Synth Single Review: “OVERPRESSURE” by Bending Grid

by Karl Magi

Bending Grid’s “OVERPRESSURE” bursts with menacing strength and huge energy. The track begins as a shadowy sound moves with high notes that twist uncomfortably and the bass rumbles with sinister weight. The percussion begins to move with growing rage as lower tones descend and a steady drone shifts.

The rhythm is fierce and towering, full of shattering strength as it hammers below the diabolically writhing notes that move above it. The feeling of oppressive weight is undeniable as drums continue to pulsate and a distorted voice repeats, “overpressure.”

As the melody rises and exudes luminosity, the underlayer thumps with dangerous strength. I am drawn to the way in which the drums stomp with insistent potency, creating a feeling of terrifying darkness waiting below the surface. Seething notes cry out as quickly bounding sounds wriggle in the distance. The main melody moves on explosive notes that spill out with tension and blinding light. Once again, the tyrannical drum beat smashes and the track comes to a close.

Synth Single Review: “The Long Way Out” by Arkavoid

by Karl Magi

Arkavoid’s “The Long Way Out” is a paean to youthful wonder and bittersweet memory. The track begins as a drifting voiceover mingles with coiling, computerized notes before a scintillating synth moves above the undulating weight below. The melody is adventurous and full of youthful possibility while it dances above the reverberant rhythm, the powerful drums rebounding.

Distant notes flow with softly shifting movement while trumpeting tones rise with a mixture of pride and warm remembrance. Crystalline bells add sparkle while the foundation pulsates and the guitar strums with shining tones.

As shimmering notes spill, arpeggios move on digital-sounding bells, circling in hypnotic motion. A medium-high synth carries a melody that repeats with smooth power, ringing out with anticipation while the underpinnings drive onward.

The lead synth moves with an exciting and positive melody that captures me with its energetic sense of hope as the bass oscillates and the main melody glimmers with irrepressible luminosity. The beat is even and gigantic while raised tones exude brilliance and the low end rushes forward.

The chimes move like prismatic refractions while the guitar entangles with uplifting liveliness and radiant tones spill like fresh sunlight. Broad notes burst with fiery brightness before the track comes to an end on a descending note pattern that flows with optimistic light before computerized notes fade away.

Synth Single Review: “Speed Bump” by Eddie Wrevlonne

by Karl Magi

Eddie Wrevlonne’s “Speed Bump” looks back on a relationship both painful and worthy of remembrance. The song begins as chimes ring with wistful light before Eddie Wrevlonne’s voice moves like espresso tinged with dark chocolate while the melody brims with hurt. Drums rebound as the shadowy vocals grab me with their fractured emotions.

Unctuous arpeggios radiate muted light as Eddie Wrevlonne expresses damaged affection while the rhythm rebounds. Sweetness mingles with the pain in the lyrics, touching and full of reflection, while computerized tones drift past the rich flow of Eddie Wrevlonne’s low voice.

The vocals move with a bereft sensation while steadily pulsing notes hesitantly touch the music. The chiming melody is full of aching remorse, capturing the lyrics with expressive depth. Wistful notes wander and create painful reminiscence while the lower tones float with feathery fragility before silence falls.

“Remember all those times I would take you for a drive, your feet on the dashboard in those little socks you wore?” As the narrator asks this question, he recalls a time when they were driving around, bored and he hit a speed bump in the road. The song’s subject “laughed and called me dumb and you called me your speed bump.”

Our storyteller concludes that he should not be surprised because “when I looked into your eyes, I saw violent design.” He felt that the universe had shown him a sign, but “when I felt your hand in mine, we were innocent divine.” He asks the song’s subject to remember the fights they had, staying up half the night while he would “shiver and I’d shake on that bed you would not make.”

When they were out at their usual bar, the song’s subject told the narrator that he always goes too far and “you cried and called me dumb and called me your speed bump.”

Synth EP Review: “Sub Atomic” by StarLink

by Karl Magi

StarLink’s “Sub Atomic” is a journey that frees us from the mundane and carries us away to places of peace and relaxation. As the EP unfolds, I find myself swirled along on tides of indigo color and deep peace. In the stress and strain of the current world situation, this music provides respite from the noise.

