Breathe Of My Leaves - The Radiant Believers

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impression

Breathe Of My Leaves’ The Radiant Believers is exultant, emotionally powerful and intensely layered music that is full of lyrical depth and vocal expression. Stephano Barberis composes beautiful melodies that he elucidates in intertwining synth sounds while Jordan Gant writes dense lyrics and sings them with intense feeling. The end result is a deeply engaging, sophisticated slice of synthpop.

At the heart of The Radiant Believers is Jordan Gant’s vocal performance. His voice is expressive, resonant and wide ranging as he takes hold of the lyrical and musical essence of the album and brings it to life. I enjoy the way he is able to pour himself into the vocals and reflect the emotion that flows from his lyrics.

Songwriting is a clear strength for Jordan Gant and it adds to the engaging nature of The Radiant Believers. His songs are full of deep imagery, beautiful emotion and contain thought provoking ideas that require the listener to pay attention and focus on what’s being conveyed. I am grabbed and held by the power of the words on the album.

The way in which Stephano Barberis writes music and takes advantage of synths and their capabilities is ear-pleasing and luscious. His compositional skills allow him to craft heart-piercing and emotive melodies. I am drawn to the movement between moods and sensations as the melodies unfold, carrying multiple states of feeling. The way in which he harmonizes adds more direct emotion to the overall sound.

On top of the melodic content, Stephano Barberis uses his synth palette to paint intensely interwoven sonic portraits. He explores the interactions between different tones, timbres and musical textures to create nuanced moments or instances of joyous expression. I enjoy the richness and beauty that he adds to the album with his compositions.

My Favourite Songs Analyzed

“Stay” opens as growling synth sweeps and interlocking voices form a richly resonant choir singing a tranquil melody. Hard-hitting synth cuts through and Jordan Gant’s expressive voice carries a sharp melody with a punching feeling as the chorus climbs with impassioned strength. A muscled, propulsive low end throb guides the track as a noble, rising melody flows out.

After a stuttering moment, the vocal melody caresses and pours darkness at the same time, while the song flows into a segment in which vocals mix into a glowing chorus.

Gleaming, enfolding synth sails out as Jordan Gant’s heartfelt, gruff voice soars out and the drums and bass drive on. Reverent voices mingle and the song ends on a fluting instrument.

Sometimes the beauty to which we are drawn has sharp edges. The storyteller describes the song’s subject as the beauty radiating from inside that is “a perfect circle, an opulent dream.” He speaks of scraping the surface for fragments of his heart that only leaves behind “a benevolent scream.”

Our narrator wants to get together with the song’s subject and no one else. He asks what they’ve got to lose. He will act as her “Magna Carta” and she as his “cryptic queen.” The desire for her is like a prophecy and a flawless piece of his heart, but he has to beg her to stay.

“Stick the knife in towards my lovable side” is what the storyteller asks her to do, in order to take as much as she needs. He has offered her whole galaxies “to claim the stars for days” but all of the paintings she creates blend into a dull grey mass.

As the song ends, he says “A prophesy, a perfect piece of my heart. Like a key you came in and opened my heart."

Vibrating, angular synth moves in a melodic line that flows with luminosity to start “You’re My Light.” Roundly rippling notes and an airy, digital-sounding synth flit through. Jordan Gant’s voice is powerfully expressive as it soars out above thumping kick drum and an entangling synth.

A windy flow sweeps through and surging synth fills with warmth as a kick drum guides it. The vocal melody has wonderful strength and ache in it as the chorus erupts above rapidly thudding drums and bass. Majestic chords rise and the emotional heart of Jordan Gant's vocals is revealed. Synth gruffly sings the active melody as a galaxy of spinning, open-voiced synth revolves.

The dance-floor filling beat pumps out as Jordan Gant’s voice arcs upward and the medium-high, glowing synth sings out with more encouragement. The vocal lines climb and dance, intertwining as the synth melody, carried on a glistening sound leaps with positive life as the low end drives onward.

Struggle and striving fill the words of this song. The storyteller points out the fact that everything except "pennies in a hat” is changing in the world. He wants to “answer nothing but the holy” as he feels exhausted and overwhelmed. It makes him wonder how anyone can feel as it goes on and on. He is trapped in “hopeless dreaming” that the song’s subject is the light that needs his light.

