DARKROOM DATA - First Echo

Review by Vero Kitsuné

After a brief hiatus, Ireland and Brazil-based duo Darkroom Data is back with a new dramatic single about longing, forlorn love and nostalgia entitled “First Echo.” Against the backdrop of atmospheric pads and crystalline synth melodies, the track first starts off in a slow and steady, nuanced pace, and balances woe and charm right before singer Gillian Nova profoundly proclaims “I want to be your everything” - a simple, delicate yet palpable revelation that sensationally lands in the heartstrings and dramatically stirs the air. Minimal, yet efficient in production, producer Márcio Paz’s choice of sounds brings a certain lushness and color that combined with Nova’s performance, they all create a captivating, understated and emotional beauty that is quite rare in the electro and synth landscape — masterfully delivering something that is not quite easy to pull off, and making listeners wanting to fall in love.

For more, visit http://darkroomdata.bandcamp.com

THE GHOST AURA - We Are All Insane

Review by Chris Magdalenski

The Hypnotic Beat of My Darkened Dreams

In the beginning there was darkness…

A formless nothing pierced only by a warm wash of synth pads stretching across seas of black. Spectral voices join the hum. Many multiples float in from all directions, layering upon one another in a choir of discordant beauty. Moments later the beat drops and a new reality starts to take shape. It’s a reality hosted by the hazy pulsing dark of the dance floor.

Each and every track on this six song EP, the first from UK-based The Ghost Aura, pulled me in with its combination of powerful beats and urgent synth lines. Their repetition lodged in both my body and mind, a hypnotic salve soothing the stresses of the day with a focused intensity. 

The vocals offer further depth to the work. Ghostly cold, yet intriguing in delivery, The Ghost Aura utilizes layering, echo and reverb to create a sense of confusion and unease. This is most fitting as one of the stated themes of the album is the exploration of madness. In that regard I feel the album is a great success. Not only is it eminently danceable, it’s unique musicianship brings the listener on a journey into a world of dark emotions, and unbridled insanity.

I have no doubt that We Are All Insane would be a welcome addition to any club playlist.

For more, visit: https://theghostaura.bandcamp.com/

Wellside - Soul-Searcher

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Wellside’s Soul-Searcher is a beautifully interwoven synth tapestry that conveys expressive emotion and a deep tranquility that suffuses the entire album. The way in which the artist takes me on an internal voyage, reflecting the melancholy and gentleness present in his writing, gives me a chance to reminisce and reflect on my own personal journeys. I am washed along by the mixture of motion and calm that permeates this entire album.

One of the most important components of Soul-Searcher is the way in which Wellside chooses and employs his different synth tones, timbres and textures. He has a painterly ability to combine all of these different sonic elements into a cohesive and beautiful whole. Each different sound is used like an orchestral instrument to evoke emotion and atmosphere, while balancing together to create harmony.

Another element that makes Soul-Searcher so engaging is Wellside’s ability to compose superb melodies. His melodic writing is full of heart and tenderness, conveying a plethora of emotions—from meditative serenity to joyful celebration. Each melody is a tiny gem that sparkles within the entirety of the album and fuses with the others to transport the listener across a mental landscape that is both touching and deeply alive as it unfolds.

I find that this album gives me the space for contemplation while still keeping my ears engaged. Wellside is able to create an ethereal, meditative atmosphere without it becoming overly ambient or dull. The way in which he combines dynamic percussion with a wide variety of soothing and gently evocative sounds carries me on a tide of thought and imbues me with sensations of joy and peace.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Forever” commences as extended, levitating synth flows through the music in a pastel glide. Tremulous, quickly swirling synth notes grow in strength, flashing through the music as the massive bass begins to pulsate. The bass has an undulating motion as the kick drum begins to throb and the beaming notes above it jump into a dynamic pattern. There's rebounding strength in the low end as the sharp-edged synth oscillates.

A round-sounding, joyful synth carries a melody that conveys lightness and enjoyment. The drums and bass throb beneath as a shimmering synth frolics through the music with uplifting liveliness. Broadly flaring, entangled notes dance through the music as the muffled bass throbs. The low end guides the music, with elastic synth supporting the main melody, which calls out with a slightly misty, celebratory feeling. Twinkling notes shine above the guiding low end and I find myself smiling as the music comes to an end.

