Matt Goodluck - Inner Cosmos

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impression

Matt Goodluck’s Inner Cosmos takes listeners on a journey through cinematic soundscapes while exploring a lusciously varied synth palette with nods to composers like Vangelis and Edgar Froese (of Tangerine Dream.) The result is an album that is complex, layered and ear catching.

Inner Cosmos is full of intense imagery and atmosphere, skillfully created by Matt Goodluck. There’s a sense of occasion in each track, layering together well-constructed pieces into a deeply engaging whole. I find myself traveling across the stars and through cyberpunk dystopias as the music unfurls. There’s nuance and depth in abundance here.

Matt Goodluck’s talent for writing synth-based music is clear in his ability to layer and combine a plethora of synth sounds to paint the mental imagery that fills his compositions. I enjoy how each individual tonal colour, timbre and texture wove together to enhance the emotional qualities and images on each track.

I also enjoy the way in which Matt Goodluck was able to pay homage to the synthesizer composers, who have influenced him, well, while still retaining his own unique vision and sound. It's always heartening when a composer is able to respect those who came before them while forging a new path.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Arrival” comes into being as edgy, threatening synth sweeps in a slicing line while wobbling, elevated notes ripple. Dominating bass oscillates with angular weight to deepen the sense of lurking danger.

Flashing broad notes glide out above the giant bass walls and hollow sound like a launching craft fades into silence. The impression of alien threat is powerfully created, starting off the album well.

Entangling synth tumbles with an intense gleam above rumbling bass depths to open “Dreaming.” Radiant, metallic synth cries with piercing light above the intertwining synth as it pours out energy.

The bass becomes a colossal throbbing heartbeat below medium-high, flaring synth. I am drawn to the way in which the lead synth creates a melodic pattern shot through with hope.

Wind sweeps as the bass briefly fades out before returning with trickling chimes that glint with sunlight above an active bass. Ethereal synth briefly adds a delicate quality as the chimes ring out.

Sharply piercing synth cuts in as the airy, fragile synth breathes out meditative gentleness. Bass ripples and adds shadow while scintillating notes flow into silence.

“Outer Limits” opens as a hang drum rings out into a shifting sonic drift along with rounded sounds. Elevated synth shines while gargantuan bass swells with a rough edged buzz that has a dangerous quality to it.

Gleaming synth glides with brittle, sharp-edged light above the massive darkness below it in a well-crafted contrast. Reverberating metallic notes move out into vastness as silence falls.

Airy bubbling is touched by fluttering static as huge bass towers up with great weight to commence “Interstellar.” Soft-edged, fragile synth slides past as breezy notes sweep. Trickling notes move past and wide, washing synth arpeggiates as one long, hazy sound glissades below.

Oscillating synth shifts while rippling notes flit. The background layering creates an unctuous, calming canvas that I find wonderfully tranquil. Shiny notes rush quickly rush while tautly trembling synth is joined by truly colossal bass. High, twisting sounds are joined by tender, aching synth with an orchestral quality.

Bright notes leap and bubbling sounds keep welling up. Galactic drifting permeates the music as darkly angular notes pop in while shadow fills the low end. Massive power throbs and delicate notes exhale into silence.

“Conspiracy” starts off as rumbling bass joins splashing synth that wanders as gossamer notes breathe out. Shining synth illuminates the other musical elements with clear light.

Hollow, metallic notes roam and radiant accents flicker while starry, elevated notes rise to ear pleasing effect. A voice over talks about CIA experiments as shimmering synth flows.

Splashing, open voiced notes trickle and airy exhalations delicately glide as sharply piercing light flows in. Steadily ticking notes move while a retro radio voice speaks.

Fragile synth washes through as flickering notes slice and fade. Hollow synth roams freely and trailing vocal sounds shift. Choral synth creates a meditative sound while far off notes rise and the entrancing pattern falls silent.

Twanging guitar breaks through the threatening, gigantic bass that flows in broad motion to begin “Night Of Anubis.” Nervously tumbling arpeggios whirl and tight, worried notes slip past.

