Synth Single Review: “Final Voyage" by Faulty Lights & Orbita

by Karl Magi

Faulty Lights & Orbita’s “Final Voyage" is a chilled-out, warmth-drenched journey. The track begins with trumpeting notes that flash out as the underpinnings rise with deep bass. Flaring notes shine together before the underpinnings throb and the drums hit with laid-back ease. Brilliance flickers from a synth before a sweet melody emerges and flows with simple calm. Every sonic element creates increasing meditative gentleness as the music evolves.

Astral sounds float past before lucent tones vibrate. The rounded lead synth carries me away on a tide of peaceful warmth, so soothing and full of reassurance that I can relax completely. The underlayer is strong and steady while shimmering notes create a curtain of starry brilliance, evoking the night sky. The main melody sings out again with tenderness and a sense of melancholy contemplation as the underpinnings continue to add shape and the track slowly fades out.

Synth Single Review: “Sax You Up” by Glenn Main & July Sax

by Karl Magi

Glenn Main & July Sax’s “Sax You Up” exudes serenity and sensuality. The track opens as tranquil notes move like water against the shore while a sweeping synth floats. July Sax’s saxophone moves like lucid sunlight through cool, oceanic water, and the drums patter with elegant flow. I am lifted and carried by the current of the saxophone as it exhales with silky light. Glenn Main’s keytar cries out, as smooth as a black sand beach in the tropical sun.

Underneath, the rhythm provides a steady foundation while the saxophone carries on with all the ease of a warm tropical wind ruffling palm trees. Everything is ultra-clean and full of caressing emotion as Glenn Main plays his keytar with feeling and passion, letting it slide like a yacht moving out of the harbour. I enjoy the evocative nature of the melody played on the keytar, and July Sax’s saxophone breathes out with ardour, joined by the keytar again as it shares the melody, adding depth and richness. The whole track lives and breathes with calm, graceful motion before slipping into silence.

Synth Single Review: “Doomseeker” by Skylane Drive

by Karl Magi

Skylane Drive’s “Doomseeker” contains fragility, darkness and power. The track begins with twinkling, string-like notes descending through reverberant space before the drums erupt. A fierce rhythm punches with unrestrained power while the razor-sharp notes above it cut cleanly. Propulsive underpinnings churn with force and brilliant notes tremble with fragility and a tentative sensation.

The low end presses forward with invincible strength, thundering and adding contrast to the metallic notes that ring out above it. Rising tension fills an elevated tonal pattern that screams higher before ricocheting drums slam again. Elevated notes shine in a circular pattern while rumbling bass reminds us that danger lurks nearby.

As the ripping notes growl, distorted sounds sweep nervously. The smoothly flowing synth  spirals outward with a peaceful quality, drawing me into a reverie punctuated by the ominous darkness surging below. Once again, a taut sound winds up before the main melody gleams on the lead synth, hypnotizing me with its gilded patterns while chimes flicker and the surging low end fades into quiet.

Synth Single Review: “Still Falling” by New Arcades

by Karl Magi

New Arcades’ “Still Falling” is drenched in warmth and beautiful memory. The track starts as deeply surrounding bass moves with luminous synth, tripping in flowing patterns. Rapidly revolving tones jump out into the thick bass weight around them, blurring with radiance. Each note that flickers through the twilight spills out emotion and tenderness, evoking a past to which we secretly wish to return. As auroral notes burst free, full of peaceful openness, I am transported into clouds of refracted light and nostalgic memory.

Tremendous drums collide and reverberate while cascading notes exude neon-lit brightness. A voice rings out, calling fervently through the music. Images of drifting downward through effulgence wash through the music, creating a sense of dreamy recollection tinged with a hint of yearning. The bass is rich and heavy, rumbling subtly below the continually swirling notes, which broadcast scintillating light before the track closes out.