Xynapsis - Midnight Caller

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Xynapsis’ Midnight Caller tells a vibrant and image-rich, cinematic tale. I enjoy the way Xynapsis has created a dynamic and engaging soundtrack for a movie that was never made. The mixture of finely crafted melodies, synth layers that paint vivid imagery and the overall atmosphere that feels filmic and characterful results in an extremely entertaining sonic journey, unfolding with creativity and fun.

One reason for Midnight Caller's success with me is the high quality of melodic composition by Xynapsis. These melodies capture me and transport me through the mental movie that the album unfolds. They evoke drama, danger and excitement along with a good measure of happy nostalgia. I am enamored with the way Xynapsis can grab hold of my ears and pull me deeper into the music.

Another compelling reason for my enjoyment of Midnight Caller is Xynapsis' careful use of a richly varied synth palette. Each sound adds to the charming auditory tapestry that preserves the emotional and visual sensations Xynapsis aims to create. As each layer combines with the others, the result is powerful feelings and beautifully unfolding imagery.

The way the melody and synth choices combine adds to the overall atmosphere of excitement and the celebration of the great action movies of the 1980s in Midnight Caller. The tracks feel cohesive, traveling through the story as it unfolds, pulling me in with their emotive strength and the sense of watching an intense movie.

I'd also like to mention the wonderful addition of saxophone to this album. I've always been a sucker for this instrument and the way Xynapsis deploys it here adds a deeply ear-pleasing mixture of throaty passion and gentleness.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

"Dangerous Love" comes to life as massive bass moves in a surging pulse and luminous notes flicker above it warmly while a tide of sweeping sound passes. As the tidal sounds wash, lambent synth shines and now the sax leaps into the music with passionate energy, its rich tones projecting a celebratory feeling.

The drums and bass punch hard, pressing the music ahead as the synth radiates an encouraging melodic pattern, the sax joining in to fill it with neediness and a sense of desire. The drums and bass interlock while the sax solos with heartfelt joy and a sense of freedom. I enjoy the way the sax deepens the emotional feeling in the music.

The track flows now as the drums and bass drop away briefly and the sax howls with reedy life. The elevated synth cries out with brilliant dynamism, projecting effulgent light. As the synth dances, it skips through the music and the sax jumps in again, adding ardent energy, becoming gentler and easier before the track ends.

Quickly spinning arpeggios revolve as the track swells into motion with warm pads adding luminosity to start "Transatlantic". The beat throbs tremulously as the drums erupt and a synth carries a melody that’s dancing and freely moving. The synth gleams with burnished light as it carries the adventurous melody, while the low end propels the music with rapidity. Piano adds a richer quality as the sharp drums burst and the bass continues to pulse.

The main melody takes hold of me and carries me away, my soul flying upward along with it. Now the track slows to a more measured segment in which crystal keys sparkle, adding gentleness to the melody. A ringing synth with broad brilliance takes up the melody, crying out and capturing yearning emotion. The drums burst forth again and the twinkling synth notes spin out a thrilling story. The drums and bass continue to undulate as the melody sings with glimmering light, skipping along as the track closes out.

"Inspiration" begins with broadly reverberating drums bursting below sparkling notes unfolding with luscious light. The drums and bass have immense force as glowing notes flow past and the sax leaps into the music, uplifting and joyful as it cries out. A smoothly gliding guitar adds jazzy vibes, lush and laid-back, before the sax calls out with the vibrant and energizing melody.

The drums continue to provide massive support and the bass is a strong underpinning as the sax calls out, creating an expressiveness that I find strongly engaging. The guitar has an easily slipping feeling, joined by the ardent sax as it leaps. The low-end pulse continues to propel the music as the sax unleashes sunlit emotion.

The guitar and sax form a superb interplay, trading off and deepening the feelings in the music. The drums keep punching hard and the main melody howls out on the throaty sax, filling the music with liveliness before the track closes out.

Widely spreading synth swells with strength and a sweeping wind to kick off "Antares." Oscillating, scintillating synth trembles and quickly shifting lines as the drum punches hard and the bass supports it. The full-sounding synth calls out with a melody that is hauntingly delicate and tinged with melancholy. Bright arpeggios spin softly as an exhaling sound joins a piano that floats through the music with an easy touch, giving off effervescent sensations.

The piano dances through the music and the light it radiates penetrates every corner. The piano grows in strength as it unfurls and the drums begin to punch again, driving the music forward. The melody adds fierce brightness, conveying mingled emotions in a way that I find gripping. The smoothly brassy synth that rises above it has a triumphant feeling, crying out to fill the listener's heart. The drums continue to rebound as the gleaming notes move out through the music and the track comes to an end.

“Syntheria” opens as tranquility pours from smoothly overlapping synths that glide into strength. The drums create a lightly tripping pattern beneath the smoothly intermingling synth notes that exude calm. The main melody cries out on a glittering, full and affectionately caressing tone, as dancing patterns below spin out an uplifting feeling. I enjoy the way the entire track oozes with luminous life.

The piano trickles through the music with a deft, delicate touch, while the drums pulse in again along with the guiding bass. The lead synth bounces through the music with dynamic brilliance as reverent sounds fill the background with a sunrise glow. The main melody moves with smoothly touching emotion as the slightly gruff-sounding, ringing synth swirls and sings.

As the track evolves, all of its encouraging and embracing emotion fills me and lets me breathe a sigh of relief. The piano closes the song out with deeply satisfying serenity.

Massive drums pound into the music and the main theme calls out on a choral synth that explodes with glowing happiness to start “One With the Universe.” The entangling synth has a medium-high, glistening sound as it sings a melody that is full of hope and resolution, filling me with a sense of pride and achievement.

The drums flourish and the melody calls out on a lambent synth that slips through the music with untrammeled ease. The piano rings out and shimmers with the light of a new sunrise. Now, the main melody takes on a slightly wistful, dreamy quality and adds a nostalgic note, as the vocal-sounding synth gives the impression of a jubilant choir.

The drums and bass erupt with life as the piano floats out in a filigreed and positive line. This is music that puts a smile on my face as the track comes to an end on fluttering piano and pulsing bass.

Conclusion

Midnight Caller is just a great deal of fun to engage with. Listening to this album reminds me of my younger days, watching an action flick on a rainy afternoon. Beyond the nostalgia factor, this album is well-crafted by Xynapsis and full of ear-grabbing melodies and intertwining synth sounds.  

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.