High, seething sound moves and echoing, elevated synth drifts in wandering lines. A voice over gives the audience advice about eradicating ghouls by killing the brain.

Rushing arpeggios add to the tension and ticking sounds increased the urgency. The music skilfully generates a terrified sense of anticipation. A steady, high sound screams and buzzing darkness surges while a much gentler, more tragic synth calls out before the track fades into silence.

“Into The Blue” comes to life as a surging cacophony of voices mingles together into one chanting line. Piano-like synth roams in mesmerizing motion before gently caressing, lambent synth carries a calming melody above the wandering, undulating piano.

Razor-edged sounds slice while a reverent feeling flows in the airy background synth. The main melody has a soft touch despite the gleaming light pouring from it.

The slipping background pulses steadily and the piano adds shape while wind floats past. Worshipful synth moves with a choral sound that effectively deepens the music's ease.

Glistening synth rings out in a peaceful melody and rushing sounds intertwine in the distance. A bubbling pattern shapes the music and ocean sounds flow into quiet.

Luminous synth moves slowly, vibrating with hazy motion to open “Atlantis.” Vast bass begins shaking below with dense strength as glimmering synth echoes out with a tremulous intensity.

Rich bass undulates with muscled depths below delicately gliding notes carry a melodic ache that travels through the track. Digital notes trickle as aquatic sound ripples past, lifting me on a turquoise current that puts me in a easy going mood. A vocal sample speaks of lost Atlantis above smoothly rounded bass as glassy synth shifts.

The vocal sample tells of the awful destruction of the city as open synth echoes with a distant, lost feeling. Aquatic notes also move past while sharp-edged strings cut in. The vocal sample speaks of Atlantis rising again.

“Neon” starts as roughly growling bass fills the track as a flat sounding synth arpeggiates. Wind blows and dazzling synth chords add lustre as they echo into openness.

Xylophone adds a shiny, darting accent that rises and fades above the twirling arpeggios. Peaceful synth calls out, creating engaging tranquility as buzzing sounds move. Tentatively lambent synth is touched with glowing chimes while shadowy synth shimmies and bass wells up.

There’s a deeply soothing feeling in the glistening synth, relieving stress as chimes add radiance. A technological sounding synth pulses in the background. Keen-edged synth adds more intensity and silence falls with the sound of traffic.

Rain falls softly as delicate synth swirls and drifts in roaming lines to begin “Deckard’s Requiem.” A steady gleam fills the background with caressing radiance that permeates the track.

Digital sparkles flit past as lush bass rises up elevated synth slowly undulates. There is deep calm in the rounded, xylophone notes that slowly flow out, effectively imbuing the music with melancholy peace. A rich bass current slips past as trickling notes ripple.

Ethereal synth trails along with an aching emotional tone as distantly spinning notes sail out into the misty rain, falling onto iridescent pools in a Blade Runner dream. There’s meditative qualities along with a mournful tone.

“Voyager” comes into being as dense, massive bass rumbles with a shivering crackle as cosmically bending synth shifts with tentative ease. Soft-edged synth brushes while reverberating piano carries tender notes given a touch of strangeness by squelching sonic flows.

Looming bass creates an impression of the unfathomable darkness in outer space. There is a pleasing contrast between terrifying power and untethered wandering while radio transmissions crackle out.

Tapping notes, along with twisting synth trickles and bells, ring out as percussion shimmies. Digital sounds are touched by piano notes slipping past while intimidating bass shadows rise. High chimes flicker while a skittering synth is accented with metallic tapping before the track ends.

Conclusion

Inner Cosmos is an expansive and exciting journey through Matt Goodluck’s fertile imagination. I enjoy coming along with him as he deploys his synths to create “head films” that are full of interest and passion.

WOLFCLUB - Desert Hearts

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

WOLFCLUB's Desert Hearts mixes passionate vocal performances with well-crafted lyrics and a deeply engaging synth palette. This is music with depth, intensity and a pleasing retro vibe wedded to crisp production. WOLFCLUB also takes on board talented guests who add even more richness to the music.

