Synth EP Review: “Velocity” by Innervisions

by Karl Magi

Innervisions’ “Velocity” combines motion and peaceful relaxation into a layered, lusciously engaging whole. As the track unfolds, I am carried away on a journey of turquoise voices and emotional states that span gentleness and tranquility. This is music for quiet nights and laid-back days.

“Velocity” opens with quickly tumbling bass and distantly hovering tones that spin a rapid pattern. The low end pulses smoothly while the synth above rushes with easygoing, limpid sensation, encircled by delicately glowing tones that brush with light ease. The rhythm is steady and guiding as swirling notes float like stars in the firmament.

A peaceful quality washes through the track, wrapping around me and carrying me into fluffy clouds beneath an indigo sky. The silky motion feels like a sonic river, cool and effortless, drifting past tiny motes of light as sunny sounds flicker.

The drums drop away as widely levitating notes shine with gentle brightness, then return while echoing synth trails drift through like flower petals on a summer wind. The motion is insistent but soothing, simply drifting into silence.

Satiny tones spill out above softly shaping percussion to commence “Prism.” An active beat jumps into the music, creating guidance as aquatic notes float with a metallic edge. The main melody gushes forward while computerized tones vibrate with precision and the rhythm shapes the track.

Sunlight spills from the lead synth, permeating me with the warmth of a spring day as a rebounding drumbeat adds motion. Luminous notes flicker with affection, like tendrils of broken light, as the track slowly slips.

Once again, the underlayer presses forward while dancing tones intermingle, flashing and brushing over me with benevolence. Rounded sounds call out with a melody that wraps itself around me, full of relaxation, before the track ends.

“Active State” begins as a synth wash filled with cerulean tranquility, while softly ticking percussion adds shape. The dynamic bassline rebounds as a punchy beat presses forward and hovering tones wander into openness. The drums become hypnotic as a raised synth gives off crystalline sparkle, washing vibrantly through the music.

Twisting sounds move around flickering tones with opalescent glow, drifting easily and freely. Tiny notes shine and near silence is punctuated by distantly flowing tones before an actively guiding underlayer moves forward, the beat echoing into openness. As the glimmering synth flashes with radiance, the music slides toward its end in peace and lustrous serenity.

Synth Single Review: “Vanish” by Ekohflare & Pashang 爬上

by Karl Magi

Ekohflare & Pashang 爬上’s “Vanish” creates a vivid vision of galactic beauty. The track begins with a hissing void, quickly broken into by rushing synth and widely bursting drums. In the background, prismatic notes suffuse the music with warmth as the main melody cuts loose, drifting with cosmic delicacy. The rhythm is smoothly guiding and the lead synth has a lithe quality as a steady high end pulsation adds starlight.

The main melody is full of heart and soul as tentative notes tremble in the distance. Ekohflare’s guitar seizes my imagination with expressive, ethereal sound while a cosmic wind drifts across planetary space. Tiny chimes flicker with filigreed ease as elevated synth slides like starry light through outer space.

The drums flash widely as bell-like notes shine and the guitar cascades—melancholy, but still hopeful. Pashang uses his synths to paint galactic imagery, capturing me in a vision of outer space that gleams with radiance before the track comes to an end.

Synth Single Review: “Reborn” by Out Runner

by Karl Magi

Out Runner’s “Reborn” unfolds as a vast, tender starscape. The track starts as soothing but vast bass swells outward, joined by a broadly slipping arpeggio that radiates calming grace. Titanic low end weight contrasts with fragility and tenuous emotion in the circling arpeggio, adding balance. Peace fills the music while a breathy exhalation drifts past, the rhythm locking into a more solid heartbeat.

As the music glides, the main melody slides forward with thoughtful luminosity, capturing dreamy emotion. Tonal layers wash with shimmering brightness before the percussion drops away and a tentatively brushing synth wanders. Arpeggios spin and Out Runner’s guitar moves through the music with deep beauty, rising to the heavens to express triumph against the odds, full of memory and the desire to move forward.

As the track breathes out with tenderness, bass rebounds and the lead synth wings easily through the music. I am carried through a starscape, imbued with feelings of returning home, before the guitar captures all of the yearning for change and forward progress expressed by the melody. As the track comes to an end, Out Runner’s guitar leaps through the music before falling silent along with drifting arpeggios.

Synth Single Review: “Stay With Me” by Woren, GMNI88, Shred Krueger & Tholos

by Karl Magi

Woren, GMNI88, Shred Krueger & Tholos’ “Stay With Me” is a plea for love that burns with need. The song commences as tender, hushed notes drift before an effulgent synth carries a brightly entangling melody. Echoing, luscious patterns ripple outward while sweeping chords expand richly below them. GMNI88’s sorrow-tinged vocals carry a melody that shivers with need.

As the drums leap with titanic propulsion, the chorus climbs, full of sincerity and pleading. The vocals charm me with their touching nature and compelling impact. GMNI88’s voice contains quivering emotion as it drifts through the music. In the distance, intermingling tonal patterns expand with tranquility before the tremulous vocals slide out again.

Breezy notes exhale while a synth drifts like ripples on a still pond. Intensely vibrating tones gather beneath the vocals, which rise with passion and pain above the foundational pulse. Shred Krueger’s guitar solo delves into loss and burning need with intricacy and impassioned strength. 

As the drums add support, the guitar unwinds in a rush of overwhelming feeling, cutting straight to the heart of the song’s meaning. As the song ends, the vocals fade with tenderness and loss.

The storyteller is lost in reverie about the song’s subject. His “cigarette won’t light itself,” and he burns it down to the filter as he pleads, “Stay with me for one more night, let the daylight draw your line.” He admits that the pain cuts both ways as he asks the other person to remain with him.

He notes that “these glasses won’t refill themselves,” musing that his tears “don’t taste as sweet as they do when I need you.” Though the song’s subject insists it’s the end, he wonders why it must be so, asking, “You say it’s the end, why can’t we just pretend?” before admitting that he isn’t ready yet.