Our narrator feels that the world is too much as it spins. He is holding his heart to “see the sky for you and I” but if the distance between him and the song’s subject grows, he feels he’d die. He’s amazed the other person feels anything “when all the beasts inside your head they roar and scream for something” and perhaps all of their dreams fade too.

He concludes by saying he wanted nothing before but “things have changed. I've got a hundred million reasons why I’d die from the pain but you don’t.”

“Godzilla” opens with crushing bass and dark, dominating brass that is joined by digital sounds before the deep bass pulse is cut by brassy notes leaping in. Jordan Gant carries intense emotion in his voice as he sings the uplifting vocal melody as the gruff-edged, radiant synth fills the background.

The chorus is chanted as exultant piano rises and the sharp-edged lead synth carries a warming and hopeful melody. Now twanging strings entangle with Jordan Gant’s rich and resonant voice while a brilliant synth carries a slightly dreamy melody. The lead synth has vibrant density to it as the chanted chorus erupts into dynamic motion while the low end presses on.

Humanity seems to have a unique gift for destruction and its manifestation. Our narrator talks about how dead dreams poison the skies and “everything is tied together, don’t know why.” He looks on with horror at what we’ve done to the world. As he waits, barefoot on a beach, he is “looking out to nature like a one night stand” before the earth begins to shake.

In the chorus, Godzilla is seen as a “radiant believer” who broke through radioactive fallout and saw the truth of it in an infamous incident involving a Japanese fishing boat whose crew was irradiated.

Our storyteller talks of “bombs bursting in the image of man” while the force that is embodied in Godzilla waits and plans underwater. He asks what the wise one will do “to replace” as it breathes “life across this sacred ground.” It is a force to maintain balance as the world is broken down. He concludes, “I feel the rumble, it's time we meet face to face.”

8-bit notes wander before a medium-low, glistening synth trembles delicately as it becomes a softly touching melodic line to commence “All The Memories Made.” Tapping percussion comes in before Jordan Gant’s lightly gliding voice carries a melody mingling wistfulness with ease.

Drums and bass create a pulsating flow as the vocals gain some strength while the synth lights sparkle. Vibrant synth dances with a soothing feeling as the low end adds form. Jordan Gant’s voice aches with emotion as full-sounding synth trickles tenderly as drums and bass propel the music.

I enjoy the vocal layering that adds a choir-like feeling as Jordan Gant captures lyrical emotion with intense power. Ethereal synth hovers while the vocals flow expressively. Rapidly oscillating synth shivers below a rich chorus of mingled voices. Digitally sparkling synth dances along to the throbbing beat with wandering energy. Jordan Gant belts out the chorus with adamant passion while the drums and bass drive on.

If one holds on to nothing but material things and rejects love and affection, life is empty. The storyteller talks about "a man who held all of his treasures, staring at an empty sea" without any friends or any pleasure. The only thing that he had was "a tightened grip.” Our storyteller goes on to say that he hopes it isn't him or that it won’t be what he becomes.

“Now and again you’ll see defeat in me” is what the narrator says but adds that without the song’s subject he’d be nothing. He says that the only way his heart will break is “by taking all the memories made.” He asks the other person to wake him up because “I need the love.”

The storyteller points out that without a plan, you can’t hold on to anything. You end up “living with a broken heart, no end, no one to call your lover.” He adds that kind words always have worth and his own words are “writings on the wall, for everyone to see.”

“Avalon” opens as sawtoothed bass cuts in and luminously flashing synth is joined by a gliding drumbeat. Jordan Gant’s impassioned voice soars out, carrying a melody bursting with hopeful life as the gigantic low end throbs.

Jordan Gant whispers the chorus as a noble, brilliantly flaring synth sings an uplifting melody that brims over with majesty while the low end drives on. I am touched by the way in which this song mingles joy bounded by ache. Jordan Gant’s expressive vocals sail out in the melody that soothes and soars while the drums and bass throb.

Now choral voices rise with reverence while the low end pulsates. The song is full of aspiration and yearning as a medium-high, sharp-edged lead synth carries the melody with positive life and the song ends on a choir.

