Cat Temper - Furio

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Cat Temper’s Furio is a lusciously woven sonic tapestry that brims over with complexity and a stunning plethora of ear-grabbing synth sounds. There’s a muscled power to the drums and bass while melodies are interwoven with a wide range of fascinating synths. This is an album that will bear repeated listening to notice new facets of the music.

Layers within layers is the way in which I would describe the music on Furio. Cat Temper has interlinked synths that have every possible tone and texture one can imagine. They are silky and elegant, abrasive and angry. Synths saw, sing, howl and twist to weave an auditory fabric that is endlessly interesting to me.

I enjoy the emotional ambiguity and fluidity of Cat Temper’s melodies on Furio. The feelings that the melodies create are mixed and sometimes conflicted, but that only makes them more appealing to me. There is something pleasing about having one’s brain engaged by music in an ear-pleasing way.

The intense strength of the drums and bass on this album also deserve comment. I find the unique variety of percussion sounds and the imposing bass power draw me in and get me shimmying along to the addictive beats that unfold.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Growls On Film” comes to life as quickly rippling, taut synth flits and monumental drums collide in uneven pulses. Oscillating synth joins the propulsive beat as dense bass rises in clouds. Raised, glowing synth carries a melody pleasingly brimming over with sunny ease and encouragement above rebounding drums and strong bass.

Tumbling bass rushes before a pan-pipe synth moves with an uncertain feeling, cut by gravelly synth descending while active bass shifts. Vocal-sounding synth echoes into the music as a mysterious arpeggio spins out, adding a devious quality. Huge, dark synth pulses as nervous, bright synth twirls out arpeggios.

Hollow synth flits through and intriguing percussion taps as breathy pipe-like synth is cut by heavier, hard-edged sounds. Slap bass twangs as a nasal-sounding, minor key synth snakes enigmatically through the music. The drums jump and the track ends on growling bass and worried-sounding arpeggios.

Quickly undulating, muscle-bound bass and thudding kick drum erupt into a propulsive beat to open “Feline Fatale.” Jagged synth grinds into the track in a dynamically shifting pulse as big snare drums explode.

Gritty synth leaps in energizing lines as smoother, rounded synth curls out in a catchy motion. Twisting, expansive lower synth is touched by sparkling chimes. Now mellow chords rise below starry synth, rushing notes dance and flaring chords add sunlight.

Immense drums and bass drive as widely whirling synth skips along. A leaping, hopeful melody slides out before frolicking notes sail in. The track ends on an energetically bursting synth pattern.

“Sin of the Kitty” begins as trumpeting synth falls through space as quickly oscillating bass drives along with overwhelming drums. Cosmically drifting, open-voiced synth drifts in an ethereally touching melody above solidly punching drums and bass.

Medium-low synth cuts in to add more weight. There’s an enjoyable, diaphanous delicacy in the melody here. Chiming, lush synth spins out dancing arpeggios touched by shadow. Breathy synth slides along as the hard-hitting drums push forward. A snarling guitar slashes in, adding feral energy while sneaky synth swirls with a minor key twist.

Victorious synth sings while clean, glistening arpeggios spin and the guitar thunders. The track moves into a cascading segment as medium-low synth adds active motion. The music fades on quickly pulsating notes.

Rapidly trickling synth flickers and grows in intensity to start “The Chauffeur.” Flashing, resonant synth leaps out and bouncing, sharp-edged bass kicks as a snare drum adds motion. Raised, brilliant synth carries a distant and gentle melody, wonderfully full of ease and peace.

The drums rebound as buoyant synth moves in a circular motion, sweeping through the track. Arpeggios move in contrary motion while soft-edged, expanding synth is briefly touched by unique drums.

Bass pops along with massive drums as slowly drifting synth adds an enigmatic quality. Bending synth dances before luscious, medium-low synth hints at more complicated feelings above the varied percussion.

“The Seventh Stray” opens as clear, ultra-sharp synth carries a swiftly shifting pattern as wide bass doubles it. Heavily throbbing drums add intense propulsion as they slam in. Raised, lucent synth flashes out in angular patterns as gruff bass keeps throbbing. A synth with a tinkling resonance carries shaded energy in it.

