Synth EP Review: “Defenders” by Neon Shards (feat. Montse Torres)

by Karl Magi

Neon Shards & Montse Torre’s “Defenders” EP draws us into a cinematic musical vision. An experiment has run out of control, transforming a space research facility into a deadly threat which must be destroyed.

“Defenders” erupts with drama, chords undulating over threatening weight. Propelling with explosive energy, drums launch as oscillating notes tumble darkly. Shattering the weight below, elevated tones transmit melody with a feeling of battling defiance. Ominous imagery full of struggle and intensity joins a roar from the guitar as urgency rises once more.

Winding up with spinning nervousness, the track gains momentum. I see winds blowing as intertwining ferocity and force tear out from Neon Shards’ fingers, capturing me in a net of intensity. Montse Torres’ synth paints pictures of our two characters standing back to back, fighting the tide of enemies flash through my mind, animating the story. Full of aching strength, a synth calls out while the oscillating tones snarl into silence.

Feelings of epic planetary adventure blaze from a radiant synth to open “ASTRID's Demise.” Rippling with muscle, Neon Shards’ guitar rips into the music with towering strength as intimidating force grows beneath.  Threat billows from the guitar as a synth fanfare trumpets with dynamism above a massively rumbling bass floor.

In the chimes that come in, tension and delicacy can mingle as the kick drum collides with the bass. An air of peaceful tenderness touches the bright chimes as they descend, Montse Torres’ synths create an alluring contrast between gentleness and tremendous power.

Inspiring melodic energy leaps from Neon Shards’ guitar as it climbs and surges like blazing destruction as delicate notes twirl above it. The low end presses on as the coruscating synth glows and the track ends.

Lurking horror oozes as cascading synths join an evenly vibrating bass pulse to bring “Unforeseen Revelations” to life. Evil fills the melody, as black as the abyss, while the looming low end surges. A horrifying mystery is revealed in elevated tones sobbing with fear while drums surge.

A heavy spirit fills the underpinning architecture, compelling me as a snarling guitar rends and the heaving bass rumbles angrily. Gnarled sounds bend from Neon Shards’ guitar with deformed darkness while percussive force hammers hard.

Worry and ever-increasing tension spill from Montse Torres’ flaring notes as the low end batters, filling me with nervousness. A high synth cries out with terror and rebounding bass carries the music to its close.

As “Countdown to Self-Destruct” begins, menacing muscle radiates from a brassy synth that leaps forward with a majestic melody, full of adventure, while foundational weight seethes. Eerie emotion and smashing power flow from a melodic line that echoes with blinding radiance as the clean drums smack hard.

Images of a desperate struggle to destroy the supreme evil lurking inside the space station fill the melody. Cinematic imagery exudes feral force and a sense of impending doom, conveyed by Neon Shards’ guitar solo, which intricately interweaves with gargantuan bass.

Eldritch, cosmic energy holds my interest while the surging beat drives. As a wordless voice cries out with a painfully haunted melody, the rhythm pushes forward and the track roars to a conclusion.

Synth Single Review: “Horizon” by Vihana

by Karl Magi

Vihana’s “Horizon” exudes unadulterated passion as it commences with a slow-burning groove. Desire, love and intense feeling slip from Vihana’s voice, pouring into the music with fiery intensity. Midnight smoothness slides out while panpipes exhale, affection captured, intermingling with sensual caress of the vocals.

Embers of need and sultry heat ignite as the funky underlayer surfs. As Vihana exudes silken emotion, I sail along with that feeling while panpipes breathe serenity. Images of soft light and gentle touches flicker from Vihana’s fervent vocal flow. All of the wanting and yearning gains expression before the song ends.

As starlight illuminates them, the narrator says she won’t lie to the song’s subject. Gazing at the horizon, she experiences the other person’s kindness. She adds, “You’ll never be lonely if you just hold me, even when the day gets dark, you have my heart.”

Admitting that she doesn’t know where they’re going, our storyteller says that they ought to follow their hearts because that’s who they are. She adds, “When the sun is setting, show me what you really want and who you are.”

“I know everything feels so heavy right now, but I’ll be with you even when we’re falling down.” The narrator tells the song’s subject not to worry because they’ll figure something out, but “if you need time alone, lemme tell you, baby, you’re allowed.”

Synth Single Review: “Starman” by Droid Bishop

by Karl Magi

Droid Bishop’s “Starman” charts a voyage across glimmering spacescapes as it opens with creaking tones mingling aspiration and desolation. An echoing voice calls out as the undulating, sharp-edged notes move, while cosmic sensations burst from the lead synth. Heart-aching emotion fills the distance with vast sound, the synth calling out with softness to enfold my mind.

Serenity from a gliding melodic line moves on a worshipful synth, starlight flashing from prismatic notes. Galaxies whirl in velvet darkness, the starman watching them pass him by. Distant and meditative, high notes radiate planetary luminosity. 

Across the open and lonely spaces, our starman floats with anti-gravity elegance, the guitar lushly and gruffly adding shape. Through the rising melody, the listener travels through colossal vistas, opening to create awe. As the lead synth sings, astral shine bursts free and carries out before silence falls.

Synth Single Review: “Serotonin” by Missing Words

by Karl Magi

Missing Words’ “Serotonin” travels down melancholy pathways as it begins with voices moving into an empty space before a rhythm pushes with insistence. Cascades of radiant notes spill into a melody that mingles emotional ache with dynamism as drums provide forward motion. 

Vocals unfurl from James Meays with broken sensations, moving in patterns of loss and hurt before the chorus is joined by vaulting synth which gently illuminates the music. A meditative moment touches the song before the beat creates energy, while James Meays tenderly fills me with painful feelings with his affecting performance.

Rising like dawn, the lead synth melody reaches out to connect with damaged affection before the song flows quietly for a moment. Bursting back into life, the underpinnings charge while the vocals are a mixture of hope and uncertainty. Contemplative patterns fill the lead synths before the surging rhythm fades to silence.

The storyteller tries to run and hide, but he can’t take one more night because “I’m falling in too deep again.” He sees images of faraway light and calls out, standing by its side. The light tells him he’s free again.

“Give it one more try, one last sigh, because I can’t live a lie,” as our narrator says he can’t and won’t sleep tonight. He adds that “it takes away the pain of yesterdays.” He concludes, “I said I’d change in so many different ways, but I’m still here on the floor.”