Sonic Gap (and Guests) - Colossus

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Sonic Gap’s Colossus carries listeners on an auditory journey through a world of exploration, adventure and mystery. Sonic Gap and his guests combine a complex mixture of different synth sounds with strong melodies and an exciting atmosphere to produce a rich album.

Well-crafted melodies are at the heart of Colossus. Sonic Gap and his artistic collaborators forge melodic moments that clearly convey emotion. I enjoy the mingled feelings and images that the melodies create as they unfold, pulling me into their world. I am enamoured of the music’s ability to transport me.

Sonic Gap and his collaborators have thoughtfully fused synth sounds into layered, intricate auditory tapestries. The creators effectively use the synthesizer’s broad aural range and plethora of sonic possibilities to paint imagery through tonal colours, musical textures and different emotional states they can create.

The way in which the musical complexity and melodic power combine on this album help take me on a journey through its world. I find myself closing my eyes and journeying along as Sonic Gap and his fellow artists unfold the auditory pathway in front of me.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Colossus” comes to life as dense, intertwining bass pulses unevenly and raised, sparkling chimes flash out in the far distance. Kaarin Zoe Lee’s clear, resonant voice tells the tale of the album and the discovery of “the colossus.” Elevated synth twirls as heavy kick drum throbs below it.

A majestic, victorious melody sings out on a bright, string-like synth to imbue the music with pleasing energy. Very taut synth oscillates above the dynamically bursting drumbeat as dramatic choral voices shift. The main melody soars out with triumph above slightly shaded choral voices as the angular, propulsive drumbeat drives on. Jagged, crunchy synth trembles in a repeating line over thudding kick drum.

Tightly wound, high synth trickles in a pattern that rises and falls over choral voices and the guiding drumbeat. Slightly aching synth washes out in a gentler melody that still has some brassy flash. Digital-sounding synth flickers as wide, energizing synth chords leap. The track ends on the uplifting main melody.

Distantly revolving, gentle arpeggios ripple outward, carried on a soothing synth that gains strength as “The Pyramid” begins. Arpeggios spin and radiant synth flashes as solid drums push the track forward. Delicate, ethereal arpeggios whirl out and flaring synth accents the music as the drumbeat and active bass press on.

Medium-high, glistening synth carries a hopeful melody that effectively conveys a sense of progress. Undulating arpeggios are carried on a tight, medium high synth. Active bass oscillates and drums throb on.

After a rising, trumpeting synth calls out, the main melody mingles an adventurous feeling and yearning energy as it reaches out. Drums move the music forward over sharp-edged, oscillating bass as raised, shining synth cries out the melody. Fragile, warming arpeggios spin out underneath and silence falls.

“The Statue” starts off as razor sharp synth oscillates with brittle clarity into open space as a kick drum throbs. There’s an insistently undulating pulse carried by crystalline synth as gruff sonic pulses add radiance.

Nasal-sounding, medium-high synth carries an enjoyable melody with an aching emotional core and inherent nobility. Drums punch and vocal-sounding synth chants in a tumbling pattern. Synth chords rise with powerful brilliance and the main melody is carried by wide synth.

A quickly twisting, round synth wriggles through above jumping drums and guiding bass. The main melody exudes a sense of melancholy tinged progress as the propulsive drumbeat goes on. Digital-sounding, spinning synth flows while punchy drums press on. Cut glass synth rapidly roams and the drum pulse pushes until the track ends.

Cosmic synth drifts in calming waves as birds call out and airy synth spins in slow arpeggios to open "The Hanging Gardens.” Wordless vocals flow as arpeggios flicker and quickly pulsing, slightly rough-edged synth forms a line beneath rippling chimes.

Hollow, full-sounding synth carries a yearning, heart-touching melody over drum and bass energy. Drums flourish as the melody sails out in caressing motion, flitting synth add shining accents.

Vibrant life pours from the music as it glides into a segment in which synth waves flow easily and wordless vocals breathe. Kick drum and powerful percussion shift and the melody fills me with wistful joy and a sense of peace. The music fades out on broad, distant arpeggios and twinkling chimes take the track to an end.

