Burial Grid - Music For No Tomorrow

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Burial Grid’s Music For No Tomorrow is full of fascinating auditory elements, unsettled soundscapes and musical moments that radiate fragile beauty. Burial Grid has woven a richly patterned sonic fabric out of threads of melancholy, power and uncertainty.

Music For No Tomorrow has a number of challenging musical qualities, but it never becomes experimental for the sake of experimenting. I enjoy the way in which Burial Grid isn’t afraid to present the listener with atonal or harsh elements while still maintaining strong musicality.

All of the varied soundscapes that fill Music For No Tomorrow are skilfully constructed by Burial Grid. The tones, timbres and intensely unique sounds are carefully incorporated to tease and please the listener’s ears. What might be a patchwork becomes intriguing and engaging to hear.

Melody makes a welcome appearance in this music. I feel that Burial Grid has an ear finely attuned to crafting beautiful, sometimes deeply emotional melodies in his music. Despite all of the complexity and ear-twisting auditory moments on the album, there’s still room for beauty.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” starts off as wide, intensely flaring synth rebounds into open space in broken patterns. Reverberating sounds shiver out and taut, glistening piano flits in quick lines that add more brightness to the music.

Broad, flashing sounds continue to move and a rattling noise cascades while absolutely unctuous bass bubbles up and around everything and again the light flares, vast sounds vibrate and rattling, scraping percussion also moves through.

Distant, delicate piano repeats its tentative pattern and distorted sounds intertwine. The layered background is dominated by an elevated, continually pulsing sound. The plethora of unique, ear-bending sounds superbly evokes unsettled uncertainty. The track shimmers and twists, always touched by fragile piano repeating a twirling melodic figure.

Bending, string-like sounds move into open space in slowly shifting lines to start “Soothing Sounds For Detrivora.” Glittering notes chime and varied percussion bursts as a static-y swirling sound moves. A tambourine rattles and xylophone notes resonate over gigantic, wobbling bass.

The background bass pattern creates active motion as woodsy xylophone clatters and quick sounds leap up. Medium-high, glowing synth echoes out in roaming lines above bouncing bass. The lead synth shifts in angular motion while chimes flicker beautifully with sunny light.

Xylophone echoes into open space while slowly dropping synth notes join chimes over tremulous notes. A harsh grating sound writhes in growling, broken pieces while dense drums rebound.

Popping, crunching sounds form a moving pattern as airy sounds flow in to open “Asri." Echoing bells ring out above a broadly sweeping noise below delicate chimes. The underlying sounds are pleasingly rich, deep and soothing as they intertwine. There’s a peaceful, relaxed quality in the track’s low end, touched by shadow.

Chimes float into open space while vibrating lower synth gains power. Squashing sounds shiver as bass waves flow heavily underneath. A higher sound wobbles ethereally above gritty lower noises. A gentle segment moves in as resonant chiming rings out and a subtle synth shakes through.

Enfolding, bell-like sounds ring with a luscious glow and digital twinkling drifts as tapping, watery sounds move. The bells exude hazy light as a bass wall towers. Metallic percussion taps and repeating, sounds slice through as hollow drums also guide the music.

Distorted synth wavers in a unsettled pattern over a smoothly pulsing drumbeat as gruff scraping noises shift to open “Infallibility.” Round-sounding, medium-high synth carries a melancholy melody above steady scraping. Deep, bright bells flare out with a powerful shine. Bursting sounds shift below the main melody's more uplifting glow as rapidly tumbling synth cascades through the music.

Harsh chiming rings out with an intense light as rippling, jangling notes drop in undulating lines. The man melodic synth has a towering majesty about it, carrying a melody enjoyably bursting with nobility and caressing emotion. Full-sounding, metallic synth and gong-like notes create depth along with vibrating, unctuous notes.

“Tun State” commences as floating, high synth joins a throbbing kick drum and water droplets. Crystalline synth descends in delicate, fluttering notes and glistening glockenspiel rings out. Deep, full synth notes tremble and fall through the music to add weight.

The glockenspiel has a tenuous feeling that I find touching. Echoing, elevated synth flickers while darker bass moves below. Flashing synth adds an intense glow while bass snarls into knots. The raised sounds are uncertain and fleeting while sharper noises echo out.

The track moves into a segment in which scattershot synth is joined by low, skittering notes that scuttle past. Droplets splash and the kick drum throbs in an uneven pattern before silence falls.

Open-voiced drums move below dragging, trembling high synth to begin “You’re Home, Arturo.” Raised, swirling sound is joined by harsh, quickly slicing notes and clotted, gritty noise. High notes move along with all manner of tripping, skipping sounds while vast bass and pounding drums add support.

