Elevate The Sky - Dreaming In Color

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Elevate The Sky’s Dreaming In Color is a luscious slice of retro-synth beauty spiked with his powerful vocals, beautiful melodies and a richly interwoven synth palette. When one adds Elevate The Sky’s emotive guitar performances, a host of skilled musical supporters and well-written lyrics the end result is galvanizing.

At the core of Dreaming In Color are Elevate The Sky’s vocal abilities. His voice can soar to incredible heights or take hold of my heartstrings and tug on them with aching emotion. There’s soul and strength in the performances as they take hold of the words Elevate The Sky has written and wring all the meaning out of them.

Melodic ear candy fills Dreaming In Color as each song reveals itself. The melodies have expression and depth in them, sometimes filling me with joy and at other times, touching me with their delicate melancholy. They all share clarity as they wind around my ears and draw me more fully into the music.

The way in which synth sounds, guitar and the other instruments combine on the album weaves a spell that creates sonic enchantment. There are a varied selection of ear-grabbing synth textures, tones and timbres on offer to paint intense imagery while Elevate The Sky’s guitar chops are electrifying. llia Skibinsky’s sax is incredibly seductive and Michael Oakley’s vocals on “We Are The Dreamers” are a treat, along with a #synthfam choir.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Radio (Hearts Beat In Stereo)” comes to life as the nostalgic sound of a scanning radio is joined by colossal bass and scintillating synth rippling in. Drums drive on with huge propulsion as glimmering notes dance. Elevate The Skys voice is wonderfully filled with melancholy and dreamy emotion as arpeggios shine expansively.

Passionate emotion pours from Elevate The Sky’s vocals as the low end shapes the track and cosmic notes flash out while medium-high arpeggios add a warm sheen. The vocal melody mingles dynamism and ache while massive retro drums throb and bass flows.

Caressing guitar entangles in a soothing and slightly pained melody while metallically ringing notes tumble through with a gruff edge. Elevate The Sky’s voice is full of power and feeling while radiant notes jump past before the song ends.

The power of memory can transport us all but we can also get lost in it. Our storyteller wants to rewind back to simpler days “through a window of hopeful eyes.” He listens to the radio as love letters are sent over the air and the frequencies take me to another place.”

On never-ending, lonely nights the narrator gave himself over to the radio. On “these rainy nights all alone” he gets lost in the radio’s world and keeps on dreaming as he gave “my heart to the radio.”

Now “faded scenery in the back of my mind” replays on a loop all night long for him. He’s been “lost in a daydream of make believe” and is now only a silhouette against the “light of you and me.”

A tentative light fills the background as distantly arpeggiating synth notes are joined by glimmering chimes to open “Dreaming In Color.” Arpeggios revolve in sweeping motion, joined by colossal drums and an airy female voice calling out wordlessly.

Elevate The Sky’s tender voice carries a wistful melody above the dense bass well as twirling arpeggios shift and glistening synth trembles. The drums have great presence as the arpeggios flow with expansive strength.

The vocal melody carries loss within it as Elevate The Sky capably captures the painful emotions in the words. Drums with muscled thunder echo while arpeggiating notes slowly spin. Now the guitar rings out in a wildly crying solo, wrenching in its emotional intensity before the song ends.

Dreams can be terrible, vivid and entangling in their impact. The narrator talks about the moon’s dark silhouette as he “fell asleep in an ocean of violent sharks.” He says that he fears seeing the truth as he is smothered under a “blanket of blue.”

Our storyteller speaks of fading away as a shade of grey while “I’m dreaming in color.” Time is trickling through an hourglass as the air begins to run out. It is a nightmare that won’t pass as he can “see the colors of a rainbow illuminate its glow.”

“Santa Monica” starts as tranquil panpipes echo out gently in rippling motion as rich luminosity pours from the backing synth. Creamy bass and giant drums add shape and propulsion as the track gets going. A sax cries out with ardent flair, radiating heartfelt joy above ethereal synth exhalations and the pulsating low end.

Warming chords glint in the background while bursting drums and throbbing bass add form. The sheer exuberance permeating the sax fills me with joy while the energizing low end pulls me onward. Luminous synth shines with sunny light and raised notes flit past in shining motion.

