Toxxic Project - The Secrets of Planet Helios

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Toxxic Project’s The Secrets of Planet Helios carries me across the haunted beauty of a distant planet, painting powerful imagery through intensely entangling soundscapes and engaging melodies. Toxxic Project has brought in musical guests who each contribute their talents to deepening and enriching his music. This is an album for listening to while one’s mind floats out over a strange and eerily enchanting world.

Auditory storytelling is an important aspect of The Secrets of Planet Helios’ success with me. All of the ear-grabbing layering of many well-considered synth sounds results in strong, clear images moving in my mind’s eye. All of the textures, tones and timbres weave images of fantastical landscapes unfolding as I move through them. Vast plains, craggy mountains and timeless cities all pass by in my imagination as the album plays on.

The Secrets of Planet Helios is also a superb showcase for Toxxic Project’s melodic writing. I enjoy the expressive and emotive nature of the melodies he composes. They have the ability to draw me in with their clarity and strength, filling me with deep feelings as they unfurl through the music. There’s something affecting in them that keeps my heart engaged in the album.

All of the musical collaborators on the album also bring their skills and abilities to bear on the music in a way that makes it richer and more pleasing. Whether they are co-producers like Aeronexus and Dug Masters or remixers like Max Project, Fraver, UFO 1982, Timedriver or The Morales, they each contribute to deepening and increasing the auditory impact of the music on this album. I also must mention Sinuhe Navarrete’s mixing and mastering on the album.

My Favourite Tracks Anaylzed

“Formalhaut” begins as darkly swelling bass is cut by widely gleaming arpeggios that ripple with tension as they grow in power. Flaring synth drifts threateningly as tautly glowing synth is touched by airy exhalations. A kick drum thuds as giant bass oscillates to effectively create powerful low end motion.

Drums and bass pound as brassy, medium-high synth sings a rising melody with a touch of uncertainty, along with its triumphant qualities. Heaving drums drive on as delicate sounds sail above them and the bass also slams hard. The trumpeting lead synth melody is tragedy tinged and tentative. Throbbing drums guide the track and the hi hat also bursts while a hollow, airy sound glides.

A shadowy, open-voiced arpeggio twirls as the unstoppable low end pulses and the drums press on still. Gossamer synth drifts through carrying a fragile, spaced out melody while slicing synth shifts. Air flows as huge bass growls to an end.

Pulsating, medium-high synth with a reverberating quality is joined by thudding kick drum and twisting, sparkling sounds to start “Crystal Sands” Regal synth chords add a wonderful glimmer and the kick drum drives on. Glistening, elevated synth carries a dynamic pulse above steadily oscillating bass.

Warming chords rise and the snare drum propels the track. Lightly touching, flickering synth chords add energy as oscillating bass rushes onward. Shining, trembling synth sails out smoothly before another glistening synth flickers with washing light.

The drums press on above rushing bass and the glassy lead synth sings out full chords that tremble through the music. Energy fills the music, flashing with clear light while soft-edged chords slowly move and bass swirls far below. The drums continue to move forward and silence falls.

“Dark Connection” commences as laughter rings out along with a thudding kick drum and softly hissing sounds. Steadily undulating synth tumbles and a driving bass pulse is joined by reverent sound sailing above it.

Bass rapidly oscillates, a snare drum bursts and slow, shining synth waves lap pleasingly. The kick drum thumps and snare drum leaps out as medium-high, gently glittering synth carries a plaintive melody.

There’s hurt in the main melody as the solidly throbbing bass and snare drum keep shaping the music. A hazy glow permeates the lead synth as it flows and the energetic low end of the track keeps driving onward. The wistful melodic pattern moves with the lightly touching notes and ends.

Ominous bass towers as gritty sounds swirl and powerful drums pound to open “Battle For Helios.” Huge, majestic chords swell and medium-high, radiant lead synth carries triumphant notes. Glimmering synth carries a drifting, reaching melody that pours out light as angular bass oscillates dynamically. Noble, glowing synth chords climb and flaring lead synth rises up in ear-pleasing sunlit bursts.

Drums pound on along with tremendously powerful bass that breaks into vibrating lines. Strings unfurl and the drums batter on as muscled synth chords rise. Sparkling notes slip through the music as flashing synth leaps and arpeggiates. The drums slow to half time with a cymbal clashing and the victorious chords crying out as bass oscillates. The track throbs into quiet with a deep growl.