There’s a chaotic, off-kilter feeling to the leaping high notes to which I am drawn. Battering pulses move along with clashing thunderclaps. Now fragile chimes and vocal sounds create ethereal reverence above thumping drums and solid bass.

Gleaming chimes roam in tentative brightness as thunder roars again. Broken tapping shifts as vocal resonance adds a contemplative quality and sparkling sound flows above the lush depths below.

“Dream Self” kicks off as rapidly vibrating noises pop and digital sounds flutter. Very high, starry synth echoes out as string-like lead synth adds a steady glow. The lead synth carries an pleasing melody full of aching emotion. Extremely elevated synth adds blinding light before lead synth carries the caressing melody, broken by jagged sounds.

String-like synth drifts above the solid depths as tapping sounds rattle. Synth motes shimmer out while xylophone echoes and flanging sounds flare through. Percussion ticks as rough-edged noises cut in and enveloping high notes cry out. Distorted, elevated notes glitter into silence as the music stops.

Smashing weight, dripping water and a heaving guitar form a crushing pattern to start “It All Ends At Midnite.” All of the heavy noises effectively generate a forceful sensation as they collide. Steadily vibrating sound shifts along with glockenspiel that feels lost in the towering weight around it.

Water drops fall steadily, gentle voices ring out and shattering power smacks into the listener’s ears with stunning weight. Guitar scrapes and metallic strings clash. Now the track moves into a quieter segment in which glockenspiel flickers and a steady sonic pulse is broken by twisting noises that flit past.

Battering sound hits again while nasal, squelching noises shift and chiming notes glitter. Bending distortion drops in wavering lines and ticking fills the background before ending on wet, wobbling noises

Conclusion

Music For No Tomorrow is a work of great auditory complexity and depth that is still emotionally engaging. It eschews a coldly experimental approach and evokes strong feelings and sensations as it unfolds. I was both entertained and given thoughtful moments of reflection by this album.

ReveLever - Retrospective

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

ReveLever’s Retrospective travels through the band’s emotionally complex, layered musical creations over four years. Randy Lever, Shannon Maree and Ferry Lever make synth-based music that has heart-tugging poignancy at its core. Interwoven sonic layers mingle with strong vocals and expressive guitar work to support the songwriting.

Retrospective does an excellent job of showcasing Randy Lever’s intriguing compositions and complex synth combinations. It also highlights Shannon Maree’s intensely powerful vocal abilities and Ferry Lever’s well-integrated and ear-catching guitar work. Taken as a whole, all of these elements form an engaging album.

I also want to mention the quality of Shannon Maree’s songwriting. She weaves deeply touching and emotive lyrics that range across topics as diverse as environmental degradation and broken relationships. Each song is well-considered and she brings her words to life with her impassioned singing.

The sonic environment on the album fills me with feeling. Randy Lever paints aching, shadowed musical imagery with his compositions and use of synth sounds. There’s a desolation in much of his work, occasionally touched by tenderness and fleeting light. I must admit to being strongly affected by his music.

My Favourite Tracks Reviewed

“Future Forward” starts as huge, gruff bass reverberates as glowing, digital-sounding synth flares as Shannon Maree’s strong, deeply expressive voice carries an uplifting melody and now the drums shape the music above bass walls.

Gleaming synth notes ring out with hopeful feeling as the positive sounding main melody is carried by Shannon Maree’s expression-filled voice, the chorus soaring out with encouragement as the drumbeat rebounds as shimmering chimes flicker and again the bass bounces as the drums hit hard.

Shannon Maree’s voice has strength and warmth to it as the glistening chimes dance out. Again the chorus climbs upwards, full of a sense of progress and underneath it all the drumbeat and bass shape the music

Our robotic narrator speaks of how humans are starting to remake their lives. The narrator asks, “Do you remember everything they’ve ever said?” She goes on to say that the robots won’t get “sublime with our doubts of mind.” Once the humans fought with the robots but “those times are now long dead” because with some technological help, they made peace instead. I find a sinister subtext in those words.

Now the human viewpoint comes in. The humans have had to sacrifice our nature and “put down our arms” to stand tall. We have overcome all our challenges and humanity’s ascendant for everyone. It “turns out it didn’t take so much at all.” Both the humans are robots are now in it together and we will “direct our future forward.” Each group concludes that “it turns out we weren’t so bad after all.”

Flaring synth bounces out in bright notes that pulsate and intertwine as hard-hitting retro drums drive to kick off “Take Me.” Shannon Maree’s richly resonant voice carries an energetic melody as quickly flaring synth effectively contrasts with the main vocal melody’s minor key shadow.