Hard-hitting synth moves in angular motion as another wildly roaming synth blurs through above the massive drums battering in. Widely blaring lead synth floods the track with brightness and drums smack in with real muscle. Airy, flowing synth with a tense edge moves in as popping notes flicker past. Flaring synth moving over slowly shifting, twisting notes behind it. Leaping synth blurs as the track ends.

Thudding kick drum and rolling bass waves propel the track with surging power to commence “Electric Pawpurella.” Gyrating, heavy synth slices in and a snare drum adds explosive motion above strong bass.

Trumpeting, medium-high synth flies out, carrying a darkly energetic melody that I enjoy. Charging bass and heavy duty drums keep the track moving. Glistening lead synth repeats the lively melody as towering bass and solidly hitting drums shove track forward.

Medium-low, digital-sounding synth with a hollow voice slides in slipping patterns. A zapping sound beams in above hopping drums as widely volleying synth climbs and descends into quiet.

“Please Please Tell Meow” begins as flickering synth trickles through in an effortlessly moving pattern before razor-edged bass pulsates. Gigantic retro drums hammer in and sharp-edged, distorted synth grits. Gleaming arpeggios ripple above a lower synth’s harsh growl as tapping percussion accents the music.

Softly shining notes intertwine as drums tick and vibrating synth forms a trembling pattern. Glittering arpeggios vault while brassy synth flies upward, adding enjoyably elevating emotion.

Digital-sounding, pipe-like synth carries a melancholy melody with a lost feeling to add emotional depth. Broad arpeggios shift and pulsating synth slides in a steady pattern before silence falls.

Absolutely colossal bass moves in slowly pulsating lines along with a thumping kick drum to open “Last Cats On The Stairway.” A hi hat ticks along with echoing claps before radiant synth forms a melodic pattern effectively tugging the listener forward.

It feels as if a great force is acting on the low end as the thundering drums punch home and the shimmering synth glows. An uplifting, medium-high synth pattern comes in along with sharply metallic synth. Varied, unique percussion shapes the music and a distorted synth shimmies past.

The music drifts into calming synth gliding into open space. Bubbling percussion adds shape before flying synth frolics in a minor key above rushing drums. The track ends on gigantic bass and flashing synth accents.

Conclusion

Furio is synth music with real richness, depth and undeniable energy. My ears are exceedingly happy as I listen, stimulated by the variety of the sounds and excited by the relentless life pouring from the music.

RND87 - Back In Time

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

RND87’s Back In Time is evocative and atmospheric synth-based music that roams across varied emotional landscapes. RND87 creates auditory imagery that captures the complexities of human feelings on the album, using a plethora of intriguing synth sounds to explore a broad range of mental states.

In my view, it’s a special skill for an artist to use synthetic instruments and still evoke a visceral response from their listeners. RND87 manages it on Back In Time. His use of the right sound at the right time mixes with his compositional abilities as he explores loss, pain, tenderness and triumph. The end result took a hold of my emotions and drew them out of me.

A skillfully composed melody is something I find impossible to resist and RND87 has filled Back In Time with some superb examples. The element that really pulls me into the melodies on this album is their complexity. A variety of different mental states and moods seem to exist simultaneously in the melodies as they reveal themselves. I enjoy the melodic journey on which I’m taken by the music.

Atmosphere drips from this album’s every pore. It drenches each track in a veil of evocative sound, painting powerful imagery in my mind through musical interactions. There’s a transporting quality in the tracks that lifts me out of the mundane and carries me to new realms and emotional terrains.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“City Lights” comes to life as worshipful synth grows along with a bursting, softly hissing snare drum. Muscled bass oscillates and snare drum and kick drum push on. Resonating sound adds depth to a raised synth radiating clean light.

The lead synth carries a pleasing melody that is contemplative and hopeful. Drums and bass interlock in an active rhythm to support other musical elements. Raised synth glides out in a sparkling exhalation before broadly glowing synth carries a melody yearning for bright city lights.

Tremulous, rounded notes shiver below elevated synth as its lambent illumination sparkles out. The low end’s strength guides the track while distant, twisting notes drift before ending on vibrating, metallic notes.

Resonant, digital-sounding bells undulate, cut with a harsh hiss as they ring out to start “Opportunities.” Flaring, wriggling synth glides as dense bass adds weight and drums push the music onward. A shining synth carries a melody tinged with loss, but still reaching out hopefully. Slowly volleying, gleaming synth shifts in bright walls through the music.