Drifting notes tremble gently as they echo out into the wide-open spaces around them to start "Isolate." The synth has a tentative quality that rapidly grows into a more assertive pulse as sweeping sounds flow in the distance and the monumental bass rumbles. A hollow synth echoes out with a tranquil melody, curling around me as the shaping drums begin to rebound.

The bass is dense and a softly comforting melody slips past with breezy delicacy. Flute-like notes slide along as rounder sounds add weight behind them. A reverent choir calls out and a metallic, rebounding synth continues to gleam. Tightly wound, flashing notes tiptoe past as the bass and drums throb.

A ticking hi-hat moves with the drums and lambent synth sails with graceful delicacy. The worshipful, choir-like sound wanders and a smoothly unfurling synth carries me along with carefree energy, cascading as the flute-like sounds call out before silence falls.

Deep, vibrating synth shivers in a steady pulse as winds swirl in the distance and an open sound calls out to begin "Soul-Searcher." The bass continues to oscillate as a far-away, softly gliding synth moves through with a tentative touch. Softly chiming synth notes are joined by tapping drums before a hard-hitting beat emerges. The glistening synth winds through the music, carrying a melody that draws out a feeling of nostalgic tenderness in me.

Open-sounding, reverberant chimes carry a secondary melody that cocoons me in warmth as it unfolds. The background shivers and a distant intermingling synth adds rounded edges. The punchy snare drum and solid kick drum are touched by sharper, minor-key notes that sweep past, while a sparkling sound touches my ears with soothing feelings.

The drums and bass fade away as waves of glowing synth wander and the bass continues to oscillate with solid weight. The main melody flares into life again and an even brighter, more tightly wound synth rings out with a more encouraging feeling compared to the earlier ache.

The drums and bass continue to form a rich heartbeat as a worshipful choir sound floats in the distance and tiny, feather light notes brush softly in the background. The track ends as the drums fade away and the bass pulses into silence.

“Tender” grows into life with a subtle glow as static crackles delicately in the distance. Looming bass flows beneath the steadily shining synth, expanding out into space.

An easily sliding synth with a warm quality carries a caressing and lightly touching melody that breathes with wonderful gentleness. The synth twinkles with luminosity as a reverberating, echoing drum kicks out above the bass tide.

A ticking hi-hat moves along with a synth that wraps me in brilliant radiance, making me smile. The bass is colossal and now fades as static lightly touches the background and the melody fades quietly away.

Rapidly jumping, glimmering synth hops through the music in a wandering flow as the bass begins to rush underneath to open “Polarity.” The bass speeds along as the synth bounces and a surrounding tone flickers in the distance.

Now the drums hit hard as the energetically zigzagging synth dances over the top and the bass rumbles below. The snare drums are clean and fresh as the lingering sound in the background emanates enfolding light. The track has a continually moving quality that motivates me as a silky, twisting synth winds with peaceful lightness.

Static crackles as the bass grows quieter and a reverberant sound trembles out. The kick drum begins to thud again, moving the track onward as a brilliantly flashing synth dances back into the music with motivational motion. Full-sounding notes intermingle with the hard-hitting drums and rich bass, flitting through the music with unstoppable dynamism.

The drums and bass drop away as dazzling sounds intertwine and wriggle together, exuding sunlight. The drums and bass are punchy as the luminescent notes in the distance flow together. Clapping percussion moves with the angular, leaping notes that guide the song into silence.

The fragile synth calls out like golden petals opening to begin “Sunflower”. A reverberating bass flow moves with a windy, steadily trembling round tone, throbbing before the kick drum and ticking hi-hat shape the music. The bouncing synth exudes soft light as the springy bass and sharp drums push the track forward.

Dynamism and uplifting liveliness emanate from the airily caressing synth that carries the main melody with jubilant emotion. This music is a definite stress reliever for me, letting the tension come out of my shoulders as it unfolds. Warming sounds exhale from the background as the glowing, frolicking synth skips through the music with unrestrained hope, while the low end jumps underneath.

All of the glistening sounds intertwine before the track floats off into a silky glide as slowly echoing, lamenting notes move. The dancing beat spins out underneath the caressing sounds above it and the track sings with happiness and relaxation.

“Smile For Me” begins with misty, flowing notes, joined by a smoothly rounded synth and an unevenly pulsating beat. The shiny notes flow together in a gently washing pattern as a nasal-sounding, lustrous synth carries a swinging melody that fills me with feelings of nostalgic positivity.