There’s genuine emotional uplift in the sax as it leaps and scintillating, metallic chimes move in hypnotic arpeggios. The sax takes the song out freely flying, reedy tones as the bass and drums push on along with glittering synth that adds to the track’s solar illumination.

Widely dancing, shiny synth intertwines as Elevate The Sky’s warmly nostalgic and tender vocals glide to commence “Laguna Beach.” The drums and bass accelerate and there’s lustre in the lead synth as it dances.

The vocal melody fills me with a hopeful ache as it unfolds. The lead synth washes out with uplifting energy while the low end shapes the song. Elevate The Sky’s vocals are full of feeling as brilliant synth flits in active lines while truly colossal bass growls.

A metallic synth adds more brightness as the guitar arcs upward, reaching for the sky in free-wheeling joy. Trumpeting synth accents Elevate The Sky’s passionate vocals that call out above the energetic motion below to close the song.

Sometimes nostalgia can be easy to lose oneself within. The storyteller paints a Laguna Beach idyll of white sand, blue skies and palm trees. He says that he and the song’s subject were holding one another so tightly, to the point that “we could’ve missed the spark.” The spark was the sun illuminating their eyes and pulling them from darkness.

Our narrator talks of the two of them holding a “California dream” in their hands. He wants them not to worry about the future but to find romance today. In the hopes that a moment’s intense feeling would last, he says that “we got lost in the scattered lights” and almost forgot to live their lives.

“Little Tokyo” begins as a koto echoes out with its unique string sound tangling along with traditional Japanese percussion before an exciting drum and bass pulse launches forward. The koto carries an uplifting melody that does an excellent job of injecting propulsive energy before a radiant synth twirls out an encouraging melodic pattern.

Bass oscillates as drums throb and the koto carries a melody tinged with wistful emotion yet full of lively strength. Soaring, gleaming synth wheels above the other sonic elements and the low end pushes on. Drums thunder as the koto entangles and panpipes breathe out behind it as lustrous arpeggios twirl.

The track slips into windy flow as sparkling notes trip past and arpeggios spin out. Rounded synth sails past and the punchy drums and bass add shape before the track comes to an end while a gong sounds.

Waves wash and brassy synth leaps out with luminous life as throbbing bass and huge retro drums propel “Malibu.” Elevate The Sky’s powerful voice bursts with expression as twinkling synth shimmers and the drums and bass keep pulsating. The vocal melody is full of need and hope to which I am drawn.

Glimmering synth flashes and trumpeting notes flare while chimes ring out. Elevate The Sky’s emotional performance reaches out to the listener’s heart as sunlight pours from the shining synth. The low end keeps on moving forward while the vocals brim over with touching affection.

The broadly illuminating lead synth sings a positive melody as guitar unfurls in a flying solo that explodes, twists and intricately weaves out above the drums and bass. Elevate The Sky captures the feeling in the words, deeply engaging with them as the low end charges onward and elevated synth pours out lambent glow before silence falls.

The chance to rekindle an old flame burns brightly sometimes. Our narrator creates the image of a setting sun as he and the song’s subject drive down a winding road. They are on their way to start the new life they’ve been waiting for as they “fly, gas pedal to the floor.”

The storyteller points out that even if the night fades away, he’ll find the song’s subject. He goes on to say that “even if the world ends tonight” he’ll find the other person and go on to meet them in Malibu.

Now years have gone by but he still thinks of the other person. Winter sets in but the memory of “that summer” continues. The reminiscence of fireworks bursting and “the taste of romance” goes on as the narrator recalls “late movie nights, falling in love, taking a chance.”

“Moving In The Shadows” begins in a multicoloured sonic wash while string-like synth adds a shimmering, soothing melody. Insistent drums pulsate in a guiding beat as a forward moving, bright synth pattern scuds as chiming notes sail out and now massive bass throbs and shiny arpeggios twirl.

Guitar surges in with a growling note pattern before smooth synth notes unfurl with hopeful light and the drums drive onward. The arpeggiating, full sounding background synth undulates while the guitar sings out and the lightly touching synth melody dances.

The guitar calls out in a melody mingling ear-pleasingly joyful energy with bluesy influences as rapidly sparkling synth trickles through. After a launching sound and flourishing drums, the guitar carries the melody that soars up with buoyant life and the track ends on flaring chords and delicate chimes gliding into silence.