“The Lighthouse” starts off with piano chords that combine dynamism with softer emotion as ticking drums add shape. Widely cascading synth mingles with raised, glittering notes to carry the uplifting melody.

The distorted, slightly wavering synth carries a melody enjoyably full of positive motion and the feeling of journeying. The drumbeat pulsates on and radiant synth calls out, mirrored by lower and more wavering sound.

Chimes flutter and jazz inflected piano leaps and wanders. The main melody cries out again, nobility as it wheels freely before waves softly wash and enfolding piano chords wind down into quiet.

Hypnotic synth descends and repeats as solid kick drum pulses to commence “The Temple.” High, ringing sounds and hollow floating notes fill the background as active bass pulses. Blaring, sharp synth carries a melody that effectively combines mystery and rousing feeling as drums and bass create motion.

Bell-like, crisp synth rings and glittering, intertwining arpeggios tremble over angular motion. Arpeggios interlock and whirl as very high notes flow and massive drums thunder. Flitting, digital sounds tremble and ominous, heaving bass snarls as broadly driving, low synth presses on.

Creaking, cutting synth adds dominating weight and shadow swells from the gigantic, rumbling low end. Now lambent synth notes glow and ethereally climbing synth calls out through the sonic layers swirling around it into silence.

Conclusion

Colossus takes me on a ride across a luscious, detailed and expressive synthscape as it unfurls. The way in which Kaarin Zoe Lee, OSC, MicroMatscenes, Compilerbau and Canape Lee all collaborate only deepens the album’s musical experience.

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Damokles - Shining Armor

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Damokles’ Shining Armor combines his inimitable voice, entertaining song lyrics and a well composed and produced synthpop sound. The retro vibes are well and truly alive here but the production is bang up to date. Most crucially, this album is pure fun to listen to!

The way in which Damokles’ voice fuses with his songwriting fits Shining Armor’s overall feeling well. One could never mistake him for any other vocalist with his unique tone and deep voice. His vocal style suits the ironic, humorous and sometimes sharp-edged lyrics of his songs and adds an extra dimension of expression.

Experience and taste define the synth sound and overall production on Shining Armor. Damokles has been making synth-based music for decades and he knows how to combine varied tones, timbres and musical colours to explore the moods he wants to create in his tracks. He’s a master at layering which results in lush soundscapes enhanced by his pin-sharp production.

I also enjoy the energy that pours from this album. Damokles has an irrepressible sense of fun and seems to focus on creating an engaging and entertaining listening experience. He takes music making seriously but his music itself is a blast to hear!

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Shining Armor” begins as massive drums and raised, flashing synth rings out in a powerful pattern. Rough-edged, scintillating synth and popping drums are cut into by Damokles’ rap talking about the state of the world.

His distinctive voice moves with jumping drums and angular synths slicing through the song. The vocal melody becomes more positive as the chorus sails out and the glowing synth light washes through and colossal drums batter. Damokles’ voice is totally unmistakable for anyone else's.

One of his superb, signature keytar solos swirls and roams with wild energy into the song. Damokles’ old school rap comes in again. Sharp synth angles and a dreaming, uplifting chorus climb along with glittering synths and pulsing drums. The track soars out on the chorus before silence falls.

Our storyteller laments the fact that there are “stupid people” in charge of the world who are leaving “a whole lot of ends that will never be furled.” He goes on to say that this time has been coming for a while when “opinion is outdoing facts” and lies cause no reaction. He feels that it’s “clouding up my dreams of a future of wonders.” The world is riven by inflation, bigotry, conflict and desolation now.

As the narrator elaborates, he muses that he grew up thinking that “leaders did what they should” and people were in good hands. As he got older, he realized that “it was greedy up at the top” and politicians were ignorant. He wonders if “we are all fools to put them in power” and adds that “all across the globe” it repeats as “we just consume and devour.”

In spite of all the factors he lists, our storyteller won’t give up and believes that humanity can make it but he adds, “we need help, someone to give us a hand.” He wonders about who it might be and muses about whether it’s time to “look up in the sky…hoping that ET will land.” He envisions “a night with shining, armoured ships” before a total eclipse.