A flute-like synth with a broadly floating sound carries a calming melody above the steadily bursting drums. The full-sounding synth pulse vibrates through the music in widely moving waves as the percussion continues to guide the track. A tightly wound, medium-high synth carries an uplifting melody as the bass descends.

I enjoy the jazzy quality of the synth, adding an energizing element before the tremulously touching synth carries the more delicate melodic pattern. The jazz-influenced synth spins with a celebratory ease and fills the track with light before the song fades away.

Conclusion

Soul-Searcher is both an internal voyage and a pleasure to listen to. Wellside embarks on his own personal exploration, but in doing so, he carries his audience along with him. This is music that I could fall asleep to—not in the sense of being dull, but rather in the sense of promoting tranquility and allowing for a gentle dive into one's inner world.

Out Runner - Stellar Drifter

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Out Runner’s Stellar Drifter carries me on a musical quest through the wonders of the inconceivably vast universe in which we live. Out Runner uses his considerable musical talent and imagination to paint bold imagery and convey emotions that move from immense joy through melancholy and into meditative states. As he skillfully evokes the glories and terrors of the universe, Out Runner uses his guitar to imbue the music with deep feeling, while the synths help to show the listener towering galactic structures and sparkling stars that hang in the broad expanse of darkness around them.

One of Stellar Drifter’s most appealing features is Out Runner’s impressive guitar talent. Not only can he dance over the strings with his nimble fingers, but he can also draw strong emotion from me as he does so. Each of the guitar melodies and solos expresses some essential quality of each track’s atmosphere. Sometimes the guitar howls the blues and other times it creates a feeling of faster-than-light motion. Whatever is being invoked is done so passionately and with consummate ability.

Another strong reason why I am so compelled by Stellar Drifter is the way in which imagery is created through synthesized layers. Out Runner builds up a richly realized feeling of cosmic travel as he carefully chooses different synth sounds. Each element weaves together to paint nebula clusters, distant worlds and starfields that cross unimaginable distances. I feel as though I am staring out through the viewport of a spacecraft as I observe these tremendous sights.

Melody is another reason I am drawn to Stellar Drifter. Out Runner writes melodies that drive right to the heart of each track's emotional expression. The way in which his melodic writing can clearly touch me and fill me with everything from joy to intense pain is a revelation. It simply adds to the luscious tapestry of feeling, atmosphere and energy created by all of the other sonic elements at work.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Beyond the Void” comes to life as ephemerally delicate, chiming synth echoes out into vastness. Strings begin to swell in the distance, adding a light touch as towering bass flows beneath them and trickling notes float into the space around them. Out Runner’s guitar cries out with haunting depth, radiating pain and a sense of unmoored wandering.

The bass begins to rush in a steady pulse as the drums pound and brilliant synth pours out a melody that conveys nobility and a sense of wild exploration. As the drums and bass form a heartbeat, a luminous synth carries the melody, painting an image of the galaxy unfolding in starry, massive forms. The synth hovers broadly, while the bass is touched by fragile and achingly tender notes, soothing and full of a chance to breathe.

I am calmed by this lull, but already the twirling notes in the distance begin to add energy. An echoing sound drifts past as chiming notes intertwine and flicker. Shimmering sounds slip through in the distance, tentative and breathy, before the song falls into silence.

Tentative, tragedy-tinged synth with a widely floating quality slips in, accompanied by live chords that intermingle and bass that adds richness, kicking off “Interstellar Pathways.” The main melody wanders through the music with aching loss as the gigantic bass provides support, bursting into a more active pulse as scintillating notes carry the noble melody, drawing pictures of starry expanses extending beyond sight.

The music returns to a tentative, tremulous segment in which Out Runner’s guitar calls out with gruff emotion, filling me with contemplation. The bass quickly oscillates as glowing notes with a sharp edge drift into space. The drums return and a trumpeting synth calls out with a melody that is triumphant yet dreamy, as the bass forms a steady, supporting motion.

The guitar howls once more, embodying emotional intensity and painful feelings, while the bass rumbles and tiny notes glimmer like faraway galaxies. The guitar is beautifully played, filling me with a sensation of calm and thoughtful consideration. The drums keep pulsing as the guitar swells with emotion, growing more affecting. The track ends on shining guitar notes climbing higher and higher.

