.

Coen Oscar Polack’s field recorded sounds skitter in the distance to add atmosphere. There’s a meditative quality in this track balanced by the constantly whirling arpeggios. The music drifts into quiet on ambient sound and peaceful feelings.

Conclusion

Airports and Ports makes me think, engages my emotions and fascinates my ears. Hunter Complex and his musical collaborators create music that is rich, expressive and bears repeated listening. I would love to hear more music from this collection of excellent musicians.