The narrator goes on to say that it’s terrible when the disasters pile up but "no one cares but to fill their pockets.” He adds that humans look away, “refuse to hear the call” and wind up with “nowhere to go without rockets.” He admits that there’s a long tradition of bribery and greed, but adds that “it's time for us to make a big transition.”

He points out that caring for one another is a start but that planning ahead is “the way to winning. “ He wants to look forward to better times instead of “just patching up the wounds with a sloppy suture.” He wonders if those times will come.

Brassy, flaring synth blasts out with intense life as gigantic retro drums and dense bass leap to start “Take A Look.” Damokles’ voice carries a melody full of power as the chorus bounces out with a trumpeting synth effectively punching it up. Drums clash and hit hard along with

Damokles’ resonant voice as flickering, elevated synth skips along in a jumping melody. A slowly moving segment is accented by glowing synths that add more gleam to the music. The chorus skips along and the big drums smack into the track along with hissing cymbals before ending.

Our narrator is fed up with being bombarded by advertising for “some stuff that I never would want.” He is finished with it because he " just took a look, but I didn't like it so I looked away!” He adds that they “know the look I took” yet they were unable to “strike a nerve to make me stay.”

The teller of this tale asks for a day without “somebody wanting me…to pay for some stuff I don't need.” He adds that he is still buying things but he wants to “see what you're supplying in good time then choose on my own.”

“Home Alone” kicks off with a door knock that becomes part of a percussive pattern alongside clanking, sweeping metallic sounds. Bursting drums and sharp edged, high-pitched synth flares up as a fat, funky bass shifts underneath.

Taut synth carries an energizing melody out over massively bursting drums. Trumpeting synth unfurls as the beat drives on with a triumphant feeing before tight, clean synth pops in. Smooth, rich synth pleasingly spins out the dynamic melody and tom hits fall through.

Medium-low synth doubles the flying, elevated synth line as solidly punching drums and thick bass guide the music. The deeply groovy bass boogies along and tom hits jump. Brassy, high synth dances and drums press on before ending on the razor-edged, funkfied melody.

Rain patters down as deep, metallic bells ring out along with snapping drums and sampled voices as “It Will Come” opens. Rapidly undulating bass rapidly along with the hollow, but strong drums and the bells create a flashing light and now Damokles’ deep, unique voice carries the propulsive melody above the rushing drumbeat.

Gleaming light accents the music and the rich bells glitter solidly. Damokles’ voice has a strength and expression to it as it echoes out, the open-voiced percussion throbbing on as the whole song surges with radiant energy as the drums push and the rounded, luscious bell tones hop with unrestrained life before the sound of a train rattles through.

The storyteller is waiting for a train in the cold rain. He’s got an important appointment but “there’s still no light to see” to indicate that it’s approaching. He explains, “Nothing could be worse than if I missed it. Oh what drama it would be!”

Our narrator’s anticipation is clear as standing alone on the platform, “freezing here on my own and hopin’ the train is gonna come.” He has his phone out but there’s no information about the train and “my fingers are going so numb.” He realizes that he should’ve taken an earlier train so that “I would not be waiting here in vain.”

In an attempt to be environmentally conscious, the storyteller has got rid of his car. He adds that “there’s just a little requirement” that the train will be on time. At the moment he’s out on the platform and “I surely hope that it's really gonna come!”

“Sometimes I See Your Face” starts as oscillating bass waves rise and wash through the track along with gleaming synth flashes and sharp, clean drums. An elevated, nasal-sounding synth cries out in an impassioned melody as the crisp drums throb and the bass undulates.

The main melody has a charmingly wistful, dreaming quality as drums and bass create form and direction. The melody evolves, becomIng even more emotional and touching. It has a feeling of loss in it, but it’s a loss tempered by tender memories. Underneath it all, the guiding drums and oscillating bass keep the track flowing.

Raised, shining synth sings out with expression. I find that the melody evokes nostalgia as it soars, flying above rich depths. As the song comes to an end, the chord progression below it adds support and the melody trembles with feeling as the big drums fade out.