All of the vocal performances on Desert Hearts are first-rate. The group’s main vocalist, Stephen Wilcoxson, has a voice with a broad range and emotive power that can soar or ache with equal strength. The guest vocalists all bring voices with unique sounds and expressive depth to the mix, increasing the album’s ability to touch the listener.

Themes of love, betrayal, desire and loss fill the song lyrics on Desert Hearts. There’s a pleasing blend of darkness, evocative imagery and conflicting emotion within the words of the album. I enjoy the clarity and emotional power in the writing and how well all of the vocalists can translate those elements into audible feelings.

WOLFCLUB’s synth palette adds colour and vibrancy to the songs. Each sound is well-calculated to add to the expressive nature of the music. There’s a rich variety of tones, timbres and auditory signatures that interweave into lush tapestries as they twine around the vocals that are at the album’s heart.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Crystallise” comes to life as razor-edged, elevated synth leaps in sharp undulations above a chest-pounding kick drum. The synth pattern has a shattering clarity as it cries out with intense feeling while the snare drum slams. Guitar tangles in flaring motion, while bass roars along with hard hitting drums.

The female singer’s voice is flowing and expressive as it carries a melody mingling uplift and memory. Drums collide with tremendous power as the bright synth tide flows in entangled lines. Desire wars with loss in the lead singer’s voice in a pleasingly powerful manner.

Intensely pulsating notes fly out as the female singer expresses yearning emotion while the low end surges with sinewy strength. The guitar has a lightning dynamism as it jumps out above the massive muscle that propels the song with synth radiance glowing in the background. The lead singer imbues her voice with passionate feeling as the song ends.

The storyteller speaks about being able to “see…breathe…feel” the other person but she adds “then we both go and hide in the dark.” She goes on to say that the song subject knows she’ll break their heart. She says that they can run and hide but it doesn’t make a difference because “it’s all just a matter of luck.”

Our narrator points out that she has know the song’s subject for many years. When they were together, the other person was hers and their relationship was shared but “it all passed away into dust.” She is looking for a brief contact “to get high, to get by” and to recall that all of us are “just a shadow of love.”

She reminisces about being out in the night “when we were alive.” There was nothing but secrets and our storyteller asks how they can hide “in the lie of a kiss.” She blames the song’s subject for being the cause of the situation and now she can only dance alone. Seeking in the darkness, she fights to reach “the fire of the night of a kiss” which is the “only reason its like this.”

Reverberating, trembling synth weaves a warm, tangling flow above luscious bass sailing beneath it to begin “Journey To The Second Sun.” Stephen Wilcoxson and NYRE’s voices call out with an enfolding melody, echoing as a thudding kick drum supports flickering metallic synth.

The vocal melody holds need and wistful longing together, carried on the emotive vocals. Guitar flies in now, full of hopeful energy that flashes out above the powerful drum and bass motion supporting it. The guitar wheels through the music, slightly gritty as it spins out an energizing solo while drums pulsate.

Brightness flares from the guitar’s impassioned cries as radiant synth intertwines. The vocals capture all the mingled emotion pouring from the lyrics while a deep yearning permeates the melody.

This song’s lyrics speak of “falling through dust and through satellites (like) the second sun in a violet sky.” The lyrics ask if the narrator can go and if the darkness is the song subject’s home. Now a “rainbow of gravity” rips into the night as UV light is holding tight. The lyrics go on to speak of how the other person shows “light years of being alone.”

Now the lyrics talk about how “reflected, broken mirrors” cut the storyteller’s heart through the stars “on their solar wind.” In the chorus, the words speak about a second sun, adding “you can journey here.” The storyteller has lost their love but has the song subject’s to give. The song also speaks of how the main character lost their life but “I’ve got yours to live.”

In the final verse, the song says that its subject is in the narrator’s heart “like a chemical” and is in their veins as “the pain that I think I want.” The lyrics speak of a “desert heart” that’s like a smashed atom bomb, a heart whose “ventricles, they extend, through the universe.”

Widely glittering synth sweeps into a melody touched by wistful emotion despite its intense shine to start “Desert Hearts.” Dora Pereli’s voice caresses my ears tenderly, carrying a dreaming melody as a snare drum rattles in time to her singing.