Gigantic bass wells up as bright piano notes flicker and huge retro drums join in as the bass oscillates to open “We Are The Dreamers.” Michael Oakley’s deeply expressive voice carries the uplifting, aching vocal melody above smooth drums and undulating bass.

Glimmering chimes add shine to the song. Michael Oakley’s voice surges with passion and strength above the driving low end as light flashes out. Positivity, hope and energy leap out from the mingled choral voices as the melody explodes with joyful life. Elevate The Sky’s guitar charges with yearning energy as starry synths glitter. The vocals are full of feeling, powerful and compelling.

The chorus flies in again, blowing away the darkness of a mundane life. Chimes twinkle as the dynamic drumbeat and pulsing bass push the track on. llia Skibinsky’s sax solo is jazzy, full of reedy warmth and impassioned emotion that mingles with the chorus of joyful voices. Chimes shine with crystalline illumination as drums and bass propel the music. The chorus lifts in exultant emotion as the song pulses on to a conclusion and the sax cries out once more.

In “arcade nights” escape was reality for the narrator and his companion. In “summer dreamin’ at the mall” they found their destinies. In the midst of it all, they “loved…hurt and…fought to be heard.” Our storyteller talks about their dreams being broken "with your heart on the floor.” Their escape was to go "far away from the world” just getting lost in your car. There were also endless days and nights “reaching for the stars.”

As the chorus rings out, the narrator talks about how one night “could change forever” as they drive far away from the world. He calls for both of them not to let their chance go because “we are the dreamers.” He adds that the night could last forever and let one “escape from all your fears."

Nostalgia unfolds as everything is “etched in memory” as if it was just yesterday. Our storyteller talks about the way in which life continues “but time stands still when you’re with me.” Despite the heartaches, he talks about escaping and getting “lost in a song” during endless days and nights “searching to belong.”

As the song finishes, the narrator talks about how the night will change forever as they “reach up to the sky” and he urges himself and the other person not to let this chance go.

“New Horizon” comes to life as tremendous strength fills the bass that rises into the music with gruff edges as digital sounding arpeggios ripple in a rushing motion. Elevate The Sky’s vocal performance is aching and deep, carrying a melody that mingles hope and a hint of melancholy while arpeggios twinkle and the drums and bass press on.

The vocals tremble with intense emotion as the chiming notes exude warmth and positive emotion while the thunderous drums and solid bass. Elevate The Sky’s voice dominates the song as he ably captures the lyrics and their full meaning.

Lambent chimes coruscate above giant bass before the guitar cries out with touching feeling and climbs skyward and bass growls. The chorus flies above the forward charging low end while the drums and bass shape the music before the song ends.

Sometimes in life a chance to start anew must be seized when it appears. The teller of this tale speaks of seeing “the sun burst into a million flames” as he hears a heartbeat calling his name. There’s a powerful sense of escape coming over him as an unexplainable energy moves him. He realizes that “the wind will try to change my direction” and dreams seem distant but he can still feel a strong connection.

Our narrator talks about taking his heart to “new horizons” adding that it isn’t very far to the other person’s heart. He urges the second person in the song to “come undone and let go with me.” He goes on to say that their connection is all they have and all they need to discover that new horizon.

The storyteller talks about a truth that speaks loudly "like a familiar song.” He likens it to an encouraging voice echoing out strongly as his eyes are “intrinsically bound to a new rising sun.” Life awaits him, a transformation. The wind isn’t carrying him away now so he reaches out to the open sky to go on “a journey to a new path across the great divide.

Conclusion

Dreaming In Color fills me with a sweeping emotional rush as it unfolds in my ears. The way in which all of the different sonic elements combine is strongly pleasing and keeps me engaged as I listen. This is music that I can hear over and over again and continue to enjoy .

Cat Temper - Mystic Kitten

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Cat Temper’s Mystic Kitten weaves a musical spell as it combines lushly layered synths, melodies both ethereal and haunting and atmospheric moments that cast an enchantment over the listener. The album draws me in and entangles me within the musical web it spins out around my ears.