Glimmering synth slowly slips through “A World With 3D Printers” with crystal clarity and delicate light. A rapidly tumbling, razor-edged bass pulse and cutting drums move in along with tensely swirling synth synth. Damokles' voice has a growling power above the wildly twirling synth and colossal drums.

The vocal melody is intriguingly riven with mystery, even as it becomes majestic. Twisting, technological sound writhes before the drums punch hard and the bass drives forward. Hammering drums and huge bass slam and the cascading synths fall through the music.

There’s a mechanical quality to the musical backing along with strength and weight. Slowly moving drums tick before piercing synth unfurls and huge brushing sounds move along with Damokles’ voice and leaping background synth.

The narrator talks about 3D printing’s invention as he says that “a man in Japan - Kodama - opened a new dimension” and created an “insurgence without the drama” in doing so. He evokes the image of the world changing “layer by layer” as everything was rearranged by the idea.

Our storyteller wonders what this new world of 3D printing will be like adding that “long gone are wooden splinters” as shapes are created. He adds that now anything the mind can dream up can be created by pressing a button. He concludes, “Let´s go beyond and way above, that is the norm.”

In evolving from resins to powders and from lasers to heated nozzles “gone were the old dividers…solving the hardest of puzzles.” He points out that now everything from plastic to concrete to living cells can now be printed.

The narrator reminds his audience to “remember the craft that made everything possible when you go beyond what was once uncrossable.”

“I Know You Thought You Knew Me” comes to life as blunt, brutal bass vibrates and open-voiced drums form a steadily guiding pattern. Bass rolls and glittering synth flashes steadily. D’s unique, resonant voice comes in as medium-high synth shimmers in a melodic pattern that accents Damokles’ energetic vocals.

Underneath it all, the drums and bass drive on while high synth pulses out as the drums keep swinging. Stuttering, radiant synth joins a verse that wouldn’t be out of place in a Broadway musical. Damokles’ voice bounces and echoes above active, swaying bass. The chorus bops along as radiant synth adds beautiful, lambent energy. Dynamic, sharp-edged bass keeps rushing through before the song ends.

The teller of this tale muses that, as we travel through life, we’ll meet a wide range of people but “they’ll know only what you show them.” He goes on to say that people are layered like onions and “it goes deep, so so you don't have a clue who they are” from “cortex down to brain stem.”

Our narrator says that he knows “you thought you knew me” but points out that impression is incorrect since “Inside it's very roomy, space for the unknowable.” He adds that doing “things to make you like me” is a game he plays well. He asks, “What makes me shine so brightly? Truth?” but warns that you can never really tell.

The storyteller says that he’s got ‘the magic touch” to be able to “see what you don’t know yourself” and adjust to become another person. He concludes, "I could be a secret agent, I could be a millionaire, I could speak with a phony accent. Whatever you need, I'll be there.”

Yearning piano chords with a tinge of shadow repeat as a drumbeat very gently touches the music to open “Setting In The East.” The piano has a pained quality as clean drums form a shaping beat.

Swirling, elevated synth drifts with a touchingly elegiac and mournful quality above thick bass and clear drums. There is still hope in the melody along with more aching emotional qualities as the piano slowly moves on. Bass shifts as a drum pulse splashes widely through the track.

The high synth wanders, shot through with loss as massive drums strike the track and an undulating bass pulse moves below. A deep melancholy underpins the music, gliding along. After a drum fill, the melody climbs on the intertwining, glimmering synth as it arcs out above the powerful low end. The piano ends the track with delicate, caressing notes.

Conclusion

Shining Armor is a further showcase of Damokles’ highly engaging approach to retro-tinged synthpop. It illustrates how his individual approach to creating synth-based music remains intact and results in music that is ear-pleasing and makes for compulsive listening.

Zak Vortex - Black Star

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Zak Vortex’s Black Star wraps intertwining layers of tightly woven synth sound around beautiful melodies and expressive, emotional segments. I enjoy the multi-layered interactions between the different sonic components that create complex and ear-catching audioscapes.

Melody is something of great appeal to me as an integral component of great music and Black Star has some wonderful melodic moments. Zak Vortex is able to evoke strong emotion with his clear and expressive melodies. I particularly find his ability to convey multiple emotional states within his melodies compelling. I’m drawn in by the strength of his feeling in the music.