In the background, luminous synth threads intertwine and provide a supporting lattice to Dora Perelli’s emotive vocal performance. Bursting drums accent the lyrical delivery, adding punctuation along with a growling guitar line. A gently longing quality fills the vocals in contrast to the drum pulse.

Medium-high, glistening synth leaps out in a melody that is touching and tranquil. Dora Pereli’s full voice glides along with expressive feeling and the drums keep throbbing. Broad-sounding guitar entangles with glowing synth and the song ends on flickering light.

Our narrator speaks of watching as time blurs together while she moves “from life to life just trying to re-connect.” She talks about detesting the ruins of her home town but adds “it’s a place to hesitate, or it’s a place to rest.”

The storyteller feels imprisoned by past desires “in the spare bedrooms” as she screams while her lungs feel like "two burst clenched balloons.” She describes her lips and her heart as muscles able to speak to the other person like “a prayer into the desert of a distant moon.” She adds that the other person’s heart is a muscle but hers is “untouchable” and can’t be stopped.

She says that she has seen the “ truth of the horizon lie” along with the ways to come and go into and out of life. Her tears “deliver the mascara stain right out of my eye” and in a flash she has come to know “the feeling of a passer by.”

“Restless” begins as rapidly trembling synth oscillates below a melody that flashes out with an intertwining gleam as the bass tumbles below. A bursting drumbeat throbs as a flickering synth shines out with gentle light.

A string section sings out a pained melody as Steve Wilcoxson and the female vocalist mingle their voices in a majestic and aching duet as the guitar pines away above powerfully pulsing drums. The two singers have wonderfully well-matched voices that drip emotion from every syllable.

Sparkling brilliance suffuses the strings as they flow above the propulsive rhythm section. The heartfelt vocals blend again as strings wind out with need and loss filling them. The guitar arcs upward and the drumbeat shapes the track before it ends.

Despite their restlessness, the song’s subjects “have never been so far.” They may be reckless but “we’ve never been so lost.” The narrator says that the other person thinks it's okay to walk away and “take the night in another direction.” He adds that the song’s subject wants to run so he says “I’ll take you home but I’ll never forget you."

A charging guitar cries out with gruff edges above a pulsing bass oscillation that scuds underneath it to commence “Shoreline.” Punching drums add dynamism as the guitar cries out. A female vocalist opens with her lighter voice and is followed by Stephen Wilcoxson’s intense vocals as fiercely throbbing drums and dense bass press on.

Both singers let their voices climb skyward as a guitar adds snarling power and the low end surges. A sax lets loose in a jazzily impassioned line that swirls with abandon above the low end’s forward motion. The female vocalist’s gentle but intense vocal is again followed by Stephen Wlicoxson belting out the lyrics as the drums and bass charge.

The sax howls out with reedy energy that reaches high as the slamming low end keeps on driving. There’s a powerfully compelling energy in the sax solo that makes my heart soar in contrast to the darkness in the lyrics.

The narrator speaks about “paying cash at the hotel” and the other person saying they wouldn’t tell but when the song’s subject stepped through the door, the room was empty. He is staring at the ceiling in disbelief and then the other person tells him that they’re leaving.

Our storyteller says that they were “caught in a fever” and then the other person called him a liar to pour “gas on the fire.” He talks about a “heart tangled in wires” that was illuminated by desire. Now there’s a stolen car with a broken windscreen and a frozen engine that makes him realize it’s over.

The narrator tells the other person that they can “melt me to my core” as he screams for more. He asks the other person has found what they are seeking. He has been “dragged down” and left torn by the other person’s crashing wave.

Again he asks if the song’s subject knows what they are searching for. He adds that he’ll race them to the shoreline as it is “meeting up with the skyline.” He says he walked away for the final time but asks ”Can we say it’s the last time?”

The storyteller talks about a distant place that they already missed. The other person claims it never existed. He feels that they just “missed the exit.” He speaks of seeing a face on a billboard that was torn, “ sun-drenched and forlorn.”

The woman on the billboard had empty eyes, full of boredom. He says that he could tell she’d hate being stared at by strangers. She lead a life that was complex and her “dream was so faded.”

