The Gliding Faces - Veritas

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

The Gliding Faces’ Veritas combines Daniel Graham’s intoxicating electronic soundscapes, Max Herring’s powerful songwriting which roams across complicated emotional landscapes and his superb vocal performances to create synth-pop music with a dance edge and a rare level of insight and moving feeling. This is an album that makes me want to shake my booty while crying. In my world, that's an unbeatable combination.

Daniel Graham's production skills and ear for creating fascinating, entertaining synth textures lends Veritas dynamic energy and luscious depth. His sound combinations are first-rate and the melodies he writes are hooky and addictive. The way he propels the music while giving Max Herring space to emote and express himself adds even more quality to the album.

I am strongly engaged by Max Herring's songwriting chops and vocal skills. His songs explore anxiety, love, broken-heartedness and memory with sensitivity and tenderness. I find myself engaging with my own past feelings as the album unwinds. The way he's able to translate his lyrics into expressive vocal performances brings them home with immediacy.

The way Veritas mixes powerful feelings with danceability and bursting dynamism is quite enjoyable for me. I find myself being pulled in by Max Herring's songwriting and singing while Daniel Graham suffuses me with active liveliness and a sense of musical inventiveness.

My Favourite Songs Analyzed

“Things I Can’t Explain” comes to life as truly colossal bass tumbles and synth chords glow with luscious light. Max Herring’s fragile, tremulous vocals carry a melody full of exquisite aching as the synth continues to vibrate with surrounding light.

Max Herring’s voice is deep with hurt as industrial sounds clatter and soothing synth chords slide above the huge bass. Both singers intertwine their uniquely touching voices as the melody shivers with melancholy while the bass tumbles.

A twisting, smoothly flowing synth echoes, gripping my heartstrings with the melody’s mournful sensations. Lush bass continues to join with the shaping drums while the synth melody cries out.

The broken vocals call out with engaging emotion as rounded notes flare and the deep bass rumbles. The voice carries a pain that is raw and immediate as the hard-hitting industrial noises echo again. The singers combine their voices as the song comes to an end.

The narrator tells the song’s subject that he knows it causes them pain when there are things he can’t explain, like “where I was last night, what I was doing.” He adds that he can’t really say and it isn’t worth pursuing because “some things I can’t explain.”

Those things include “how a sunrise makes me feel,” and the way it’s torture for them to “deal with problems in our lives.” One of the problems is where he or the other person was when one of them was crying. He acknowledges the other is in great pain but confesses, “I’m stuck with the truth that I have to be lying, some things I can’t explain.”

He also struggles to explain how the subject wishes on a shooting star or how they ended up where they are, with “so many problems in our lives.” Now he asks where the song’s subject was last night “while I was fighting for us to be free of this pain.” He says they were elsewhere, “doing wrongs, I was fighting some things I can’t explain.”

These unexplained feelings include what it’s like to be misunderstood and how “what seemed awful really was good for the problems in our lives.”

Fiercely flaring synth slices with clean edges to join a rapidly trembling pulse to start “It's on Me.” Scintillating synth shines in intertwining lines as the percussion ticks and now the bass explodes with dynamic motion. A positive sensation fills the music as it flies forward and Max Herring’s softly elevated vocals fill the track with emotive depth.

The vocals are full of encouragement and support as the muscled drums and heavy bass rebound while the gleaming synth dances. The music’s propulsive nature matches Max Herring’s positive delivery, touching me with its sincerity of expression.

The drums continue to throb solidly and the vocals echo while the chorus flies and glistens. The bright synth glimmers as the percussion and bass interlock and fade. Max Herring’s gently affecting voice calls out while the synth exudes sunlight. The tremulous sound shifts again and the brilliant notes carry the hopeful melody as the song comes to an end.

Our storyteller points out the subject has been through a lot and seems to be losing touch, saying, “Reality is scratching your skin, your nightmares are moving in.” He encourages them not to let the thoughts “living rent-free” take away the shine “we all love to see.”

He reminds them that it’s all on him and they shouldn’t worry because “I’ve got you.” He says that when things get tough, “emotions rear their head,” they just need to remember he’s there and none of it is their fault.

Again, he tells them the intrusive thoughts shouldn’t steal their luster. The song’s subject worries they’re a burden, but the narrator reassures them he understands that “it’s love you need to face the day,” encouraging them to get up and face it because “we want you to stay.” He concludes, “You’ll never have to worry. I’ll always have your back.”

“Runway” opens as a twisting, sweeping synth rises smoothly as a glistening synth twines out above the gigantic bass and metallically guiding drums. After a percussive flourish, shiny chimes bounce as Max Herring's voice captures the song’s hip-swinging feeling.