Synths allow for a highly varied, detailed and intricate level of musical interaction and Black Star shows that quality off to great effect. Zak Vortex combines shadow and light with gruffness, gliding and sharpness as he lays out his skeins of sound. He takes those tonal, timbral and textural threads and skillfully spins them into intricate musical layers that form a cohesive whole.

Atmosphere is another aspect that I enjoy in music and Zak Vortex creates atmospheric moments throughout the album. It might be the soothing feeling emanating from “So Into You” or the intense energy of “Leave Them Behind” but each track generates a difference ambience and mood.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Black Star” comes into being as gigantic, rough-edged bass blocks rumble and broadly glinting, medium-high synth carries gently gliding notes. A vocal sample echoes out above the other sonic elements. I enjoy the way in which the track’s power and intensity grows as solid drums form a steadily throbbing pulse.

Elevated, sparkling sounds shimmer as a thin-sounding arpeggio whirls out. Raised, caressing notes glitter and the vocal sample echoes out while strong drums create stability. Chimes gleam above the heavy, shifting bass blocks and wide arpeggios ripple out above the background flow.

Dense, gritty bass throbs as far away synth stars glitter to open “Triangulum.” Rounded, slightly nasal synth spins out delicate arpeggios as drums create a stable underpinning.

Another high synth carries a wandering, contemplative melody as the drums and bass guide the music along. The track echoes and glides in a deeply pleasing and delicate way.

Flashing, metallic arpeggios flicker in the background and elevated synth is broken by impassioned guitar. The electric guitar drifts out in an aching, mysterious melody while synth stars twinkle and drums and bass drive. Now the guitar whirls with a gruff edge as xylophone-like arpeggios keep twisting. The track ends as echoing, slowly reverberating notes fade away.

“So Into You” comes to life as delicate piano spins a tender web and synth notes swell. Smoothly pulsing drums are accented by glittering synths before metallic chimes ring out. Bunny X’s softly touching, airy singing is supported by deep bass. Now xylophone-like synth dances in a rippling pattern while the vocal melody yearns and encourages.

Chimes shimmer through the music as guitar adds a soothing acoustic element. Solid drums throb as Bunny X’s vocals carry affectionate emotion. After a drum fill, xylophone adds texture and a glistening synth sings in a feathery melodic pattern. Chimes add flashing light while Bunny X’s vocals echo over throbbing kick drum. Guitar shines now and smooth arpeggios slide while chiming notes sparkle.

Hope pours from Abigail Gordon’s lyrics as the song’s narrator talks about how they’ll put the convertible’s top down and drive knowing that “we’re gonna be alright, the future is ours.” She goes on to say that she knows they’ll go a long way and asks if the other person feels it too.

Our storyteller is unconcerned about gossip because “I’m so into you” and adds that she can’t “wish this away, as hard as I try.” She asks the other person to tell her how they are feeling because “this is all brand new.” She points out that she thinks it’s real but “I can’t read your mind.”

The narrator says that when she first met the other person, they took her hand and she adds that she was surprised but “it just felt so right.” She concludes by saying that “I know it’s alright when I’m with you.”

Shimmering high synth flares out with a light touch and xylophone notes quickly repeat a bright pattern to start “Cepheus.” Electric guitar sweeps through and smoothly guiding drums accompany a hard-edged bass pulse.

Chimes ring out and warm, slightly fuzzy guitar carries a hopeful melody that sings above the guiding drum and bass flow. Raised, trumpeting synth drifts in a melancholic line before sharply shiny xylophone beautifully mingles with the yearning, dreamy guitar melody.

“London Nights” opens as reverberant, enfolding synth chords with a hint of sharpness echo out and drift along. Fragile notes with a chiming, airy quality spin out arpeggios as broadly calling synth carries an upbeat melody. Rapid bass oscillates and leaping, radiant synths effectively build a feeling of growing anticipation.

Crystalline light pours from a high synth before drums add more shape to the music. Swirling, metallic sounds whisper as lush, breathy arpeggios dance and bass undulates. Steadily supporting drums come in and glowing, medium-high synth carries an uplifting melodic pattern.

