Karl M. Karl M.

Sunesis - Orbital

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Sunesis’ Orbital evokes everything diaphanous and melancholy as it tells the tale of a lonely space traveler’s journey through the stars. Sunesis combines her ethereal vocals, emotive songwriting and atmospheric synth palette to paint aching, floating imagery. The end result is affecting and keeps me returning to this cosmic story as it reveals itself.

Sunesis’ voice has a quality of airy delicacy in it when she sings that adds wistful emotion to the words she writes. Her songs contain melancholy within them that is ideally captured in her voice. The way in which the two elements combine, hits me right in the heart with feelings, carrying me away into another realm.

Atmosphere drenches the music of Orbital. The way in which Sunesis mingles the different synths in her palette creates sensations of mournful emotion, deep peace and wide open vistas of stars. I enjoy the way in which the music glides and drifts, slipping past while darker shadings touch the tracks and drums throb.

I also enjoy the way in which Orbital tells a story. Each track adds another layer to the overall tale, carrying me through this intergalactic exploration, building one from the other into a richly interwoven whole.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Onboarding Medley” begins as fragile, floating synth is joined by incredibly massive bass that slowly interlocks into a swirling pattern. Nasal-sounding, tightly wound synth wanders in a pulsing pattern as widely whirling notes echo behind it. Meandering, rounded synth shifts with an aching tinge while sharper, brighter notes cut and twinkling chimes descend.

Digital-sounding, broadly reverberating notes call out in a melody that dreams and glides while chimes sparkle and dense drums form a guiding pulse. Panpipes breathe out in wonderfully tender breaths as glistening synth calls out and misty arpeggios twirl. Soft-edged synth creates a delicate pattern and planing notes extend as a flaring sound slices in. Open-voiced notes slip past and fade into bass darkness while chimes flicker.

Lush, broadly shining synth arpeggios spin out into vast space, radiant and peaceful as gritty bass climbs to start “Galaxy Empress.” Digital sparkles flicker past and a bubbling sound briefly moves through the track.Triumphant bass climbs, touched by softly tapping drums as glistening arpeggios rise over the shadow below them.

Rounded, warm notes drift and a tender voice calls. Flaring synth trembles glassily into the openness swelling around it. All of the layered sounds create peaceful, introspective feelings in me. I can picture a grand, galactic vista flowing past my starship window as the music unfolds.

Now soothing, transcendent synths bend with a melancholy quality as gliding underpinnings tremble. Soft-edged notes wash along with vibrating, medium-high synth shivering lightly as bubbling sounds float briefly. The worshipful, wordless vocal melody flits past as gruff bass growls far below. Guiding drums keep shaping the music before we fade on darkness and a delicate higher note.

“Black PrismA” opens as fresh and cool sounding synth forms a rippling motion over smoothly guiding drums and thudding bass. A snare drum ticks and springy synth spins in the distance. Sweeping sounds slides as a soft-edged, lambent synth trails delicately over the extended pads.

Flatly tapping percussion is joined by deadly bass growling and a steady kick drum pulsating. Trumpeting, choppy synth blares out as taut arpeggios twirl while the drumbeat guides the track. Wandering synth sweeps while natural sounds shiver. Ethereal, haunted synth glides and threatening bass snarls as the open air rushes.

The lost and tragic melody flows through the space surrounding it. Once again, giant bass trembles along with a tensely vibrating synth. Tremulous synth is joined by gently floating sounds to give me feelings of disconnection and mournful emotion. Slowly flickering sounds trickle while tense strings undulate and the track fades out.

Tranquility and melancholy flow from Sunesis’ airy voice and a sliding synth before massive, rich bass rises to open “Silence." Drums tick to shape the track while ringing synth floats out as Sunesis’ softly emotive voice carries the pained melody.

Tightly curling notes glisten delicately and bass throbs while the drums guide the song. Now the drums move alone before lush bass growls and bell-like notes slip past ethereally.

The background rises in misty flow as radiant notes expand and raised synth planes in long lines. Sunesis effectively captures the expression in the lyrics, feeling pouring out from her voice before silence falls.

Loss and ache, yearning and melancholy come together in this song. Our storyteller opens by saying that “you can be yourself here, away from all the fear.” She’s found a way to remain above the waves “a day away” but right now she’s enslaved by her thoughts.

The narrator feels that she’s still not drowning but “I'm sinking down in words that don't mean a thing.” She addresses the song’s subject and to tell that person “we both know something - I can’t keep going on.”

She doesn't want to “give in to the rain” and her face shows all of her feelings when she can’t give herself to the other person. She wants to hide her eyes from the song’s subject because “it's been hurting me to see everything I became.”