Wavering, chanting voices move above dense, medium-low synth before glittering synth flickers and adds bright accents. Heavy drums keep pulsating and darkness swirls around the chorus, Shannon Maree’s voice mysterious and enfolding.

Shimmering chimes descend in ringing motion and quick bursts of shining synth add extra light. The undulating, minor key chorus adds an interesting, devious element as drums and bass pulsate onward. The track ends on quickly pulsing, tight synth and the lead synth’s’ elevated glow.

The song begins as our storyteller wonders if it's strange that “I would never wait for nothing.” The song’s subject would tell her to leave it behind her as they wove “your tale for every mile that we were walking.” She says that the other person opened a door for her and showed her what she’d been missing.

Now our narrator tells the other person that they can “have it all here, whatever you want dear” and adds that she will give the other person anything she can because “you have my all here.” The narrator creates an image of being tied to the other person’s waist with golden strings. She is “lost inside the pathway to my unknown fears.”

The storyteller says that she’s touched deeply and will keep the other person’s secrets forever. She adds that the “darkened walls heighten every sense and every pleasure.” In the end, she knows that “I will be here with your forever, we can be anything we wish to be."

"So Wrong” opens as towering bass throbs from and strong, dominant drums pound.  Oscillating synth undulates and chimes ring out to accent to Shannon Maree’s cold voice. Her vocals create a sense of desolation that I find compelling.

Wide-sounding, digital chimes ring out above the bleak vocals that that the capture the lyrics and their warning. Hollow, echoing drums pulsate and the chimes’ subdued glow creates a sense of danger. Shannon Maree’s ice-rimed voice moves above ominous drums and bass.

The vocals waver and haunt, carrying a writhing melody. A sense of doom radiates as glistening chimes mingle with bleak vocals. Chimes wriggle as the main vocal melody reaches out twisting tendrils, a feeling of darkness permeates the music before it closes out.

As the world burns, we stand in the fire according to the narrator. She points out that we are blinded by our fear of change, even though “our planets on a course, temperature higher” so we keep tossing everything away.

In the chorus, she repeats the fact that “it can’t be done” and that “you’ve got it wrong.” The storyteller reminds the other person that can’t keep happening and adds that “you are so wrong.”

Emissions keep rising and there’s “pollution littering our biosphere.” Water is becoming more and more scarce and every living thing can feel the consequences of global warming. The narrator asks what humanity is doing and wonders why “do we keep claiming there’s nothing to fear?” She asks what we’re waiting for, adding “enough of fighting each war.”

Earth is dying and the "sickness manifests from our minds” as the people at the top keep fighting. Ultimately the storyteller says that “it’s time we step them down from their throne.”

Razor sharp, medium-high synth wanders in angular lines as open-sounding percussion ticks and gruff bass rises to start “Lost It All.” Shannon Maree’s voice is fragile and hopeless as the ethereal chorus trembles in a tragically yearning melody.

Steady, hollow percussion keeps ticking as the deeply pounding drum and umbral bass add shadows. I am dawn to the delicate, aching vocal melody as softly touching chimes flash. Angular, slicing synth accents Shannon Maree’s bereft voice and resonant synth adds a vibrating metallic quality.

The chorus trails in a haunted, wistful line as accenting chimes flare. Underneath it all, the solid drumbeat and gruff bass shape the music and the dynamic, metallic-sounding synth adds contrast to the pained vocals.

The narrator calls out but the other person is nowhere to be seen, she says that she needs them because “I've got nowhere to hide.” She is breaking down and has “lost all my light.” Now she’s terrified and feels she is losing the fight. The other person doesn’t believe her and she feels that “you never need me at all” adding “I’ve lost it all.”

Our storyteller says she gave it everything as the other person has been “a bright, shining light” but they have left her in the darkness. She adds that she ought to have waited but that seemed wrong because “cold and naked, my loving you denied.” It is too late for her to speak and she has "forgotten why you loved me at all.”

The other person won’t give her a chance or break her fall. She has to admit that they are “done, we’ve come to a wall.” The song’s subject won’t hear her or see her any more.

“Let Me Go” begins as rough-edged, wide-sounding synth forms a steady pulse while a heavy kick drum pounds. Glistening synth climbs upward to create drama before Shannon Maree’s aching vocals echo out in a melody full of mystery and tension. The way in which her tone implies worry to match the lyrics is a nice touch.

String-like synth trembles as gigantic sonic walls slice. Smoothly shining synth rises below the sharper, more angular sound behind it. Shannon Maree’s voice is emotionally exhausted and digital-sounding synth chimes in slowly flashing notes. Ferry Lever’s gritty guitar growls while his sitar twangs and twists, creating a devious feeling.

