Tim Woodruff - Keeper Of The Forest

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Tim Woodruff’s Keeper Of The Forest takes me on a contemplative, tranquil journey through immemorial forest landscapes full of nuance, emotional depth and interlinked sonic palettes. This is music for relaxation and escape from the world’s troubles and stress that is still strongly engaging.

Perhaps the most engaging aspect to Keeper Of The Forest is Tim Woodruff’s ability to immerse the listener in atmosphere. All of the varied musical elements combine to weave mental images of ancient forests, full of deep peace and hidden secrets. This album is green, growing and full of shadowy corners as it unfolds.

Keeper Of The Forest is also notable for Tim Woodruff’s melodies. His melodic writing is intensely expressive, emotionally engaging and full of intertwining feelings. I enjoy his ability to build melodies that are touching and soothing, shot through with both hope and more painful emotions. I feel drawn into the music by the melodic craft.

The choice of sonic palette also contributes to my enjoyment of this album. There's an organic quality to many of the instrument choices that emphasizes the feeling of venturing into rich, lush woodlands. I also enjoy the washes of dense bass that fill the music, along with more obviously digital sounds that add an interesting contrast.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

"Before The Dawn (5 AM)” commences as distantly ticking, metallic drums shape hallowed, worshipful synth that expands in gently drifting chords. Intensely resonating, chiming notes sparkle and lush bass rumbles as drums add form.

Fragile, glowing synth carries a melody that beautifully creates calm in me as drums keep ticking and creamy bass laps, breathing tranquility. Shadow touches the track and the bass fades as diffused light emanates from the lead synth. Dense bass returns and shaping drums lightly touch the track.

There’s deep peace in the bass clouds while airy synth slips through the music, exhaling meditative contemplation. Pre-dawn languor pervades every musical element while the bass rumbles and the track fades on tender lead synth.

Ethereal synth exhalations slide into my ears and caress my heart as “In The Pines, Beneath The Stars” begins. Chiming notes vibrate in luscious lines, feeling suffused with fragile light as synth clouds breathe below them.

Strings intertwine in a melody both hopeful and hurting as it sings above shimmering chimes. The balance between the elegiac strings and the chimes with their uplifting emotion pleases my ears. Strings swell into a majestic crescendo as the chimes vibrate in the background and bass waves lift the other musical elements.

The main melody soars outward, gently affectionate and tinged with an ache. A flute’s breathy voice lends a gliding quality to while the strings intertwine in touching melodic motion and brass cries out with strength and nobility. A xylophone’s sylvan reverberation echoes into open space and silence falls.

“The Mountains (for Dungeons Deep)” opens as rain patters softly and thunder rolls.  Choral synth chants out, forming impressions of timeless ritual, as a cello-like tone supports it.

Strings repeat a melodic pattern that effectively creates hypnotic motion below choral voices. A hang drum adds its unique tone in a melody that paints imagery of craggy heights clad in mossy forest. A harp-like synth sings a tale of heroic journeys and magical places.

The strings grow and fill the background with a rich, emotive secondary melody, full of hoary memory and affecting feelings. Ringing, string-like tones interweave with the hang drum sound to produce a melody that pierces me to the core while shadowy cello tones fade into rain and wind.

Fresh water burbles as diffused, gossamer notes swirl to begin “The Forgotten Woods.” Deeply resonant synth carries a contemplative melodic pattern as broad, piano-like notes flit in between trickling water.

All of the sonic elements interact effectively to create a lush audio environment. Metallic, string-like synth carries a skipping melody, gently flickering as soft-edged, medium-high synth carries wandering notes.

A dense, full synth pattern smoothly glides, enhancing the impression of mossy glades and springs bubbling forth. Strings tremble and yearn in a melancholy melody  wheedling above the track’s low end. The strings add texture before the track ends on rounded, resonating synth.

"Firefly Sunset” comes to life as crackling static shifts along with a hang drum shimmering in a distant, airy drift. A violin carries a mournful melody as digital- sounding, medium-high notes flit like the song’s fireflies over a thickly flowing bass carpet.

Sweeping, gleaming synth chords intertwine above full-sounding depths. Higher notes shine out on a keyboard as extending synth moves with a windblown rush. Violin carries the hurting, dreaming melody while chiming notes twinkle together and lush bass glides to add support.