The pounding bass and clean drums propel the music as a radiant synth carries the lissome melody and Max Herring has a twist in his voice which I find enjoyable, like a wry smile, as the string section shines. The low end is a solid pulse as the lyrics bounce between stereo channels and the French spoken word part adds another fun touch while the strings leap between.

Varied percussion taps as the drums and bass guide the music. The pipe organ part rings out with luminous energy and the open-voiced synth vibrates before the strings flash again and the low end thumps before the song comes to an end.

The narrator talks about a model walking the runway, feeling their “skin against these seams." He points out that confidence is everything and "with a smile you can spill the tea." He describes the model’s "stomping stilettos" as they catch their breath, adding that they never smile and they're "fresh to death."

Our storyteller describes the runway "lit like a boxing ring" and says it makes "the rhinestones sing." He adds that the runway feels like a tightrope as it feeds the people’s hope. As the eyeshadow runs down the model's cheek, he reminds them to "charge those hips, hit the beat.”

The narrator describes the model turning the corner and catching the light as they allow the crowd to "power your flight." The song ends as the narrator says in French: "Dressing is a way of life. Without elegance of heart, there is no elegance. Life is made up of little pleasures. Beauty has no age.”

Ghostly sounds and exhaled breaths drift past to commence “Last Night.” A sparkling sound flickers as Max Herring ’s passionate and painful vocals carry the yearning melody above the trickling synth and broadly tapping snare drum. Delicacy fills Max Herring’s expressive voice as a deeper voiceover adds gruff tones, while the xylophone-like synth echoes.

The drums and bass lock into a pounding beat as the trickling note pattern floats. A resonating, hollow percussive instrument moves with Max Herring's voice, which takes hold of my heart and tugs on it. These lyrics are a reminder of a difficult time in my life and one which I find deeply touching.

As the melancholy vocals slip by dramatically, the voiceover continues to repeat the phrase “last night.” After a flourish of percussion, the drums and bass continue to pulsate as the slowly swirling xylophone moves past. Max Herring's voice rises dreaming and full of loss above the drifting bass. A steadily buzzing sound moves as trumpeting notes flare and a laser-like synth trembles.

The snare drum hits hard again as wandering notes move past and Max Herring ’s tender voice slides out again, regretful and needy at the same time. As a string section swells lushly, the low end pulses and the track ends.

Our storyteller talks about the song’s subject being there with him and holding him tightly. He adds, “Last night I became aware while it was getting light that I need you far more than you need me.” He reaches the conclusion that this is just a fact and will remain so forever.

The narrator talks about how they were out together, “dancing through the laser beams.” He wonders if there can be any doubt that the relationship with the song’s subject is “exactly what it seems.” He reiterates the other person needs him more than he needs them and adds, “But my heart is true and we’ll make it eventually.”

In conclusion, our storyteller realizes they both drank too much the previous night and were barely in control. He goes on to say, “Last night I felt your touch and fell into the deepest hole.”

“Slick” begins as ferociously bouncing bass throbs and a mysterious synth floats with unmoored motion. A rubbery sounding synth carries a ghostly, jazzy melody out above the heavily rebounding low end.

The drums add sharpness as the roaming, peaceful melody joins Max Herring's distinctive voice, which flows with easy motion. Cleanly throbbing drums join with heavy bass as Max Herring embodies the lyrics’ mood. Razor-edged percussion moves with a round-sounding, dense synth while a smooth ringing fills the distance.

A bending synth flows with a silky, chilled-out melody while the vocals drive the message of the song. The low end’s bursting motion and thick bass add power while the vocals move with fragility. Drums and bass snap as Max Herring reaches out to the listener with his unique sound.

The bass throbs and the chorus rises again. The elevated melodic line howls above the hard-hitting low end before silence falls with Max Herring wordless voice.

The narrator says that the song's subject is "slick like the oil pumping through my heart," as he talks about them splashing it around artfully. He adds, "I don't quite know why I'm here, so I'll just keep out of your way." He describes the other person "spinning, spiraling from front to back," as they use "every tool on the rack.” He can see the skill it takes to do it, so he’ll “just keep out of your way.”

Our storyteller talks about the song's subject’s obvious talent, adding, "I watch as the world denies any kind of recompense for what you give away." He says the person has talent in his eyes: "If only the world was kind enough to make you a living, but you're always too forgiving.” He also describes the other person watching as all the likes and clicks accumulate.

If every search doesn't mean a hit, the narrator points out that the other person will be "filled with rage if you're not ranked top of the page." He says the person has "fans in 100 nations," asking if that isn't enough validation for them. He concludes that they "don't seem to get it through, it's all about you."

Ominous bass rumbles beneath a steady drum burst that creates a rapid, rushing sensation as “Disco Paranoia” kicks off. The slamming dance beat is joined by rapidly intertwining synths that gleam with fierce light as cymbals clash. A tightly wound, metallic synth echoes with ghostly nervousness as the low end thumps.

