Synth Single Review: “Infinite Ocean’’ by Aisle 9

Aisle 9’s Infinite Ocean is an evocation of the beauty and atmosphere of the ocean. The track starts as massively throbbing drums move with a smoothly brilliant synthesizer that washes in gliding waves as breathy air flows. The drums are strong but elegantly smooth as the bass pulses in long lines and worshipful vocal sounds drift. Refulgent chimes ring lightly, suffusing the music with a sunset glow, while the low end throbs on.

Unfurling, caressing synthesizer tendrils slip out into the flow of the music, waving like sea plants under the blue water. I breathe in, breathe out and can almost feel the salt air washing over my face as Aisle 9 evokes oceanic beauty. I also like the concept of the cover art but would be happy to see a future collaboration with an artist.

Vibrating, softly touching synthesizers shimmer and hover like mist across the water. The bright chimes evoke sunlight breaking through the haze to flicker on the water's surface. A rounded, easily slipping synthesizer extends in long planes, curling around me and moving past while the chimes dance with tender light and the drums shape the music. Now the track floats with consummate delicacy while the bass moves like the tide, inevitable and endless, while the sparkling chimes fade to silence.

Synth Single Review: Disco Stalker by CainxD'84

Review by Karl Magi

CainxD'84’s Disco Stalker combines massive percussion and bass with radiant synth energy. The track starts as a creaking synth moves beneath rapidly sparkling arpeggios that undulate smoothly. The gigantic drums thunder in pulses and the lithe synth unfolds with gliding lightness. The drums accelerate to become a propulsive heartbeat as the rushing bass pushes them faster, while the gleaming synth skips out in a brightly luminous pattern.

The low end takes on a rapid disco pulse as the lambent synth bursts with intense brightness. Now colossal bass rumbles as an elevated, intensely shimmering synth calls out in a thrilling pattern while the drums pulse strongly. As the cascading synth pours out brightness, I feel energized and full of excitement.

The clapping percussion and rushing drums move beneath a brilliantly glistening synth. The oscillating bass towers as the rapidly twirling synth flies, exuding power and speed, as the drums pulse in uneven motion. A scintillating synth moves athletically above the unstoppable low end, rising and falling with consummate ease. As the track ends, the bursting synth floods the music with pure adrenaline, cascading before silence falls.

Synth Single Review: Heart First by Saturday AM

Review by Karl Magi

Saturday AM’s Heart First conveys a message of self-discovery, resilience and hope. The song starts as ultra-crisp, clean drums throb and a strong guitar with a wide-open tone dances. Aaron Boyd's rich, smooth vocals wrap around me with warming, hopeful energy as they carry the main melody.

The guitar rings out with brightness as the chorus rises with encouragement and joy. Now the drums rebound and Aaron Boyd captures all of the celebratory, expansive emotion implicit in the lyrics. The chorus moves while the explosive guitar and the powerfully pounding drums propel the music. Now the guitar unfurls with gem-like clarity, flickering with a melody that exudes optimism.

The song slips into a segment in which a flickering synth spins out before the chorus rises, lifting my heart with its message. Now Matt Freeland’s guitar sails out in a graceful solo, capturing tenderness and affection, as the drums pound. A glimmering synth flashes with radiance before the song comes to an end.

The storyteller tells the listener to "put your heart first and see what's buried underneath" with all of the fear, doubt, light and sound. He reminds us to "hear that voice echoing, telling you to dare to dream" and tells the audience that he'll wait for them like the sea.

Our narrator points out that inside all of us, there is a story of "all we are, all we've become." He adds that in all of us, there's also "a shadow of a dream that's only just begun." He says that we should listen for a faint voice and "be still and listen close" as it whispers that we should "come follow me, put your heart first and see."

Future Analog - Hope Vol. 1

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Future Analog’s Hope Vol. 1 is an emotive, layered musical exploration of the many moods and feelings that unfold in life. This album features intensely felt vocal performances, intricately interwoven synth sounds and guest musicians who bring their unique styles to create a luscious finished product. This is an album that galvanizes me and carries me away on a tide of beautiful words and music.

One of the first aspects that drew me to Hope Vol. 1 is the wonderfully heartfelt vocal performances. Each singer has a fresh sound, yet the album’s overall emotional tenor travels from joy to pain and from hope to loss. The songs convey different moods and psychic states, but the common factor is the strength of each performance.

Another enjoyable aspect of Hope Vol. 1 is the way in which various synth tones and textures, along with different musical styles, combine to create energizing and engaging tunes. The music has a cinematic quality that paints vivid images in my mind as each song unfolds. The overall effect is an exploration of the vast range of human emotion.

I am also drawn to the lyrical richness of Hope Vol. 1. Each song tells a story and evokes a unique mood. The way in which the lyrics transport me on an emotional journey keeps my heart engaged and my ears pleased.

The guest performers on this album bring a fresh and entertaining energy to the music. Their unique ways of expression and diverse perspectives contribute to an album that maintains cohesion while exploring a wide range of emotions.