“Tears Of Algol” starts as looming bass pulses with a dread feeling as angular, sweeping synth flashes out. Pounding, weighty drums form a steady beat as gleaming light flows from delicate, caressing synth.

I enjoy the contrast of intimidating power and galactic light n this track Shaping drums pound with dense reverberations as angular sounds sweep and gigantic bass oscillates. Glassy synth doubles the bass and silence falls.

Massive drums heave and sharp synth slices above hard-hitting bass to start “Secrets Of The Planet Helios.” The bass ramps up as whirling, raised synth and wobbling sounds flit through. A fluting sound twirls and colossal drums smoothly guide the music as a tambourine adds a metallic rattle.

Radiant synth echoes with a feather light sensation, trembling as vibrating, sounds expand. Gigantic drums push on as delicate synth echoes out, ethereally wandering, creating a sonic sensation that I enjoy. Rushing, sparkling synth moves underneath softly sailing synth with a fragile feeling.

Descending, drifting high synth tumbles and drums burst weightily as they propel the music onward with insistent energy and the distant sounds cascade and shiver like windblown sand. The track ends on the throbbing drumbeat and cosmic synth cascading.

“Crystal Sands (Max Project Remix)” opens as monumental drums burst with energy and crystalline arpeggios arc rapidly, driven by a powerful drumbeat. Max Project’s remix imbues the track with a more propulsive and energetic feeling that I find pleasing.

Winds sweep, chimes glitter and sharp synth vibrates with slicing strength as tapping percussion moves. Drums with planetary weight and throbbing bass drive below whirling arpeggios.

The main melody sweeps through, majestic above the grandeur of the drums, as wind flows past. The remix has the effect of increasing the music’s dense power and enhancing its leaping, uplifting sensations.

Mad laughter bubbles on, increasing the threat level as ominous bass flows and kick drum thuds to kick off Fraver’s remix of “Dark Connection.” I enjoy the way in which this remix creates a heavier, more dangerous feeling as it thunders and crashes. Oscillating bass imbues the remix with great power as it glides into a worshipfully flowing segment.

Rapidly shivering synth is now touched by an orchestral string-like synth melody, full of beauty and pained emotion above insistent bass and guiding drums. Nobility and elegance fill the string-like synth melody as it unfolds. A distant voice echoes above slowly pulsing drums. A heaving bass oscillation cuts through the string section as it fades in and out before silence falls along with soft synth.

“Sentinels (Timedriver remix) begins with richly rippling synth, a steady kick drum and flickering arpeggios, feeling gentler and more subdued in the remix. Arpeggios create sparkling texture as low, round sounds slip through the music. Mammoth drums throb with greater weight and twisting lead synth carries a melody skilfully evoking ancient mystery and cosmic magic above lush bass.

There’s an open air feeling as the big drums throb in slower motion and descending synth sounds fall through the music. Gargantuan bass glides and drums keep shaping the music. There’s an ethereal glide in this remix as it evokes feelings of enigmatic structures in a vast landscape as the muscled bass and drums fall silent.

Conclusion

The Secrets of Planet Helios carries me out over the surface of an exotic, enigmatic planet on a sonic journey. I feel transported from the mundane world to a place far across vast gulfs of space by the music that Toxxic Project and his guests create on the album. This is music that fills me with a sense of exploration and a feeling of adventure.

Six Leaves Left - The Longest Journey

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Six Leaves Left’s The Longest Journey is full of gentle emotion and lusciously interwoven musical landscapes as it does indeed carry the listener away on a sonic journey. There are also captivating melodies and intriguing auditory contrasts on this album.

The tranquil, tender emotional states that fill The Longest Journey are deeply touching for me. There’s something peaceful and soothing in the music that draws me in and leaves me feeling recharged and relaxed. I also enjoy the way that Six Leaves Left punctuates the softness with darker, sharper moments for contrast.

Melody permeates The Longest Journey and each of the melodies is engaging and ear-pleasing. Six Leaves Left weaves a spell of warmth and enfolding emotion in his melodic writing that fills the heart wth affectionate, perhaps slightly melancholy feelings. I enjoy the depth of each of them.

A luscious synth palette contributes to the atmospheric nature of this album. A whole range of slipping, gliding synth sounds mingles with glowing and caressing textures as punchy drums and dense bass shape the music. Taken as a whole, the result is blissful listening.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Sailing Away” comes into being as gentle sound swells to a glistening flow. Silky, washing synth sings a wonderfully delicate, touching melody as the slipping drumbeat guides the music.