Feathery arpeggios keep whirling and bass scuds along to lift the other musical elements.Rippling background synth underpins chimes that ring out with a gentle touch. There’s tenderness in the chiming notes while drums create support and motion. Brightness and peacefulness fill the track.

Heaving drums pulse with a heavy beat and steady metallic percussion adds shape to kick off “Leave Them Behind.” Medium-high, gleaming synth chords rise with positive feelings and string-like synth sings a pleasing melody full of light, ease and life above throbbing weight. A tightly bundled synth carries a melodic pattern that accents the main melody.

Sharply glittering synth arpeggiates to match the dense bass motion. Full synth chords lift the music with lambent glow while weighty bass and guiding drums smoothly pulse. Broadly shining synth carries the relaxing melody while string-like synth flickers in. Drums and bass press onward, accented by the strings and the track fades on the shining melody.

“Black Star Part II” starts off as soothing arpeggios twirl, carried on high, tightly shimmering synth. Deep bass oscillates and drumbeat imbues the track with weight and energy. Medium-high, hazy synth cascades in a shimmering line.

The glimmering synth becomes a melody that beautifully evokes yearning sensations. Arpeggios spin out in diamantine notes that move along with distant, delicate synth and undulating bass flow. The main melody returns to suffuse the track with calm and hints of more painful emotion. The track ends on ticking drums and thick bass.

Conclusion

Black Star is a confluence of strong melodies, lushly layered and interesting synth sounds and a good dose of expression and atmosphere. It represents the evolution and progress of Zak Vortex as a synth-based musician.

To The Stars We Return - Lonely Astronaut: Beyond the Cosmic Horizon

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

To The Stars We Return (TTSWR)’s Lonely Astronaut: Beyond the Cosmic Horizon sings with deep emotion and paints imagery evoking outer space’s majesty and vast emptiness through a textured, nuanced mixture of instrumentation. I find this music both touching and engaging as it unfolds with poise and expressive richness.

All of the moods, feelings and tonal colours that the piano can create are in evidence on Lonely Astronaut: Beyond the Cosmic Horizon as it spins out its tale. TTSWR has written music that allows the piano to capture and evoke loss, pain, triumph and intense beauty. He uses it to add support to the other musical elements as well as carrying expressive melodies that fill the album with intense emotion and sonic imagery.

The way in which the instrumental palette is used on Lonely Astronaut: Beyond the Cosmic Horizon allows TTSWR to create musical detail and paint strong mental images. Synths that sparkle and float mingle with resonant strings that add textural lushness, not to mention emotional strength. There are lonely, elevated synths trailing delicate tendrils and bass sounds that evoke the depths of space. Taken as a whole, these elements weave into one enchanting tapestry.

I also enjoy the way in which TTSWR isn’t afraid to emote on the album. There’s no hesitation in being vulnerable and creating music that is full of feeling. Sometimes music producers pursue a sense of cool at the expense of touching human feeling which absolutely doesn’t happen here.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Overture Of The Traveler” comes to life as high, trembling strings cry out and echoing piano carries a slowly shifting melodic pattern. Elevated strings wheedle above the melancholic

piano pattern as it fills the space. Throbbing percussion drives the music on as the piano keeps up a textured motion.

A whistle-like synth instrument effectively creates a wandering, lonely feeling in its melodic pattern. Repeating piano notes are hypnotic as distorted, pipe-like synth wriggles in mournful motion above the hypnotic piano notes to create a swirling effect. The track ends on elevated sounds seemingly calling out in warning.

Stuttering, tapping drums with a hollow echo create an uneven beat to open "Negative Dimension.” An angular, cutting synth pulsates in between drumbeats. Ethereal choral sounds float in drifting lines, creating a hauntingly delicate pattern to which I am drawn.

Sweeping wind and dramatic, medium-high synth form an ominous soundscape, while digital-sounding synth notes give off a starry flicker. Dramatic strings add motion as they undulate, also contributing a shadowy quality that fills the sonic space.