Our storyteller concludes, “Mirrors still see the same and I don't know how to stop it.”

"Moon Motel - Intermission 2” commences as creamy bass slides below sweeping, slightly gruff synth trembles into the easy flow around it. Hollow drums and a soft hi hat tick add form as whistling notes distantly hover.

Tranquil, cooling synth floats out as the drifting, sharp-edged notes slip through. I feel a weight lifting from my shoulders as I listen. The percussion is feathery and shapes the track while exhaling synth provides a peaceful feeling as tremendous bass finishes the track.

Cosmically vibrating synth shivers above static hiss to create a spaced out and haunted feeling as “New Horizon - Terra Version” starts off. Active percussion pulsates to create powerful propulsion as wandering, broad sounding synth glides in slowly undulating motion.

Drums and bass throb with galactic power as Sunesis’ voice airily calls out while widely sailing synth creates a slowly roaming pattern. Digital sounds trickle past while the low end moves.

The relaxed sensations of the gritty synth as it shifts puts me at ease. There’s a shadowy tinge to the lead synth line as it trembles and open-voiced percussion throbs. The track ends on sparkling, delicate synth carrying a pained melody.

Conclusion

Orbital drips with atmosphere, musical imagery and emotional depth. Sunesis weaves a luscious sonic journey as the music unfolds and I am appreciative of the way in which she can draw feelings out of me through sound.

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Karl M. Karl M.

Dimi Kaye - The Neon Shredder

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Dimi Kaye’s The Neon Shredder combines intense guitar performances, enjoyable melodies and interlocking synth layers in an ear-grabbing sonic journey. Dimi Kaye is a masterful guitar player but his skills don’t stop there. His melodic writing and ability to paint with synths also shine through in this album. It is an auditory trip worth taking.

The Neon Shredder is a showcase of Dimi Kaye’s guitar fireworks. He can shred with the best of them, all flair and fire, but I also appreciate his ability to throttle back the intensity. There are tracks on the album in which he slows down and allows a gentler, smoother side of his ability to shine through and create lush soundscapes that carry me away.

Melodies that are expressive and engaging abound on The Neon Shredder. Dimi Kaye crafts melodic moments that are clear and ear-pleasing. I am drawn in by the way in which he can convey emotion through melody on the album. Along with dynamism and power, he can also create tenderness and tranquility in his melodic writing.

Layered, intertwining synth sounds move through the music on this album. I enjoy how the synth textures and timbres work together to generate strong imagery that complements and contrasts Dimi’s guitar work. I also have to acknowledge his drum and bass writing on the album because it adds a great deal to the way in which it flows.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Shredwave Avenger” comes to life as muscled bass flows with intent below crushingly powerful drums to create surging energy. Dimi Kaye’s guitar rises with dark majesty as broadly slicing synth leaps in, generating a dramatic sensation. Dimi Kaye’s guitar unwinds masterfully, flying out in a rising line of triumphant strength.

Trumpeting synth carries the hard-edged melody and gleaming notes rise with nobility. The guitar joins in to add more strength to the track while the glimmering, shadowed melody calls out. The guitar jumps in, feeling vaguely threatening as the track moves into a minor key segment in which grit and victory combine.

Wide-sounding, brassy synth imbues the track with a sense of soaring upward. The guitar flies again, full of exhilaration, crying out above the throbbing low end. Flaring synth accents the twirling guitar before the track descends into silence.

Thunderously pulsing guitar drives hard above rich bass and pounding drums to add raging propulsion as “Neon Fury” starts. Sharp-edged, shadowed synth climbs in a mysterious melody as the low end and guitar surge.

There’s taut strength in Dimi Kaye’s guitar as urgent synth doubles it to add an enigmatic quality. The guitar snarls onwards and glowing synth carries a haunting melody that effectively creates a feeling of pained motion. Gigantic drums batter while the tense synth melody flows.

Now popping, metallic percussion moves in empty space before ominously gliding notes drift in and the ferocious guitar slashes. Drums tap while wheeling guitar projects a dangerous feeling before intensely flashing synth cries out into quiet.

“Riffs Of Justice” opens as slicing guitar unwinds in a melody that is shadowed and verges on aching emotion, climbing high and dropping deeply down. Now kick drum throbs and the guitar launches into a propulsive and soaring melody full of success.

Dimi Kaye’s playing is intricate and skilled, fingers flickering over the strings to draw out the melody. A more pained quality enters the melody as the low end drives on, the guitar singing with emotion, before returning to the more encouraging melody.