Max Herring delivers anxiety and discomfort as the drums build and a skipping, glimmering synth flies with manic liveliness. The vocals feel uncomfortable and stressed, evoking the same feelings in me. The minor key vocal melody is full of unsettled feeling, while a brightly tripping synth moves with the unstoppable low end.

The song glides into a calmer segment, where a sense of relief fills Max Herring's voice. The drums flourish as the vocals are chopped and reverent noises move behind them. Then the drums accelerate again and the track pounds onward with radiance before ending.

The storyteller feels his nerves jangle in the club “like the lasers above” as people push and shove. He says, “my stomach drops like the beat, the walls closing around my feet,” as paranoia floods his mind inside the disco.

Our narrator hears alarms ringing in his ears and feels “anxiety like mould,” which isn’t being helped by the vodka he’s drinking. He feels like he’ll collapse soon. He adds that his brain is “filled with lies” and his senses are fried, concluding, “there’s so much I’ll take, one more song and I’ll break.”

As the song ends, the storyteller remembers why he’s even at the club and says, “the outside world can disappear, I’ll grab a drink and take a shot and try to forget the lot.”

“Abandoned” begins with undulating, swinging synths echoing out while tiny, crystalline notes sparkle and the chords launch into motion. The vocals are hypnotic and elevated before the main melody flies out on a glimmering synth, full of loneliness, while strings intermingle faintly in the background.

Tremulous percussion pushes forward as Max Herring's melancholy voice cries out with bereft emotion. The strings shimmer as the voice climbs and the track then returns to the swinging, bouncing beat as the chorus carries the sensations of loss that flood the lyrics.

The percussion accelerates and the drumbeat throbs while the vocals swell with pain, moving above rippling arpeggios. The track pulses onward, as Max Herring carries my feelings with it. The chanted chorus swings smoothly once more before the track falls silent.

Our narrator describes “an empty chair, an empty bed, everything empty except my head.” He explains it’s about how “it’s you, yourself alone” and how the song’s subject walked away. As for himself, he’s left behind, bereft, because “it’s me, myself and I you abandoned.”

The storyteller says he was “unaware” and wonders if the other person was ever truly present. He was lost inside his own mind when he was “abandoned, left for dead.” As the song concludes, he mourns that he now has “an empty soul, an empty heart, everything empty now we’re apart.”

“Waste of Time” begins with building, swelling notes that grow over a bass pulse. Darker feelings wash below as a digital synth wriggles through the music while pan pipes exhale smoothly. Flaring chords trip underneath as Max Herring's voice is choppy and full of discomfort. In the background, sunlight spills while Max Herring expresses feelings of worry and anxiety.

As the frolicking notes intertwine, the vocals rise with delicacy and feeling. The low end punches as the performance captures the sensation of unwanted thoughts, while the synth glimmers with light. As the pan pipe synth intertwines with airy lightness, Max Herring fills his vocals with regret while the percussion pulses. The drums and bass keep the propulsion going with luscious depth as sounds twist and break. I enjoy the way the synth adds to the sensations of disconnected discomfort. As a fluting synth dances past, the glistening notes slide together and the track ends with choppy sounds.

Our tale’s teller regrets not having said what he wanted to before the moment vanished. He said he'd move on and let it go, but "that was a lie, I'll think about this till I die." He adds that it's going around in his head and he'll "worry about something else instead." He points out that it's a waste of time, but "I'm a slave to my mind."

The narrator is "preoccupied, antagonized, obsessively agonized," as he overthinks and second-guesses himself. He goes on to say, "give it a rest."

“What We Had” opens as waves of smoothly trembling synth move with twinkling chimes and crushingly massive bass. Starry notes sparkle like far-off dreams and Max Herring's voice reaches out with mingled nostalgia and pain above the smoothly tripping drumbeat. The vocals twist my heartstrings with the anticipation of the pain about to occur.

Chimes glitter as Max Herring's vocals climb with intense emotion and the drums burst. The notes are like silken threads and the vocals are hurting and damaged. As the shining notes irradiate the song, the vocals evoke painful memories. The drums continue to guide the music while the vocals soar upwards and the chimes pour out a scintillating luminescence. The emotion builds until it reaches aching intensity before the fragile notes echo. As a wind sweeps, Max Herring cries out once more before the song ends.

Our storyteller remembers himself with the song's subject as they were "kissing and holding, smiling and laughing." He was "feeling and floating, content and unknowing"utterly unprepared for what was about to happen.

Now, when the narrator thinks about the relationship they shared, he's unable to feel anything else but sadness. When he thinks about what the song’s subject said to him, "everything gets blurry, my heart hurts my head." He finds himself "hoping and crying, drowning and dreaming" as he thinks of the other person with regret.

