Synth Single Review: “Sunset Odyssey” by New Arcades

by Karl Magi

New Arcades’ “Sunset Odyssey” captures a moment of settled peace at twilight. The track begins as a slowly striding drum beat moves with notes that evoke soft light rising over a city skyline. The lead synth has a hushed quality, painting sunset colours of gold and orange while the rhythm provides silky guidance. Drums rebound as a melody captures twilight lounging and notes glow like a thousand city lights winking on.

The underpinnings add shape while distant tones illuminate the sun’s orb sinking into darkness. I breathe out as I imagine lying on a beach and watching the sun drop into the ocean, pink light suffusing the water. The soft sigh of waves mingles with lush sounds, layers of lapping richness slipping by. The beat rocks like a boat at anchor while elevated notes add a phosphorescent sheen, like bioluminescence as daylight fades and night descends.

Synth Single Review: “Form and Time” by Nightflyer & Memory Design

by Karl Magi

Nightflyer & Memory Design’s “Form and Time” mingles calm and motion in a lush atmosphere. It opens with trembling xylophone notes that move into a vast open space, creating a sense of extended time as tickling breezes are joined by a crisply guiding drum beat. Hollow, echoing notes drift above floating tones while pan pipes exude early morning light, breathing out in a placid wave.

The guiding underpinnings remain steady as a trembling synth levitates in untroubled meditation and the bass forms a throbbing heartbeat. Intertwining notes shimmer in the distance as the beat continues to surge, creating a soothing sensation. The track grows nearly silent before wind rolls through again and sparkling, trickling notes return alongside pan pipes breathing with contentment.

The rhythm is even and full of dense power while ringing notes hover in surrounding openness, filling me with sunlight and peace. As the drum beat drives forward, elevated notes spill sunset colors, and the track closes with a feeling of profound ease.

Synth Single Review: “The Naked Eye” by Color Theory

by Karl Magi

Color Theory’s “The Naked Eye” explores the gradual lowering of one’s psychological defenses. The song comes to life as a drum flourish moves into a solid beat and a broadly glowing synth is joined by computerized vocals before Color Theory’s vibrant voice carries a melody full of affection. The loose-limbed synth glimmers with polished light while the beat gently guides the track forward.

The vocals are silky and trembling, full of Color Theory’s unique tone, moving me with emotionally engaging warmth. A broadly dancing synth exudes technological radiance as metallic ringing notes undulate below in relaxed motion. Brilliant synth shivers with easygoing sensation before the piano flickers with aerial grace. 

The vocals soar as strings sing with graceful luminosity and trumpeting notes cascade while the drum beat patters gently, bringing the song to a close.

“Just admit it, the question haunts you still, if I can’t love myself then who will?” and in reply the narrator says he will. With tenderness, he adds, “You overflow with grace as the light hits the side of your face.”

Now our storyteller cannot look away as he realizes that there is “nothing to fear, nothing to hide, invisible to the naked eye.” He continues, “Stop pretending the armor doesn’t fit as the rivets corrode bit by bit,” adding, “Heaven help me, the plates are falling down, your defenses laid bare on the ground.”

Synth Single Review: “Mecha Fighter” by Eden Future, Strike Eagle & Ben Higgins

by Karl Magi

Eden Future, Strike Eagle & Ben Higgins’ “Mecha Fighter” highlights a battle fought between humanity and attackers from the galaxy’s edge. The song begins as dominating drums move with a triumphant melody that vaults into the music with inspiring strength. The bass churns as the drums shove forward while Strike Eagle’s ferocious voice rips through the track, gruff and deep.

Eden Future’s sharply rippling synth swirls while Ben Higgins’ chugging guitar snarls, and Strike Eagle delivers his performance with unstoppable vigour, painting images of merciless battle. The guitar slashes while intensely swirling synth matches the colossal percussion, creating a sense of overwhelming fighting energy.

Ben Higgins’ guitar chugs with roiling force as Strike Eagle grabs hold of the song with toughness and defiant rage. As a broadly undulating synth slices through the mix, the guitar continues to roar while the bass rumbles like an afterburner. The spoken-word section delivers a speech full of defiance while Ben Higgins plays a solo that unfurls like laser fire across the blackness of space.

The heavy underlayer is crushing while the guitar whirls with tornadic force, cutting and deadly before moving back into the charging support along with battering drums and closing out the song.

From the galaxy’s edge, mecha fighters appear with their “hearts aflame” as the storyteller adds, “Pray Athena will be our guide, Space Brigade marching side by side, you’re called to arms.” As gears grind, there are “Aeon Drifters sounding the war cry,” and even as the Earth trembles, they refuse to fall and will fight before being taken over.

The mechs are guided by signal waves as they crush “Super Earth in their wake,” and Red Racer leaps into the sky “to bring the galaxy into the light” as they promise to defeat their enemies. In response, the mechas laugh and mock their opponents, saying, “We will crush you with indifference, bow to the might of our creators, you’re slaves to your dominators.”

“Give up your hope now to us on your knees and bow,” the enemies demand, calling for surrender and promising “mechanical rebirth.” They vow to crush humanity and claim the planet, declaring, “Surrender, useless to run or face us, become mist in our guns.”

In response, the humans raise a battle cry and declare, “We will fight these invaders with everything we have. This is our planet, this is our home and if we are going to give our lives, we will show them no mercy before we do.”