Harsh, airy sound repeats as the broken, tripping drums shift underneath angular strings flowing in tremulous lines. Mysterious strings move with sparkling synth and uneven drums. Rounded, tech-y synth carries a melody shot through with ache and tragedy as the Theremin creates haunted feelings.

“Lonely Astronaut - Reprise” starts as resonant lower strings play a vibrato laden line. The elevated strings carry a gently pained melody that hangs suspended above the lower strings. Reverent choral synths surround the melody. Gleaming strings carry sharply pulsing notes along with distorted sound wriggling in the distance.

Twisting, open-sounding synth drifts along, amplifying the music’s evocative sense of loss. Thundering drums and a majestic piano melody create power and depth, throbbing drums radiating strength. There’s also a feeling of growing hope in the face of loss as strings add resonance and open-voiced synth flows before the track ends.

Warm, tender synth rises creamily as brighter piano chords glow to begin “Horizon Part 1: The Edge of the Known Universe.” Enfolding, soothing synth arises and intertwines around steadily moving piano chords. I enjoy the way in which the piano is tinged with hope and dreaming as high synth adds a wistful quality.

Sadness also radiates from the piano while the background synth creates a caressing sonic environment as the drums now add motion. Medium-high, gruff synth carries a triumphant melody, full of sweeping drama. Yearning and pain characterize this track. Silken synth washes easily and the track fades on wandering notes, trembling into space.

“Horizon Part 2: We Look Up” commences as ringing, gliding sounds enfold the piano’s victorious but still tragic sonic shading. The piano mingles aching and hope as raised, sparkling sound touches the track lightly. Now the string section beautifully adds rich textures and strong emotions, the violin sings and piano chords guide the music.

Cosmic, elevated sounds whistle out and drift along. A lost and mournful sound echoes abovethe hurting piano as strings add depth and a full resonance. The piano is bright, bass forms steady pulse and the violin is full of expressive pain. Active electric bass moves and choral voices complement the delicate piano as the track fades on flashing sound.

An uplifting, hopeful piano melody twirls through “White Sky/Black Stars” along with breathy, swelling synths. Bells ring out and hollow, slowly moving synth sails through while the piano melody flashes with tender feelings, underpinned by gossamer synths. A raised, tumbling synth floats above the energizing, but still wistful piano.

I enjoy the emotional depth of TTSWR’s music as expressed in this album. Airy sounds sweep and the piano blooms, becoming even more light laden, as it unfolds a positive melody. Strings lend an aching glow to the music, contrasting with the gleaming piano. Gentleness fills the raised sounds and the track ends end on breathily fluting notes, open sounds and a hint of the choir.

Big, wide open drums pop and stutter as “She’s A Comet” begins. A reverberant snare drum echoes out into the musical space. Elevated, tightly wound sound moves slowly, drifting into the distance while massive drums keep slowly pulsating. There’s a fragility to the raised sounds that is so vulnerable and affecting to me.

Loss and wandering qualities fill the high synths as the strings slowly slip along with worshipful choral voices that sail through above the guiding drumbeat. I enjoy this piece's peaceful sensation tinged with more troubling feelings as it unfolds. Slowly spinning sounds spiral through in the distance while the spaced out choral sounds make for a feeling of respect and something eternal in the music.

Underneath it all, drums continue to add shape and an elevated, glowing instrument plays climbing notes. Clean, raised sounds shifts with fluting notes that tremble while a nasal, very high sound wriggles and twists. Open-voiced synth sails along as a taut, nasal sounding instrument sings a melody with a journeying feeling before silence falls.

“In The End It’s All Stardust” begins as ringing piano flows out, carrying a melody that skillfully mingles hope, wistful feelings and something tragic. Swelling, rounded notes support a string section that is full of tenderness and caressing sensations.

The piano exudes tremulous, aching emotion as flowing synths intertwine and glide together. Strings add richness and more yearning as they resonate into the track. A very high sound adds a starry glow and we end on far away, feather-light synth.

Conclusion

Lonely Astronaut: Beyond the Cosmic Horizon fills me with intense feeling. Listening to the album is a journey through beautifully layered synthscapes with an orchestral quality to them. I find myself transported across starry gulfs of space and through loss, yearning and moments approaching joy as the album reveals itself.