The storyteller and the song’s subject’s relationship broke down into "shouting and fighting, hurting and panicking" in a torturous loss of meaning. Now he struggles to imagine his life without the other person, adding, “I can't describe the feeling, I can't tell you what I mean.”

He concludes that “you’re my perfection, you bring me joy. That’s why it hurts when you toss me like a toy.”

“Lift” begins with massively rebounding drums that move with a sunset synth glowing with orange light. Uniquely angular drums follow, as the lower-end percussion presses on slowly. The string section carries a positive melody full of hope above the low end. Max Herring enchants my heart with his expressive passion.

Love permeates the melody, which sings as the chorus climbs with sensations of fulfillment and safety. The strings intertwine and add affection as the vocals capture relief and settled comfort. The drums rattle while softly swirling chords interlock and Max Herring cries out with deeply felt sentiment.

Strings shine while the choral voices in the distance rebound and the vocals climb higher, reaching for the stars. The orchestral strings dance with an encouraging melody that folds me into a warm embrace. Aspiration spills through the music before the song ends.

The narrator "felt an eternal dismay, only living for today," and says that with one thing after another, "the future made me shudder." He asks the song's subject how they manage to make him feel so calm. He says the other person gave him a lift and adds, "Your existence is a gift." He feels unafraid in the other person's arms, putting his life in their hands.

Our storyteller reiterates that the other person lifts him up and feels like a gift. He adds, "I'm whole because of you. Till eternity, it's us two." He goes on to say that everything has now changed, asking the song's subject to "understand my sentiment," because the words don't come lightly and he wants to remind the other person nightly that they mean the world to him because "with you, I can just be."

As the narrator concludes, he says he didn’t feel like he could ever be "the sensitive kind, open and ready." But he’s come to realize that it’s so easy and "I get that lift eternally."

Conclusion

Veritas successfully combines melodic beauty, dance floor-filling grooves and emotionally powerful songwriting and singing. The Gliding Faces have created music that pierces my heart and makes me want to dance in the best possible combination of feelings.

LACRIMORTA - One Flesh, One End

Written by Vero Kitsuné

As a follow up to her critically-acclaimed self-titled record, Guam-based American multi-instrumentalist and producer LACRIMORTA (formerly known as Virtual Intelligence) gives us the dark, jeweled, multi-faceted and downright phenomenal gothic LP, One Flesh, One End.

The record starts off with a very bold declaration in the track “Reverend Daughter” — “I deserve to die at your hand… You’re my only friend.” This song plunges deep into the gothic romance and visual kei aesthetic, marrying melodramatic lyrics with a sound that’s both lush and unrelenting. Musically, it evokes a cinematic sense of doom—layers of distorted guitar riffs swirl with eerie crystalline synths. Lacrimorta’s vocals - her most polished and most emotive yet - oscillate between anguished cries and whispered intimacy, amplifying the emotional volatility. Lyrically, it’s a dark love letter from something not quite human—an undead creation and stitched together from sorrow and rage. The overall vibe is tragic and theatrical, equal parts beautiful and grotesque, as if the song itself were a cursed waltz in a crumbling, candlelit cathedral.

“Alectopause (Suffer and Learn)” enters and is perhaps the most unique track in the record. This song blends the romantic melancholy of visual kei with the lush textures of ambient and trance, creating a dreamlike, otherworldly atmosphere. The lush vocal harmonies drift like ghosts through shimmering synths and elegant guitar flourishes, while the pulsating beat gives the track a strangely danceable energy beneath its funereal tone. The lyrics conjure a love that transcends death, distance, and identity—a union haunted by longing and spiritual entrapment. It's both ethereal and intense.

This track careens off the gothic rails and dives headfirst into absurdist electro-metal mayhem entitled “Soup,” delivering a blistering ode to soup-making with the intensity of a divine crusade. Double kicks thunder beneath tantric guitar licks while the vocals swing between sacred incantation and unhinged kitchen meltdown. It’s like a cooking show hosted by a warlock in a mech suit—equal parts chaos, culinary disaster, and cosmic prophecy. The lyrics are deadpan hilarious, turning the humble act of making broth into a mythic saga of bone-stirring, saint-exploding devotion. It shouldn’t work—but it absolutely slaps, and somehow leaves you craving both enlightenment and a bowl of stew. In short: It is absolutely GENIUS!

“Beautiful Labyrinth” drifts through a vast, cosmic dreamscape—where trance-like synths and techno pulses meet the emotional drama of gothic romance. The sound is expansive and celestial, layering airy melodies with deep, driving rhythms that feel like love songs whispered across collapsing stars. Lyrically, it’s a mythic tragedy: divine power, planetary destruction, and the unbearable weight of eternal love. Even as the universe burns and gods fall, a single voice pleads, “Nona don’t go”—a moment of surreal tenderness that hits like starlight through smoke.

