Synth Single Review: “Resist Me” by Color Theory

by Karl Magi

Color Theory’s “Resist Me” bubbles unevenly to life, ready to explore the complexities of destructive relationships, as a vocal-like synth creates worshipful tones while the foundational beat trips before locking into a steady heartbeat. Rising luminosity climbs in a melodic line before Color Theory’s vocals move with depth and fascinating emotional expression, very much his own, transporting the uncertain melody. A mixture of warmth and darker need, warning and passion moves from the vocals while drums accelerate and explode with broad force.

Propulsion defines the low end while the melodic line is more broken and wavering, reflective of the lyrics. All of the complex feelings attract me to this song. A cloud of glowing brightness from computerized notes creates a counterpoint to the richer reverberance within Color Theory’s performance. With solar illumination, high synth spins spill irradiating shimmer above the vocals while they encapsulate love and pain, while a background of trembling sounds flashes. Defiance and desire intermingle before the song closes.

As the song's subject is "pinned against my beating chest" with copper on their tongue, our storyteller speaks of sweaty skin and the "aftertaste of damage being done." He's grasping for an elegant way to "get off the ride" as he asks if the other person can "bear the full weight of my pride.”

The narrator says, "If you hate the way it feels then resist me, play dead on the floor, lock the latch and bolt the door," and speaks of sorting through the mess he left with "venom on your lips" as the other person will go tiptoe across the ice until they slip and lose their grip.

Having allowed our storyteller to call the shots, the song's subject is warned that he frequently misses as he's "aiming for the heart with clumsy fists." He goes on to say that maybe the other person wants it, needs it, or loves the way it hurts. He adds, "I am your shadow, I am your sorrow, I am the lesson you never learn."

In conclusion, the narrator says, "Keep fighting, don't let go, you're worth it, resist me."

Synth Single Review: “Say It Right” by Beckett

by Karl Magi

Beckett’s “Say It Right” is a call to passion and romance as smoothly swinging beats move with radiance to lock into an easygoing groove, starting up a dancing motion. A funky electric bass moves with seductive vibrancy while Beckett’s voice evokes attraction and desire above the locked-in rhythm.

Anticipatory need permeates Beckett’s vocals, spilling through me like the melody’s burning emotional flow. A feeling of relaxation spills from the chimes while the talk box adds unique chill before Rachael Jones’ backing vocals erupt with more fervent feeling. Popping bass intertwines with vocals that reach to the sky while disco-ball sparkles flash.

Cruising along, the beat supports Beckett’s performance as it blazes with confident sensuality, while bouncing bass intertwines with the luminosity above it and Rachael Jones creates warmth before the track ends.

"Here comes the night, here comes the groove, here comes the dancing," followed by luck, kissing and romancing for the narrator and the song's subject. "Don't know where you're going, but tell me where you've been," because he wants the other person to stay longer. "My heart freezes up" with the thought of the other person leaving, so he asks them to maybe take things more slowly.

"You're the melody, I'm the beat, together we're a dance floor symphony," as they dance together through the night while doing "Cameo moves to that Chromeo song." Our storyteller asks the song's subject to stay for the night because it feels right and "if you can comply, just try one night." If the other person says the right thing, "could be more than tonight, I'm sure if we both abide, let your heart decide."

Waking up to find the song's subject gone, the narrator has questions. The other person left for work, so he asks, "What did I do wrong? How does this change things?" He adds that he means it when he says, "I'm gonna have a lot of fun," so the other person needs to make the right moves once more as he concludes, "Believe me and the hype, I really think between us, we got this groove."

Synth Single Review: “Exotique” by L'Avenue

by Karl Magi

L'Avenue’s “Exotique” transports listeners to a jungle idyll as a profusion of birdsong intertwines with hypnotic tones that vibrate with luscious light as tropical mists condense. Pulling me into a trance, spinning notes flicker with unctuous chords and a roundly expansive underlayer, evoking emerald foliage.

An atmosphere of luxurious, surrounding warmth is broken by sonic ripples, like a still pond ruffled by humid breezes. As ethereal pipes sing, an image of beautiful flowers blooming in a canopy of verdant life comes to me. All of the relaxation of lounging on a veranda above a valley full of entangled beauty and natural wonder is painted by the airy notes that sail elegantly over foundational pulses.

