Andrew LeSynt - The Lost City

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Andrew LeSynt’s The Lost City is a multi-layered, sonically immersive journey through fascinating soundscapes. Andrew LeSynt weaves the rich imagery that unfolds on the album through intertwining layers of synth, guitar and percussion. The end result is synth-based music that lives and breathes in my ears.

The Lost City’ is full of complex musical layers and intriguing auditory interactions. Each synth part fits in with the others to lend shading, highlights and tonal range to the overall composition. I enjoy how Andrew LeSynth crafts his music to generate strong mental images through sonic layering. This music strongly engages me and pulls me into its world.

I also enjoy the melodic content of The Lost City. Andrew LeSynt’s melodies are expressive and ear-catching as he unfurls them into the music. I enjoy the clarity of his melodic ideas and the way he captures strong emotions and transmits them through his compositions. Each melody deepens the overall expression of the album.

High production quality is another part of this album that I enjoy. The music shines with clarity and precision thanks to the high level of the production here. Each element is clean and sharp, allowing the richness of the tracks to find full expression.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Starfield” opens as a throbbing kick drum pulses below rapidly rippling, medium-low arpeggios while crystal chimes jump in. Rich-toned, medium-low synth chords add motion to the track. Andrew LeSynt’s guitar soars out, carrying an inspirational melody above the powerful drumbeat and thudding bass.

Dynamic synth effectively imbues the track with life as glistening light pours from the chimes. After a sudden drop to gritty depths, the guitar cries out in a flying melodic line, uplifting and hopeful.

Shining synth glides into a segment in which rustling sounds move through a misty background. A glittering synth takes up the heartening melody before drums thunder and bass propels the music. The track ends on deeply undulating arpeggios, windy sweep and chiming notes.

The sounds of a crowded room and mingled conversation are joined by massively throbbing drums and gruff bass to open “Where No One Knows Your Name.” Expansive chimes ring out to add a charmingly soothing glow as medium high, bright synth dances in leaping notes.

The guiding drum and bass pulse supports coruscating, raised synth carrying a melody full of joyful energy and boundless hope. Now heavy, sharp-edged bass adds a gritty sonic layer below medium-high, wide sounding synth flying in motivating notes. Sparkling chimes echo out into an easily gliding background that exhales peacefully.

After a drum flourish, the radiant lead synth carries a sunny, exuberant melody above gigantic bass and charging drums. The track ends on tenderly unfolding synth with light chimes touching the music.

“Metallic Butterfly” begins as crackling static shifts with shadowy synth as powerful drums and heavy bass create insistent motion. The undulating, dark notes support an elevated, effulgent synth that repeats a propulsive melodic pattern as snare drum and vast bass drives forward. There’s a muscled power in the track that pulls me into it.

After a drum fill, lustrous synth flows in a soothing, tumbling line above ticking drums. Wind sweeps as full-toned synth resonates in a moving line and delicate notes slip past. There’s another massive drum fill and gleaming synth repeats a rippling note pattern above climbing synth chords. The track ends on the low end’s tremendous power of the low end and static noise.

Vibrant bass oscillates as gleaming synth trembles above it to start “Nicole.” Wind sweeps before giant retro drums drive on. Very high, shining chimes flutter with delicate light above hard charging drums and bass. The main melody's uplifting energy is skilfully enhanced by the lead synth’s solar glow. Ther underlying drums and bass are accented by a tambourine.

There’s a drum fill and surging, medium-high synth trembles with the pounding drums and rapidly oscillating bass. Wind blows again and after a chugging slow down, the track leaps forward again. Chimes flicker through and the lead synth’s enfolding tone carries a hopeful, tender melody out over the throbbing low end. The tambourine adds a metallic ticking and chimes flit through the music to add more encouragement and glitter before silence falls.

“Escapology” opens as gruff, bouncing bass dances unevenly before forming an urgent, tumbling rhythmic pattern. Battering, heavy drums join a leaping synth pattern, full of drama and tension. Angular, medium-high synth falls down through the music as swelling synth chords add a gentler, smoother feeling.

Shadowed lead synth effectively creates a sense of danger. The track slides into a segment in which floating synth glides with broad-sounding delicacy. Heaving drums and solid bass move the track while warmer synth chords brim with emotion. The track returns to the leaping, sharp-edged synth and fades out.

Hollow, creaking synth vibrates out into space and gargantuan drums pound to kick off “Binary Machine.” Computerized arpeggios tremble and rough-edged synth gallops along with the drums. Electric guitar skirls in a smoothly unfurling line as elevated synth flashes past.

The retro drums burst below a dynamically glistening synth singing an uplifting melody. The medium-low, gruff synth undulates again and the drums and bass create a propulsive motion beneath the arcing electric guitar and synth flickering with a lambent life as the drumbeat bursts below. The electric guitar has a voice brimming over with positive energy and the track ends on digital-sounding synth pulses as drums fade.

“Lap Of Honor” begins with a cymbal roll and warmly glistening synth descending in tender motion. Thundering drums and rumbling bass create a powerful pulse while flaring synth accents the music. The guitar spins out an umbral line above the muscled low end of the track.