The main melody has a lingering longing within it to which I am drawn. The violin drifts in tremulous notes above the velvet weight lifting it. The track ends on rushing air and the violin’s deep expression.

Wind blows and digitally flickering synth repeats a hypnotic pattern to open "When The Last Leaf Falls.” Twangy guitar roams and medium-high, bending synth carries a wistful, enfolding melody out in creamy waves.

A hi hat ticks gently as throbbing, full-toned drums double a nasal-sounding note pattern that adds texture. A synth mingling oboe-like qualities with cosmic flow carries a melody mingling uplift and tragedy as round-toned synth arpeggiates and the reverberant bass flows.

Bluesy, expressive guitar unfolds in a well-executed solo deep with heartfelt emotion. Lower sonic elements add strength as nasal-sounding arpeggios drift. The guitar whirls through another solo, feeling hopeful and hurt as the track ends on bright notes.

“Into The Morning” begins as gleaming, piano-like notes play encouraging chords.  Cymbals flare and pulse along with guiding drums as glistening synth sings a melody exuding positive emotion.

Light notes trip in rippling patterns and warm synth slips along to add a breathy quality above solid bass and shaping drums. A feeling of new beginnings fills the music in a way that I enjoy and tripping notes dance along. All of the musical elements are gentle and there’s ease in the track.

Sparkling, raised synth shines like breaking dawn as strings add aspirational emotion.The percussion guides the music along with smooth motion before the track ends on glowing strings.

Conclusion

Keeper Of The Forest is image-rich, emotionally engaging and touching. It carries me through sunlit glades, across sparkling streams and through mossy hillocks that exude verdant life. Tim Woodruff is a good companion for a journey through these ancient landscapes.

jacket. - Volume 2: Void

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

jacket.’s Vol. II: Void is staggeringly well-produced, intensely layered music featuring songs with engaging lyrics and ear-pleasing soundscapes. This album takes synthwave music and gives it nuance, depth and lusciously intertwining auditory expression. It also features a superb group of other artists who add even more strength to the music.

It’s hard to find enough superlatives for the high production quality of Vol. II: Void. The care and attention to detail that jacket. demonstrates in each facet of the music’s production is tremendous. There’s a level of clarity and sonic detail in his music that serves to enrich the emotional expression within each track.

All of the guest artists that jacket. has included on Vol. II: Void expand the scope of the album further still. Each of his chosen guests brings their own unique musical vision and talent to bear. They are all artists for whom I have great respect and their collaborations bring further depth to the music on the album.

Each song on Vol. II: Void captures human experience in its lyrics. The words are carefully chosen and woven together to create powerful feelings. I enjoy how I am drawn in by the lyrics and how those lyrics work with the music and singing to add more emotion. Each song weaves together into a compelling whole.

jacket.’s synth palette runs the gamut of tonal, textural and timbral elements of which synths are capable. Each of those ear-catching sounds combines in many layers to create music that can capture and convey light, darkness, pain and exultation in one harmonious and attractive whole.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Growing Up” starts as smooth, easily washing synth waves slip peacefully through wide open space. Metallic sounds tap and lush bass flows while wide-sounding, medium-low synth forms a drifting pattern.

Shimmering, high synth carries a beautiful melody full of wistful, dreamy emotion. Broadly shifting lower synth adds shape and flickering synth trickles through to add sparkling accents. Piano chords radiate gently enfolding sensations above the densely swirling background while airy panpipes float and fade.

Sharp-edged, pulsing bass contrasts with wide-sounding, luminous synth as “Void” commences. Retro drums throb while glistening synth carries a charming melody rich with aching emotion. GeoVoc’s breathy voice carries a hurting, yearning vocal melody.

ELYXIR’s strong, expressive vocals come in to double GeoVoc’s. while flaring synth dances. ELYXIR’s vocals move alone now, caressing and full of strong emotion as powerful drums and bass pulsate. Glittering arpeggios twirl as both singers mingle their emotionally affecting voices.

Thudding drums and bass are joined by a guitar that lightly slides, carrying a softly touching melody as the song’s low end adds propulsion. Tripping synth flits as the song ends on deep bass and twinkling notes.

This song’s first narrator is looking back on his past to relive previous actions as they are “breaking into the night” where open fields “still hold our past time.” Both narrators say that it’s like “a void you can’t return” and a shadow of an alternate world.