A richly varied and endlessly ear-pleasing synth palette is a big part of Mystic Kitten’s attraction for me. Cat Temper explores sounds that glisten, drift diaphanously and rumble ominously in his synth choices. I enjoy the moments of haunted darkness as much as those of flaring light. His percussion and bass also create powerful propulsion and shaping motion to complete the layering.

Melodies that have a wandering, lonely and pained quality fill Mystic Kitten. I enjoy the way in which Cat Temper’s melodies are clear and emotive. There’s a wandering, ghost-like feeling in the writing that is sometimes gentle and sometimes hurting which captivates me. I find the magic of the album increases as the melodies unfold.

Atmosphere oozes from Cat Temper’s music on the album. I enjoy the quality of misty ensorcellment that fills the music, evoking ancient ruins and fog-clouded moors. There’s a delicate spell cast over the tracks that I find quite engaging.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Welcome To My Nightmeow” comes into being as rippling, digital-sounding arpeggios sparkle into space. A steady sound swells fully and reverberating drums pound hard while darkly shaded bass growls. Broad-sounding, sweeping arpeggios writhe and hard-edged, metallic chimes ring in a melody that effectively mingles dynamism and threat.

A ticking hi hat joins flowing arpeggios and giant bass as drums cascade.The low end becomes a muscled surge and twisting, haunted sounds move. Now trumpeting synth cries out in energizing life as guitar growls and erupts into driving motion.Bells ring out again, cutting in with warning feeling. Warmer, brassy synth calls as angular guitar slashes in. The track ends on radiant, jangling bells and sweeping notes while percussion throbs.

Hectic, nervous synth rushes in widely dancing motion to open "Last Cat On Earth.” Open-voiced panpipes exhale in an ethereal melodic pattern before giant bass bursts along with solidly throbbing drum. The panpipes dance in again, repeating a cosmically flowing pattern.

Intertwining synth carries a haunting, warmly melodic line that creates a sense of yearning that I enjoy. Nasally flickering synth sings over colossal low end motion. A taut arpeggio ripples as pipe organ-like synth carries a wandering pattern and the low end keeps pulsing onward.

Distorted synth writhes and shimmies as rough-edged bass growls and bell-like percussion taps. The drums punch in while oddly modulating synth wriggles and the track returns to a ghostly melodic pattern and solid drum motion.

“Purranormal” starts as flashing synth chords with a minor key tinge shine out into open space. Ominously pulsing bass doubles the luminous chords a and snare drum rattles while hollow percussion pops in between. A metallic synth winds out an enigmatic melody full of spectral light as chimes flicker and extend above the low end percussion.

Now the bass line becomes energizing while radiance glides out from elevated synth. The “A" section returns to add mystery once more. The synth melody wafts like a phantasm, like something from out of the shadows as the low end shapes the track.

I enjoy the little twist of variation to the melody that adds unpredictability as chimes flit past. Dynamically moving bass pushes on above a slowly sailing synth as chimes delicately arpeggiate. Rapidly turning arpeggios whirl as bell-like notes ring and piano climbs above them with more warmth before ending.

Steadily pulsing synth glides and modulates to produce an actively moving feeling to commence “Hisslexia.” The lead synth has a sharp-edged brightness to it as solid bass doubles it to add some weight. Lambent synth dances to add another dynamic layer as tuned percussion is cut by an edged bass pulse.

Now panpipes wander in cryptic patterns as blatting bass is joined by rebounding drums as soft-edged caresses. The low end pushes on and flaring, minor key synth tangles with abandon in an ear-pleasing rush.

Massive drums flourish and the track slips into misty synth lines and explosive drums. Slicing sounds trip as a fluting synth carries a fragile and soothing melody. An entangling synth pulse flits into silence as the track finishes.

“Under My Paws” comes to life as sailing synth entwines in silken motion as it flows into openness. A reverent feeling fills the track as a steady bass oscillation moves through. A scintillating, elevated synth sings a calming, slightly shadowy melody that I find engaging as drums throb and dense bass pulses.

Tom hits move in as rounded synth chords with a tinge of something dangerous slip past. The bass has a heavier force as it tumbles and a snare drum adds shape. The main melody slides in with soothing light as trickling synth falls in.

Massive, retro drums punch hard and cascade as chimes dance in a tenderly floating pattern. A gleaming synth carries a melancholy- tinged melody as chimes twinkle and the track ends with driving drums.