Gleaming synth sings with triumph and the guitar dances in to add power while the low end pushes onward. Another solo spins out in wildly whirling motion and the melody takes on a flying feeling, calling out with righteous power as the pounding drums keep throbbing to an end.

Hollow percussion and muscled bass move as cutting, gruff guitar growls and delicate synth twirls distantly to start “The Neon Shredder.” The guitar and hard-hitting drums create active motion while synth flashes out a hopeful melody, tinged with melancholy as it cries out.

Taut synth climbs in energetic arcs above the slamming low end’s strength. Dimi Kaye’s guitar scuds past in the distance before leaping out in a solo that shines and accelerates skywards in intensely interwoven lines.

The track glides into a segment in which gentle guitar twangs and soft percussion touches while hard-edged bass forms an insistent pulse. Dimi Kaye’s guitar weaves a mad string tapestry with finger bending skill as the low end keeps pressing forward.

“A Warm Breeze In Summer” commences as ticking hi hat and smoothly entangling synth flow together in a calming exhalation. Twangy electric bass creates a hypnotic groove with the easily moving drums as the guitar carries a tranquil melody that exudes all the feelings of a lazy August afternoon.

The drums and bass guide the track while guitar sails along with peaceful relaxation as twinkling notes brush the music. Dimi Kaye plays with ease, carrying me away into a world of golden sunlight, azure water and swaying palms. The beat and twangy bass subdivide as rounded notes intertwine.

Now grittier guitar takes up the supremely easy-going melody, adding a little edge, while the track moves forward. Another signature Dimi Kaye solo contributes uplifting energy as it intricately flickers. The track returns to the settling lead guitar melody, breathing out above the shaping low end. The music ends as the guitar slips above flowing synth chords.

Brilliant synth chords burst as a steadily throbbing, gruff bass oscillation moves underneath to commence “Sunset Drive.” Gigantic drums throb as the bass oscillates and chords illuminate the track with warm light. The flashing synth is joined by delicate chimes, like sunlight on water, as a softer-edged synth sings a melodic pattern that takes away my tension.

Drums and bass pulse on as Dimi Kaye’s guitar adds tenderness while positive emotion pours from broadly glowing synth and chimes shimmer. There’s a melancholy gentleness in Dimi Kaye’s guitar playing, carrying a touching and dreamy melody as bursting chords add motion and chimes glitter above the throbbing low end.

“Funkstalgia” opens as groovy electric bass knots under radiant chimes and a snare drum joins in the funky motion. The chimes flash out as Dimi Kaye’s guitar cruises in a jazzy melodic pattern that easily glides through the music.

The guitar slides along with a relaxed flow while the bass guitar interlocks with the guiding drums. This track is right in the pocket as the illuminating chimes flare and Dimi Kaye draws out an achingly cool solo.

A guitar sound with a little more of an edge tumbles in cascading motion while steady drums and bass shape the track. The main guitar melody slips in again, full of effortless expression and a chilled out vibe as the chimes jump in before the track fades.

Drifting, ethereal synth forms a hypnotic pulsing pattern above colossal bass to begin “End Of the Neon Age.” Solidly hitting snare and kick drums add motion as widely trembling, elevated synth carries an energizing melody as full-sounding notes add more form. The glowing, slightly gruff lead synth melody has a pleasingly wistful tinge to its hopeful sound.

Hard-edged bass oscillates as drums leap out in bursting motion and the diffused lead synth takes on a pained edge. Brassier notes accent the main melody and the drum and bass pulsation drives on. There’s a softness in the lead synth melody, despite its motion and the track ends in quiet.

Conclusion

The Neon Shredder travels through a plethora of sonic landscapes as it unfolds. Dimi Kaye’s guitar playing is central to this journey, but he uses the full complement of musical abilities at his disposal here. The end result is deeply enjoyable and listenable.

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Karl M. Karl M.

Zak Vortex - You & Me = Forever

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Zak Vortex’s You & Me = Forever is full of a deep sense of affection and nostalgia as it unfurls in a textured, intensely interwoven synth exploration. Zak Vortex works in a palette of touching melodies, ear-pleasing synth sounds and a rhythmic richness as he carries listeners on this expressive journey.

Emotional depth is at the centre of You & Me = Forever and its melodic content. Zak Vortex writes melodies that cut deeply into the realm of the heart. There are moments of delicacy, tenderness and aching emotion woven into the fabric of each melody as it unfolds. I am drawn to the vulnerability in the music here.