Our second storyteller speaks of having nothing left of which to be afraid “floating in our atmosphere.” She talks about how it doesn’t matter where we travel “along our diamond roads” we are always praying for the light.

“Broken Paradise” opens as colossal drums rush, effulgent synth leaps upward and guitar entangles in twanging notes. Syst3m Glitch’s vocals are characterful and full of deep feeling as a guitar skips through while a synth vibrates rapidly.

Syst3m Glitch’s voice soars out, carrying the uplifting chorus as the heavy drums pound and lambent background synth flickers. A piano carries a gentle, encouraging melodic line as the guitar twangs and spins out below Syst3m Glitch’s strong, emotionally engaging voice.

Impactful drums hit the song and the chorus jumps out, brimming over pleasingly with hope and positive emotion. The lead synth solo whirls and arcs as delicate piano notes ripple. Gigantic drums pulsate as sunny synth pours out light, piano trips through the song and silence falls.

Asking everything from the song’s subject is something about which our storyteller says he should’ve known better. He asks “what’s a broken heart to do?” while adding that the situation can’t last forever. He wonders if people are ever truly lost and if there’s “hope to pay the cost” and asks again what a broken heart is to do.

The narrator still believes that he and the other person can put the pieces back together and “find a way to something beautiful.” He says that they know they’re better off alone, but they’ve come so far that "what we've got is worth the fight.” He says that they need to “take it back tonight” and move forward from their current position “to a broken paradise.”

Our storyteller points that he should have known better than to keep everything from the other person. He says “the jealousy’s fading” and asks the other person to take their time and think through things because “I'll be right here waiting.” He adds that simply because the other person’s “sunlight shines (it) doesn’t hide the silver lining” so they need to once again “take the time and think it through.”

Subtly rumbling bass forms a flowing support for brassy synth carrying a tremulous melodic line to begin “Just Like Me.” Bass oscillates and glittering synth tentatively brushes my ears as chimes flare and dense bass adds weight.

The background energy level rises as a kick drum pounds and panpipe synth shivers airily. Heavy bass undulates and the whole drum kit leaps in while chimes sparkle and synth moves in soft waves. Bright, sharp-edged lead synth carries a melody that effectively contrasts pain and tenderness above driving drums and bass.

The track drifts into a section in which radiant synth flickers and ticking drums come in. After chimes cascade into the music, drums push on again as guitar scuds through the track in skipping notes. High chimes burst with shiny life and towering drums collide before silence falls on the trembling guitar.

"Care Too Much” commences as radiant synth calls out along with smooth bass moving in huge walls. Arpeggios flicker as an impassioned sax cries out, carrying a melody full of deep affection and need.

Graystars’ intense, passionate voice carries the tenderly yearning vocal melody with pleasing expression. After massive drums flourish, bass oscillates rapidly as rounded, flashing synth dances around Graystars’ airy voice. Huge drums throb and the chorus soars up, doubled by reedy, full-toned sax.

Dense bass pulsates while starry synth shines. Graystars’ voice captures the love within the lyrics and angular synth mingles with twinkling xylophone while the shaping drumbeat keeps throbbing. The song ends with sax and vocals intertwining as angular bass and rippling xylophone fade into silence.

The teller of this tale encourages the song’s subject to release their fear because the time has come for “you and I to find our way out of here.” He adds “if you dare, try to let go of tonight.” He asks the other person not to leave him out as he follows them into the night.

Our narrator strongly declares that he won’t “go down without a fight” because he cares deeply for the other person and can’t quit on them. He wonders why it is hard for the song’s subject to keep him in their heart.

There’s an exhortation to “let down your hair” for the other person as our storyteller asks, “Don't you like it better when we give 'em something to talk about?” He tells the other person not to be afraid and to hold him tight because he’ll show them “how we've got nothing left to dance around.”

Broad-sounding, medium high synth with a gruff edge carries a rapidly shifting, minor key melodic pattern to start “Regalith.” Gargantuan bass throbs along with a heavy kick drum and CZARINA’s original-sounding, interesting voice carries an ethereal melody with profound emotive power.