“Broken Clouds” comes into life as reverberating tones move above a ticking, percussive pulse. Rippling notes come together in pastel delicacy as the pounding low end adds impressive force. The string-like synth flickers with diamond light, clean and refreshing, while the underpinnings continue to throb.

Charming notes create an enigmatic melodic pattern as continually spinning, broadly shining chords vibrate underneath. The rhythm is smooth and shaping before it fades into bells that echo and twinkling notes that descend like curtains of rain.

The hollow low end has an element of darkness while the rapidly flashing notes intertwine. The melodic pattern is full of thoughtful energy while the bells contribute gossamer brightness. Trickling notes add sparkling liveliness while quickly tumbling chords are cut by flaring tones.

The whole track carries me through a floating soundscape as the string-like, distorted notes create tranquil sensations above the heavy underpinnings. The ethereal notes drifting past evoke weightless floating in the clouds before the track slowly fades into silence.

A static crackle moves in the distance as balmy notes begin to grow in strength to commence “When I See You.” The crackling grows stronger while bending, guitar-like tones wash with affectionate smoothness and the drum beat adds an even pulse, supported by dense bass.

The underlayer becomes stronger as a flute carries a melody that is deeply loving and full of kindness and halcyon emotion. Guitar-like notes interlock in the distance while chimes exude peaceful, caressing emotion.

I am carried on this tide of beautifully restful, intensely passionate music as it reflects true love. As the crackling in the distance adds softness, heavy bass reverberates while percussion touches gently.

Tapping sounds add to the serenity while a xylophone-like synth glides past with feathery airiness. The music radiates undeniable love before fading out.

“My Violet Jacket” comes alive as densely trembling drums move with a majestically drifting melody that wanders quietly past. The bass adds enormous, forceful flow as the high notes slowly twist with an orchestral smoothness. The violin-like synth that floats out is full of glassy sensations, transporting me into a realm of watercolour light and gentleness.

The beat continues to add form while diaphanous notes levitate like far-off, wispy clouds in a sunset sky. Chimes create a sensation of elevated relaxation while echoing sounds disappear into the distance. The ticking percussion is shaping while steadily pulsing sound glimmers.

Bass is unctuous and richly sliding as it moves beneath the fragile tones that drift onward, feeling detached and pacific. Clear notes call out as they descend, carrying a melody tinged with melancholy and yearning before the track ends on the heavy underlayer.

A steadily vibrating tone moves under a sweeping wind to start “Focus.” The breeze continues to blow as slightly discordant tones float with a vaguely ominous feeling. A tracery of filigreed notes sparkles as the soft air continues to drift past and the bass comes in with a luxuriant rumble.

Trembling sounds wander outward with a deeply easygoing feeling, filling me with relaxation as I let my eyes close and my breath slow. I float away on this music like an ethereal blanket.

The drum beat hits with a solid punch that contrasts with the ever-so-ephemeral notes rushing over it. The underlayer adds strong support while the melody carries nothing but peaceful calm as the rebounding underpinnings shape the music.

The elevated synth carrying the main melody has a free-flowing feel that washes away all of the day’s stress. The underlying heartbeat creates balance with the delicate notes that move like they are nothing, petals blowing on a summer wind. The way in which the music wraps up and its elements combine creates a purely relaxed sensation before the track closes.

“Glowing Heart” comes alive as a deeply rumbling bassline exudes quiet caring while softly slipping tones ascend with metallic fragility. The track slowly drifts through open space as reverberating, drums move with the azure sensations of the synth trickling past.

Drums echo into space while bass forms a solid underlayer and the higher notes tremble with affection. As the heartbeat below continues, I feel an easygoing sensation permeate me. Drums drop away and breezes blow with a tenuous sensation before the percussion moves again with luscious depth.

All of the tension in my body is let go before an arpeggio twirls with guiding delicacy and the percussion forms a smoothly flowing pattern. I exhale with a sense of warmth as the ringing notes shine with blue light and the continually throbbing foundation adds shape. Air moves with cloudy ease before the track slowly fades into quiet.