Mistily shimmering synth carries the main melody, full of need massive bass throbs and sonic stars shine. Nasal-sounding, broadly flashing synth bounces in slowly unfolding lines and soft-edged, bell-like synth calls out. I enjoy the way in which the main melody embodies aspiration and touching feeling. Glistening synth rises and falls before fading on reverential notes.

“The Cube” starts as impacting drums smack in and bass undulates as a steadily throbbing synth moves. In the distance, effulgent synth suffuses the music while a lower, flaring synth carries an upbeat melody.

Smooth, rich synth sings an enfolding melodic pattern that effectively creates calm as flickering sound sweeps. The drums disappear as crystalline synth cascades above intense bass, elevating the mood. Rippling, deep-toned synth flows in arpeggios and now dynamic, triumphant synth supports the elevated shine above it.

Hard-hitting drums press on and bass adds another below as the coruscating synth glows. Massive bass pulses on as high notes flit through, leavening the depths below it. The drums drive on while the active sings the victorious melody while diamantine notes flower into the music. The track ends on glittering notes and twanging synth.

Terrifyingly huge bass pounds and undulates along with a throbbing kick drum to open “Excursion.” Radiant, guitar-like synth chords leap and brassy synth sings an inspirational, deeply confident melody that I find touching.

Guitar-like notes add power and drums drive on. Trumpeting synth moves with gritty guitar chords as the drumbeat and oscillating bass push forward. Arpeggiating, smoothly flowing synth adds lush texture while the glowing lead synth moves joyfully.

Sharply leaping synth accents add sunlit sensations while a rippling arpeggio tumbles down. The main melody flies out, soaring onward with positivity above the driving drums. The track ends on flashing notes flying out into silence.

“The Synthesist” begins as quickly vibrating, rushing synth flits into the track. A solid kick drum pulses and lustrous synth shimmies in a positive melodic line as glistening synth grows in the distance.

A snare drum guides the music as climbing, victorious chords sing out with a tinge of more pained emotion in them. The balance and contrast of feeling achieved in this track deepens its impact for me. Guiding bass pulses while the drums fade and full-sounding, repeating notes create a steady throb.

Synth chords carry the music upward on broad wings. A wistful element in the chord progressions balances out the uplifting feelings. The track fades on poignant strings before the song ends on a breath of wind.

Raised, string-like synth descends along with flashing, metallic notes to kick off “Postcards.” Darkly throbbing bass and strong drums pulse as fully surrounding lower synth supports the glittering higher synth carrying a gently nostalgic melody. Starry notes twinkle and metallic, medium-high synth carries a dreaming melody.

Actively moving bass adds weight as string-like synth uncurls. The summery melody is beautifully tinged with the sadness of remembrance. Shimmering notes add more light and washing synth resonates. After a drum fill, the main melody drifts with tranquility feeling and higher notes gleam as the track flows to a conclusion.

“Don’t Hesitate” comes to life as galactic sound fades rapidly and widely echoing synth glides along with powerful bass. Tautly bouncing synth pulses while rapidly flickering synth dances out.

Medium-high, gritty synth sings an energizing melody broadly whirling arpeggios add texture, bass oscillates and a snare drum jumps in. The main melody calls out, carried on wide swathes of synth.

Arpeggios twirl out on rounded, popping synth as actively shifting bass shapes the music. The main melody pleasingly pours out, brimming with a sense progress and life. Texturally undulating synth adds a carpet of cosmic light before the track finishes.

Slowly spinning synth with a slight shimmer flickers as steady bass pulsates to start “Take Care.” Warmly deep synth carries an affectionate melody, effectively evoking a caring embrace while briefly flaring synth accents glisten.

Bass drops out, the snare drum keeps pulsing and bass waves slip through. Medium-low, softly rounded synth sings the melody, exuding kindness and drums shape the music. Quickly arcing arpeggios lend brightness and the airy synths contribute gentle impressions.

The main melody is soothing and easy going. The track fades on deep bass and shining notes along with a vocal sample speaking about wishing to travel back in time and change things.

Conclusion

Back In Time is one of those albums that invites repeated listening. Each time one listens, a new aspect appears in the music. I find that there are deeply intertwined soundscapes that reveal more layers each time one hears them. In the end, they fill me with rich emotion and a sense of wanting more.

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.