The hard-driving drumbeat keeps moving the music. A sense of defiance fills the singer’s voice as warmth creeps into the music from a fragile, caressing melody that lingers behind it. The song ends on slashing guitar, pounding drums and gigantic sonic walls crushing down.

In a room full of low lights and company, there’s a sense of “glamorous uncertainty.” The champagne flows but our storyteller is trying to avoid the gaze of the song’s subject, feeling her stomach churning. She says that the other person thinks “you can control everything” but she won’t go. The other person can’t expect their love to stay intact, so she asks them to “let me go, forever.”

The situation grows more tense as the night unfolds as she finds her “chest heaving, silk dress so tight.” There is hollow laughter and the narrator feels “disappointment, (and a) broken stare.” Our narrator thought that the other person’s touch could replace something in her, she’d know but “if I follow you, my life I'd disgrace.” She knows that she can’t ever go with that person.

There are “stolen glances (and) broken romances” that spin out a “nightmare fantasy” as she is circled by empty faces.

Steadily throbbing bass presses forward as low, shadowed synth slowly shifts to start “All Alone.” Hollow-toned, panpipe synth carries a melody full of loss and unmoored drifting. Shannon Maree’s powerfully emotive voice carries a melody tinged with darkness while a dense bass pulse drives on.

In the chorus, the vocal melody slithers and slinks through the music in a way I find pleasing. Flaring synth motion is joined by rich sonic whorls as Shannon Maree’s pained, touching voice carries a smoothly twisted, minor key melody. Glimmering, metallic synth flickers and a panpipe’s airy voice carries gently breathy notes.

Below it all,  drums keep driving along with colossal bass. The vocal melody slides and wriggles as the song presses on, shimmering metallic synth chords leaping out. The vocalist captures the feeling in the lyrics. Now richly rounded synth slowly winds out in a gliding line. The song fades as percussion and bass drop out.

Our narrator says that at the start both of her feet were on the ground but it “soon departed, it had left me all around.” As she moves there are indistinct shapes around her and as she breathes her body is “touched by the air.” She realizes that she was seeking herself, looking for a saviour who never arrived.

The party has ended and she’s left alone with an empty body and mind. The storyteller has flown over mountains, lakes and rivers as she’s bid farewell, broken hearted, to everything she’s known. She’s let go of her life as it was because she deeply needed “a sacred time alone.” The narrator realizes that she was “the cause of my fight for so long” as she was lost in a fantasy without any control.

The tale’s teller says that the other person can speak, but she won’t hear them. If they try to touch her, they won’t be satisfied. She adds that they can’t hurt her and their possession of her has been “put to rest.” The narrator challenges the other person to “try to control me” because “your efforts are wasted breath.”

Ultimately she concludes that she blamed the other person for so long as they “rendered me powerless, hoping for some.”

Conclusion

Retrospective is a melancholy, powerful musical journey through ReveLever’s unique sound. I enjoy the nuance, emotional depth and sonic imagery as it unfolds across all of the album’s tracks.

Kiffie - Interplanetary Exodus

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Kiffie’s Interplanetary Exodus mingles his melancholy voice with affecting songwriting and a a wide open, layered auditory canvas. He creates music with power and emotional depth that has a desolate feeling along with moving tragedy permeating it. This album takes me on a journey through loss and pain tinged with hope.

Without the unique qualities of Kiffie’s voice, Interplanetary Exodus wouldn’t be the same album. He creates a deeply mournful, emotionally raw feeling with his vocals that cuts to the heart. His voice gives the lyrics he’s written added weight and emphasis as he combines emptiness and expression in his performance. Pulse Labs also contributes a touching vocal on her song “Better Than This.”

I find the lyrical content of Interplanetary Exodus to be compelling as well. Kiffie explores themes of loss, need, fear and pain in his songwriting in a way that draws me into all of those mental states. When he expresses more hopeful feelings, those feelings are heightened by the elegiac melancholy that fills the contrasting verses.

All of the sonic interactions on this album deepen the expression of the vocals and lyrics. The synth palette runs the gamut from bleak coldness to fragility interspersed with seething darkness and propulsive power. I enjoy the contrast between delicate piano parts and towering, jagged bass and active drums. The mingled sonic layers create a more engaging listening experience.

My Favourite Tracks Reviewed

“One Choice Left” begins as harsh, slashing synth growls into open space and a hi hat taps while thumping bass throbs. Kiffie’s chanting, plaintive voice echoes out as more hissing percussion comes in along with a high, distant sonic pulse. Darkly digital notes roam and now a cold minor key melody is carried by Kiffie’s echoing voice.