Avalon is the mythical isle on which King Arthur rested after being grievously wounded, representing a place of healing in this song. Our tale’s teller speaks of fighting “the Pericles fight” to strive for an ideal.

He asks for Avalon to carry him through, adding that he’s not alone and “done with the hopeless nights.” He wants this island of healing to take his life, putting the onus on it as it will “take my soul, take me home.”

Now the narrator speaks of “streams of waves” in an ocean that is craving “the love that I am fighting for.” He wishes to be struck down “beyond the clouds” as his mind will continue to be “forevermore.”

Massively rushing bass joins Jordan Gant’s emotionally grabbing voice that carries the pained melody to start “Sweet Music Man.” Rough-edged synth sways in easy motion before the explosive beat drives on. Gritty synth rings out as the slamming low end presses on.

The chorus soars in Jordan Gant’s heartfelt voice as the gigantic percussion thunders. The drums and bass add more acceleration while the trumpeting lead synth leaps out in arcing flight. The energy is higher and the synths slice but Kenny Rogers’ spirit is fully intact, the words punching emotionally in Jordan Gant’s inspiring voice.

“Supernova Heart” commences as slowly shining synth glistens before becoming a wavy flow that slips into a delicate melody. The melody softly floats out into pillowy space as swelling bass rises and a lightly touching drumbeat guides the track.

Tareya’s smoky, expressive voice carries a hopeful and soothing melody out into the music as it sails past. Tareya’s voice brims over with intense emotion while Jordan Gant’s voice adds support. Towering bass erupts while broadly sliding synth moves with strength. Jordan Gant’s caressing voice flies out as the two singers voices intertwine while sharp-edged, triumphant synth dances along.

The sheer emotive exuberance in the singing draws me into it with alacrity. Wavering, enfolding synth carries an affectionate melody while the bass and fragile synth motes drift. Jordan Gant and Tareya’s mixed vocals leap out with touching feeling pouring from them as the low end throbs on.

Sometimes love is a cosmic force in our lives. The narrator talks about falling into a landslide of “conversations with mankind.” She asks what we’ve got to prove and asks “if our bones are made out of stardust” which brings our consciousness to life, what have we got to lose?

The storyteller says that she’ll love like no one else and “turn light into colour” just as the other person in the song asked her to do. Her heart is going supernova and she has “never felt so much colour.” She speaks of an eternal love that surpasses light speed and inverts spacetime.

Now she sends whispers out into the ether “just like a dreamer” as she asks what she’s got to lose. She concludes by saying that it is all due to the song’s subject that this is happening.

Trumpeting synth rings out with nobility and a shadowy tinge to start “Perfect Defeat.” Rushing, gargantuan bass comes in along with a throbbing drumbeat as Jordan Gant’s vocals carry the mingled emotions in the lyrics.

Choral vocals weave together as they move along with with the slamming low end. Jordan Gant’s voice has a mysterious quality as elevated synth glides diaphanously as the drums and bass bring propulsion. Brassy synth joins the soaring chorus as the choral voices unwind with rising energy.

I enjoy the way in which Jordan Gant connects with the lyrics to give them full meaning. The song ends as strings cry out with resonant warmth to contrast with the brassy, slicing synth as the low end hammers towards an ending.

Love and destruction are sometimes inextricably linked. Our storyteller talks about “my harmony, my deepest friend” whom he wishes well, but says that all his harmony has been is an easy escape in a challenging time.

He points out that “time is right for your devour.” He wants to be a fantasy for his darkest melody and asks for his “auburn queen” to pray for him. She is his perfect defeat and all that he desires.

The narrator goes on to say that he wishes he had a plan for her, “a fortress high above the land” in which to keep her. She manages to complement his melodies and “sabotage my fantasies.” He asks his “scale of queens” to stay with him as she is a third of him.

He asks her “don’t you have a song to sing until you ruin it?” And he asks her to find other plans. Our narrator concludes, “it always seems to me that you’re getting in the way but without you I’m a single man.”

“Across The Rainbow Bridge” commences as gently slipping synth and gritty bass form a soothing flow that slips into space. Jordan Gant’s lush voice is joined by strings that add more warmth as glimmering chimes sing a tender melody above the colossal bass.