Widely sweeping, digital-sounding synth roams in arpeggiating motion, echoing out into space with a spectral quality to kick off “Lace and Whiskers.” Growling bass descends with threatening weight before the arpeggios are joined by cleanly cutting synth.

Bubbling synth wanders with wonderfully haunting melancholy as chiming notes shiver. Panpipes carry a lost and pained melody, drifting out over digitally rippling arpeggios.

A trembling, elevated synth moves tenuously and intimidating percussion thunders and towers. An spectral synth with a mournful quality carries a heartbroken melody. After cleanly twirling arpeggios flow in, nasal sounding synth adds a hurting quality as tremendous retro drums pound and then fall into silence.

Conclusion

Mystic Kitten is an ideal album for listening during the season of darkness and mists preceding Halloween. I enjoy the way in which the music haunts and enchants me. I want to keep listening as the long autumnal nights slowly shade into winter darkness outside my window.

Valley Lights - Two Lane Highway

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Valley Lights (Kai Mammoser)’s Two Lane Highway is a heady mixture of excellent vocal performance, emotionally intense songwriting and energizing musical backing to galvanize the listener. The way in which the musical elements combine creates an engaging voyage through love, loss and passion topped off by high sound quality.

Kai Mammoser’s vocal performance is front and centre on Two Lane Highway. His voice is powerful, clear and expressive as he sings and it captures the intensity of emotion within the lyrics. I enjoy how he can modulate it from tender caress to soaring strength in order to convey the words most effectively.

The songs that Kai Mammoser has written for Two Lane Highway drive straight to the heart of the matter. He mingles direct expression with raw emotion and moments of lyrical beauty in his writing. There’s a feeling of heartfelt truth in the emotional content of the words that shines through in each song. As a whole, I find myself drawn to them.

The melodic lines, lusciously intertwining synth sounds and propulsive percussion all deepen the feelings within the music on the album. I think the synth palette suits the emotional content in the music and Hugo Lee’s sax is masterful. All of the various producers weave high quality sound and the mastering adds the final touches.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Headlights” begins as flaring synth chords swell in as flashing notes pulse, played by Mattias Fumagalli. Hugo Lee's sax comes in with passionate intensity, carrying a melody trembling with yearning emotion. Retro drums energize the song and strong bass oscillates. Kai Mammoser’s voice has a resonant, emotionally direct quality as he delivers a warmly nostalgic vocal melody.

The propulsive low end is touched by wide-sounding, glimmering synth chords that fill the song with enfolding light. Kai Mammoser’s lush, ear-grabbing voice carries the vaulting chorus as the drums and bass move the track forward with lively energy.

Behind it all, synth gleams with neon light as the vocals fly out with positivity filing them. Kai Mammoser radiates heartfelt feelings as he expresses the emotion in the lyrics. Sax touches the music with dreamy richness before silence falls.

The storyteller talks about the song’s subject looking good in the summer. They were “pushing 95, cruising up the coastline” as the car stereo played loudly from the open windows. Our storyteller says that there are “so many tender things I can’t forget about you now.”

Our narrator says that how she danced with him, kissed him and smiled at him was a “a very special bliss.” They enjoyed “summer fun under a purple sun” but ultimately they got scared and “that’s why it all came undone.”

A memory of the two of them “all alone under the stars and sky” on the never ending highway as the car’s headlights illuminated them comes to the narrator. He says that he won’t forget “dancing in the headlights with you” and asks if she’ll dance with him the same way once more.

In the summer, he was hers and she was his “the only woman I adored.” As they sat together on the beach, she kissed him and “I took those photos that bind you to my memory.”

Massive bass flows out as glittering chimes leap out with radiance to open “Two Lane Highway.” Digital-sounding synth with a rounded sound wanders through in angular patterns. Kai Mammoser’s voice injects ardent energy as guitar breaks out in a snarling line above heavily pounding drums and dense bass.

There’s a fresh liveliness in Kai Mammoser's voice as the drums throb and bass growls while chimes flare out with glinting light. The chorus is joined by chugging, charging guitar that slashes into the track while the drums push onward. I enjoy the grabbing expression in the vocals while the dynamic underpinnings drive forward.