“Call Me At The Weekend” begins as a hi hat clashes while a muscled drumbeat reverberates and drives on. Rich bass flows as a blazing brilliance pours from a medium high synth and guitar flashes as Stephen Wilcoxson’s voice calls out with affection and impassioned intensity.

Drums explode outward as tangled guitars radiate blinding light. The echoing chorus floats, carrying an encouraging melody through open space. A guitar slices in a flaming line that kindles hope and joyful emotion in me with pleasing energy. Huge drums rapidly pulse in an uneven pattern and bass growls far below.

SW’S voice has an expansive, expressive quality and the vocal melody captures anticipation and a melancholy pang. The vocals are matched by the guitar’s coruscating gleam and sweeping synth while bass flows outward. Sunbeams flit from elevated synth as the song ends.

Hope fills the narrator’s mind as he asks the other person to call him on the weekend so that they might drive all night. He asks, “Do you think that would be fine?” He says that if the song’s subject calls him they can go away together and he’ll “go wherever you will stay.” He asks if the other person thinks that’s okay.

The storyteller wonders where they can go to stay the night and “lose our heads and track of time.” He also ponders where they might go in order to “find our minds and build the fire in our eyes.” If the song’s subject calls him, he wants to “slip away into the sun” and tell no one. He asks if the other person thinks they can run.

As the song winds up, he points out that if they leave on the weekend, he’s never going back but will take “another track.” His final query for the other person is “Do you think that makes you sad?”

Colossal bass shifts with a smoothly immersive flow that is touched by glistening synth delicately brushing by to open "I Thought I Saw You.” The bass moves forward and bouncing drums create an energetic lift. Stephen Wilcoxson’s broad ranging, emotive voice carries a melody full of painful nostalgia.

The drums and bass create a surging tide and now the vocals rise with flaring light and piercing loss. The drums batter precisely as Stephen Wilcoxson unleashes his entrancingly expressive voice to capture thwarted aspiration. Widely flowing synth with a string-like quality oscillates while gigantic bass pulsates.

The low end adds support while Stephen Wilcoxson pours out his soul into the lyrics. Shining synth falls through the track and the chorus is heavy with separation and broken dreams. The track's low end throbs with immense strength as the song ends on twinkling light fading away.

This tale’s teller says he thought he saw the other person on TV in a crowd but it was low light and they didn’t turn around. With a seeming sigh, he adds “I guess I’ll never know if it was you.” He thinks he heard the song’s subject in a crowded space but it was a “quiet echo, it was gone too soon.” He adds that he wasn’t able to catch the other person’s eye and once again he doesn’t know if it was the other person.

Our narrator says that he doesn’t remember their relationship some days and he’s alright for a moment. He adds, “Even though you’re gone, I still remember what it was.” The pain returns when he realizes that “they” took away the narrator’s ability to “hold you in the night, and kiss you in the morning” without any warning or any reason.

He isn’t sure he can keep repeating the pain of remembering. All he wants to do is run away with the other person and dream of the future. Someone has taken all of their love away and “now there’s nothing else but sorrow.”

Now the storyteller thinks he saw the other person in a dream which is another place they are meant to be. He woke up and now he realizes that “I guess I’ll never know if it was you.”

“Crash” starts off as delicate piano trembles while slowly sliding synth shifts and Stephen Wilcoxson’s limpid voice calls out as massive bass pulsates. The vocal melody is both affectionate and mournful as the bass throbs with gigantic power and the background synth whorls are tinged with effulgence.

The vocals echo out, carrying a heartfelt and aching melody in a way that draws me in. There’s a muscled strength in the bass that contrasts with the soaring passion in the vocals as the huge drums throb in a strong motion along with the bass.

Stephen Wilcoxson’s voice arcs out with intense emotion in every syllable as dominant drums thunder. Synth illumination flashes in a brilliant cascade and the bass rumbles far below before silence falls, sinuous shimmering filling the background.

Our narrator realizes that the trouble is that he needs the song’s subject and “trouble’s all I’ve ever had.” He makes it clear that the other person can stay around but they don’t have to but his “spirit slips into the sad.”