“Sweet Sister Lyctor (The First Flower of My House)” hits like a sermon at a nightclub built inside a tomb—ritualistic, feral, and irresistibly danceable. It layers pulsing darkwave tones with trance textures, while the beautiful vocals shift between cold command and raw desperation. The lyrics blur the line between sacred vow and violent intimacy, invoking soul consumption, flesh, and ancient oaths with theatrical conviction. It’s not just a song—it’s a cursed liturgy set to a beat, daring you to move while the world ends around you.

“Prayer to the Locked Tomb” dramatically unfolds like a sacred incantation wrapped in velvet and steel—gothic visual kei at its most meditative and martial. Tantric arpeggiated guitars shimmer with stunning precision over heavy, ritualistic drums, while spectral vocals chant prayers to a silent, undying empire. The repetition of liturgical phrases builds a hypnotic tension, evoking both religious devotion and quiet dread. It feels less like a song and more like a holy rite whispered in the dark—solemn, beautiful, and utterly unrelenting.

“Psycho Shadow Vestal” pulses with a euphoric urgency—trance rhythms and Europop vibrance driving an emotional undercurrent of loss, identity, and cosmic yearning. Delicate piano lines float above the beat, offering moments of fragile beauty between soaring synths and heartfelt vocal harmonies. It’s both dancefloor catharsis and melancholic revelation—a glittering, haunted journey through light, shadow, and the type of self-discovery found in the neon-lit, smokey halls of underground clubs,

The record ends with an instrumental EDM and trance banger “Blood of Eden” that takes audiences deep into the euphoric underground, reminiscent of movies like The Matrix. Pulsating synths and expansive soundscapes create a decadent atmosphere where futuristic textures collide with hypnotic rhythms, propelling listeners into a transcendent state. The track’s relentless energy and cascading layers evoke a digital odyssey, perfectly capturing the tension between technology and humanity. It’s a powerful finale that leaves you both exhilarated and suspended in a cosmic dance beyond time and space.

Lacrimorta’s One Flesh, One End is a true revelation—not only showcasing the artist’s full musical prowess but also delivering a profoundly immersive journey through the many facets of dark gothic romance. From the shadowy depths of necromantic rites and blood-soaked devotion to expansive, trance-like realms where ethereal souls drift beyond time and space, the record masterfully balances brutality with beauty. It fuses cinematic intensity, lush ambient textures, and dancefloor synergy, seamlessly weaving haunting vocals, tantric guitars, and pulsating beats into a rich tapestry of sound. Whether conjuring apocalyptic passion, sacred rituals, or cosmic longing, Lacrimorta invites listeners to surrender to a world where love and darkness are forever intertwined—an evocative odyssey that lingers long after the last note fades.

One Flesh, One End is a triumphant long play that has fixed itself as one of the top records - if not THE BEST - of the year.

For more Lacrimorta, visit: https://lacrimorta.bandcamp.com/

Cyberwalker - Another World

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Cyberwalker’s Another World is a beautifully layered and intricately woven synth journey. The music is heartfelt, serene and full of emotional strength as it unfolds. The artist has a superb ear for synth combinations, melody and the imagination to create engaging imagery. The end result is an album that transports me to its creator’s auditory world and immerses me in it as we travel together.

A standout feature of Another World is the way in which Cyberwalker skillfully takes the sonic threads of each synth sound and spins them into a fabric of serenity, tinged with darkness and shot through with hope. Each individual sound seems carefully chosen and the way in which each sound interacts adds another level of depth and emotion. Taken together, all of these elements coalesce into a cohesive and ear-pleasing album.

Another superb aspect of Another World is its melodic component. Cyberwalker has written melodies that touch my heart and carry me to new horizons. He explores everything from celebratory joy to melancholy contemplation through his melodic writing. Once again, the way in which the melodies interact with the intricately intertwining synths deepens the sensation of traveling through auditory landscapes that evolve and reveal new vistas as they unfold.

Throughout Another World, Cyberwalker helps me paint mental imagery with his musical creation. He combines all of his skill and his ear for sonic beauty to draw and contour the world that he reveals through the music. I find myself enjoying every bit of the adventure I take with the artist as he guides me to the next musical moment and the next stunning image.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Natural Science” comes into being as distantly echoing notes drift and rain falls, while a caressing synth roams with soothing softness. Tremendously deep bass reverberates as the percussion taps widely and tiny lights flicker from the synth.

Now the bass is a steady, muscled pulse as a meditative synth flows with deep peace. As the giant drums hit hard, diaphanous sounds trail with muffled luminosity. An elevated, diamond-sharp synth sparkles with sunlight as a sweeping sound drifts like a breeze through the desert.

