Synth Single Review: “Game Over” by Saturday AM

by Karl Magi

Saturday AM’s “Game Over” interweaves a series of ethereal chords that spread with dreaming melancholy and a tide of delicately illuminating synth before the vocals slip with such an ache that my heart clenches in sympathy, carrying a melody that bleeds tenderness. 

Matt Freeland’s wet-sheened guitar notes cascade into an evocation of lights passing by on a late night highway before Aaron Boyd grasps all of the feelings that pierce the melody’s smooth sparkle. The feeling of late night driving, a head full of thought, permeates the song as Aaron Boyd’s voice reaches into a well of heartfelt emotion to capture the listener. 

A declaration of earnest affection fills the vocals while the guitar mingles with chimes that call to mind streetlights flickering off of a windshield. All of the musical elements drift mournfully, intermingling with the touching vocals before the drums erupt a final time along with Aaron Boyd’'s undeniably expressive performance before the song ends. 

As he still recalls the letter that the song’s subject sent him in late September, the narrator says that they were so high and the other person said they didn't know what they were looking for. He adds, "I wish you well but this is goodbye." He urges the audience not to throw everything away "for a love that leaves you cold" and avoid pursuing the same errors that never let you go.

Our storyteller reminds the audience that,"it might feel impossible, but you will never know" and what we choose to do “can change what you call home." Remembering the early summer days and nights when everything was brand new, he says, "you caught me off guard, fell right into my life and it became ours" and he knew it was right at that moment.

As he promises that he'll never take the song’s subject for granted, the narrator asks the other person to hold his hand and hold on tight. He tells the other person "baby, you don't need to worry, we'll be in no hurry" as he adds that they're safe tonight by his side. He concludes by saying, "take my hand, we've come so far now."

Synth Single Review: “Fusion” by Alex Boychuk

by Karl Magi

Alex Boychuk’s “Fusion” flows with hypnotic calm, as trembling tonal vibrations spins out into openness before a steady rhythmic pulse adds guidance and cleanly flaring tones create a trance-inducing pattern. Swirling notes endlessly revolve into vast space while the sharp drums and solid bass guide them, creating lacy patterns which weave together continuously. 

A guitar which flashes intensely to paint images of ancient galactic structures in gliding motion. The melody evokes feelings of weightless hovering, drawing me into a vision of timeless journeying  across far flung galaxies, forever moving across the incalculable ranges of the universe.  

Like cosmic radiation, all of the intertwining background energy supports the guitar as it drifts like a lonely wanderer across an endless astral sea. A reverberating synthesizer  spins around with a feeling of continuity while a levitating melody slides into space and the track falls silent.

Synth Single Review: “Cost Of Loving” by Rogue FX

by Karl Magi

Rogue FX’s “Cost Of Loving” slowly hovers into life with elegantly simple notes that glisten with dewdrop light before a theme that reverberates with fierce brilliance rises. The gruff edges of Rogue FX’s unmistakable voice carry a layered melody which mingles caring and questioning while the rhythm leaps out. 

All of the neon effulgence of the synth permeates the resonant vocals that echo with feelings of struggle and a reach for survival. Luminous tones dance in a pattern of bouncing energy while flowing underpinnings join sunlight spilling from synth notes as the sharper edges below contrast with Rogue FX’s ardent vocals, driving the song's message into my heart while tumbling notes exude a subtle sheen and the song closes out. 

As everything becomes increasingly expensive, our storyteller wonders how to make more money and deal with "the rise of the cost of loving." The price means that everyone needs a greater supply of love to make us happy.  He says "you've got to understand, it's hard to build a life in political strife with the cost of loving." As things rise and fall, he understands that, "the winner takes it all with the cost of love."

With more bills left unpaid, "it's everybody for themselves, that's the cost of love." The narrator adds that, as he and the song's subject count their blessings, they feel lucky "that we got the both of us." As he points out that the high rate of inflation is "too tight to mention and not conducive for love,” they are "manifesting quite a lot" because what they have isn't enough as the numbers increase.

All of the plans made by our storyteller and the song's subject are "spiraling so out of touch with the cost of love." His pulse pounds and his blood pressure spikes as the cost of loving exacts a toll and the price continues to rise. Despite the power of love, money woes persist and "that's just the way the story goes." To conclude, he points out that it's "just me and you against the world, that's the cost of loving."