Strong drums throb as rapidly, tightly swirling arpeggios are touched by echoing guitar and flitting chimes. CZARINA demonstrates her impressive vocal range as minor key synth arpeggiates and drums pound heavily. A piano shines out with fragile light as the guitar twangs and CZARINA’s voice captures the song's emotional content.

Muscled drums and bass shift as shimmering light drifts distantly, CZARINA’s dramatic voice rings out and floats above lightly touching piano notes before the heavy drums punch onward. The song ends on strong vocals, continually rippling arpeggios and the guiding drumbeat.

Our narrator is waiting with “pulsating breath” as they had ample time to arrive and come to a realization. As lights fade, she is “paralyzed with dread” and fighting with each breath as she looks ahead. When she casts her mind back, she feels “alive with memories come and gone” and when she “takes hold of time” she also feels alive.

“Memories cold and warm” enfold the storyteller in time and there’s “a cold stir in the air” as icicles form with each inhalation. The lights dim and she doesn’t want to waste her time. Now she waits for time “staring down the road.”

Her next backwards glance has her feeling “your face, closing in on mine.” Now “as the lights go down” she’s grappling with time and with each breath, she feels “alive with memories come and gone.”

“Visions” opens as intensely full bass moves below deeply flowing synth clouds. Dimi Kaye’s guitar carries slowly drifting chords while tense synth entangles. The lead guitar melody is trembling and emotive as bass undulates.

Open-voiced, ghostly synth drifts with a lonely, desolate feeling as ringing metallic sounds echo. Delicate synth trickles through the track while the intensity below it grows. Threatening bass pulsates and cutting synth snarls while drums pound.

Hammering sounds are lacerated by Dimi Kaye’s ferocious guitar while scudding synth trips above crushing percussion. I am electrified by the guitar solo that pours energy from each soaring, intricate note. Tumbling, dark notes move below a gentler, haunted synth that fades into silence with a razor-edged sound.

Reverberating bass flows beneath medium-high, rapidly trembling synth to begin “Cape Fear.” String-like notes add more resonance and punchy, giant drums pulsate. Raised, metallic synth sings a well-crafted melody full of pain, tinged by hopeful emotion while Seersha’s engaging voice echoes out.

Rounded, open-voiced synth trickles in an easily slipping melody as quickly twirling, full arpeggios spin. Seersha’s vocal soars out, as she says that “My old soul will never let me go. Now I know, I'll never be alone.”

Hollow, gentle synth tangles as massive drums throb and Seersha’s voice glides ethereally. Bass trembles and sharp-edged synth shakes as xylophone-like synth flits above rapidly moving arpeggios and bursting drums before fading out.

“WYWH” starts as bright notes flare to life while rapidly spinning, powerful arpeggios cry out on broad-sounding synth. Elevated, shining synth twinkles while ELYXIR’s heartfelt vocals carry a melody that pours out need and loss in a way that draws me in.

Gleaming, elevated synth glints and huge drums push forward while glowing synth trips above illuminated clouds and dominating drums. The drums burst with weight as ELYXIR’s voice radiates need as raised, tapping synth accents it.

Propulsive low end keeps pulsating and now the rushing arpeggios intertwine with the yearning vocal melody and the smashing drums hit hard as the bass slides below and silence falls.

Our narrator speaks of how she’s “taunted by the pain” as the other person’s “endless shapes” roam through her head. She is searching “a crystal sky” and the memories inside while laying lonely in her bed.

Now the storyteller has lost her nights “to pure delights” but they are incapable of comparing to the song’s subject. They become an “endless lie that falls into another lie in another life.”

“I know I let you down” is what the narrator admits. She adds that she’s also let down the world the other person had shown her. She says that she caved into her fear but as she turns around “all my corners are folding and I wish you were here.”

As the storyteller wishes for the other person’s presence, she falls into her fear. She feels that if she could find a way to make things right, she might be able to “pull myself together, not lose my nights to pure delights” because they cannot compare to the other person.

Wafting synth glides in glassy lines to bring “Goodbye Twilight” into life. High, flashing synth sings an elegant melody while warming synth flows and wind sweeps. Quickly tripping high notes slip by and chiming, soft-edged synth carries a tender melody.

I enjoy the contrast that towering drums provide as they touch the song. Graystars' voice is enfolding and replete with pained emotion as solid drums ripple through. The vocal melody creates aching fragility as the drums propel the song. The drums now slow to a rebounding beat as deep bass moves.