The storyteller feels that it’s a mistake for the other person to take a break from the relationship because "you know I still adore you.” His anxiety is that the other person will move on and meet someone new. He asks, “Is it better when I’m gone?” because he is having trouble telling if that is true or not.

“I didn’t want to crash” our narrator announces, adding that they could have turned or swerved. He wants to know if they can start over and “slow it all down at the red lights.” At the moment, he finds himself braking on wet roads, unable to see the corners in the dark night.

He adds that he didn’t think they’d crash and he thought they’d stay for the duration, but “it all went so fast and now I’m left lost in a part of the past.” He wants to see how the other person is doing but he knows “deep down it’s better not to.”

Conclusion

Desert Hearts is vocal synthwave with emotional intensity, vocal expression and lyrical depth. It flows along on a synthesized tide, full of a plethora of ear-catching sounds that grow together into a well-produced whole. I enjoy letting the music pull me in and carry me away.

LA Nights - Surf

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

LA Nights’ Surf is a unique take on synth-based music with explosive dynamism, fascinating synth combinations and a fresh feeling that I enjoy. The album is layered and varied with an exploratory quality that takes me on an auditory journey as it unfolds.

Irrepressible and compelling energy pervades Surf, driven by the intense percussion and rhythmic bass. I enjoy how clean and crisp the drums are and the surging strength that they exude. I am also enamoured of the tidal bass energy and when both rhythmic elements interact, they imbue each track with life and motion.

Abundant and fascinating synth sounds mingle together on Surf in a way that pulls me into the music. Synth glimmers, growls and trembles in layers that interact in ear-grabbing ways. There are powerful contrasts between lacerating shadow and luminosity as well as moments of crystalline delicacy and heartbreaking emotion. Each sonic interaction engages me more fully.

Rather than relying on clichés in the music, this is an album that takes synthwave elements and reconfigures them to create a fresh sound. I enjoy the experimental edge in the tracks and the way that LA Nights uses his synth palette to paint strong imagery in my mind.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Searchers” comes to life as medium-high, soft-edged synth sings out above rippling, metallic notes A sharply popping drumbeat and solid bass add support. A nasally entangling synth carries a dynamic melody that presses on eagerly.

Lambent notes with a knife edge slice to create an effective contrast to the gleaming sounds that tumble above underlying bass oscillation. Creaking, dark-toned synth snarls with ferocity while clean drums jump and bass glides.

Flat sounds smack in and nasally twisting synth trembles in a revolving motion that speaks of forward progress. Drifting, sparkling notes entangle and active drums are lacerated growling synth that adds insistent power. Lustrous, bright notes make a flaring mark before silence falls.

Razor-sharp synth cuts in a widely spinning arpeggio to start “Wonder.” Clean drums hit hard and colossal bass undulates in a subdivided pulse in between the drumbeats. Finger snaps move with giant bass and the drumbeat splashes broadly.

A keen-edged synth torrent falls through and arpeggios spin in a swathe of dense grit and blazing luminosity. Drums rebound before dynamic bass slowly oscillating and glimmering synth dances out with coruscating brightness while the drums punch in. An ear-pleasing, frolicking synth tide washes and endless arpeggios turn as bass pulses and fades.

“You Said Further” starts off as cool-sounding synth ripples into a softly surging auditory space. Towering drums and gigantic bass form a propulsive heartbeat as a honed synth vibrates and flat percussion batters over trickling notes.

Radiant synth dances with intense illumination that pierces the track. Elevated, open-sounding synth spins in hypnotic motion above the angular drums and bass that lend a clean energy to the music. I enjoy the way in which an impression of a pastel blue sky fills the background synth as it glides easily.

Fierce bass hammers and the hollow sounding synth entangles as it spins smoothly. progress. Power pours from the lacerating low end as cascading synth provides a softer touch before the track draws to a close.

Distorted xylophone rings out in a trickling line, imbued with calming emotion as punchy drums pop in to add guidance as “Soda” begins. A swirling bass flow slips below the percussion to add substance.