Jordan Gant captures the aching gentleness in the lyrics with his strong voice. An ancient-sounding and peaceful melody slides through the music above the trembling low end. I am drawn to the choral vocal effect that adds a worshipful quality while luscious bass shifts.

Jordan Gant’s vocals are moving as they unfold and digital-sounding synth carries an affecting melodic line through the music. There’s depth and an enfolding feeling within the song that reaches out to touch the listener.

When we lose a loved one, there is an ache to connect with them again in a deep way. The narrator speaks of a place “across the rainbow bridge” where we can come together and find a breathing space. It is also the place where the narrator can love the song’s subject forever.

Our storyteller asks the song’s subject to keep their eyes open as he says that he won’t forget their embrace. He ends the song by talking about the day “you wore a halo, the day you became my angel” and how much he misses his lost loved one.

Conclusion

The Radiant Believers is a beautifully crafted synthpop record that delves deeply into what it is to live as a human being in this broken, beautiful world. I am engaged by the mixture of powerful vocals, intricately layered music and thought-provoking lyrics that fill the album.

Odder - At The Pace Of Death

Review by Atomic Robo Kid

Distant sparks crackle as the water trickles in at the far corner of an abandoned industrial unit. Automated screeches and quick but precise hammer like strikes tell me that a machine is still at work. The sounds of sharpened steel coming towards me, heard faintly, juxtaposed with an eerie melody. The sounds of a sinister music box, supernatural sounds are omnipresent as is the fear of the unknown. This is a place of pain, a place of death! Further crackles and electrical interference.... 

Odder’s new track, 'At the Pace of Death', is coming to town! Boy, it is aptly named!

....we are launched full throttle into a dark realm. But, keep up mere mortals, you are in for a thrill ride. Meticulous synth work as Death's skeletal digits play a twisted, up-tempo church organ.

Percussion fused with distinct glitches compliments the fast paced melody, the breaks and well-positioned pauses summon an uncomfortable feeling of attending your own funeral. That twisted church organ is purposeful, not only in fuelling an emotion of fear, but for the structural progression of the track. 

Around two minutes in and I'm brought back to the stark reality of the abandoned industrial unit, perhaps I'm not ready to join Death's journey. However, that thought is quickly pushed aside as Death clearly has a different intention, coming back more aggressive than before. There's no escape, and there's no escaping that deep bass groove that cuts through the rhythm now. A very cool vibe indeed! 

We continue at full throttle, 'At the Pace of Death' in fact and there is a lot to keep us rocking! Powerful drum patterns, sinister sounds, tempo changes and glitches are just a few tricks up Odder's sleeve! 

 'At the Pace of Death' is a soundscape like no other: glitches; horror; catchy synth; explosive drums and deep bass. It's a soundscape, that for me, captures the essence of Odder and is becoming his trademark sound. This track, like Odder's previous is a cleverly composed and well-produced piece which combines torturous samples and dynamic mechanisation with dark melodies creating a sense of sheer terror that

I'm confident fans of horrorsynth, darksynth and EBSM will enjoy. 'At the Pace of Death' is releasing on 31st October on all streaming platforms. Just in time for that ultimate Halloween party soundtrack. Want to avoid those pesky 'trick or treaters' knocking at your door? Then play this loud!

Sonic Gap - Copperman

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Sonic Gap’s Copperman is a dark, dramatic journey that tells a cinematic story of a damaged, twisted man and his revenge on those for whom he blames for his ruin. Sonic Gap unfurls this tale in intensely interwoven synth vignettes that evoke rage, pain, violence and loss. I enjoy the way in which this tale is told through sound and musical intensity.

Atmosphere soaks every track of Copperman and I enjoy the way that Sonic Gap is able to evoke the moods and sensations of his story. There’s seething darkness filling the synths, along with a palpable sense of pain and a ferocious desire for revenge. The way in which all of the auditory elements interact creates cinematic mental imagery for me.

Sonic Gap does an excellent job of layering synth sounds on Copperman. All of the synths have been well chosen and combined to create powerful emotion and sensation. There are slashing attacks, growing danger and moments of melancholy all captured by the varied tonal and timbral elements within the sounds Sonic Gap uses on the album.