The way in which synths interact on You & Me = Forever creates a beautifully luminous sonic tapestry. The way in which the various synth sounds work in unison gives all the elements an airiness and gentle warmth that is hard to resist. I feel that quality only adds to the heart-touching feelings throughout the album.

Powerful bass and active, retro-sounding drums combine to provide rich support underneath the other musical elements. The way in which they knit everything together adds compelling shape and motion to the album as it evolves.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Final Call” comes to life as it grows out of mistily intertwining synth while flickering chimes sparkle lightly and thudding drums throb above lush bass. Flaring chimes twinkle as rounded, medium-high synth carries a dreaming, hurting melodic line.

Guitar with a touchingly heart-tugging ache cries out with pained feeling above throbbing drums and bass. Chimes shimmer in the distance, adding starry glint to the track. The drums grow light as a bell-like synth carries a wistful and dreamy melody above the low end motion.

In the distance, soft-edged notes add tranquillity while a repeating, gliding synth undulates. The impassioned guitar cries again, hurting and tinged with lost hope, before the track fades on flitting chimes and bell-like synth.

Ethereal voices flow, repeating chanted vowels, as razor-edged, pulsing bass forms a giant underpinning for “I Need You.” Liquid, caramel synth warmly entangles as shimmering chimes ring out with aching luminosity above the huge low end.

Retro drums with a hefty sound burst in as tranquil arpeggios bring a wonderfully peaceful feeling into the track. The vocal flow has an airy lightness to it as muscled bass undulates. Colossal drums shape the music while radiant notes glimmer. Chimes with a glassy purity ring out, carrying a melancholy melody with a deep sense of yearning.

The solidly punching beat moves as choral voices trail in again with silken breath. Guitar winds out in a deeply emotive melody, full of a palpable and visceral need above the colossal drums and heavy bass far below. The guitar trails off into breathy voices as bass throbs and fragile sound fills the background.

The main melody winds in again, catching me in its touching flow and filing me with longing. Crystalline brilliance pours from ringing notes that call out as the guitar comes in again, sobbing with intense feeling. The music ends on the gargantuan bass pulsation with which it began.

“Please Don’t Go” opens as diaphanous synth trails above oscillating bass and bursting drums. Light fills a delicately floating synth above heavy bass and pulsing drums while metallic notes create flickering ripples. Chimes carry the tender, touching melody above the skipping low end.

Radiance fills the background synth as it spins and the chimes have a fragile touch above the weighty low end. Guitar calls with a gruff tone, expressing pained yearning with real conviction. Drums and bass push forward and chimes flutter actively.

A round-sounding synth pattern repeats with a hypnotic quality while the low end urges the music on. Guitar moves in again, its gruff-edged tones capturing melancholy feeling before the track ends on lightly glistening chimes.

Expansive synth slowly climbs as pure, sharp chimes ring out in a dreamy flow above lush bass to start “You And Me = Forever.” Giant drums create power as shining chimes carry the melody that fills me with wistful and heartfelt emotion. Rippling, broad notes tremble below the cleanly glowing chimes as rich bass slips out below.

Softer-edged sounds create calm while the huge drumbeat guides the track as bass creates deep pools. Medium-high, illuminating chimes carry a hoping, dreaming melody as the drums fade away. Bass lifts up gruffly slipping synth chords before fading to quiet.

“Better Times” starts as flashing keyboard chords with a metallic sound are joined by the warm, reedy sax that cries out with intense feeling. The sax melody tugs hard at my heartstrings as it calls out and smoothly intertwining synth is radiant around it.

Weighty retro drums punch in to shape the music and effulgent synth slides. Now the sax is let loose again, the melody it carries affectionate and nostalgic, while drums throb and metallic notes add luminosity. I find myself touched by the emotional punch of the slightly rough-edged sax sound as it unwinds in jazzy lines.

As the sax soars out, the low end adds motion and solar light pours from string-like synth as it entangles. Distant notes create uplift and the sax climbs into the track and howls out with piercing emotion that carries the song forward until a conclusion.

Reverberating, lambent synth drifts slowly downward to open “Snow Angel.” Choral synth with a breathy flow carries a gossamer melodic line and heavy bass moves along with crisp drums. Flaring light emanates from trembling synth and soaks the entire track.

Medium-high, glimmering synth carries a hopeful melody, imbued with peaceful tenderness. Arpeggios dance in circular motion as vibrating synth flits out and bass pulsates. Full-sounding synth drifts charmingly down like fresh snow as sparkling arpeggios spin and bells jingle in the background.