There’s uplifting energy in the chorus, mingled with the regret in the words. Shimmering chimes flicker and the track glides as Kai Mammoser’s voice drifts. Majestic synth chords glow as the chorus jumps in again. The mixture of fierce guitar and propulsive low end fills the song with motion as the vocals fly again as the tautly wound guitar cries out.

When a relationship ends, sometimes all you can do is break away completely. Our storyteller says that he stayed for the song’s subject but “you broke my heart and it’s still bleeding” so he’s got to leave town. He wakes in the middle of the night to hear her voice in his head. All he wants to do is “drown it out and let you go.”

The narrator wonders if they might have done things differently or if “maybe it was too much for you to have a little faith in me.” He’s got to leave but he wanted to tell the other person that “it’s a two lane highway, you go your way, I’ll go my way.”

Again our storyteller says that she’s the reason he’s leaving and feeling depressed. He adds that “you broke my heart but it’s still beating” so the time has arrived for him to go. He is finished with fighting and hearing “you screaming inside my head.” He still loves the song’s subject but says that they’re better off with him not saying anything now.

He ends by saying “I’m gonna get in my Camaro and drive on into the night outta sight.”

“Chasing Ghosts” begins as rumbling fills the background before drums burst in a throbbing pattern as flashing synth leaps out behind delicate chimes. Kai Mammoser’s emotive vocals carry a melody mingling need and loss. His vocals fly out with fervent life as brilliant synth gleams while chimes add crystalline illumination.

The guitar cries out and unwinds in a madly dancing, cascading solo that draws me into it. Kai Mammoser’s voice is clean and clear as it soars above the angular synth pattern and shiny chimes as the drums and bass add shape. As the song ends, the vocals are distorted and glittering high notes trip in the distance.

Sometimes we’re haunted by the memories of people that we've loved, hurt and lost. Our narrator talks about walking down lonely streets in the darkness. As he walks, he can "only see your eyes in these city lights.” He sees beautiful people going downtown contrasting with graffiti on the walls and "red lipstick on a cigarette.” A memory of kissing the song’s subject returns to him as he muses.

The storyteller says that he's been looking for a girl, but he can't find her. She was the one to whom he gave the most, now "haunted dreams are my only reminder.” He feels like he's chasing ghosts. He goes on to say that he’ll “drive all night into the pale moonlight." In spite of everything, still has hope for them.

Now the narrator can’t see any face or number for her on his phone so he's all alone chasing ghosts. He's driving on an empty highway "in the shadows of my mind” as her face appears in neon signs. He remembers skinny dipping in a rooftop pool while “moving to the sound of black magic in a silhouette. ” He came to understand that their hearts were connected.

As the song ends, he hears whispers that are calling to him from a forgotten time. He concludes that "faded memories are so damn scary, I still don't know if you're real or not."

Varied percussion creates a steady heartbeat as wind rushes in to start “Across The Galaxy” while cosmic bass thunders below slowly twirling arpeggios. Kai Mammoser’s voice is rich with feeling, carrying a tender melody, as the powerful low end adds support.

The chorus is full of affection and need while tiny synth stars flicker and a bass tide flows underneath. Kai Mammoser effectively pours expression and heart into his voice as a soothing synth melody sails through and the percussion throbs.

Rounded, washing synth slides underneath the climbing chorus as soft arpeggios turn and bass planes. The vocals dream and yearn above the low end power. Refulgent synth chords flare gently as the chorus cries out with intense feeling. Bass spreads out into a vast flow as twinkling notes descend and silence falls.

When we're in love, sometimes it feels like we are drifting across the galaxy, illuminated in starlight. The storyteller talks about how he and the other person are holding hands, sitting under the stars and he won’t let her go. He weaves the image of the other person’s cigarette smoke climbing "to heaven slow.”

Our narrator talks about them diving into the sky and swimming “among the star signs” as their bodies align eternally. He adds that they’ll hang their constellation “between the scales and the maiden” so it can be seen across a vast distance. He says they’ll shine across the galaxy in “golden starlight alchemy.”

The storyteller speaks of holding her in his arms, telling her that his “solar heart” is always hers. They’ll watch “ocean tides crash upon a thousand shores” as the reflected sky dances in moonlight. He asks the other person not to close her eyes and to “make a wish tonight.”