"Night Crusader" begins with solar wind sweeping and a single note, raised at the end, echoing into endless space. The single high note slowly becomes a wandering pattern and the smoothly intertwining notes in the distance are joined by a lightly guiding drumbeat and solid bass gliding out. Iridescent arpeggios twirl through the music, growing in power as they pierce the darkness.

Out Runner’s guitar carries a melody that is aching and full of expression, weaving out alongside the breathy synth as easily rippling notes form an billowing pattern. The guitar floats, suspended in space, touching my heart with the emotive depths Out Runner expresses in each note. The drums and bass rebound, a steady guide for the impassioned guitar. The melody that the guitar carries is melancholy yet balanced by a hopeful tinge.

In the distance, tremulous, twinkling notes hang in open space as the guitar exudes ardent expression. A sense of heartfelt sincerity fills the soloistic guitar before the track glides and slides to an end.

Slowly drifting, mournful synth echoes into openness as fragile, tentatively warm notes float to start “Into the Stars.” A sharper, cleaner synth sound slices through to add brightness and the surrounding synth wanders with ethereal delicacy.

A steady bass throb moves below the main melody that calls out with painful sadness and a sense of loss. The cutting notes slice through above the gigantic bass and the heavy drums create a heartbeat. A melody comes in, mingling power with more tragic emotion as the drums collide and the synth pulsates. The synth exudes cosmic luminosity as it calls out above the darkness below.

A gossamer sound hovers and a twisting, echoing synth flares out in one long chord. The track returns to peaceful contemplation and the guitar cries out with intensely piercing emotion, tangling in a solo that is both gentle and moving. The guitar leaps out as a wave of washing sound moves behind it.

The main melody exudes starry light as the heaving drums and bass add shape. I find the track’s mixture of galactic drifting and energetic strength compelling. The huge drums continue to rebound as the main melody illuminates the space around it. The guitar wanders in gossamer lines that combine a bluesy feeling and a sense of yearning, swelling out now before the track comes to an end.

“Dusk” opens as long synth sweeps call out above bubbling notes that intertwine in an active pattern and a snare drum begins to tick quietly. The music’s wavy flow lifts me and carries me above the vast structures of cosmic dust and stars.

Radiant synth moves out into the openness around it as the drums accelerate and the bass pulses. The main melody is carried on a synth that shines like a supernova, expressing dynamic movement and progress. There's a crescendo and solar wind blows through the music as the tentatively trickling notes flicker past.

Flaring synth wanders in a slowly spreading pattern as the breathy sounds shift and the rebounding drums throb above the luscious bass. The brightness becomes intense, filling me with a sense of boundless possibility, painting pictures of a great starry veil. Out Runner’s guitar enters the music with propulsive liveliness, flying out with expanding motion that fills me with excitement.

The drums and bass explode below the intricately intertwining, skillfully played solo before the song drifts to silence with broadly luminous notes fading away.

Incredibly tranquil synth slips outward into openness as shivering sounds below begin to expand and the bass grows massively to begin “Stellar Drifter.” The main melody is carried on a deeply meditative synth, full of settling feeling, as undulating arpeggios add motion while the drums slowly rebound.

The drum beat accelerates now and the gleaming synth carrying the main melody sings out as the melody itself unwinds with thrilling expression. The drums and bass rebound while dancing notes interlock. The track smoothly transitions as it floats across staggeringly huge spaces while the light of distant stars filters through cosmic dust clouds.

As the bass trembles, breathing sounds add a sweeping quality, while the arpeggio that sharply twirls also shines with glimmering luminosity. The drums rebound slowly as the track evolves before accelerating, while the washing tide of shining light fills the music. The drums create a driving beat as the elevated synth exudes a galactic glow.

Now the track becomes fragile as a feathery synth touches the music and a swelling, trumpeting sound moves through space. Images of a spacecraft passing through the immemorial reaches of outer space intensify as the light of the synth evokes a distant sun. Power grows in the music as the solar wind gusts again and Out Runner’s guitar trembles through the music, cascading and resounding in an inspiring solo, carrying my heart upward with it as I am lifted before the track ends.

Conclusion

Stellar Drifter has quickly become one of my favourites so far this year. Out Runner has captured me with the sheer scope and emotional power of this album.

His ability to take me on a journey and paint cinematic imagery of space travel stands out, along with his impressive guitar chops and ability to write engaging melodies that deepen the listening experience.