Medium-high, flaring synth carries an upbeat, encouraging melodic pattern into sonorous synth drifting through the track. Undulating bass slides and lustrous chimes flicker before the wide-sounding, bright synth carries a positive melody.

Massive bass oscillates and wind sweeps as trembling synth caresses my ears. Fragile chimes glimmer as a glockenspiel’s sharper shine cuts in. The drums now break into an uneven beat while sunny synth glows and the track drifts into silence with a mellow sigh.

Effulgent, feather-light synth brushes into the music in a slowly undulating pattern to open “The Longest Journey.” Resonant chimes carry a charming, wistful melody out over huge bass as slowly revolving arpeggios shine.

Bass swirls in towering but tender whorls as lost voices echo and tranquil choral sounds move in. Raised notes sparkle with clear light to accent the track. Medium-high, trumpeting synth carries a victorious melody tinged by aching emotion.

Elevated, gleaming notes add a fragile and tender quality as rounded arpeggios spin. A twangy guitar carries a pained, yearning melody while rain falls softly and a steady drone fades into silence.

“Lost Frequencies” starts as gigantic bass and throbbing drums form a driving heartbeat. Distantly glittering sounds flow and brassy, muted synth carries an encouraging melody. Synth chords add shadings of more uncertain emotion in a way which I find pleasing.

Radiant synth carries a dynamic melody with a hint of troubled emotion in it as colossal drums and bass press on. The drums add punchy weight as lambent synth echoes out. Sharp-edged, wide-sounding synth climbs while dark notes with a hint of threat touch the music.

Flaring synth adds more warmth and uplift before the energetic, but slightly melancholy lead synth floats out. There’s a sense of forward motion as heaving drums and pulsing bass are tinged with sparkling chimes. The track ends on crushing bass weight.

Clear, glassy chimes slide out into open space, carrying slowly undulating arpeggios to commence “Summer’s End.” Creamy synth enfolds my ears and elevated chimes glimmer, carrying a tentatively touching, calming melody that I find deeply pleasing.

Nasal-sounding, full synth takes up the nostalgically yearning melody. Flickering chimes carry their own fragile melody as soft-edged, lush synth sings with dreaming light. Strong drums and dense bass rebound below the elevated sounds.

Nasally-drifting, tranquil synth carries the lead melody while guitar cries out with intensely passionate feeling. Powerfully throbbing drums and strong bass are touched by a broadly whirling arpeggio. An angelic synth chorus floats out above huge drums and fades away.

“A Dog’s Dream” begins as a steady, pulsating synth is cut by a bending synth that doubles it. Wind sweeps past before frolicking, gleaming synth carries an uplifting, irrepressible melody above steadily oscillating bass and insistent drums.

I enjoy the charming quality of the main melody as it skips along with easy going joy. Trumpeting synth takes up the exuberant melody before guitar sounds arc up and hollow, bouncing notes flit.

There’s a hopeful eagerness pouring from the main melody and sunnily glittering synth sings an even more upbeat melodic part. Gigantic bass is cut by a warming, twirling synth that fades out. The track ends on large, lambent synth blocks and underpinning bass.

Broadly glowing synth carries a melody rich with positive emotion to kick off “This Is The Place.” A pulsating, propulsive drum and bass flow moves below slightly twisting, shimmering synth.

The track breaks into an angular, hard-hitting drum and bass pulse that slices through. Effulgent lead synth suffuses the main melody as it reaches for the sky. Wide-sounding, gleaming synth effectively contrasts with digitally flaring notes.

A disembodied voice over floats as a soaring, aspiring melody climbs over driving drums and bass. Airy voices float in a chorus above the heaving weight below them. Flowering synth blossoms before the track ends on sharp sounds.

Conclusion

The Longest Journey drenches me with calm, encouraging emotion while filling my ears with richly layered sonic tapestries. Six Leaves Left has made music that touches me and relaxes me while keeping my mind engaged.

Living Pictures - Crossing The Bridge

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Living Pictures’ Crossing The Bridge weaves an entrancing sonic tapestry as it unfolds. The music is full of intricate detail, intriguing musical interactions and permeated by complex emotional layers. Living Pictures explores wide ranging soundscapes with a fascinating palette of synthesized sounds across the album.

Each time I listen to Crossing The Bridge I hear some new facet I hadn’t noticed. There’s a great deal of attention to detail in the album that I enjoy. Living Pictures fills each track with richly interwoven sounds, full of texture and tonal colour. There are microtonal interactions and accenting notes that touch the music to lend depth and interest in each track.