He concludes by saying that they’ll shine across the galaxy like a “burning twilight tapestry.”

“Thailand” commences as a glassy smooth, caressing synth blanket rises. Kai Mammoser’s lush voice grows into the song as flickering notes gleam and creamy bass wells up. There’s wonderfully soaring energy in the vocals as drums and bass propel the song while a radiant synth flashes out.

The chorus leaps while undulating bass dances with pulsing drums as Kai Mammoser’s engaging voice lets loose. The vocal melody bursts with life, carried on a luminous synth, as the drums and bass drive. The track drifts through pink synth clouds as the vocals exude powerful love. The song launches back into the propulsive segment in which synth shines and the low end pulses.

Sometimes a change of pace has to be sought to keep a relationship going. Our narrator pictures them with “palm trees in the sunset” in a place they can go after their dreams that’s closer than it appears. He adds that “we could make it if we try.”

The narrator asks if the other person remembers discussing a trip to Thailand. He says that they can make it happen and adds, “You always thought I was such a fool, maybe I’m just a fool for you.” He asks her to take his hand and run away with him, pointing out that they don’t have to be scared.

The storyteller says that they each have their own friends and the two groups don’t get along so “that’s why we run around, can’t talk on the telephone.” He adds that they both know something has to change as the current situation is no way to live. Now they’re free falling into the unknown with "hearts open to endless possibility.”

Now our narrator goes on to say that they have each other and that’s all they really need. He states that he sees a future in which they can be free but he has to know “Are you coming with me?”

Effulgent chimes carry a tranquil melody as synth chords add softness to open “Holding On.” Kai Mammoser’s pained voice conveys broken hearted emotion that still holds determination as the solid drumbeat and rich bass adds support. The bass and drums pulse together as misty notes slip past.

The strong vocals carry the chorus, effectively mingling loss and hope as the flickering chimes double the melody, adding fragility. The guitar calls out in a melody full of intensely melancholy emotion as Kai Mammoser’s voice arcs upward. Soft-edged synth and crying guitar combine in an engaging flow and silence falls.

In spite of loss, sometimes we can't stop loving someone. Our narrator talks about spending another lonely night with an empty bottle at his side. He talks about the "images inside my mind I can't escape, even when I try.” He won't give up and he’ll keep holding on because "even when we fall apart" he still loves her.

The storyteller says that after another sleepless night with moonlight pouring through his blinds, he can't hold back the tears as he bleeds inside.” Again he reiterates that he'll keep holding on because "even when you break my heart, I still love you."

“California” starts off as madly whirling guitar is joined by brilliant synth chords, gargantuan drums and heavy bass. Chimes add encouraging notes and Kai Mammoser’s voice is expressive, carrying an uplifting melody as the guitar dances with active energy as muscled bass and gigantic drums drive on.

Kai Mammoser rips out an intensely yearning vocal performance and the guitars intertwine in dynamic motion. There’s an honest expression in the vocals that I enjoy. Massively driving drums and bass support the uplifting melody as chimes glisten.

The guitar solo explodes with free flying motion while the low end presses forward. Kai Mammoser’s vocals possess lively strength and feeling and the song ends on flashing chimes.

Sometimes after a love ends, you just have to go home. The narrator says that he's been pulled back and forth, but keeps on moving ahead. He keeps on his eyes "on a new adventure" because if you aren't living, you're dead.

Our storyteller says that he and the song’s subject spent Christmas in New Mexico under clear skies with bright snow. Now "it's summer baby and I've got nothing for you.” He says that winter doesn't come when you're living in California.

The narrator muses on how life can be a trip that never gets old. He points out that he is a "wild child" so no one should try to tame him because "I was born for the road.” He goes on to say that "I loved you baby but your heart kept getting colder." However, now he's always warm since he got back to California.

Waves wash softly as pillowy synth flows in soft arpeggios as a steady bass oscillation moves to kick off “Bonfire.” Flaring chords leap out and Kai Mammoser’s voice is resonant above the rebounding drums as bass throbs. The melody radiates affection and warmth while the bass pulses and drums guide the song.

Sparkling notes flit past while glimmering synth intertwines. The vocals soar out with loving intensity as the lead synth fills the song with luminosity. There’s propulsive motion below as shining chords flash and Kai Mammoser’s vocals deliver a charged punch.

