Synth Single Review: “Ephemeral Storm" by eLxAr & Roberto Montoya

by Karl Magi

eLxAr & Roberto Montoya’s “Ephemeral Storm" is about overcoming fear and moving forward. The song begins as solidly rhythmic bass undulates beneath a scintillating synth carrying a majestically wistful melody while Roberto Montoya’s affecting voice unfolds with lyrical expression.

The beat throbs as the synth gleams like a light beam breaking on seawater and Roberto Montoya's voice is full of intense melancholy, mirrored by Alexandra Chirilă's silky sound. The adventure within the words is reflected in the engaging vocal performance while the synth sparkles like a ray breaking through dark clouds. As thunder rumbles, the two singers bring together their beautifully heartfelt voices and touch me deeply as they do so.

Roberto Montoya’s guitar slips past with a dreamy glide while his deep vocal expression is mirrored by Alexandra Chirilă's own feeling. Rain falls as the main melody is transported on a lambent synth while the guitar intermingles with tentative gentleness. The vocals are gripping as they echo out over the underpinnings and the strings softly illuminate the music, wrapping around me as ocean sounds fade into silence.

“The weather seems to hold fast when a gale wind starts to bend the masts and sails in the storm,” even as the storyteller sees the shore ahead. He had a chance to “prove my resolve,” yet he couldn’t bring his strength to bear. Waves crash over the bow, clouds pour out and “the stars are on the move beyond the great horizon.” With the storm approaching, he longs to rise above his fears.

“It turned into a time for courage at heart, the chance was there to prove my resolve,” and this time he understands he can’t let it slip away again. So, gathering what strength he has left, he rows straight into the storm.

Synth Single Review: “Backstreets of My Heart” by Electrobite & B1ZB1Z

by Karl Magi

Electrobite’s “Backstreets of My Heart” explores the intimate connection between two people. The song commences as gently overlapping synths slide into the music with neon brightness. The lead singer's voice surges with nostalgic, dreaming emotion as the background flickers like blue-tinted street lights. A sharply guiding rhythm supports the chorus as it moves with tender emotion while the funky guitar pulse swirls around the drums.

I enjoy the resonance of the lead singer's performance, as it conveys the liminal quality of the song. The beat moves like a highway under rushing tires while the bass rebounds. As the string section adds a graceful feeling, the vocalist engages me fully with his rich performance. The chimes add tremulous radiance, like distant city lights on the horizon. The vocals float with disembodied smoothness before the disco strings wrap around the underlayer pressing forward. The string section slides out before the song slips to a conclusion.

As the song’s subject and the storyteller drive into the silent night, “the city sleeps under stark neon light.” As the other person takes hold of the wheel, the storyteller says they don’t need Google Maps to know where to go. He goes on to say, “You drive the highways to my heart, you know each turn and every part.” He adds, “I’m like a child falling in love every mile.”

Our narrator says the song’s subject has the keys that make him spark and “you know the back streets of my heart.” He likens the other person to the view from far-away stars as they “ride all night until the morning arrives.” They don’t care about the red lights as they “feel the breeze from the hot, hot summer air.”

Synth Single Review: “Tequila Sunrise" by UFO82, Dug Masters & Rogue FX

by Karl Magi

UFO82, Dug Masters & Rogue FX’s “Tequila Sunrise" captures all of the love and passion of the tropical sun. The song starts as waves wash and seagulls call while a solar synth flashes and Latin percussion adds more tropical flavor. Hollow panpipes drift with wispy elegance as the radiant main melody dances with easygoing passion. Rogue FX’s caressing vocals wrap around me like the gentle glow of a sunrise while the funky low end grooves.

Trickling notes sparkle with all the clarity of Caribbean water as the percussion drops out and Rogue FX captures all of the relaxation and gentle emotion within the lyrics. The synth flickers with poolside sensations and the sailing panpipes add a peaceful exhalation. The active percussion rebounds as sensual vocals slide with smooth fervency.

The rhythm presses on while the groove becomes even more undeniable and Rogue FX injects desire and affection into his aquatically flowing performance. The background evokes white sand beaches, rustling palm trees and watching the sun come up after an intimate night.

As the song’s subject and the narrator “lay down in the last of the summer sun,” they slip into an easy, glowing peace as sunset approaches. The narrator reminds us to savour the moment “as the sun comes down around you.” They’re “chilling on that vibe,” drinks barely touched at their side as their conversation drifts freely. They’re “waiting on that sunset moment” while inspiration flows and “those memories—you know, all goodness for the soul.”

A shot of tequila, maybe a splash of sangria and the storyteller says it’s “great to be here” as they toast all of “nature’s wins” in a sundown serenade. He adds that it’s “the Earth’s communication to count all your blessings as you breathe out and feel alive.” The perfect moment lifts them onto a magic carpet ride. Waves splash against the beach, stress evaporates and their faith and love are renewed. They wait for the sunset so they can feel “the joy of life again, a solar daisy chain.”

Even if others can’t be with them “far away across the skies where all time stands so still” they’re still sharing the “nirvana around us,” as the “sundown serenade is a tequila sunrise.”

Synth Single Review: “In The Rearview Mirror" by Timecop1983 & Josh Dally

by Karl Magi

Timecop1983 & Josh Dally’s “In The Rearview Mirror" pierces with fiery emotional expression as it unfolds. The song opens as soothingly deep bass flows and a thread of radiant synth is joined by Josh Dally’s intensely engaging voice. The melody burns with agonized, lost passion as the bass continues to rumble.

Josh Dally’s immediate and intense vocal performance pulls me into the words, forging feelings within me. Brilliant synth begins to spill out as the sharp edges of the bass are joined by a drum beat that adds propulsive force to the vocal strength. The rhythm erupts as Josh Dally’s raw performance springs out and soft tones flicker with light.

The underpinnings are muscled and clean while bells glimmer and the vocals fly with fervent expression. Josh Dally has an unerring ability to transmute lyrics into unadulterated sensation, while in the background Timecop1983 creates a universe of soft illumination and swirling colours. The drums cut out and velvet synth billows like clouds before silence falls.

“Neon fades into the night” as the storyteller and the song’s subject pass through the glowing lights. He observes, “We were chasing something pure, but now I’m not so sure,” as they wander through vacant streets and silver rain. He could swear the radio just said the other person’s name and “every song just pulls me there to everything that brought me here.”

“I keep driving through the echoes of the life we left behind,” and all of the colours start to run together “right back in time.” He points out that “everything looks better in the rearview mirror,” where all of the pain transmutes into gold and all of the nights seem to grow clearer. The further away he gets, the closer he feels, because the rearview mirror softens the truth until everything glows.

The storyteller can still see the song subject’s face in chrome, though their reflection has long disappeared. If he could turn the car around, maybe they could rebound but the distance keeps rolling away. He guesses “the moment’s come and gone,” yet still keeps chasing what they were. “Through the blur, I saw your shadow on the line, fading out between the signs.”

He concludes that he couldn’t see what was right in front of him. He knows it’s crazy, but he had to go and now “it’s just you and me, lost in a memory.”