String-like synth carries tenuous notes as bass oscillates. Sunny notes pierce Graystars’ misty, passionate voice as drums fade and feather-light synth traces through the music. Drums and bass surge again while guitar-like synth shimmers with soft light before fading.

The storyteller is haunted by hearing the other person’s footsteps in the hallway in a “house so quiet you can hear your years fall.” He speaks of the thousand ghosts that will call out as a “monument of trying to have it all.”

Our narrator says that he is “speaking it to life” and now days have passed and it won’t be long. He asks the other person to tell him their lies as “days have gone by inside this song.”

He says goodbye to twilight and to “wasted nights I've always tried to pull through” on the way to make it back to the other person. The storyteller asks that person to remember back to better days as he says that “ I always knew our love would be hard to describe.”

As the song ends, he finishes by saying “Goodbye tonight - tell me your lies. Days have gone by inside this song.”

Conclusion

Volume II: Void takes the synthwave genre as a basis for its sound but branches out with tremendous production values, superb musical guests and a moving, expressive synth palette that deepens its emotional appeal.

KMXVII - Collision Of Two Worlds

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

KMXVII’s Collision of Two Worlds transports me on a musical journey through intense sonic imagery with an interwoven mixture of orchestral sounds and synth textures. This is music that allows me to close my eyes and take a sweeping adventure through time and space as it unfolds.

Cinematic soundscapes and strong synth-driven melodies combine to weave a deeply pleasing musical tapestry on Collision of Two Worlds. The way in which the monumental percussion and soaring orchestral sounds combine with the emotive, nostalgic synth melodies creates expression and engagement for me as I listen.

Painting strong auditory images is something that Collision of Two Worlds does well. The way in which the stirring filmic elements within the music combine with evocative synth sounds allows my imagination to roam freely as the album reveals itself track by track. All of the lush, interconnected musical elements serve to illustrate the album’s story.

I also appreciate the deep and rich musical palette on the album. There’s a luscious abundance of tones, timbres and sonic colours within each track. All of this variety gives KMXVII the scope and flexibility to pick and choose the auditory elements required to create intense emotion and energy.

My Favourite Albums Reviewed

“Prologue” commences with massive, rapidly oscillating synth forming a steady pulse as huge bass swells. Tense, sharp-edged synth drifts in an aching melodic line above the thundering drumbeat and flowing bass.

Shimmering, raised synth twirls in starry motion above colliding drums while an ethereal, open-voiced instrument floats and caressing synth sparkles fade. I enjoy the power and musical layers in this track.

Razor-edged, powerful synth moves in gigantic walls to open “Falling Down.” Medium-high, nasal synth flows with forlorn emotion which I find touching. Colossal bass throbs while lonely sounds float and high choral synths call out.

Solid, strong drums move as vocal sounds doubles the raised, nasal-sounding synth carrying an elegiac melody, exuding pained emotion above drums that pound with great weight. Choral synth adds a worshipful, noble element while broad synth carries a flowing melodic pattern.

The lead synth winds out in a tragically majestic melody and metallic percussion rings along with propulsive drums and vast bass. The drums fade but bass rumbles on as vocal synths end in silent space.

“Way Too Far” starts off with the sound of metal clanking and portentous, gargantuan bass. Sharply cutting synth drives along with a rapidly bursting snare drum, creating an effective contrast with crushing bass weight. The hopeful, yearning main melody is carried on a synth radiating distorted light.

Hammering, metallic percussion rings out along with shadowy, undulating bass. Wind sweeps and bending, nasal-sounding synth sings a cosmic melody. Uplift and hurt mingle in the main melody as angular, elevated synth chimes out in dynamic motion. The main melody moves above rushing snare drums, effectively embodying mingled triumph and tragedy.

Towering, deeply glowing synth calls out along with choral sounds to open "The Decision.” Tightly wound, medium-high synth trembles with a touching melody and reverberating drums pulse weightily along with dense bass to create more strength.

A snare drum guides anvil-hammering sounds and crushing drums as the melody dreams and hurts beautifully. Synth voices call out above gritty bass and a steadily shaping snare drum. The bass shifts in muscled lines as medium-high, rounded synth carries the wistful, pained and tragic melody.