Tame Werewolf -Midnight Wanderer

by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Tame Werewolf’s “Midnight Wanderer” is a unique and ear-pleasing sonic adventure through years gone by with a rich retro feel that combines synth pop, Italo disco, funk and soul music to create a fascinating, intensely enjoyable musical mixture. Tame Werewolf has a fresh take on what one can do with synth music and the end result is playful and entertaining. Adding in his engaging and expressive voice gives the album more lively energy and uplifting feelings as it evolves.

All of the different eras and synth sounds come together into a cohesive whole on “Midnight Wanderer,”  grabbing a hold of me with their layered and carefully chosen tones. The low end’s groovy weight balance with jazz influences and dirty, funky sound that makes me want to get down on the dance floor. All of the atmospheric magic created by the different tones and timbres conjures up strong imagery of disco clubs and late night relaxation, balanced with feelings of love and desire. Tame Werewolf has a real talent for skillfully combining synth elements to paint pictures.

Emotion also defines the soundscape of “Midnight Wanderer,” captured by Tame Werewolf with clarity and immediacy in both his vocals and melodies. Moments of fiery attraction are leavened with relaxation and playful sensations that flow from track to track. He can capture deep contemplation as well as irresistible attraction with equal ability and write melodies that propel all of the different feelings right into the listener's heart. In the end, each different track takes the listener to a new location and state of mind in a way that is hard to put down.

I also am a fan of the individuality that comes from this production. Tame Werewolf isn't trafficking in synthwave cliches or phoning in his performances, he's really engaged with the retro nature of the music along with the atmosphere and emotion that he clearly wants to create. The fact that seeks out his own pathway and uses synth sounds in a fresh way is something that I can happily support. 

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Other Side - Rework” bubbles into being with a quick tonal rush that expands and contracts before the undulating rhythmic pulse moves with a kick drum heartbeat and open-sounding notes pass like aquamarine light. A sharper edged note pattern wraps around Tame Werewolf’s fragile, slightly distorted performance to create mysterious grace. 

Tones like astral spirits wander, forming a lightly touching sonic web, while a melodic line yearns, a counterpoint to the synth’s starlight, before the soft vocals tenderness transmits deep care before slowly shifting notes dance like flickering moonlight before a haunting synth paints pink light and evokes quiet contemplation. A rather alien feeling touches the notes which only draws me more deeply into the song’s spectral world. 

While our narrator is walking through the fire, he receives another sign and says "I know I will be fine, feeling what I have felt on the other nights.” He feels that he'll see the songs subject on the other side, " you shining beside the stars, like a butterfly searching for the light, even in the darkest night. "

Rising with iridescent luminescence as a tremulous underlayer vibrates with rich sound as arpeggios break the light into prismatic refractions as “Our Minds Tonight - Rework”  leaps with a rapid rhythm. Wistful recollection fills Tame Werewolf’s voice which calls out with a guitar that strums in delicate lines while sweeping tones add nobility. 

The underpinnings press while the vaulting arpeggios are joined by computerized note patterns that add intricate support. Robotic energy permeates Tame Werewolf's vocals, somehow increasing their emotional weight for me. Arpeggios revolve, creating dawn-touched brightness while a luscious, mellowed out synth floats with dreamy gentleness. 

A fluting note pattern creates an interwoven, graceful sensation that is full of soft touches and loving feeling before trembling tones cry out. Wildly flying arpeggios are joined by the guitar as it slips with tranquillity while Tame Werewolf cries out to propel the lyrics before the song closes. 

 As his eyes are filled with floaters, the time for him to rise is nearing and the narrator has been searching for the song's subject "on the sands of the shore." He wants the other person to tell him "all about love in the perfect silence of our minds tonight" as they shine  brilliantly under the moonlight. 

Having left everything behind, our storyteller wants the other person to take him to " the forest of our minds tonight." They will remain together forever "in this life or beyond" while they stay in love eternally where they belong. 

“Boogie Night” shimmies into life with disco funk and a groove that moves my soul as the absolutely classic synth swirls like disco ball lights and the percussion moves with the wriggling melody that exudes pure cool. 

All of the notes are twisted and chilled out, moving with undeniable energy, while Tame Werewolf grabs hold of me with his passion and deep midnight vibes. A nightclub atmosphere permeates the song as the vocals float and express all of the desire within  the lyrics while the funk leaks from every pore of the music. 