Gritty synth writhes and piano slowly spins out arpeggios. The vocals call out, full of well-expressed ache as the drums shape the music. Medium-low, sharp-edged synth descends in pained lines as piano arpeggios spin, full of tragedy as the chanting vocal goes on.

Delicate higher piano notes weave a pattern imbued with elegiac feeling. Kiffie’s voice is full of bleak emotion as clapping follows darkly descending, digital-sounding notes. Harsh synth slices and the track ends on hard-hitting, gruff synth pulses and weighty percussion.

Humanity has over consumed and damaged the planet beyond repair. The narrator points out that we are left with only one choice, a choice that we can see is true. We’ve filled our lives with “products that we were told we need to buy.” Even if we see the truth, we won’t apologize for the “damage that we create with wasteful lives.”

The storyteller points out that we have no way back so we need to escape and seek “new places that we can rehabitualise.” We have to start again and find new locations to try and colonize because “we have one choice left.”

Another “voice” comes into the song after the narrator asks who will stay behind. This second voice asks who we will leave behind. It takes a sinister turn as it tells us it isn’t our fault but a choice must be made and “you're not needed here.” This other voice makes it clear that the people needed most are “people who can afford to take the boat.”

Lonely, far away piano grows in strength, playing a melody both fragile and anguished to open "No Sacrifice.” Hard-edged, computerized synth shifts in a melodic pattern that feels as though it is adrift, Delicate, distant piano notes twinkle and gigantic, rough-edged bass descends as a distorted voice whispers in the background.

The bass is now joined by pounding drums and the empty vocals. Shadows rise and brighter synth drifts above Kiffie’s desolate voice. Glowing synth intertwines to create a beautiful contrast with the emptiness in the vocals as the drums form a guiding pulse. Sparkling notes shimmer as hollow drums push on. Huge synth looms above the pounding beat while wide, gleaming synth calls out.

The teller of this tale reminds his audience that "there is no sacrifice without a price.” He adds that no one told him that “you were already dead” and admits he didn’t realize it. He asks the other person not to “take my light.” He wants to be saved “from the spite” and continues “there’s no sacrifice.”

I left you there alone, I left you feeling numb, I know for me, I didn't really see. Don't take my light.

“Late To Leave” starts off as resonant kick drum and tapping snare drum are joined by wide-sounding, shimmering synth washing in arpeggiating notes. The arpeggios undulate as drums, bass and other percussion elements rush the track forward with urgency.

Now sharper synth spins downward, tracing spirals above the massive bass as the main melody roams out. I enjoy the glistening synth melody's melancholy above endlessly pulsating drums and bass. There’s a feeling of yearning as the textural synth spirals unwind and the battering drums and solid bass keep pressing on.

Oscillating, ominous bass throbs rapidly as Kiffie’s lonely, aching voice calls out to commence “Take Off.” The vocals effectively create a feeling cool isolation as a faraway, elevated synth calls out a haunted melody.

Distant-sounding synth entwines as martial snare drums echo into open space above the unrelenting bass pulse. Rounded, high synth drifts in a vulnerable melody as K’s voice chants out. Very far away synth trails off and then grows in prominence to glow as the snare drum drives the music into quiet.

We will find a way, We will try to heal, We will have to stay, If we only try to feel. Don't fly away, Don't leave this place, Don't fly away, You need this place. We can overcome, All our problems. And we can make it right, No is not the time to take flight. Don't board the ship, I'm begging you don't start the engine. Don't take off, It's not too late.

“Enough” kicks off as smooth, easily swirling synth drifts in deep lines and piano notes flash out. A ticking, metallic sound moves in the background. The piano notes create a superb tension in their brightness as massive bass growls along with hugely thudding drums.

Ethereal, flowing synth carries an enfolding melody full of yearning tenderness as full-sounding arpeggios move. Bass gruffly rumbles as organ-like notes ring out to add drama as the drums shape the music.

Hollow, pipe-like synth climbs in a gentle line while the organ has a majestic strength. The piano melody weaves a soothing filigree as open-voiced synth calls out above the steadily moving drumbeat and we fade on organ and the string-like arpeggios.

Stuttering, booming drums echo into open space as gleaming, broad synth carries a melodic pattern full of warning to start “Beyond the Blue.” Sharp bass slices through and Kiffie’s bereft voice echoes out as digital notes flash. Underneath it all, the beat jumps and stutters.