A soothing sonic blanket fills the background while crisp drums snap and bass slides easily. The xylophone has a enjoyably wandering tenderness to it as the big drums smack in. Bass oscillates rapidly as string-like synth roams freely. Xylophone glimmers above hard-edged synth pulses while the bass drives on and the drums add motion.

Bass moves in groovy bursts and breezy xylophone sails along while an organ-like synth intertwines in quick notes. The low end creaks sharply and a nasally elevated synth echoes out before fading on a slapping, string-like sound.

“Surf” commences as drums form a steady pulse and widely entangling, tech-y synth reverberates in floating lines. Oscillating bass forms a surging flow as nasal-sounding, taut synth trembles above bursting drums.

Medium-low synth cracks sharply to create a hard pulse along with the powerful drums and razor sharp bass. A croaking sound rattles in an even pulse as broadly glowing synth with a jagged edge leaps in shifting walls.

I am drawn to the twisting secondary synth that sings a journeying melodic line while growling bass undulates. The track ends on the intertwining, technological synth and the muscled drumbeat that fills the background.

Metallic, wide-band synth trembles as broadly flowing drums crate laid back motion to open “Later.” A guitar howls with emotive tones, brightness suffusing it as it carries a melody with a mournful ache at its heart.

Drums drive on with massive weight and snapping reverberation as the guitar melody unfolds, touching my heart with the pain radiating from it. Colossal bass throbs while the drums create a hard-hitting rhythm that adds form to the music.

Ethereal notes bend in the distance as the guitar’s passionate, piercing sound drifts out and captures yearning. Percussion claps in and the bass oscillates to shape the track. Sparkling notes shimmer and twist while the guitar cries out with wistful feeling and the bass pulsates far below and silence falls.

Conclusion

Surf explores synth-based music in a way that is deeply pleasing and engaging. The synth tapestry’s textured richness and dynamic life is accessible, but still intriguing in a fresh way. I’ll be interested to see how LA Nights will to continue to evolve the musical ideas on this album.

Forhill - Fragments

Artwork by Valentin Pavageau

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Forhill’s Fragments transports me on a lushly layered synth tide that radiates utter relaxation as it unwinds. Melodic beauty, intricately intertwining sounds and guiding rhythms combine into a entrancing whole on the album. Forhill and his guests weave tranquility into each note here.

The melodies that fill Fragments convey deeply calm and soothing emotion, tinged with some melancholy as they journey through the music. Forhill and his collaborators manage to imbue their melodic writing with dreamy feelings and more than a hint of longing.

Layer on layer of well-chosen synth sounds all mingle and intertwine on Fragments. There are synth sounds that evoke solar luminosity, eddying breezes and aquatic flow. Timbres from gruff to smooth interact while chimes twinkle and bass forms luscious depths. As a whole, there’s complexity and nuance in each musical element.

I also enjoy the use of percussion and rhythm on the album. The propulsion and shaping that the drums provide creates an important energy flow in the tracks. The way in which the bass also locks in creates a superb balance between repose and progress in the tracks.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Supernal” comes into being as tremulous synth drifts upward in a gleaming line before washing notes glide in and widely flaring synth entangles as the gently muffled drums and solid bass add support. There’s a smoothness and ease in the drifting notes as a medium-high, soft focus synth ripples in a steady motion as the drums and bass bring guidance.

Now the drums and bass urge onward as ever revolving, glowing synth twines around the beats as open-voiced notes shift with a delicate slipping motion. I feel serenity surround me now as twinkling notes sparkle above a hazy background.

Aquatic synth undulates while glistening synth wraps around itself in twirling motion above the constantly throbbing drums. Cosmic notes shimmer with soft focus light and breezy flow as lapping arpeggios tremble into open space and fade into silence.

A solidly propulsive drumbeat and luscious bass move “Iris” forward as it commences. In the distance, subtle luminosity floats, contrasting with the strong low end. Dynamic drums and bass add form to the gauzy synth flow that eddies around them.

After sonic exhalations drift, a rounded synth vibrates in a melodic line with heart-melting emotion. A bending synth sings out with wistful emotion trailing in its wake while the rhythm presses on. This track embodies everything soothing to me as it unfolds.