The track moves into a segment full of reverential choral notes that add expression. Tranquil, slowly shifting synth adds a more ethereal element and grandiose drums collide as a snare drum adds shape. A hammer strikes an anvil over and over while huge bass fills the low end to conclude the track.

"Until We Rise Again” comes to life as threatening synth blares out and battering percussion strikes hard. Bass oscillates quickly as trumpeting synth carries a melody that I find inspiring and uplifting above growling bass as arpeggios leap.

Ringing percussion calls out as a snare drum adds shape to the twirling arpeggios and bass smoothly flows. Choral voices add more majestic emotion to the main melody as it fills the music with exultation while drums add motion.

Arpeggios ripple energetically as full bass swells while snare drum throbs. The main melody comes in again, lifting my emotions upward, while choral synth contributes to the encouraging feeling and carries the track to an end.

Crystalline chimes shine with soothing light as they drift along with warming lower synth to open “Someday We Will Meet Again.” Worshipful choral voices move along with bass resonance. The chimes echo out and muscled percussion pulses.

Round-toned synth carries a melody that beautifully mingles loss, dreaming and yearning. Solid bass oscillates, accented by trembling, string like synth as chimes flicker gently. Choral voices support the main melody, full of ache and tenuous hope, while powerful drums throb and silence falls.

“The Tempest” starts as tripping synth flits with a light touch. Airy, ethereal sounds glide and heavily propulsive drums charge over swirling bass. Whirling arpeggios are carried on a string-like synth while angular sounds cut in.

Drums and bass leap forward as arpeggios effectively add urgency and energy. Brassy notes accent the music before medium-high, actively moving synth cascade with intense energy and drums push the track on.

Glistening synth arpeggiates, adding dynamism and brassy synth shines. Ancient-sounding drums throb with power as wildly spinning lead synth skips through the music and the track ends.

Undulating, glittering synth creates steadily flowing motion as truly enormous drums pulsate to kick off “The Last Chapter.” Massive bass swells below delicate notes before tremulous, nasal-sounding synth sings a melody dense with melancholy and tender emotion.

Bass clouds float and colossal percussion is shaped by a lighter snare drum. The main melody is pained but still exudes positive emotion in a way that I enjoy.

Metallic, percussive sounds ring and glockenspiel carries a caressing melody. The main melody soars out again above quickly tapping snare drum before heavy bass fades into silence

“Epilogue” begins as cosmically gliding synth and choral voices intertwine to skilfully create a meditative feeling while bass glides below. Cymbals sweep as the thunderous drums throb and brightly shining chimes carry a melody full of need and reverence before the track fades away on choral voices.

Conclusion

Collision Of Two Worlds is a moving, powerfully expressive album combining the grand sweep of filmic storytelling with a plethora of synthesizers to create auditory images that I find transporting and emotive.

Hyper Rein - Enigmatic

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Hyper Rein’s Enigmatic is a musical exploration of humanity, full of deep emotion, given substance by emotive lyrics and a rich synth palette. Hyper Rein’s musical guests also contribute to the album’s depth and expressive strength.

Intense and varied emotion pours from Enigmatic as it unfolds. I enjoy the way in which Hyper Rein explores the full range of human feelings through his music. Sometimes the tenor of the music shifts within a single track, roaming from tragedy to hope. The whole album is permeated with expressive musical moments that capture feeling.

Enigmatic. is full of well-crafted, moving lyrical content to The songs are full of strong imagery, heart-touching expression and engaging feeling. Each song’s musical backing is well-considered to bolster the emotional quality of its words and add to the meaning.

Each of the musical guests on the album comes to the table with a unique take on the overall feeling. They are all deeply talented in their own rights and their collaboration with Hyper Rein lends even more quality to the end result.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“2077’ starts off as slowly turning arpeggios move along with sharp, distant notes doubled with round-toned synth. Piano chords form a slowly shifting, tumbling note pattern along with sonorous synth.

After drums briefly drop in, actively trembling synth and piano notes carry a vigorous melody that reaches out above thudding drums. Arpeggios keep twirling and brassy synth calls out in a melody effectively fusing melancholy with a sense of progress.

Vibrating, echoing piano and bright synth intertwine as trumpet-like synth carries the dynamic melody forward. The track ends on the spinning arpeggios and shining synth notes call out above them.