The drums are a heartbeat as a coruscating synth carries a tenderly touching melodic line and the bass is all luxurious richness. A synth levitates with a mournful touch and a hopeful glow as the bass continues to undulate. The drums flourish and a trembling, misty synth carries a yearning melody, reaching out to lightly touch my emotions and pull me in.

An effulgent synth glitters with soothing luminosity while the low end throbs like the heart in my chest. A lucent synth exudes clear light as the percussion drifts away and the dense bass moves. The elevated synth slides out in long lines, filling the music with glow. The drums pound again as birds sing and a calming synth sails like a spring breeze before the track ends on reverberating, metallic notes.

A smoothly floating synth spins in galactic motion, infused with trembling delicacy to open “Infinite Journey.” The synth slips silkily as a solid bass pulse continues to throb evenly and the kick drum adds form.

Twirling arpeggios exude transporting, mellow emotion as the drums and bass continue to pulse. Sharp notes cut with extended motion as the relaxed arpeggios float out below. A nasal-sounding synth exhales before bright notes flicker and shine with burnished light above the low end’s continual throbbing.

A glimmering synth carries the melody, wafting me along above the low end. Slowly and tangling, mournful notes continue to hover as the arpeggios swirl with lightly touching feelings. The drums and bass continue their heartbeat as the brilliant synth adds an element of uplift to the softness around it.

The cleanly cutting notes continue to leap through as the drums pulsate heavily. The massive bass continues to drive as the intermingling, thoughtful notes are divided by the glistening melodic pattern and the arpeggios are unstoppable. As the track ends, the notes fade into smooth silence.

“The Place I Belong (Night Ride Edit)” opens with bass that rumbles heavily as floating notes slip like spectral mists. The intimidating bass pulse is thick as cosmic notes unfurl above it. Tightly shining synth levitates before the drums smack in and the giant bass oscillates, while portentous, slicing synth pulses add angular strength.

Smoothly interlocking, burnished synth floats past with a more peaceful sensation to contrast with the heaving weight beneath. A string-like synth carries a mournful melodic line as hollow bells ring and the bass rises like a dangerous tide.

Glittering notes intermingle and the track shifts. The bass becomes an urgent pulsation as the synth moves like a sweeping wind. The drums add a ticking, metronomic beat as the radiant synth drifts with a roaming melody, evoking a nighttime journey down an empty highway.

The drums are the passing yellow lines and the melody tells me a story of a lonely journey to self-discovery. I am moved by the emotional nature of the melody as the colossal bass throbs. The low end fiercely drives on as the lacerating synth moves past and the track ends with crushing weight.

Clear, penetrating light radiates from the lead synth as a distantly shaping beat comes in to kick off “Cruise Waves.” In the background, synth rises like an orange sun and adds flaring notes that glint like dappled water as the solid drums and bass pulsate. As the bass becomes massive, lightly glittering synth exudes gentle light with a hint of brief shadow for a moment. The bass continues to undulate as the gossamer synth drifts with oceanic grace.

Intensely radiant sounds glitter as the gigantic low end takes form. I am enamored of the way in which this track reflects aquatic peace and a tinge of more contemplative feeling as it unfolds. The bass rumbles while smoothly interlocking synth slips like waves under the hull of a sailboat. I picture slipping through the water with the soft sounds of wind and the rigging, the white yacht cutting through the water. The bass moves like upwelling currents and the smoothly gliding melody fades into silence.

“Lost in Dreams” begins as giant bass slowly pulses while a vastly sweeping synth drifts in laid-back motion. Metallic sounds flash past and the drums form a chilled-out beat above the huge low end. Bright notes slip past with easy grace as the drums rebound. Gleaming sounds extend in long lines, unfurling with smooth delicacy above the pounding drums.

The bass is lush and heavy as a laser-like sound briefly flits past. Colossal chords rise with sunlight as an open-sounding synth breezes past and the drums fade. The way in which the song evokes the sense of ethereal emotion in a dream state calls to me and gives me a sense of satisfaction and calm.

There’s a crescendo as the thunderous drums move beneath the gossamer glide of the elevated synth and the bass becomes a dense well. Angular notes jump with radiance as they slice into the music and the swirling background intermingles with the hugely pulsating bass. Tranquility permeates the music as more intensely radiant notes tremble and the laser-like sound is joined by thumping drums.

Metallic ringing floats past as the unstoppable drum and bass pulse moves on and the background remains misty and peaceful. A bright sound pierces the synth clouds and silence falls.

Broadly drifting, brilliant synth cascades in luscious motion to start off “You Are Not Alone.” A pervasive sense of tranquility is joined by bass that rises in dense clouds, as sharp-edged notes cut through. The combination of massive power and gentleness is one that I find deeply pleasing.