The way in which different auditory elements are mingled, contrasted and separated on Crossing The Bridge provides for intriguing listening. Thunderous bass can coexist with delicate sparkling notes, propulsive drums play off with swirling softness and shadows rise from angular harshness to be enfolded by a burst of rushing air. All of these interactions take hold of my ears and hold them.

Another aspect of the album that draws me in is the mixture of emotional states that fills the music. I feel joy, pain, worry, fear and tension unfurling within me as each track flows on. There are so many different states of mind within the music, pulling me in and allowing me to experience them through sound.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Persistent Dreams” opens as distant, fluting notes float insubstantially as a full-sounding instrument trembles and grunting bass pulses. Rattling, clanking noises shift as airy fluting is joined by a looming background rumble.

The grounding bass slowly flows as wind rushes and drums echo out into space. A warm-sounding synth instrument softly glides, curling around and enfolding me as it draws me into it. Lush piano calls out in lightly touching notes and chiming sounds twinkle.

Drums guide the music in reverberating motion as piano chords add form while they create a vibrating rhythm. Elevated, flute-like sounds drift in tenderly touching motion above dense bass flow. The drums drop away as bending sounds fade along with the flute instrument.

Thunderously booming bass is touched by nervously twitching notes as “Disbelief” begins. Pipe organ-like synth drifts in haunted waves before resolving into an entrancing melody, distant and fragile, touched on the edges by hissing static.

Ghostly sound undulates steadily before being broken by a cymbal. Organ-like synth wanders in a spectral fog while scattered snare drum and pulsing kick drum propel the music.

Medium-high wobbling synth drifts in uneasy patterns as a metallic, oddly vocal sounding synth shivers above thumping drums. Low synth descends as a twisting sonic cacophony writhes through. Harsh, uneven sound trembles while wind rushes and metallic chimes tinkle before silence falls.

“The Sleepwalker’ starts as bending, deep synth carries a lugubrious melodic pattern below shifting, slowly slipping sounds. A woodwind-like synth’s woodsy voice carries a melodic pattern and strings add radiant resonance as elevated chimes trickle.

Woodwind synth carries a melancholy, trembling note pattern while the cello-like strings have a wonderfully heart-tugging ache. The cello-like notes accent the emotive woodwinds and chimes distantly sparkle. Shivering strings add depth and the woodwind gently calls out, dreamy and surrounded by tactile strings as the track ends.

Resonant chimes fill the track with ringing notes that flow over a strongly throbbing drumbeat to open “Crystal Palace.” Gritty bass intertwines in gnarled lines as chiming notes smoothly cascade.

Vibrating notes pulse in descending lines while raised synth shimmers. Dense, slowly shifting chimes add a muffled glow, effectively contrasting with single notes that call out with clarion voices.

The bass steps down below a trembling synth line as soft-edged, glistening notes float. Massive bass adds strength as drums shape the music and lambent flashes illuminate the high end while a string-like sound ends the track with a windy rush.

“The Hunter” begins as extremely low bass moves in slow pulses. Medium-high synth with a nasal sound is joined by open-sounding, breathy notes. Round-sounding synth drifts along while the bass becomes a heartbeat punctuated by flat snare drum.

Low, melancholy synth creates an undulation as xylophone notes rattle and punchy snare drum guide them. I enjoy the layered, interlocking nature of this track. Towering bass waves slip below in vast motion as snare drums rattle and skip. As the bass drops out, bright notes ring and the surging bass rises again along with metallic notes clamouring in a rush before silence falls.

Hissing, steady dripping creates a moist sound to open “Biodome.” Creatures skitter and chirp off in the distance. Low droning synth flows as rich natural sounds flit and float. Watery noises and high, strange chitinous sounds rustle and hollow drums reverberate.

Now the drums burst and drive while xylophone-like synth carries a skipping, fluttering melodic pattern. Reverent choral sounds drift below the tinkling xylophone as lush, low synth moves underneath wandering higher sounds with a lost feeling. Trembling noise vibrates and xylophone flits through in intertwining notes.

Rich choral sounds grow and the track fades on muffled drums and thick hissing sound along with a crunching scrape. This is music that is heavy with atmosphere and sensation, weaving a sonic tapestry that immerses the listener. It evokes the song’s title and leaves me feeling like I’d explored its environment.