Medium-high, round-sounding synth drops like straggling snowflakes from the sky. Bells with glassy brightness sing out a melody full of gentleness and kindly feeling as huge drums throb. Shimmering synth tumbles down above bass spreading fully below as the track ends.

Conclusion

You & Me = Forever bursts with touching emotion and passionate affection, along with a degree of melancholy and loss to add more depth. Zak Vortex creates strong feelings within me as he unfurls his sonic storytelling.

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CZARINA CZARINA

NINA x Ricky Wilde - Scala Hearts

Written by Vero Faye Kitsuné

Berlin-based artist NINA, also known as the Queen of Synthwave, and legendary British producer, songwriter and long-time music industry veteran Ricky Wilde (pop icon Kim Wilde's younger brother) release their highly-anticipated collaborative record, Scala Hearts via NewRetroWave. At the heart of their record are synth and electronic nostalgia - but on steroids - thanks to one foundational element we do not often see grace the synth scene: Ricky's extensive and genuine, first-hand experience through the years as producer and as one of the "O.G.s" who helped shape the sounds of eras that inspire today's modern music.  Scala Hearts plays like a delightful, authentic sampler of several different periods in synth and electronic music updated for the 21st century.  We also see different sides of Nina emerge through her performances - sharper, edgier, more fierce, and a huge contrast to her softer and more delicate earlier releases.

The record smashes right in with a rocked-out and hyper-dynamic cover of Dollar's Videotheque that efficiently combines new wave and disco with classic 80s epic rock, relished with arpeggiated and boldy robotic vocals by Nina - a fun, unexpected surprise countering the tantric saw-edged bass grooves and Ricky's sublime lead guitars. 

Videotheque is quite the proper, "cool" retro-futurist track that nicely sets up the dreamy and painterly ambience of Causeway, which steadily charges at first in shoegaze bass arps before deviating into ebbs and flows in eclectic arrangements and performances reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Genesis. The song carries several beautiful variants and layers in its production, constantly pushing and pulling with different surprises - including wistful pan flutes, fluttering top arps, and a beautiful yet brief operatic section followed by thunderous, dramatic drums.                 

The laid-back and palm tree-lined LA Dreamers was the first single that laid out initial expectations for the record with Ricky's catchy and infectious "Woah-ohh" vocal hooks that could easily get stuck on repeat in one's head for days.  But Fade Me Out is probably the record's piéce de résistance with Nina's most emotive vocal performance yet, immersed in huge percussions, creative vocal ad libs by Ricky that spiral all around right before crescendoing into giant synth leads and stacked choral grandeur reminiscent of QUEEN.

Living In Sin delivers Ricky's gritty early 90s epic rock performance that brings Bryan Adams to mind, teetering along the edge of sorrow and regret.  The track is strung with fluxes of tasty orchestral sections which Nina artfully punctures with cold and steely interjections. It is followed by Nina's earlier single co-produced with Radio Wolf, Gold Hearts, but this time more upbeat, optimistic and glimmering in hope in its reprise.

Nina poignantly reflects on growth, strength and gaining freedom in Night and Day which cascades in crystalline, orbital soundscapes and perfectly sets up the stage for the record's summit: the very heroic Fighter. Monumental, majestic and anthemic, Nina spreads her proverbial wings (and vocal chords) and takes flight in a giant leap of faith in Fighter - a track imbued with a new kind of courageous spirit in Nina that easily sends shivers down the spine with the multi-layered choir production and Ricky's guitar work that all seem to ascend into the cosmos. 

The record closes with an homage to Ricky's sister, Kim, with a perfectly italo-infused cover of Lovers On A Beach, carrying splashes of artsy motor-like guitar growls, Moroder-esque spectral sound designs and Nina's signature pristine yet effortless vocal performance.     

Scala Hearts not only lives up to expectations, but shatters through them.  But most importantly, the record opens a fresh new dialogue, new routes and avenues for nostalgia music genres griping with insularity.  Nina and Ricky exemplify the power and relevance of unique perspective, bold and artful experimentation, distinctive charm and thoughtful, clever production in each and every single track in Scala Hearts, while still satisfying all the boxes that retrophiliacs may demand.  Scala Hearts is a much-needed jewel that offers new facets and clues to possible new directions for nostalgia and retrowave that need to be further explored.  It takes bravery to be this bold and do something different and new. At the same time, only true legends do.

Scala Hearts easily gets a slot as one of - if not the - best records of 2023.

Listen to Scala Hearts here: https://ninanrickywilde.lnk.to/ScalaHearts

Check out the Absynth Video Podcast Interview with NINA and Ricky Wilde, with guest host Chi Ming Lai of ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK and Lee Bennett

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