Smoothly oscillating, subtle synth trembles below Tyler Gutman’s rhyme and full-toned, medium-high synth weaves steadily flowing energy to open “Dunes.” Elevated synth twists and howls before the lead melody mingles longing with energetic motion above oscillating bass.

Chimes add a metallic glow and raised, distorted sound vibrates as digital sounds echo into open space. Massive drums thump and wildly wheeling guitar leaps in an intertwining solo full of jazzy energy. In the distance, full-toned synth touchingly carries the aching, moving melody before ending on wind sweeping past.

The storyteller urges people to look around as “the stars are all that we can see.” He asks is if it’s him or us. He talks about the “planetary alignment deep within my spine” and how he aligns with enlightenment and comes to “leaning snakes, serpentine.”

The narrator knows that the time has come to get more of the “energy flowing, deep from within my soul.” He feels the lines for the “planetary segments upon the heavenly round.” He concludes that people are coming “here, right now” to hear and see the “sunlight burning bright, deep between the thing between our eyes.”

Softly hissing sound is broken by wide-sounding, urgently pulsating synth to begin “Sanctity.” There’s a feeling of increasing action in the lead synth that’s joined by steady kick drum and gigantic bass far below.

A taut, repeating synth line with a flat quality effectively contrasts with broad, rushing synth. Nasal-toned synth oscillates before thunder rumbles and gliding synth swirls.

Tender, warm notes are cut by sparkling synth carrying a delicate note pattern as rounded, chiming synth flickers.

Thunder rumbles as drums scatter and flourish while soft-edged synth shines. Gruff, medium-high synth sings out with hazy light and the storm rages. Drums leap out and silence falls.

“Eclipse” commences as heavily bursting drums pound and a blaring synth moves in uneven pulses. The track is touched fragile, shimmering synth along with actively moving bass. Triumphant synth carries a melody skilfully combining aspiration, nobility and energy above smoothly guiding drums and energetic bass.

Golden Goose’s rhyming has a chanting quality that echoes out as rich, brassy synth sings. Drums splash and shape the music before the main melody unfurls, full of encouraging emotion above pulsating bass. The song ends with undulating bass, digital sounds and silence.

Our narrator points out that each person is made of matter and capable of good and evil “some of us more than others.” He says that we create characters for ourselves with some of us “making eyes for the ladder” and others following patterns.

Now the storyteller says that “reality comes together for the taking.” He refers to humans as “flesh machines” who are “perfectly aligned to the stars” and all it takes to see that is a shift in perspective.

“Storm” opens as flaring, medium-high synth moves with smoothly flowing, spinning arpeggios carried on a tranquil synth. An angular synth carries an actively moving line as solid bass slides into the music.

Drums throb in a guiding beat as the glistening, medium-high synth carries a melody wonderfully mingling strength, aching and forward motion as arpeggios twirl.

Peaceful vocal sound briefly drifts and medium-high synth calls out the tumbling melody, full of arcing energy. Arpeggios whirl before the drums and bass drop out and the track ends.

Unctuous, reverberating synth carries a desolately drifting melodic pattern to start “Phaser.” Pulsating, rich bass adds support as a kick drum unevenly throbs. A snare drum adds propulsion as glowing synth sings a pained, majestic melody that cascades through the music.

Lower synth adds flickering accents as raised lead synth calls out with expressively tragic nobility. Drums and bass form a shaping pulse as chanting moves in the distance. The main melody combines aching and pride above solidly shifting bass and propulsive drums. Accenting synth adds taut light as it guides the song to an end.

“Interstellar” begins as cosmically revolving arpeggios create calm and an echoing voice over moves in. Piano chords flare into life as the gigantic drums and bass revolve. The piano carries a well-crafted, galvanizing melody above densely throbbing bass and easy-going drums.

Medium-high synth carries a mournful melody as voices reverberate and a steady drumbeat shapes the music. The melody fades as heavy bass rumbles and arpeggios keep twirling. The voiceover speaks of a space craft malfunction and the melody yearns over trembling piano chords, rebounding bass and slowly turning arpeggios before ending.

Wide-sounding, brassy arpeggios move in gentle waves through open space as “Space Invaders” opens. Unevenly bursting drums and gritty bass move as arpeggios slip out in steady motion.