“Convergence’ starts as galactic chimes flicker above a wandering, twisting background full of gentleness. Threatening bass adds ear pleasing contrast and majestic pipe organ thunders with triumph into open space. This track is full of great strength and ominous power. Bass flows and tiny synth sparks flutter while lost notes swirl and fade.

Conclusion

Crossing The Bridge takes me on an auditory journey, both broad and deep, full of sunlit corners and deep shadows. I enjoy the way in which the music enfolds me and carries me along, borne on the sonic tides that wash through it.

Le Groupe Fantastique - The Powers Divide

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Le Groupe Fantastique’s The Powers Divide mixes a brooding synthpop sensibility with intriguing lyrics, a strong vocal performance and innovative combinations of synthesized sounds. What results is a pleasingly unsettling collection of ear-catching music that I enjoy diving into.

Lyrics and vocals combine well on The Powers Divide. I enjoy the unique sound of the vocalist with his expressive range and ability to capture the essence of the lyrics. The songs combine shadowy feelings with more tender emotional moments to convey the complicated nature of human states of mind.

Eclectic musical influences all become interwoven in a fascinating way on The Powers Divide. The ‘80s feature prominently but those classic sounds are given fresh twists. I enjoy the way in which all of the styles collide to create addictive tunes, full of glowing light and seething darkness as they unfold.

I also take pleasure in the synth layering that takes place on the album. The complex interleaving of different tones, timbres and sonic textures has my ears excited each time I listen through the music. I find myself engaging with the songs more intensely as my mind roams across the intriguing synthscapes.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Is This Me?” comes to life as organ-like synth forms a distant tremor while reverberating, medium-high synth leaps into a glowing, twirling pattern. The lead singer’s voice captures a retro sensibility and twangy, funky guitar pulses in.

The lead singer’s voice has a darkly powerful quality that draws me in as it echoes out above exuberant drums. Elevated, glistening synth carries an airy and lightly touching melodic pattern as the drums and bass drive on. Fragile, medium-high synth notes glide out and warmly swelling organ shifts.

Massive bass growls underneath wildly tumbling synth, curling all around itself. The lead singer’s voice cries out and broadly twisting synth wanders in an angular, dynamic pattern. Intertwining, shining synth wraps around the thudding kick drum before the song ends.

Our narrator asks the song’s subject if the picture of him is what he is to them. He speaks of a “tablet of gold” that the song’s subject must understand to see that “the shapes of your mind fit right into mine like heaven falls down.” He adds that they are both completely aligned now.

The storyteller wants to know “is this me? Is this real?” As he talks about how we stand up for people who can’t “cherish bodies” as they are worlds apart. He points out that "invitation makes us start.”

A hollow sound creates a desolate feeling as jangling synth leaps in with flaring light to start “Criminal Records.” Funky, propulsive bass interlocks with huge retro drums as nasal-sounding synth wriggles along.

The energizing vocal melody is carried on the lead singer’s unique voice as gleaming chords sweep in along with thunderous bass. A trembling, motivating pulse effectively fills the bass as the lead singer’s voice is imbued with expression.

Heavy drums tap and glimmering synth pulses ring out as the funky, groovy bass presses on. The lead singer’s voice soars upward as twanging synth pops in rapid lines. Drums and bass keep the energy pumping before the song ends on a distorted synth undulation.

All that our storyteller can hear and all that people say to him is “come here baby and walk this way.” He says those people are just “criminal records from the past” that won’t last.

He speaks of the person who is “dressed to impress” but home by ten p.m. because “all that swagger, it’s just pretend.” Now the narrator talks about the song’s subject asking to dance, trying on romance and “thinking you’ve a chance” but ultimately won’t be able to find him.

“On My Mind” commences as rippling, open-voiced synth flows smoothly as slap bass tumbles. Elevated sounds add pleasing sunlit sparkles and the drumbeat has a loose-limbed, rapid motion. Deeply felt emotion fills the lead singer’s voice and crystalline synth and breathy sounds flow along with the leaping drums.

A funky bassline pops in as varied, catchy percussion forms a guiding pulse. Soft-edged, creamy synth whirls with a gently caressing sonic drift. The lead singer’s distant voice has a pained quality above layered percussion and growling bass.

A gliding, tremulous synth pulse adds to the other elements to create a propulsive, but soothing whole. The lead singer’s voice is soft and drifts out as silence captures the music while warm voices rise.

As the situation is “running right in front of me,” the narrator says he doesn’t think he can fight what’s on his mind. He’s unsure if “we’re done for good this time” and he finds it hard to say how he feels but he hopes “we’re not really parting.”