A synth solo moves with hip shaking cool, writhing and snaking, evoking a dancer getting down and getting loose while the groove shivers in the distance. The vocals broadcast the feelings of affection and attraction before the song closes out.

Wanting moonlight to guide him through the night, our storyteller asks to be taken to where he belongs and to be kept going constantly. He wants the song’s subject to “take me to the end of love, where I fly above the stars." As they hold each other tightly, “in the boogie night, I will find my way to life.” He concludes, “let's spend another night together and I will hold you in my arms forever. " 

Another wave of funky expression hits with twangy bass and extended chords that sweep with nasal energy to bring “5th Wave” in with a lively disco beat as warm bells invite the listener into a world of laid-back, ultra vibey sensation. A ringing tonal pattern creates an impression of chilling out in a late night lounge, one eye on the dance floor while the jazz organ echoes. 

A tightly wriggling synth pattern forms a melody that evokes smoothness and relaxation in a super slick environment while an open-voiced melodic line surfs on the twinkling notes below it. All of the atmospheric sounds carry me off to a world of pastel penthouses and neon lights while the nasally frolicking tones guide the music to a close. 

Jazz organ drifts like a hazy, half-remembered dream before soft-edged, melting tones float with relaxing feeling to bring “Midnight Wanderer” into a blue existence as the hollow melody twists with fascinating textures, evoking calm in the darkness. 

Lightly luminous sounds with a vocal quality support the guitar-like tones before a clarinet-esque synth sails upward in a cloud of gentle light. Impressions of a penthouse overlooking city streets, cool jazz playing on the stereo while a  languidly lounging character relaxes after a hard day's work fill my mind.

“Lost in Neon Paradise - Rework” breathes with complete, turquoise calm and a ticking drum beat cascades with fat bass pulses to add a contrast to the deeply floating background before a computerized note pattern frolics with an easy-going, silky motion. 

Locking into a groove with the percussion, bass is joined by a xylophone that moves like flowing water while the tightly wound main melody shimmers and gyrates, full of dance floor energy. A series of colliding drum beats moves with metallically glistening tones that evoke a character dancing to the morning light. 

Jazz inflected notes create an entwining melody before brilliance spills from higher tones that wander before widely hovering. A lithe synth exhales with undeniable relaxation. A disco-influenced beat takes the track to an end. 

With exuberant energy, “Ray of Sunshine” dances to life with an Italo disco fire that is full of joyful celebration as rippling light spills and the entire song grows stronger before the lead guitar glides with chilled-out ease and a fluting synth carries a warming melodic pattern. 

As the steady, interlocking undergirding supports the vocals there's a sensation of unbelievably engaging affection from the vocalist. Unadulterated brilliance outlines the lyrics while the melodic pattern shimmies on notes that reflect midsummer light. 

A sweeping pattern of intertwining tones transmits pure affection while the groovy foundation cascades. Tame Werewolf affects me with the need that is made plain in his performance While traces of tropical brightness guide the song to an end.

Sunlight beams, breaking the “silence that fills the night through the echoes of my mind” as starlight slices through unending gray, before “fading into the skyline.” Sunlight transports our storyteller "back to the other side where the feelings are so high." 

He can feel the other person's vibe in the middle of the night as he asks for one more chance to be with them. "A ray of sunshine piercing through the veil of dreams, chasing shadows far behind" as the starlight rises " like a distant flame that was hidden from my sight. "

“Arcade Time Machine” opens with a technologically gyrating bassline that moves with strangely haunting notes that snake through the music before brassy, irradiating light spills and panpipes exhale with a metallic sheen before clean tones cut with futuristic dynamism. 

Underneath the other elements, the beat pumps with unshakable cool and the music flows with reverberating and bass broken drums. Spaced-out tones create nostalgic reflection and I’m transported to a retro realm as the disco boogie shapes the track and a flute unwinds in a chocolatey line that permeates the track. An almost majestic melodic pattern calls out on a synth like a refracted beam of light before the track comes to a conclusion.

Conclusion

“Midnight Wanderer” showcases the unique and entertaining talents of Tame Werewolf with music that is both emotional and playful. The artist's clear love for eras gone past combines with fresh immediacy that drives home the album’s atmosphere and energy with conviction.