The drums smack with a granite solidity as the bass undulates and tender sounds float past. A feeling of serenity fills the melody as it slips easily by, moving in misty tendrils guided by the drumbeat and thick bass.

Revolving arpeggios spill out effulgent light as a pulsing note pattern twirls around itself and the bass becomes a physical force beneath it. The fiercely bright notes that cascade bring a feeling of crystalline uplift to the music, as the interlocking synth and heavy bass fill the background.

A delicate melodic line shines out and lends another element of positivity to the track. All of the synth layers combine to create huge power and auditory fascination. Calm and drama coexist well on this track.

The drums and bass form the pounding heartbeat once again as the synth rolls over itself, tidal and tranquil, before the track comes to an end.

Conclusion

Another World is an album full of superb synth combinations, exquisite melodic moments and an atmosphere that drenches everything in Cyberwalker’s unique sound. If there were ever an album that could transport me to a new place, I think this one would be it.

LukHash - Home Arcade

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

LukHash’s Home Arcade transports listeners on a journey through chiptune-influenced synth music, conjuring up late nights of 8-bit gaming and the thrill of adventuring in a computerized realm. LukHash skillfully combines his chiptune background with a wide variety of other synthesized elements to paint strong mental images. Added to that, he has a real facility for writing melodies and layering music in a way that's compelling and entertaining.

One of the standout features of Home Arcade is the way in which LukHash weaves together all of the different elements of his sonic palette. Of course, the chiptune elements are prominent, mingling different sounds from classic computer systems with their unmistakable clean attack. But there are also unique synth sounds that weave together and draw the listener on an exciting ride through a computerized realm.

As far as melodies are concerned, Home Arcade is rich with LukHash’s talent for crafting them. Each melody is full of deep engagement and powerful imagery. He is able to elicit a wide range of emotional responses with each melody, sometimes varying the mood within a single track. As a result, each melodic moment is full of feeling and depth as the album unfolds and we travel along with it.

Another excellent feature of Home Arcade is the way in which all of the different musical elements come together to create a luscious whole. Every different aspect brings a freshness and creativity to the entire package which is hard to ignore. There’s a cohesiveness to the way in which the sounds come together, while still allowing for diversity and aural interest as the tracks unfold.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Carrier Wave” Starts with monumental bass descending as warmly trembling notes slowly plane out with a computerized sound. Nostalgia soaks the digitized sounds as they levitate above the deep bass well and glide smoothly past me. This opening enchants me as it pulls me into the music before fading.

Broadly bouncing 8-bit notes flicker back and forth along with rebounding percussion to commence “Bootloader.” The bass is vast and dances dynamically while the computerized pulses continue to flash. A dramatically jumping synth with a taut quality carries an energetic melodic line before a smoothly slipping synth calls out, carrying a majestic melody, full of power.

8-bit notes volley back and forth while a quickly flitting synth carries a motivational melody. Digitized notes add nobility, imbuing me with adventurous feelings. The low end continues to hit hard as the beaming synth calls out. As the surging digital notes drive on, twisting slightly, the bass batters. Rumbling notes move and the ominous flare of synth fades to silence.

“199X” begins as a fiercely radiant synth moves with a ferociously attacking bassline. The bass is raging and incredibly powerful as the popping, echoing synth rings out in mad lines. The main melody kicks in with a shining explosion, erupting with unstoppable strength. Strangely serpentine sounds ring out along with the angrily throbbing drums and gigantic bass.

Slipping sounds wriggle past with wild exuberance before the main melody echoes out again, leaping with unrelenting motion, carrying me along with its sense of freedom. The melody continues to erupt as brilliantly glittering synth flicks through and the low end roils. Open-sounding, echoing synth hypnotically pulsates and the drums and bass thunder fiercely. The track ends abruptly.

A driving, pulsing bassline slices with razor edges to kick off “Magnetique.” As the dense bass undulates, brightly bursting synth cuts in swirling lines and the drums pound. The thin-sounding, digitally slicing notes move in a melody that is insistent and energizing, while worshipful sounds float in the distance. Drums flourish as a brassy synth calls out with a darkly dramatic melody and the nasal-sounding, sharp-edged synth continues to whirl.

A choral synth calls out in the distance. I enjoy the intense strength and trance-inducing melodic pattern as the 8-bit notes cry out with a piping quality, full of adventure and ancient power, carrying me along with them. The melody reminds me of the great video game melodies from the past as it unfolds with triumphant life before the track ends.

Easily trickling, computerized notes tumble as a steady, repeating creak moves in the background to start “CopyParty Memories.” Now the drums and bass move along with luminous chords that swell behind the digitally bouncing notes which cavort wildly The 8-bit melody echoes with excitement and new horizons. Solid bass descends as piano notes resonate with strength and uplifting zeal.