Air flows and a subtle bass oscillation shivers as full notes glisten mistily. The bass grows more prominent as pink sonic clouds move on by. Drums tap in again with shaping bass and a melody shines like a summer sun slowly sinking into the ocean. The song ends on fragile notes.

“Flicker” starts as a breezy flow mingles with diffused, slowly slipping notes. Nasal-sounding, rounded synth carries a richly tranquil melody while drums and bass lock into a dynamic heartbeat. Synth like foggy sunlight mooches through in an ear-pleasing, unmoored line as the effulgence around it grows.

Feathery synth dances delicately while the more unctuous notes around it intermingle. The drums and bass press on while slightly distorted synth trembles out in a pattern that exudes meditative contemplation.

Medium-high, polished synth glitters, the drums are gently guiding and brilliance enfolds the background. Radiant light fills the distance and washing synth circles while more defined notes trip in a trickling pattern. Sparkling shine fades along with static.

Lustrous synth flows in tremulous lines through an airy background that drips with wonderfully relaxing sensations to open “Division.” A steadily shining, elevated note sustains above widely illuminating synth that vibrates in overlapping pulsations.

High notes yearn while cascading synth arpeggiates. Drums and bass snap in and provide a strongly guiding motion. Brassy synth rings out in a melody that carries uplifting emotion as tapping percussion and active bass move.

Digital sparks descend and piercing synth carries crystalline light. Scintillating sunlight flickers from high synth and the funky bass line adds a groove. The track ends with the dreaming melody floating into silence.

“Luna” begins with a diaphanous melody that exudes longing as percussion softly guides. Angular synth slides along in an oscillating pattern, doubled by gruff bass and a crisply clicking drumbeat. Broad-sounding, synth transports a breezy melody that hints at wistful emotion as the skipping drumbeat and active bass pulse.

Shining synth drifts out to accent the lithe melody while the low end provides guidance to the track. Sparkling synth traces through while the main melody effectively carries me into rose-tinted memory while bell-like notes ring out with ethereal light.

Hollow percussion creates an open-feeling pulse as twisting synth wraps me in tranquility while active percussion creates form. The main melody carries me on lissome currents, allowing me to journey along with it. The track ends on silvery glow and hollow percussion.

Delicately glistening synth slowly unfolds while distant percussion taps and throbbing bass rapidly oscillates to kick off “Liminal.” A smooth arpeggio circles and worshipful illumination fills the background. Strongly pulsing drums and deeply surrounding bass form a rhythmic flow as flickering notes fall past.

The track floats into a segment that lifts me up on billowing clouds to fly me above the world’s cares. The percussion is a heartbeat below the breezy synth that pours out a soft-focus glow. All of the sonic elements intermingle in a lambent fog that creates relaxation before the track comes to an end.

“Iridescent” begins as an elevated sound rises out of smooth-surfaced synth waves/ along with sweeping air and gossamer, metallic notes twining together in a long outward glide. Vibrating synth moves in the distance as the easily skipping drums guide the track above bass flow.

A caressing synth carries a melody with a mingled ache and affectionate emotion. Glittering synth ripple past and the bass forms a richly moving ground below the steady drumbeat.

The main melody infuses me with a yearning for a beautiful place, dimly remembered, above the active pulse below. It. The balance of energy and laid back vibes works well here as the sliding melody winds out and ends in a diffused sonic cloud.

Bending sounds interweave into a lushly shining whole that shifts in slow motion to open “Decoupled.” Majestic notes slip out as extended bass undulates while airy static hisses. There’s a slow peaceful slide through open air as a hollow sound trembles.

I am utterly transported to a realm of silken ease in this track, as if a warm sonic blanket is being wrapped around me. Tentative, elevated notes gleam and tremulous emotion fills the music while the settling atmosphere unwinds into quiet in a long glide.

Conclusion

Fragments is an escape mechanism for those of us stressed and tired out by modern life. The album provides a chance for reflection with its combination of intoxicating melodies, shimmering calm and restful flow.