Synth Single Review: “Skyfall" by Novaclypse

by Karl Magi

Novaclypse’s “Skyfall" evokes the complexity of a futuristic city. The track begins as darkly throbbing bass joins cleanly pulsing drums, accompanied by whispering voices and unsettling sensations. Spectral notes drift with disconnected elegance, carrying a dramatic melody that hints at danger. 

A tonal gleam adds lustre before a spinning note pattern moves behind a rippling synth that cries out with mournful yearning. The main melody captures me with its haunting, contemplative emotion as bells ring. A warning voice speaks while a tonal choir vibrates with glassy sensations, blending light with emotional shadow. 

Steady underpinnings throb as jeweled notes flicker. A synth solo radiates ghostly gentleness, wandering with jazz-inflected cool and a saxophone-like quality as it soars. A robotic voice echoes again, the drums thunder, and the guitar rises with spectral intricacy, transmitting the atmosphere of a city full of neon light and ever-present darkness. The main melody levitates, thoughtful and faintly hurting, before the song closes.

Synth Single Review: “Different Times" by Nightflyer

by Karl Magi

Nightflyer’s “Different Times" is a tribute to better days. The track comes to life as a piano carries a melody that aches with delicacy and hushed warmth. In the distance, soothing sonic waves glide past while the calm percussion provides deep guidance. The piano trickles with fragile tracery as a round-sounding synth transmits a melody full of glorious uplift and nostalgic memory.

In the music, affection combines with loss to fill me with bittersweet emotion. Fluting notes slide past as the lead synth exudes luxurious illumination and a rapturous series of tones breathes with peace. I let go and simply float into the azure flow of the music, drifting along with utter serenity.

This is music which touches my soul. A full-sounding synth is joined by bells weaving beautifully textured patterns. The rhythm remains strong and steady while limpid tones move in richly intertwining whorls before silence falls.

Atlas Neon - Nightmare Arcade

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Atlas Neon’s “Nightmare Arcade” evokes a wide swath of human emotion through auditory exploration. I enjoy the way darkness and light, joy and pain all intermingle into a compelling musical journey. The artist works with his guests to paint sonic imagery that carries the listener along and draws them into the atmosphere being created. Combined with absolutely dominant percussion and bass, the music travels through shifting feelings and moods to unveil the album’s heart.

One of the more intriguing aspects of “Nightmare Arcade” is the variety of sonic journeys Atlas Neon embarks upon. His use of synths is innovative, creating fascinating tonal and textural effects. This allows him to evoke atmospheric sensations and psychological states that deepen the sense of travel within each track. The end result is thoroughly pleasing to hear and genuinely fascinating.

Another deeply interesting part of “Nightmare Arcade" is Atlas Neon’s approach to percussion and bass. The underpinnings are full of distinctive percussive sounds and bass that possess their own character and mood. Moments of absolutely intimidating strength mingle with rhythmic patterns that weave their own atmosphere as they unfold. Each track uses percussion and bass to propel and shape the musical narrative.

The guest artists on “Nightmare Arcade" are a major part of its success. Each brings their own special talents, deepening the impressions of psychological travel throughout the album. Amy Wallace and Neil Henry possess voices with unique timbres, conveying emotions with immediacy. Jarrod Guaderrama’s guitar adds further dynamism and complexity to the track he contributes to and ØNEZRØ brings his dark, hard-hitting vibes to the party.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Dolphin Pills” starts off as ocean sweeps join with a chiming pattern and the low end throbs with intense energy. 8-bit sounds tremble and twinkle as the resonating rhythm rebounds and the track launches with profound strength. Vibrating notes rush with digital precision, adding excitement as the dense low end rumbles.

A playful beat trips as illuminating chords ring out and computerized notes chime. The low end growls with unstoppable strength as bending tones wriggle through the music. Images of skimming across blue water appear through iridescent chords and are joined by a dolphin sound. Scintillating notes jump before a darker wave runs through the music.