The vocal melody roams and hurts as rounded digital notes descend and hard-edged bass growls. There’s a affecting sense of emptiness in Kiffie’s voice as the drumbeat keeps guiding the music. Undulating bass wavers and descends as drums keep pacing the music. Kiffie’s reverberant, disembodied vocal moves above gigantic bass power.

High, digital-sounding notes sweep and big drums move out into the openness surrounding them. The drums and bass lacerate, battering ferociously into the music with a jagged power that drives the song to an end.

“Beyond the blue we can find other things to do” is how our narrator begins. He talks about how we can find better things to do than killing, hating and starving one another. He mentions finding alternatives to owning more than we need or living “our lives covered in greed.” Ultimately he points out that the space “beyond the blue” is big enough.

“Forever Together” starts off as piano arpeggios spin, tinged by something melancholy. Bass ripples outwards and drums softly touch the song. Sadness fills the arpeggios as the drums add more shape to the music and the gritty bass flows.

Worshipful, sparkling synth distantly carries a melodic line that contains hurting feeling. Kiffie’s plaintive voice carries the melancholy feeling that is pleasingly taken up by the piano and string section. Reverent female voices cry out into open air and Kiffie’s voice trembles with aching emotion.

Bass oscillates along with organ notes that add to the heartfelt expression in the lyrics. Tremulous strings glow above the bassline while the drums add form. Piano notes float out as the vocals express the emotion with the lyrics. Choral voices add extra gentleness before a dark bass wall rattles through along with elevated, lost sound fading away to quiet.

The storyteller talks about laying forever if they could remain together. He says that they wouldn’t need to hurry, care or worry because “love is in there” if they “say forever (and) pray together.”

Our narrator admits that he isn’t sure why or how they were connected but “it feels real” and he’s terrified as he wonders “Can we say forever? Can we stay together?”

Blunt drums thud and light pours from tender synth below K’s heartfelt, broken voice to open “No More.” Weighty drums rebound as warmer synth climbs and descends over grunting bass. The vocals cry out with intense emotion, in a way that engages me.

Choral voices ring out as gleaming, medium-high synth moves in blocks and the piano melody is full of delicacy. Choral sounds move gracefully while massive bass and throbbing drums shape the music. Kiffie’s voice captures all the sadness in the lyrics as silence falls.

The question that opens the song is if the other person really wants to know “how far we've come and how far left to go?” or what they’ve lost versus the love that was there. The narrator says that there is no more time, life or fights left for them to fight. He adds that there is no more rain, sun or “time to stop it coming undone.” He wonders if the other person cares if what they had is "forever doomed to be a distant thought?"

The storyteller asks the song’s subject if they’ll “open up and take a look” at the beauty which is now history to stop the tragedy. He says that the colours faded long and “this world now is like a dark shadow.” He wonders if the other person will “take a breath and listen up” to open their mind to possibilities.

“Better Than This” comes to life as soft shaker sounds brush and the piano adds a moving bassline. Soothing, woodwind-like synth carries a wistful melody as Pulse Lab’s deeply felt, touching vocal echoes into space. Thumping drums and active left hand piano shape the music. Soft-edged synth undulates smoothly below Pulse Lab’s touching, pain-filled voice and the drums drop out.

Woodwind synth cries out as the hurting vocals move. Kiffie sings along with Pulse Lab while smoothly dancing synth arpeggiates. A high synth sings out a melody that speaks of loss while drums press on along with active bass. A tragic, beautiful quality fills the synth melody as the song ends.

The narrator says that she’s not afraid of the future any more and her present is “wrapped in sorrow and regret.” The past lashes out at her too and she can’t ignore “the pain that does a perfect pirouette.”

Our storyteller says that the other person would “toss away” the darkness that lurks in her mind and she’d see better with “the joys of life still there to find.” She adds that those joys “barely matter” if they aren’t shared.

Now ‘adjusted smiles” let her get by with no questions asked acting as “pseudotherapy.” She doesn’t want to know what, how, who or why because it “wouldn’t do much justice to the memory.”

They have been “torn apart” and are now back together. There’s nothing better than their love and “Better than this life I’m plowing through, will be the life to taste with you."

Forceful bass buffets into the track, oscillating with great strength to open “Crossing the Void.” Kick drum throbs and Kiffie’s distant voice calls out as a pipe organ unfolds a powerful melody above surging bass. A snare drum establishes a guiding pulse as Kiffie’s voice expresses dedication.

The piano melody weaves a fine filigree and now the pipe organ’s gargantuan voice effectively fills the musical space. Dense bass oscillates, touched by tenuous piano. Choral sounds rise to support chanting vocals as the drums and bass drive on. Kiffie’s voice echoes out in the distance to end the song along with the pipe organ’s bright notes.