Elevated chimes carry a pleasing melody brimming with tenderness and delicate light as the drums form a guiding pulse. Arpeggios continue to dance in circular motion and taut synth wriggles to add dynamism above steadily throbbing drums and solid bass.

Trumpeting notes tremble with densely packed energy and string-like synth sings with mournful feeling. Rapidly rising synth trills upward with a soft glow as drums and bass move the track forward. Arpeggios form a constantly shaping presence as the track ends on dancing synth.

“Human” kicks off as sharply flaring synth bends and grunting bass is joined by a kick drum and a snare drum. Extended, cutting synth chords burst before tightly wound synth notes pop and flare. Hyper Rein's gentle voice adds expression and cut glass notes trickle. The chanting chorus moves in as tinkling synth carries a lively melodic pattern.

Drums and bass form an insistent pulse as rough-edged synth chords swell and starry note clusters flicker. I enjoy the way in which Hyper Rein’s voice aches with emotion above bluff bass. The vocal melody exudes touching emotion as the chanted chorus moves before cutting synth notes end the song.

The narrator asks if the song’s subject will call him when they’ve had enough of war and asks if the other person will hold him and “ let the ocean feed our flaws” because they are both human after all. He goes on to say that the human body is “comprised of a brain, a heart and a soul” and urges the other person to “put two minds together” because we’re human after all.

Slowly throbbing bass oscillates as a medium-high, twisting synth plays a roaming melody to open “Wormhole.” Thudding kick drum and gliding snare move below Fan Octo’s guitar as it slices in growling notes above the synth pulse and dense bass.

The guitar snarls in a driving line as bending synth writhes.Fan Octo’s guitar carries a soaring solo as intricately interlinked notes tear with exciting effect from his nimble fingers to add detailed lushness. Wriggling synth shifts as the track ends on pulsating bass and soft-edged synth flitting into quiet.

“Blessed” starts as smoothly undulating piano creates a gently sliding pattern underneath elevated, bright synth that carries a melody full of hopeful, enfolding emotion. String-like, deep synth adds another layer of soothing sound as Hyper Rein's rhymes flow with articulate ease.

Shaping snare and kick drum form a lightly sliding beat and Hyper Rein’s rhyme is equally smooth. Rippling strings arpeggiate and shimmering synth dances with a softly touching light.

The revelatory voice over moves above rebounding drums. Hyper Rein’s rhyming comes in, echoing into openness as scudding drums add form. The drums fade as the vocals chant over the breathing strings and silence falls.

“I take my mind to a hella lot of places” is how the narrator begins as he talks about taking life “through the paces” adding that making waves is “just another waste of time.” He says that it takes “a million faces” to make one person shine and you have to try to make it if possible. He also realizes that “it ain't about me and it ain't about you.”

Our storyteller points out that if you take what was learned in the first twenty years of life "you spend the next ten years trying to think what the fuck was it worth.” He goes on to say that nothing turned out how it was meant to “but I'd never undo what has become” because it isn’t his place. He continues by saying that he’s only a puzzle piece “on a rock under the Sun.”

Now the teller of this tale says that “all it takes is a shockwave to the chest” and after that it’s possible to decompress and breathe. He goes on to say that it’s time to “get some well deserved rest” because it isn’t a race at this point. He speaks about how there’s nothing to chase now and “I feel so blessed.”

In the voice over, the speaker talks about how he awakened and came to understand that “thought was just an illusory thing” and he felt like he was examining his thoughts from another viewpoint. As he did so, he was “thrown into this expansive, amazing feeling of freedom” and he realized he was bigger than “everything and everyone.” He understood that rather than being a “fragment of the Universe” he was the whole universe.

Jagged bass oscillates as a kick drum unevenly throbs to bring “Ethereal” into being. Gleaming, medium-high synth notes trip delicately as natural sounds bring more peace into the music. Ringing, medium-low synth adds accents to the twirling, touching melody that slides above drifting drums and bass.

Radiant chimes sing the calming, wonderfully relaxing melody as elevated synth skips above the low end undulation. Glistening synth floats like airborne seeds, carried along above the solid bass pulse. Drums move in again, adding balance as luscious synth flits along, exuding airiness and ease before ending on bass oscillation.

Conclusion

Enigmatic is a unique synth-based album that combines heartfelt emotional expression, a richly woven musical tapestry and high quality guest performers who help to deepen the music’s thoughtful nature.