My Favourite Songs Analyzed

"In the Beginning" opens with slowly pulsing, fluid notes as a worshipful synth rises to full brightness. The entire track drifts as a piano carries a melody both hopeful and mournful, while a reverential, choir-like synth trembles in the background. The piano is joined by metallic notes that ring out, full of luminosity, as a distorted voice echoes in the distance.

Quickly twirling, computerized-sounding synth moves through the music as choral voices softly caress my ears. This track sets the mood for the album well as gigantic drums rebound and flickering notes move with the hard-hitting percussion before the piano lifts with a melody that sails along with skipping lightness.

The drums continue to pulse as the piano sings out with delicacy and breezy calm. The background swells up and the bass pulses quickly before the song ends on echoing chords and a distorted voice as the fragile piano calls out.

Quickly rebounding, razor-edged synth flashes and warmer chords supporting it with enfolding energy as “Only Have Eyes for You” starts. Now, the drums and bass form a propulsive pulse as the lead singer lets her tenderly expressive voice carry the lightly touching, slightly pained melody.

The drums and bass add shape as the gently swirling chords support the vocals. Both of Bunny X's singers then mix their touching vocals to carry the loving melody. Expansive, angular chords rebound as the lead singer's voice moves along with rounded sounds before the drums and bass bring them back in. Future Analog’s production gives the track depth and texture.

The melody trembles with heartfelt need before the chorus climbs, with the two singers' voices mingling to create a sensation of complete love. The warming notes rebound as the angular bassline shivers and again the chorus rises with affecting feelings captured by both singers. The drums and bass guide the music as the interlocking vocals carry the song to its end.

Our narrator says that she and the song's subject have been "coming apart at the seams for a long time now." She adds that they've been living in a liminal space for as long as she can remember. However, she's still a believer in the other person and she points out that "if there's one thing you should know, you're the only thing I see."

The storyteller doesn't want to have to tell the song’s subject again because "you already know that I only have eyes for you." They’ve been living in "different worlds," far apart from one another. She says that her heart "tosses and turns when we're not together," but she knows that they have to make it through because she’d rather work it out with the song’s subject.

Our narrator is waiting, "casting shadows in the night," and she can hear the other person's name echoing, but she can't see them. She says that "in this darkest hour, I feel no pain (and) a love so deep, lost in the pouring rain."

"Beautiful Liar" begins with broadly gleaming synth flying and bursting chords as the lead singer's smoothly expressive vocals flow. The low end rebounds with gigantic bass moving in angular lines, while Future Analog’s silky smooth voice expresses all the thwarted desire in the lyrics. The drums rush forward as the tumbling synth intertwines with urgent muscle, while the wide drums explode as Future Analog’s vocals cry out, carrying a melody shot through with shadows and need.

The colossal bass shifts as the drums steadily throb and Future Analog reaches for my heart with his vocals. The chorus leaps in energetic lines and the swirling synth interlocks with the heavy bass. Ticking percussion shifts as the synth undulates in dense, muscled lines. I enjoy the way in which Future Analog’s performance is needy yet full of strength. Resonant chords push on as the drums continue to drive forward and the song comes to an end.

The storyteller tells the song’s subject to "save the stories for someone who cares about you" because everything they say is a lie. He wishes he didn't fall so easily because "you're beautiful, it's so hard to resist," but he wonders what he's missed. He adds, "I'm so fed up with this situation, I'm sick and tired of this hesitating," as he wonders why the other person has to tell him all these untruths.

Our narrator says that when they were good, "my heart was on fire, you quenched all my desires," and he didn't realize that the relationship would end, but the other person "turned out to be a beautiful liar." He adds that the other person thought that "you could manipulate my head like everybody else that believed you," but he can see through the lies and the disguise, concluding "you will meet your demise."

Now the storyteller points out that the song's subject thinks that just because they're beautiful, they can lie and still have it all. He concludes, "You think just 'cause you're beautiful, you can lie and you wouldn't fall."

Softly gliding synths move behind shining notes that carry a melody mingling uplift and tenderness to commence “Horizon”. The kick drum pulses as a synth flashes and Mayah Camara’s deeply heartfelt vocals carry the aching lyrics above the low end’s heartbeat.

Pained gentleness fills Mayah Camara’s vocals as the glowing synth sends luminous tendrils through the music. Hand claps support the percussion as the chorus climbs with hopeful energy, carried on a radiant synth. Mayah Camara’s voice wraps around my ears and pierces my heart with her expression. Future Analog weaves a warmly supportive synth background that deepens the song's expressive nature.

A shimmering synth carries the softly caressing melody. Now a guitar comes in with a resonant melody, full of wishes and optimism. Mayah Camara’s voice then moves unaccompanied, full of soulful feeling, before the chorus leaps out with effulgent energy. The song glides to a conclusion with optimism pouring from it.