“I think it's time I stopped pretending” is how the narrator opens the song. He says that if he could see the other person, he’d tell them that “my love for you is never ending.” He says he’d travel vast distances and “light the stars, fall in black holes for you.”

Now the storyteller feels the time has come to tell the truth that he can’t “go on this journey without you.” He points out that if the other person could hear him, he’d tell them that he’d “risk the asteroids for you” and crash on a far off planet with them. He adds, “I would cross that frozen void for you.”

He thinks it is time for the other person to admit that they also feel the same. He concludes that he’d “cross the void and risk it all with you.”

“Accept This Love” starts with umbral bass supporting Kiffie’s emotive vocals, A slightly shadowed melody is carried by the vocals as ominous bass rumbles. Shining pipe organ notes wind in a minor key melody mingling with threatening bass. The vocals carry contrasting lyrics as seething bass moves below.

The organ melody has an underlying danger and the bass looms. As always, Kiffie imbues his voice with a vulnerable quality that I enjoy. The slow vocal melody unfolds with subtle menace. It is an interesting contrast with the lyrics as the organ rumbles with portentous power and the drums shape the music.

Our storyteller promises that if the other person accepts his love, he will heal their pain, be there for them and there for good. He adds “you can take me at my word” that he will take the blame. He will promise to “protect you from the storm.”

Conclusion

Interplanetary Exodus is an album that combines intensely human emotions with powerful vocals, thoughtful lyrics and synth layers that unfold to weave a tapestry both touching and heartfelt.

Underpond - Between Lost and Hope

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Underpond’s Between Lost and Hope has a melancholy beauty that is emphasized by the AI generated singers and their mixture of their mixture of synthetic sound and human emotion:. In my mind, it generates images of lonely androids calling out into outer space.

A feeling of mournful loss permeates the music on Between Lost and Hope. It is touched by tentative hope and dreamy drifting emotion that lends all of the songs a deeply affecting quality. I am drawn to the pained expression that fills many of the melodies that unfold on the album.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of the use of AI vocalists on the album, but I’ve come to find the idea intriguing. There’s a mixture of synthetic sound and human feeling in the algorithm generated voices that captures the often pained emotional content in the lyrics. I am intrigued by what the mixture of digital generation and human feelings says about that balance in our daily lives.

Layering and intertwining synth sounds with gargantuan bass and powerful drums creates intense auditory imagery on Between Lost and Hope. There are light, feathery sounds mixed with warm, rounded synths along with synths that capture intensely hurting emotion. I enjoy the propulsive weight and energy of the percussion and bass as it contrasts with the ache of the higher synth sounds.

My Favourite Songs Reviewed

“Free Falling” begins as gossamer synth flows out and a breezy sound sweeps.Solid bass pulsates as warm piano-like chords ring out. The AI vocalist has a robotic quality that still exudes emotion. I am intrigued by the idea of a synthetic vocalist still sounding expressive. Medium-high synth trembles in broad, glowing lines and bass throbs.

Snare drum and kick drum move in a steadying pulse as celestial synth glides. The resonant, non-human voice feels strangely engaging as it sings. The vocal melody has a soothes above low bass and a shaping drumbeat. The song ends on a lonely synth sweep and open-sounding synth.

The narrator speaks of running far away, “anywhere from nowhere.” She says they ought to “fall away, straight away” and catch air to fly away as they are “free falling.”

A gritty, medium-low synth supports elevated, crystalline chimes that sparkle slowly into space to open “Lost.” Rounded, gentle synth flows around the AI vocalist’s pained feeling sound as massive bass undulates and drums splash across the track. There’s a surging motion to the bass and ticking drums.

Pleasingly tragic fragility fills the vocal melody as a bright, medium-high synth pulse matches the undulating bass. Gruff guitar growls, carrying a melody combining loss and yearning anticipation.

Rippling, string-like synth spins out slow arpeggios while the drums and bass urge the song onward. The guitar swirls in sharp lines that are full of tentative hope and we end on glittering chimes,

The storyteller talks about being lost with a blinded heart as she keeps on finding, asking “where are you hiding?” and wondering if she’ll find them. She says that everything is alright and contrasts that by saying nothing is okay.

Our narrator goes on to state that “every single day is rewind and delay” whether they are bright or “all the rainy Sundays.” She talks about the “slowly fading lights around my mellow grays” because she’s lost.

“White Noise” commences as rapidly oscillating, elevated synth cascades. A whispered male voice repeats the words “white noise” as hard-edged bass growls. Raised, shimmering synth levitates above the rebounding, flying drumbeat. AI vocals carry a melody combining dynamism and mournful emotion as wandering, spinning synth twists through the song.