High notes cry out in warning as snapping percussion moves and the rhythm breaks into a shattered soundscape. A broad-toned synth cries out with growing apprehension while the beat accelerates again. Rippling 8-bit arpeggios dance with abandon as broken beats stutter and a disembodied synth floats. Excitement rings from the voiceover while distorted notes shimmy, vibrant chords fly out and the track ends.

Deeply rounded notes reverberate as flaming patterns spin to commence “Palmtree Panic.” A throbbing bassline creates a hip-shaking rhythm as a gravelly synth planes with a melody that combines haunting energy and a jazzy twist. The beat thunders with smoothly tropical sounds, timbale percussion adding to the vibes, as the saxophone breathes out a luscious melody that glides with easygoing smoothness.

As the underpinnings add a disco sway, complemented by dancing strings, Latin percussion weaves a jumping pattern. Resonating tones move with flashing chords and computerized sounds before the saxophone exhales chilled-out, velvety sensations that wrap around me and carry me away.

The bubbling, digitized soundscape contrasts with the organic saxophone to create a unique mix. The synth is equally jazzy and full of cool vibes before the funk guitar moves with the undulating bass and the track closes out.

“Midnight Moves” opens as a cassette tape plays, while thudding percussion moves with floating voices and the immense low end surges with springy energy. The guitar cuts with clarity and a sense of ardent dynamism above the rhythmic pulsation below it. The melody the guitar carries is dramatic and shadowed as Neil Henry’s sensually entangling voice call out.

The underlayer’s dense vibration creates a rebounding sensation as Neil Henry’s chocolate-smooth vocals wrap around my ears, slipping with seductive energy. The hard-hitting beat has a dance-floor-filling drive as caressing vocals convey irresistible passion. Tightly wound tones trip as a bouncing drum-and-bass heartbeat drives on.

The chorus is deeply compelling as the groovy low end is cut by Jarrod Guaderrama’s clean guitar, unfurling with unrestrained desire as the guitar solo comes in. It is shadowy, brimming with barely contained power. Hard-punching underpinnings move as the lead singer’s uniquely attractive vocal sound carries the chorus and the guitar swirls to an end.

As our storyteller runs back to the place he knew, it’s because he loves the song’s subject and “we make the midnight moves.” He thought of everything he’d say, but “my heart is heavy and it’s getting late,” so he decides to stay awake. He admits, “I feel like dancing alone with a drink and a cellular phone, no one to call but all this time under the disco ball.”

As the other person moves, he confesses, “I just like the way you’re moving in the light, as we’re moving at midnight.”

“Nightmare Arcade” begins with cadaverous sounds climbing upward with whispering grace and flat percussion that explodes into crushing bass sounds and pounding beats. The initial melody is full of spectral sensations before huge weight moves in and the drums create an unstoppable rhythm. The synth undulates heavily, thick and threatening, while the heaving underlayer adds even more deadly heft.

The track drifts for a moment as shattered beats flicker through and rising notes slowly flash. The rhythm breaks apart as colossal bass trembles with danger. Then the track accelerates again, smashing hard at the low end while the drums slice with clarity. Distorted vocal samples cut through as a trumpeting lead synth cries out in a victorious surge. I enjoy the prodigious weight and menacing majesty of the track before silence falls.

Stuttering drums move as oceanic sounds flow with tranquility and the track accelerates to open “Miami Heat.” The beat moves with a heavy groove as Neil Henry’s caressing, voluptuous vocals slide like a blue current of warm water. The shimmying rhythm has a distinct dance-floor-filling pulse as computerized notes vibrate. Neil Henry seizes the ardent desire within the words, transporting them with deep feeling.

A punching rhythmic pulse fills the music with forward motion while a synth cries out with piercing lustre, bending and shivering with emotion. As the background radiates prismatically, the track moves around me with smooth warmth while the heavily thudding underpinnings tremble.