Jangling, string-like synth dances in an intertwining pattern that exudes brightness in a way I find engaging. Medium-high, sparkling synth carries a melody rich with rising joy as dense bass and guiding drums shape the music.

There’s a flurry of tom hits and the bass and drums ripple together while brassy synth flows. String-like, entangling synth tumbles through the music. A rising rush of sound launches the guitar and synth melody that both rise with a hopeful glow, creating a sense of victory. After another series of tom hits, the track ends on twirling electric guitar and a rough -edged sound.

Darkly trembling, ominous synth groans along with soft sounds to start “Parade Of Heroes.” Rapidly vibrating, sharp-edged bass moves below smoothly guiding drums. A flashing, gleaming synth carries a quickly cascading note pattern into the music. The guitar spins out, full of rising strength that fills me with energy.

Hard, heavy drums and bass support trumpeting notes. The dynamic guitar calls out as a flanging synth floats. Now the track drifts into an easily sliding segment in which synths intertwine and caress. Jazzy, raised synth adds a funky feeling as colliding drums and towering bass move on. Elevated, string-like synth trickles in quick lines and silence falls.

“Tubbs Theme” opens as slicing sound rises to a sharp peak and razor-edged synth rapidly rushes below as drums burst. Hollow, vast drums break into a throbbing beat as cutting bass keeps rushing.

Sparkling synth carries a wonderfully invigorating melody over charging bass while lambent chimes flash. Electric guitar comes in, carrying a shaded melody and battering drums charge. The inspiring main melody glows on diamantine synth above the steady drumbeat and ethereal chiming notes flutter.

After a drum fill, the main melody dances on sunlit synth as deep bass pulsates and laser sounds zap. Now the guitar carries distant, shadowed notes before glistening synth soars out and and heavy bass tumbles. Drums also fall through the music and the track fades on crystal chimes and delicate float.

Fluttering, creaking sound flurries as swelling, enfolding synth chords rise reverently to begin “Depeche Node 7.” Massive, undulating bass and hard-hitting drums form a deep underpinning that charges forward as dangerous-sounding guitar cuts through.

Bright, metallic synth pops in an actively moving line as undulating bass and muscled drums propel the music. Dark, threatening sounds and a portentous vocal synth move as tumbling, bright notes arpeggiate. I enjoy the impression of danger that this track exudes.

After a drum fill, flat metallic notes rise and fall as  heavy bass and thudding drums push on. Rippling, medium-high synth arpeggios spin above the heaving weight below them. The track ends on jumping, metallic synth and distorted sonic pulses.

“The Second End” starts as a clock ticks and wide, richly shining chimes ring out with fragile warmth.  Gruff notes tremble through the music and dark bass sweeps before steady drums add sharpness to the breathy, tranquil chimes as they float past. The drums keep throbbing out into space. This track ends the album with pleasing calm and ease.

Conclusion

The Lost City is one of those albums that takes me on a journey through my imagination guided by Andrew LeSynt’s intricately layered music. I enjoy the way in which he paints vivid mental images through sound, allowing it to flow out and wind through my mind and travel to new places.

Crime City Keytarist - Reborn

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Crime City Keytarist’s Reborn is a feast of well-produced retro synth music with a unique flair, strong character and engaging sound. There’s well-crafted melodies surfing on a wave of layered, interlocking synths and shaping drums and bass. The retro sensibility mingles with the modern production to keep it sharp and clean.

Melody is something to which I am drawn and Crime City Keytarist has a gift for writing great melodies. There’s an emotional quality to his melodies that I find engaging as they unfold. He also has a knack for mingling different feelings in his melodies, bringing together ache and hope or energy and melancholy. The end result is songs that I want to hear over again.

I also enjoy the lush, layered synth sounds on Reborn. There’s a great variety of different tones, timbres and textures in the synths that Crime City Keytarist uses, but he always keeps them in balance. I am drawn to the unique, ear-grabbing sonic combinations that he weaves in his music. There’s a real appeal to the way in which all the synth elements come together on the album.

The songs on Reborn are well-written and well performed by Crime City Keytarist. His lyrics are engaging and his voice is strong and expressive as he sings. There are only two tracks that showcase his vocal talent and songwriting ability, but those two tracks are enough to make me want to hear more from him.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Reborn” commences as smooth, dense bass flows below the typing sounds and office ‘phones ringing while massively flaring notes descend.  Round-toned synth with a shadowy weight is leavened by warm tinges. Gigantic, hard-hitting drums and a metallic, robotic sound echo through the music. Glittering chimes carry a melody skilfully mingling pained emotion and brightness.

Fuller, more caressing notes flow underneath as creaking bass and powerful drums add shape. Reverent, almost choral sounds flow below the melancholy chiming melody. Smoother, wider-sounding synth trumpets out with a sense of rising strength. As the song ends, the chiming melody flickers and broad, trumpeting synth flares out into space.

Sharply flashing synth flows out above quickly wandering bass to start “Dance All Night.” Drums hit with smooth motion as the snare establishes a steady pulse. Gentleness permeates the lead synth melody as the pumping, driving bass grooves.