The drums explode as sparkling notes swirl through the music and the bright, digital-sounding notes wander crazily. The main melody grabs hold of me and carries me along with dynamism and encouragement, evoking sensations of youthful joy. As the drums continue to pound, ragged bass snarls and the thrilling synth fades into extended piano notes and rumbling depths.

“Chiptune Ride” swells into life with a powerfully rising sound. The snare drum bursts into a funky beat as the bass pulsates and a sharply tripping synth skips through the music. The low end rides a groove as the orchestra hits flash and a silky synth carries smoothly glowing chords. The computerized notes bop, full of lively '80s vibes and joy.

As the low end slams hard, dazzling chords interlock and a flat-sounding pulse tumbles. The drums flourish again and the earworm of a tune wriggles and shimmies, filling me with childlike enjoyment. Ticking percussion moves as the slightly muffled chords flicker and filmy notes float.

The 8-bit melody flicks again with unstoppable, youthful pleasure as the digital arpeggios in the background leap. The low end pounds on as the funky bass surfs and the song fades into silence with orchestra hits.

Hovering sounds slowly move along with what sounds like a printer to commence “Dream Off.” A quickly rippling drum and bass beat trips past as the rounded, computerized-sounding melody dances. Elements of celebration and uplift fill the melody as zipping synth noises intermingle in the distance and the stuttering drum and bass pattern adds shape.

The main melody takes hold of me and flings me out into space, erupting with hopeful life above the unrelenting low end. Active bass moves in shivering lines as the drums pop with hard edges. The lead’s chippy sound gives it clarity as it flies through the music, trailing dynamic power.

The drums and bass continue to cruise smoothly as the music unfolds. The 8-bit melody is clean and cutting, bumping through the music with animating fire. The surging bass continues to drive the music as the snare drums snap and the track comes to an end.

“Fading” opens as smoothly spinning arpeggios permeate the music with tenderness, while a clock-like ticking fills the percussion. Bass moves in deep pulses and the militaristic drums batter above the unending arpeggios. The bass rises as a slicing synth moves in the distance and the glowing notes around it wrap everything in warmth.

The synth has a violin-like quality, crying out with resonance and affecting feelings. The huge drums rebound as the arpeggios ripple and the bass swells thickly. Now there’s a crescendo and the classically inspired melody calls out with yearning and reverberant, touching emotion. I am pulled inward by this beautifully composed melody that fades quietly away.

“SIDStorm” begins as a ferocious bass onslaught mingles with explosive chip sounds that leap into the track. The chip notes rush forward with aggression and a harsh digital sound.

Digital-sounding notes undulate and dance while the low end hits with impressive force. The chip notes have a cutting feeling as warmer chords flow up around them. The percussion has power as it drives on while the chip notes arpeggiate and the background adds illumination.

Now a lucid synth bends, carrying a melody that has a certain magnificence to it. The bass exerts overwhelming force before it drops out briefly. The bass returns with punching drums as the glowing, nasal-sounding synth carries a noble melody. I enjoy the intense strength that this music radiates as it unfolds.

Gruff, computerized pulses shifting rapidly as a twirling 8-bit arpeggio rushes through the music in a quick flow to start “Raster Bar.” The drums are clean and punch hard as the 8-bit melody cries out with hopeful spirit and an uplifting, joyful feeling while the gruff noises in the distance continue to slice through.

Arpeggios tremble in rapid motion while caressing notes in the background add depth. The lead melody cries out again, filling the music with positive vibes and energetic life. I am drawn to the heroic and dreamy quality of the melody as it unfolds.

Grandeur pours from the melody before a secondary melodic segment twirls through, feeling quite “Castlevania”-like in its darkly dancing minor key qualities. Meanwhile, the rebounding drums and bass add weight. The first melody soars out again, flying and full of victorious life before the track comes to an end.

“Power Up” starts with an industrially churning beat and weirdly wandering, digital-sounding synth. A nasal-sounding note pattern vibrates above the tumbling drum and bass propulsion, as echoing, xylophone-like noises leap with dynamic power.

The main melody is full of encouragement and indomitable strength as the classic computerized arpeggios pulse. The tightly wound synth carrying the main melody bounces out with motion and life above the stuttering low end. As the xylophone taps brightly, the unrelenting drum and bass motion shutters below.

The melody is triumphant while the thrilling arpeggios spin with radiance. I find the main melody compelling as it adds victorious feelings before gently caressing sounds move and fade into silence.

Conclusion

Home Arcade is a thrilling and ear-pleasing adventure that moves through digital landscapes and synthesized sound paintings as LukHash carries us along. I've been a longtime follower of his work and this is another superb installment in a series of well-done albums and singles.