Synth Single Review: “Entanglement” by Tape Arcade

by Karl Magi

Tape Arcade’s “Entanglement” moves with velvety sounds which slowly expand and rise with an underlying weight that supports the starlit blanket that moves with more force, coming to a point with chirping tones and a steady ringing. The foundational heaviness contrasts with a radiant halo while the percussive heartbeat creates gentle, but insistent forward motion. 

Each twinkling note calls to mind one more star in the firmament, broadcasting eons old light while the continual throb evokes a pulsar. Tones tumble over each other in liquid motion while radiance, like the carpet of ethereal structures cast across the universe, spills outward. A tender, timeless melody contrasts with the unending repetition and the even beat that shape it. 

Carrying me away, the music roams with broad smoothness, while high notes bring to mind comets streaking across the night sky. Synth-lit shimmer entangles with engaging elegance to conjure up the wonder of stargazing before the track ends on piano notes, as fragile as stardust.

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."