Neil Henry creates resonant expression as a wobbling synth rises with increased tension and the drums erupt. The bass attacks with ferocious depth and irrepressible dynamism while a chunky synth growls and shudders. Rising sounds twist upward again and the track dances to an end with propulsive power and seductive emotion.

While urging the song’s subject to take it slow, he adds that “nobody has to know where we go from here.” He encourages the other person to have no fear, insisting, “You’re mine, all mine.” If they take it slow and take their time, he believes they can be where they need to be, “just you and me.”

“GRID SLAYER” starts with an unsettling noise and militaristic drums that burst beneath a voiceover, capturing the dark science-fiction mood that permeates the music. The rhythm snaps with sharp force, while glittering notes tumble above and lacerating bass tones tear through the track. Smoothly undulating arpeggios jump with galactic illumination as monumental sounds rip angrily through the distance.

The rhythmic underlayer rages while airier sounds shine with fragility. The drums fade into the background as a drifting voiceover moves past. Hollow percussion throbs as angular synth lines cut with razor-sharp cleanliness and arpeggios spin with jewel-like precision. Gargantuan percussive underpinnings thunder while nasal, computerized tones bend. A choir adds epic drama before the colliding drums and bass pulse into quiet.

Mysteriously drifting notes float through emptiness to begin “SPICE LORDS.” Amy Wallace’s whispering voice adds a ghostly shadow as the low end seethes dramatically. Exhaling breaths move behind snarled voices, and her spectral vocals create sensations of ancient magic.

Exotic percussion trembles and bursting notes flash through the music. Tablas add a unique percussive quality as croaking tones evoke eldritch sensations. Hugely dancing notes rebound as the vocals cry out with ancient strength, capturing a world full of danger and beauty.

Tablas are joined by slicing metallic tones while the vocals echo. Slamming underpinnings press forward as Amy Wallace’s chanting vocals unfold with threatening import. Throbbing bass and ringing drums heighten the drama, massive weight and lacerating force moving beneath quickly exhaled breaths as crying vocals carry the track to its end.

“Shaman Dust” begins with a voiceover speaking of how evil is often fought by good, but in these times should be fought by another kind of evil. Distant sounds vibrate with phantasmic sensation as vocals heave with menace and shadow. Percussion enhances the magical atmosphere while bending sounds slice like tearing claws, grating and growling. Drum and bass underpinnings snap cleanly as gnarled tones intertwine with deeply uncomfortable feelings.

Imposing horns move alongside darkly chanting voices, adding timeless power. I am drawn to the crushing weight and malevolent emotion that courses through the track. An unsettled voice cries out as the drums interlace and whipping notes streak past. Enchantment and haunted energy pour out as interlocking metallic tones ring, the low end heaving irresistibly as sinister vocals shift and brassy sounds descend into Stygian depths.

Conclusion

“Nightmare Arcade” draws me into a world of darkness and beauty, moving between neon light and ancient terror. The album is anchored by tremendous percussion and driven by lush, complex synth textures. When combined with the excellent guest artists, the result is music that engages deeply and rewards repeated listening.

Synth Single Review: “Between Dreams That Linger” by Neon Shards, Bitmask & Timesloth

by Karl Magi

Neon Shards, Bitmask & Timesloth’s “Between Dreams That Linger” captures deeply touching emotion. The track is born as a resonant synth echoes with thoughtful motion while immense bass rumbles below. Vast vistas open as ringing tones scatter starlight and an evenly pulsating beat guides the journey. A synth glints with cool blue light as the melody drifts, full of nostalgic affection. The drums feel muffled while long tonal planes unfurl with growing serenity, even as sharp tones cut through.

A jet-like sound sweeps past as notes tremble with caressing feeling and chimes shimmer delicately. Metallic tones spill over with uplift, softened by ache. Neon Shards’ guitar enters with charged warmth, wrapping around me with a wholehearted expression. Beneath it all, the rhythm rebounds and the drums cut back in. The guitar cries with trembling emotion before coolly slipping tones float outward into silence.