The narrator says that she looked at the horizon and "saw your face etched in the clouds." She promised herself that she would tell the song's subject that she's done with them. She adds that it's the same story again: "when we revert to chapter 3, when you and me, when we were happy."

Our storyteller points out that the song's subject was wrong for her and "you weren't the one I was made to love." She said she has to be strong, move on and rise above what has happened.

They are "going around in circles," and the narrator says it's driving them a little mad. She adds that "we must be crazy to do it all again" while they deal with obstacles; their "rose-tinted glasses make things hazy." The narrator says that they need to let it go.

“Algorithm” opens with bursting percussion erupting alongside glistening synths and reverberant bass. A robotic voice speaks in time with the music as the drums continue to throb. NeonShe’s luscious, lustrous vocals deliver passionate lyrics while a shiny synth dances with the dense bass.

Sharp-edged sounds tremble and the dynamic chorus explodes with lively excitement. NeonShe’s silken tone touches my heart in this song. The robotic vocal intertwines with the expansive synth background as an impactful bassline rebounds. NeonShe captures the heartfelt love within the lyrics, while a gleaming synth sings the energizing melody with brilliant shine. Below it all, the drums and bass leap forward.

Her rich voice glides with the shining synth and massive bass, blending seamlessly with a guitar that dances through the music. A victorious synth illuminates the track and the hard-hitting low end presses forward before the song concludes with her vocals.

The song's narrative begins with the protagonist declaring that "the algorithm loves me; I love the algorithm." In a "coded world of dreams," she finds a love that's "meant to be"—a connection where "circuits hum, electric runs" and the algorithm’s "artificial heart beats binary grace."

The storyteller describes craving the algorithm’s "electric heart" and rhythmic, digital, wild charge. She rejects the analog, longing instead for the algorithm’s "irresistible work of art." The lyrics paint a picture of an endless, constant stream of love amid "lines of code and pixel gleam." She yearns for the algorithm’s embrace, dreaming of "a love story in cyberspace."

Elevated synth pulses as a bouncy track flows out to start “Be Alive.” The female singer's voice is silky smooth and caressing as the drums rebound and her melody is touchingly full of a yearning for something new. The melody is ethereal and gentle but tinged with uncertainty as her voice now floats free of everything but a slight synth pulse. The echoing vocals float out over the bouncing low end as the expressive melody flows and computerized, gleaming notes undulate. The low end has persuasive propulsion as the lead singer captures the need for change in the lyrics.

Now a clapping percussion sound moves with reverent notes that hover in the distance while the female singer expresses frustration and a yearning for new horizons. The darkly tinged chorus is backed up by warmer light as the percussion continues to burst. Again, the wordless vocals slip past with hurting emotion as a choir calls out in the background. As the song ends, mingled hope and desire to alter her life fill the vocalist’s words.

The narrator says she’s been stuck in the same nine-to-five job lately and feels numb. She admits that she’s not proud of what she has become but states, "I'm just too far gone, I need something different." She craves a distraction, "something magnificent," and a disruption to her daily routine.

Our storyteller asks, "What would I give to be alive? What would I give to feel alive?" She'd give everything for a brand-new start, for "a different plot," because she already knows how this routine will end. She describes her predictable life, saying, "Work till late—it’s unacceptable. I need something different."

“Summer of Love” begins with trembling notes and a dancing drum and bass rhythm moves with victoriously rising, incandescent synth. As Wesley Reid’s resonantly expressive voice carries the melody, it is full of hopeful need as Roz Ireland’s voice intertwines with his. Sparkling notes flicker as the chorus is rich with joyful experience. Now the chorus dances past with shining happiness and a broadly singing synth intertwines with both singers' voices, feeling celebratory as they unfold.

After the track moves into tenderly drifting sounds, Roz Ireland’s voice has a delicate sentiment, reaching up for something better as the bursting drums and throbbing bass add motion. Now both vocalists bring their voices together, drawing me in with the depth of feeling.

Wesley Reid’s heartfelt voice rings out with joy and a sense of renewed expectation as the female vocalist offers support. A robotic voice also calls out as the rippling underpinning notes move along with the smoothly gliding melody that climbs the clouds with sunny brightness. The undulating chords continue to tremble as the two singers blend their voices and the song comes to an end.

The male storyteller says that things seem so easy on TV, "but not for the likes of you and me." He says that they'll find their own recipe and "we will see what we can be." He adds that life can be a challenge and "you've not tried hard enough; it's going to be a long, long day.”

Now the female narrator joins him and they ask one another, "Will you be my summer love, or is wanting in my dreams enough?" They both say that whatever is going to fall "from skies above," they want to be each other's summer love.

The female storyteller wonders if this is anything more than a fling and asks, "Or is that not your kind of thing?" She says she's giving everything to a whim, so "throw back your head and sing this song."

Conclusion

Hope Vol. 1 is a deep musical and emotive journey that spans the full spectrum of human feeling. I love how it combines vocal richness with musical depth and lyrical engagement. The result is an album that keeps me intrigued and makes me want to listen again and again.