Weighty drums hit hard along with a taut, rushing synth pattern and clapping percussion to begin “The Powers Divide.” Metallic chimes ring out above towering drums and bass shifts in oscillating blocks as tightly wound synth pulsates.

A plethora of different percussion supports open-voiced panpipes. The lead singer’s vocals flow as sliding synth forms a motivating pulse while deeply resonant chimes call out. The lead singer’s voice leaps out, enjoyably expressive as bubbling synth shifts.

Active, varied percussion slaps in with a reverberant tone as digital-sounding synth shivers. Colossal bass swells and the percussion shifts. Low, wide-sounding synth jumps dynamically. A minor key melody is carried on flaring chimes as metallic sounds hammer out and propulsive drums and bass drive on.

The teller of this tale tells the song’s subject to “gaze right through me” as the answer they’re looking for is on the other side. He wants them to see “the pleasure and the pain” inside of him that’s “so easy to hide.”

Our narrator speaks of the powers dividing “like lovers entwine.” He says that the song’s subject can take their chances but “the stronger you are, the harder it will fall.” He concludes that when one paints by numbers "sooner or later It will fade to grey.”

“Brand New Lies” kicks off as vast drums hit hard while a host of percussion instruments add excitable energy. Glowing synths climb and hard-edged bass slices while the aching vocals ring out.

Rounded, beaming synth carries a slowly undulating melodic pattern. Wriggling synth trickles above the lead singer’s wonderfully melancholy voice. Heaving low end power and a clean snare drum pulse push on while the roaming melody flows.

Wide-sounding guitar carries a melody combining power and longing as the battering low end tide rushes. The lead singer’s voice Is strong while a worshipful chorus rises. Bursting snare drum pulses on before a ferocious drum assault commences, crushing as an agitated, angular synth twists before the song ends.

“You can call on me, anytime, anywhere” says the narrator as he adds “as long as you care.” He asks the other person not to be the “one who turns away” pointing out that everything fades away.

Our storyteller says that the other person has to tell him how to reach them because “I’m tired of games and playing names.” He says that the other person has to be fair because “I’m the only person who cares.”

There’s a twist in this tale as the narrator asks the other person to be at home when he calls in to “tell you brand new lies.” He continues by saying that “things are easy, buy more time” and ends by stating that things are different.

Buzzing synth carries a bending melody with a tragic tinge to start “Lonely Beast.” An upbeat vocal melody climbs in above widely throbbing drums in a distinctly disco rhythm. Scattering snare drum leaps as the vocalist chants.

The drums push on and quickly flickering synth trembles above the hip-shaking disco beat which I find infectious. Smoothly flashing synth carries a sailing melodic pattern as tremendously heavy drums interlock with the disco bass pulse. Gleaming synth flits as the smooth synth melody slides as the vocalist chants.

The image of a woman running into the night as she follows “the trail of a lonely beast” opens the song. The narrator speaks of a red moon and fires burning at night. He ads that he can see in the woman’s eyes that "she’s ready to turn tonight.” Our storyteller speaks of his loneliness at night as he waits for the night to control him.

“Counterfeit” opens as tripping bass moves along with a deeply reverent sound. Broad-sounding synth sweeps through as bass tumbles and a snare drum throbs. Ethereal, delicately drifting high synth slips and the vocals carry a mysterious melody.

A cosmically sliding background moves and snare drum scatters as the vocals call out with a dark twist. Misty synth clouds are cut by tautly falling, string-like synth and giant drums. A chiming synth with a minor key twist carries a contradictory melody, both unsettling and tender.

I find the melodic contrast intriguing in this song. Muscled percussion drives on as gritty synth is touched by feather-light notes. The lead singer’s disembodied voice slides through and elevated notes sparkle out into silence.

The storyteller begins by saying he was neither lonely nor holy. He says that he has a feeling that “you’ll like what I like.” He speaks about taking one’s time but “nothing slowly” and having a lot of love “for life on the outside.”

Our narrator speaks of having feelings “beneath me.” He adds that “you don’t control me” and says he is a counterfeit and he’ll be “your heartstring.” He talks about taking his time and accepting “these lies.” As the song ends, he concludes, “I’m so sorry man but that’s just life.”

Conclusion

The Powers Divide is a journey through a retro synth landscape, full of quirky twists and fresh sonic combinations. It respects its influences while still forging a new path while drawing the listener into its musical world.