Nasal-sounding, shimmering lead synth carries a bursting, yearning melody that I find hard to resist. Crime City Keytarist’s voice is deep and expressive, carrying a melody with an element of mystery and a hurting, hoping feeling. Diamond light glints from the lead synth and the chorus lifts above propulsive bass and shaping drums.

Piano-like synth dances with dynamic, positive energy and Crime City Keytarist’s vocals are leavened with pleading need. The glistening synth winds out and the throbbing low end carries the smooth vocals before silence falls.

Our storyteller has heard a rumour that the song’s subject is back in town. He can’t believe it since it "feels like half an eternity since I saw you leavin’. ” Even in the disco’s darkness, he is in no doubt once he sees the other person “lighting up the room.”

Now the narrator is on the dance floor “groovin’…movin’ ” and dancing all night. It is a fleeting moment but while they’re dancing “you and I are one.” The night has to end and he’s heard that the song’s subject isn’t staying around. He wishes it could be different and concludes by saying, “The sun is rising - night's becoming day. Can’t it be another way?”

“Dream Chaser” opens as drums smack hard and digital-sounding synth ripples rapidly while solid bass oscillates. A ringing, bell-like quality characterizes the lead synth as it carries a dreamy melody.

Glockenspiel frolics through the music, carrying a pleasingly joyful melody above gigantic, rebounding drums and bass. A metallic synth with a string-like quality cuts in with a flaring gleam. Now medium-high, shining synth calls out an encouraging, lively melody above drum and bass motion.

Drums tick as fat, medium-low synth surges and the celebratory lead synth melody sings out, swirling on glistening synth. Angular, unevenly pulsing synth with a dark tinge moves before glockenspiel twirls in happy motion. String-like, intensely shining synth leaps above deeply throbbing drums and the track ends.

Digital-sounding, undulating synth creates a wide sonic vista above strong drums and angular bass to start “Midnight Sun.” Trumpeting, bright lead synth carries a melody mingling shadow and progress above rounded synth.

Tenderly singing synth carries a melody that aches and hopes above a grittier synth layer and shaded, pulsating bass. String-like synth flares with more glow and panpipe synth beautifully carries an ethereal, fragile melody as drums cascade. Expansive, open-voiced synth undulates and brassy synth flies.

Now a segment with energized, twirling synth flickers again.  Huge, rough-edged bass pulsates before intense, heart-warming synth shines down on the low end’s active motion. Silence briefly falls before the initial synth pattern moves again. The track finishes off with medium-high, gritty synth singing out into quiet.

“Transcend” kicks off as a colossal kick drum pounds and swirling, sweeping notes glide above it and cutting synth forms a steady pulsation. Chimes twinkle delicately while full, medium-high synth breaks in between and  active bass throbs.

Crime City Keytarist’s voice is smooth and lightly touching above a shaping snare drum and angular bass pulse. The vocal melody manages to be hopeful and lost in a way I find pleasing. It floats above the echoing snare drum and moving bass line.

Crime City Keytarist’s voice swirls through the music and the drums flourish. A feeling of progress permeates the music as reverent synth echoes out, adding soothing emotion.There’s a message of evolution as the fragile, distorted vocals and the sharper robotic voice create interesting contrasts.

The narrator offers the bleak assessment that humanity tried and failed and now “the planet is dying because of their greed” Earth is scorched and has nothing left to stay for. Our narrator calls out for people to “come with me if you want to live.” He says that if we “transcend” things don’t have to end.

He calls for people to explore their potential in a “limitless fantasy” and transcend with him. He speaks about reaching a transcendent state beyond reality. If we leave the broken world behind, we can all come together and “become one with cyberspace.”

Stygian bass rumbles underneath ominously shining synth to open “The Terrans Are Coming.” Round-sounding notes arpeggiate and medium-high, gliding synth calls out in a sadness-tinged melody. The main melody is full of a tremulous grace that I find touching. Drums launch the music forward and brassy, full-toned lead synth leaps out carrying a motivating, energetic melody.

The music slips through a flowing segment with softly curling synth tendrils winding around guiding drums. Dynamic life pours from the lead synth as massive drums and gruff bass drive. Razor-edged synth intertwines in jumping motion above the unrelenting drums before soft-edged, rounded synth ripples through and silence falls.

“Where Are You Now?” comes to life as brightly glistening synth slowly flows through a pattern of sparkling notes. Hard-hitting drums and dense bass propel the music below the noble, tragic lead synth melody as it sings out. Medium-low, slightly gruff synth takes up the yearning melody.

I am emotionally engaged by the mixture of loss and hope that radiates from this track’s melody. The lead synth carries over the beat, nobility and hurt mingling as the track moves forward. A more uplifting emotion fills the synth as it rises again.

The music shifts back to the melancholy, hopeful melody as drums and bass push onward. The track ends with the elegiac melody calling out as the beat leaps out into silence.

Conclusion

Reborn has a great mix of retro synth energy, dynamic beats, beautiful melodies and enjoyable songwriting. Crime City Keytarist creates music that’s fun to listen to and full of auditory interest. I thoroughly enjoy listening to this album.

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.