Wispy, aching vocals drift to effectively express the lyrics.The song glides a segment in which starry synth carries a tentative, lost-feeling melody before drums and bass return to propel the song onward. The breathy hurt in the AI vocals creates emotion as rapidly twirling, raised synth notes dance over the throbbing weight underneath. The song ends on cosmic floating.

“White noise” is what the narrator hears as she talks about living at the moment with “systems down.” As noise is discovered, there’s “vivid sound.” In the midst of the white noise, there’s a dark voice as the storyteller talks about making a “bad choice again.”

Piano-like notes chime with brittle light as reverent, misty sounds swirl to start “The Lonely Rebel.” A robotic voice whispers that “there is a giant space inside your shell, it is the hiding place for the lonely rebel.” Sharp-edged, slowly revolving synth spins over swelling bass. Stuttering snare drum bursts as cutting arpeggios spin and solid bass grows.

Gleaming, wide-sounding lead synth carries an ear-pleasing melody mingling triumph and loneliness as sharper arpeggios unwind. Below the arpeggios, heavy bass shivers. Rounded, digital sounding notes reverberate into space, delicately touching as the brittle piano echoes.

Arpeggiating, medium-high synth slices clearly as digital sounding, tentative notes repeat a melancholy pattern. The shining melody sings out in sadness-tinged lines while clean arpeggios whirl as drums shape the music and huge bass rises. The song ends on trailing, digital notes and tremulous piano.

“Sound of Sun” opens as towering bass is joined by a steadily flowing, worshipful sound. Nasal-sounding, medium high arpeggios undulate and the AI vocalist’s caressing voice carries a wonderfully tender, wistful melody. Trumpeting synth echoes and drums shape the music, popping into a steady beat.

Full-sounding, brassy synth echoes out in quickly fading notes while bass throbs below. The vocals trail slowly, full of ache and dreaming feeling as smooth drums add form above massive bass. Glimmering synth notes slip along, unmoored and lightly touching before drums snap in to propel the song.

Broad, rising synth adds a majestic quality to the song. Raised, slightly diffused synth carries the lonely, hopeful melody while the underlying low end drives the music. The hurting AI vocals call out and the song concludes with spaced out sound.

Sound fills the “long night” as the storyteller talks about the last hours of sun. The stars are “shining like sound” after “glowing flowers of sun.” The sun’s sound will go on “now and ever” and the narrator is feeling better.

Breathy wordless vocals flow out into open space as angular, glistening synth repeats in a cascading pattern to begin “Hope” as piano chords slowly expand. Wind sweeps as the warm, gentle AI vocals enjoyably enfold my ears and the diaphanous background flows.

Lambent synth motes slowly flare and fade as the piano notes grow. The AI singer combines synthetic and human characteristics as shining synth flickers. Bass creaks and computerized sounds pulse to add form.

The vocal melody mixes tragedy with more encouraging emotions as the steady drums and solid bass create forward motion. Glittering sounds rise and fade just as rapidly. The vocals are full of distance as the fluttering, sharply angled notes ripple to finish the song.

Our narrator addresses the song’s subject, asking them to breathe her in along with the “hazy night” and for the last time “hold tight.” She talks of hope as they get ready for a “sunset drive”with lights rushing past them. She speaks of how “hand in hand I hold you so tight” as they are bonded by neon lights. As the song concludes she talks about breathing in the other person and hoping on them as well.

“Sweet Kelly” comes alive as waves wash with calming motion and undulating, muffled synth slides along. Medium-high, sparkling synth carries a softly tranquil melody that contrasts well with a sharper guitar pattern. Colossal bass swells as the drums shape the music. Calming AI vocals sound like a gentle android talking about how “Sweet Kelly” is “my sun, smiling and fun” whether they relax or run “we are one.”

Higher synth bends and caresses as the dynamic, gleaming and round-sounding synth carries a dynamic melody that still feels vulnerable above the skipping drums and luscious bass while our AI vocalist carries a breathy melody while brighter synth shines with settling light and underneath the drums and bass keep on moving.

The lead melody combines energy and more pained emotions as the “singer” adds an element of cosmic drift to it as the guitar keeps vibrating wile the drums snap and tap and the bass powerfully buoys up the other elements as we fade on waves.

Conclusion

Between Lost and Hope creates deeply human emotional responses through synthetic elements. It is full of intense feeling woven from digitalization. The concept of using synthesis to make us feel speaks to the increasing integration of human beings and technology. I enjoy how this album engaged me and provoked thought.