As the percussion flows delicately, a feeling of letting go suffuses me, creating tranquility as reverberating vibration soothes me and richly calling pan pipes paint a picture of a jungle paradise, full of true natural wonder before the track ends.

Six Months Of Superb Synth 2026 - EPs

by Karl Magi

Introduction

I’ve rounded up my favourite EPs from the last half year. Please note that while these selections are particularly enjoyable for me, there's been an enormous amount of first rate music from which to choose in 2026. 

“Fall of the Titans II - Act 1: The sins of our fathers” by Millennium Falck

“Fall of the Titans II - Act 1: The sins of our fathers” is a cinematic adventure across the unending reaches of space. A narrative of battle, titanic conflict and a fight to keep humanity’s essence alive unfolds in majestic musical storytelling.

Amidst apocalyptic doom for humanity, the music captures resistance in the face of existential dread. There is gargantuan weight heaving above darkness as the orchestral string section cries out with bittersweet emotion, horns create growing ferocity and a cello adds melancholy presence. All of the elements combine to produce filmic beauty and drama.

“Aerobic drive" by Jessy Mach

“Aerobic drive" takes listeners on an ear-pleasing trip to the French Riviera in 1985, bringing us into the life of a character who drives an iconic ’80s BMW and keeps herself in beach-ready shape at the Riviera Performance Gym.

Throughout the EP, Jessy Mach’s guitar evokes a roaring motor bouncing off canyon walls, the peace of a Mediterranean sunrise and easy-going relaxation.

Complex synth tones paint seabirds on a breeze, lounging with soft sea breezes and a motorboat carving a wake through blue water. All of the sounds grow into a luscious, atmospheric portrait of the Riviera.

“The Grand Harmony Hotel (EP & Singles)” by Sun City & Izzy Perri

“The Grand Harmony Hotel (EP & Singles)” brims with joyful retro synth energy as Izzy Perri gives a performance full of verve, playful feelings and soul deep passion. Serenity and jazzy passion intermingle in Jonas Klintström Larsen’s sax and the effulgent guitar sounds that sail with serenity.

Sweet sensuality combines with silken, evocative expression in the synth sounds to paint imagery of billowing ease. Melodies which ache with desire, dream and drift move above swaying rhythms. sun-dappled notes cruise as relaxed sensations fill every pore. Izzy Perri’s voice flows like caramel and chocolate through the songs.

“Replicants” by Toxxic Project

“Replicants” elicits images of a shadow-filled world of malevolent technology as it unfolds. Empty winds sweep through desolate spaces as spinning arpeggios float like wheeling galaxies and crushing bass hammers. Tones like cold starlight shine on metallic surfaces and melodies contain barely hidden menace.

Synth elements paint images of distant stars glittering in deep space, whispering voices moving through darkness and thundering machinery advancing relentlessly. Radiant notes contrast with horror rumbling below and glittering notes shine like distant stars. Ever-present evil moves beneath the EP’s surface, capturing me with its atmosphere.

“We Saw The Future” by Vertebre

“We Saw The Future” takes a symphonic journey into a dark future world tinged with loss, pain and a small flicker of light in the umbral gloom that enfolds everything. Daniele Marinelli and Adriana Marinucci weave a musical tapestry that engages me deeply, infusing me with a welter of complex feeling.

Adriana Marinucci’s electric violin captures emotion with plangent sorrow as it infuses me with the passion,loss and lurking threat which permeate the instrument’s tones. Daniele Marinelli’s synths are suffused with radiance, fearful emptiness and damaged affection while his electric guitar sings with majesty and danger.

“Victims Of Light” by Violentene

“Victims Of Light" is a journey through refracted light and voids of shadow, anchored by Mvrijo's vocal performance and given texture and shape by Roland M’s approach to the sound. The EP moves across shattered emotional terrain and variegated feelings as it evolves.

Threatening weight swells with shadowy import and nobility mixes with danger and melancholy. Mvrijo’s voice is caressing and shadowed, mixing seduction with fear as Roland M’s guitar hovers like a nocturnal cloud as dramatic orchestral synth vibrates with swelling serenity and pain. Bittersweet melodies create music steeped in shadow.