I am enamoured of audio storytelling and this music does it well. Each track sets the scene and as a whole they frame it in vivid imagery. Sonic Gap has woven together many threads into an engaging and entertaining tapestry.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Copperman” starts as one decisive chord pounds in along with a ragged-edged oscillation that rushes forward. Dramatic, metallic piano-like synth leaps in tense bursts that weave shadow in minor key motion as giant drums throb like a heartbeat. The piano-like synth feels portentous and full of dark omen in the most deeply pleasing way.

Ethereally gliding sounds slip in the distance and the drumbeat is unrelenting. Bass roils as the widely sweeping piano creates a dangerous sensation. The steady backing drone adds to a feeling of expectant threat that permeates the track. Tumbling, jagged synth slices and silence falls.

Gritty, powerful bass growls as medium-high, string-like synth drifts in a haunting melodic pattern to open “Ready To Meet.” Clean snare drum throbs as a bell rings. Bass snarls as the arpeggiating, ghostly notes float and slip past while drums pulsate.

Sharp-edged, elevated synth carries a melody that effectively conveys loss and uncertainty as broad arpeggios spin out and drums shape the track. Rapidly tumbling, metallic notes fall through and the medium-high lead synth melody wanders as raised, flashing synth part sings out.

Chimes flicker and swirling, clean-edged synth revolves as the pained, nervous melody glides past. The ragged low end and shaping drums press on while aching emotion pours out before we end.

“Copper Mine Abyss” starts as unique, varied percussion throbs out in hollow-voiced motion as a kick drum forms a steady heartbeat. Elevated, sharply skipping synth trips along as gruff, massive bass rises with dominant power.

The kick drum keeps on shaping the music as a broken synth is now joined by triumphantly flaring chords. The heavy bass pushes on further and majestic synth blares out as the percussion interlocks and silence falls.

Oscillating, seething synth with a bubbling sensation to it creaks and groans as a kick drum pounds to begin “Acid Etch Of Malevolence.” A crunchy synth roils as a snare drum ticks and it cuts in with an oddly rubbery bending sound

Now lambently flaring synth pulsates in a swirling pattern. There’s a harsh feeling in the synth as the drums and bass create motion that surges onward. I can almost see the acid malevolence burning, evil and hungry, as it pours out in a vitriolic rush to eat away at the world.

“The Factory” commences as hissing, rattling industrial sounds echo into vast open space as threatening bass actively moves. Percussion throbs and taut synth notes flit past in nervous motion. Sonic Gap skillfully contrasts the elevated synth’s worried trickle with crushing low end weight as soft-edged chords add luminance to the music.

There is a mechanistic feeling to the low end while it repetitively pulsates. Now the music floats into a segment in which rapidly sparkling synth trips past as scraping sounds reverberate into space. The percussion presses on while shadowy bass shifts and bright chords leap as the entangling high synth fades into softly sibilant notes.

A steady bass undulation is joined by thudding kick drum as a rapidly scudding sound echoes to open “Mission To Mask.” After a swirling howl, a bending synth twists and cries out in a dramatically active melodic pattern while the battering low end pushes hard.

Elevated, mistily sweeping synth swirls smoothly as the relentlessly guiding drums and bass move onward. High, intertwining synth slips past with a feeling of tension wound into it, expectant motion about to erupt as the hard-hitting drums and dynamic bass keep pulsating into silence.

“Vengeful Hunt” begins as a rebounding kick drum punches in and delicately slipping synth drifts in the distance. Radiant notes briefly flicker as rising chords add a majestic sensation and the low end keeps throbbing.

Hollow panpipe notes quickly jump into the music as the brilliant chords glow brightly and a wonderful nobility fills them. Now open-voiced synth is touched with trickling notes as it trails past and the drums and bass pulse on before falling into quiet.

Weighty kick drum throbs as a tumbling bass rush creates intense motion as "Face Of Retribution” starts. Trailing, diaphanous synth circles and a snare drum joins in to add form.

Airy notes spin smoothly in a pattern imbued with something unsettling as scintillating, elevated synth effectively creates a rising feeling of danger and nerves as the percussion contributes to the crushing sensation that fills the track.

Conclusion

Copperman is a filmic tale told with sound. The music’s cinematic nature is quite well done as far as I’m concerned. Sonic Gap does a first rate job of laying out a story and then pulling me into it with his evocative composition and synth choices.

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 .