Sometimes a chance encounter can ignite a deep passion. Our narrator saw the song’s subject dancing in her bare feet in the surf. He says that her body was "lit up, just like a firework." He goes on to say that he felt that he knew the other person as if in a dream or déjà vu.

The storyteller talks about "red embers climbing to the sky, igniting the passion between you and I.” He says that he can feel her warmth as he runs his fingers through her hair. A bonfire burns on the beach while the moon glows and waves roll in to complete the picture.

He's been staring at her through the fire and says that "you've got my heart, I've gotta know your name” because he knows she feels the same. The narrator creates a poetic image of "twin shadows cast upon the ocean, fire dancers caught in slow motion." He talks about how he's found a home in her embrace.

How's the song ends, his hands are wrapped tightly around her dress, and he's moving clothes inside of a caress. He holds her close to him as she kisses him and there’s a"taste of salt that's on your lips."

“Valley Romance” opens as languidly sailing synth flows above a steadily throbbing, retro-sounding drumbeat as lazy tom hits drift in. Kai Mammoser’s silky-smooth vocals have an authentically ‘80s sound as they carry a passionate vocal melody.

Medium-high synth glides out, creating laid back vibes behind Kai Mammoser’s classic-sounding voice above the shaping low end. Bass and guitar lock into an addictive groove as percussion adds energetic motion.

Twirling arpeggios cascade as funky guitar cuts in and the strong vocals carries the need-filled melody. Glittering guitar adds to the booty shaking beat as the vocals are full of desire and unique percussion adds a trickling feeling. Elevated synth twists through in a sexy solo and the undeniable rhythm keeps grooving hard before the song ends.

The narrator says that he’s on the boulevard at night seeing “so many ladies in their Mercedes.” He creates an image of high heels on concrete and moving on the dance floor. The song’s subject is looking for fun and our narrator can feel her electric attraction causing “a short circuit” as he is “magnetized by her.”

In the chorus, our storyteller talks about how right it feels to be dancing under neon lights. He says that they can dance all night long and encourages the other person to “take a chance on another valley romance.”

The song’s subject is a karaoke superstar and the narrator says her singing has him thinking. He is drawn to to her “short skirt, soft lips” and the heat he feels between them. He adds that her caramel skin and brown eyes are a good sign. He says that she is a livewire who will “jumpstart my desire.” He concludes, “Time of the essence, got to stop messin’ around.”

A skipping sound creates a steady motion as full chords billow while trickling notes run past to start “Forever And Always.” Sax briefly cries out and Kai Mammoser’s voice aches as colossal bass throbs. The medium-high, broadly glowing synth carries a melancholy melody.

Kai Mammoser skilfully captures the emotional heart of the lyrics in his voice. Hugo Lee's sax calls out in a melody that dreams and hurts as the drums and bass shape the music while widely sliding chords add touching emotion.

The sax cries again, reedy richness pouring out into the track. Air sweeps as ethereal notes illuminate the music and the sax explodes with soaring energy while the giant drums and solid bass take the music to an end.

In spite of our best intentions, sometimes relationships fall apart but their memories remain to hurt us. The storyteller talks about going to the beach when he needs to clear his mind. As the waves wash the shore, he says "I still think about you sometimes.” He goes on to say that what was best for him was the best for her so in the end "we both did what we need to do."

Our narrator still doesn't understand what it all means, but he realizes that it happened for a reason. He talks about how he'll "watch the tide and…feel the cold water washing over me as I let go.” He’ll sing this song for her now that he’s able to say goodbye.

The observation that "nothing gold can stay" strikes the narrator. In his mind, he’ll still stay with the other person forever and always. He notices a silhouette of her on the passenger side of his car “on city streets, that we drove a thousand times. ” He knows that the situation can’t be any different. It hurts because he knows that "you're the one thing that I'll never have.”

As the song ends, he says that he'll drive by himself on "these old roads" while faded lights are "burning bright as they guide me home."

Conclusion

Two Lane Highway strikes a great balance between retro sounds and modern recording sensibilities that is given freshness by Kai Mammoser’s vocals, unique songwriting voice and dynamically powerful musical backing. It is one of my favourite albums of 2023 so far.

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.