Synth Single Review: “Twilight Checkpoint” by Shadow Recall

by Karl Magi

Shadow Recall’s “Twilight Checkpoint” accelerates with a hectic cascade, generating enormous anticipation before a solidly pumping rhythm contributes to an impression of speed. Coiling slowly, note patterns tumble while a dancing synth produces continual motion while the main theme surges forward, bringing to mind the electric rush of a late-night freeway run.

The road unfolds in front of me, called into life by an irradiating synth, while the unrelenting underlayer charges on. The motif called out on a refulgent synth beats like a heart in the darkness, while smooth tones beam like street lights reflected in curving bodywork.

After a pause, in which spinning tones shimmer, drums accelerate in a fierce line and I’m transported into a race under a full moon, asphalt rushing under me as I speed away from the neon city and into the desert night. Wind sweeps and refractive notes drift past to close the track.

Synth Single Review: “ARCADE CLUB” by Challenger

by Karl Magi

Challenger’s “ARCADE CLUB” is an arcade game paradise as a wiggly little chiptune theme gives way to a darkly pushing beat and hollow chimes creating an eerie glow as the 8-bit sounds wriggle, summoning a trance-inducing figure cut by lithe sounds. The underlayer pulsates hard while a higher synth undulates with hypnotic compulsion and a world of layered sounds paints images of a bustling arcade.

Complete tranquility washes from tones that levitate in vast spaces as chiming notes contribute a distant sheen. The foundation pushes on while higher notes caress and a razor-sharp melody slices with dynamic liveliness.

A transformation occurs, carrying me to a world of neon light and computerized escapism, while the chimes are fragile reminders of nostalgia. Thematic elements combine to create energizing, uplifting sensations with a triumphant flair calling out from the trumpet-like synth and the music fades.

Synth EP Review: “Silence Time” by Fraver

by Karl Magi

Fraver’s “Silence Time” summons the spirit of EP’s hero as he embarks on the next phase of his long journey across the galaxy. A plethora of synth tones mixes with composition that is melodic and evocative to assist the listener on a voyage into deep space.

“Cruiser” extends out into the fields of endless stars in long chords, spreading out toward infinite horizons as it grows in size and power before bass like the rumble of deep space signals moves underneath. Rattling and echoing out into vastness, the synth briefly chimes while the flowing tones spread around my ears to evoke the great mystery of outer space.

Progress and adventure fill the trumpeting tones that ring with a hint of threat hidden within. A mixture of haunting sounds create vague unease that contributes to the sensation of moving out into places full of potential danger. I can feel myself transported along with the hero of this album, carried out into the galaxy. A technological sounding synth vibrates and expands with a melody that is tinged with wistful emotion and impressions of lonely journeys.

A relentlessly rushing low end supports tones that drift in an anti-gravity float, moving endlessly through the vacuum. A harsh, unyielding segment unfolds to generate growing gloom, ready to confront our hero as he moves forward on his quest. Triumph and danger mingle before a xylophone contributes glistening radiance, calling to mind distant nebulae passing off the side of the spaceship.

A massive, heaving beat growls as “Infinity” slices into life, mingled with gleaming sounds that trace in the distance while the shadowy heaviness underneath creates a pervasive sense of portentous power. Lacerating notes cut with brilliance above the steady, giant drums and bass.

A melody which mixes gentleness and challenge floats while the beat shapes the track. Delicate luminosity emanates from the high synth while the forward motion of the underpinnings presses onward. Breathy notes flicker from an area instrument which creates feelings of opening vistas. Sounds which evoke technological systems move through as the heaving under layer pushes everything onward.

A melody which levitates like a spaceship moving through the boundless reaches of our universe creates contrast with dense notes that capture me in their net. The relentless beat calls to mind the infinite possibilities of galaxies and planets in our seemingly limitless universe.

“Silence Time” slowly slips into life as distant tones hover like planets off the starship’s bow while a heavy beat hammers with machine gun stuttering before extended chords support the vibrating higher notes and the drums grow more even. Undulating tones create a staccato counterpoint to string-like synth unfolding with serenity and an element of hurting memory.

Rippling notes transmit the main character’s reminiscence In a tender emotional moment. Thoughtfulness spreads out toward me and draws me into a mood of introspection, evoked by the atmosphere of the music. Golden notes create illumination as shivering tones slowly reverberate and peaceful thought is again broken by stutter stepping drum beats.

The continual oscillation of the low end is reestablished with shifting chords, slightly uncertain above. The main melody carries out with dreamy meditation and more than a hint of sadness before the hollow synth notes evoke technological advancement. The track ends with the memorable melody drifting out into tragic silence.

Enigmatic fragility moves outward as “Awakening” exhales with slow elegance, interrupted by flickers of sound before a beat with dynamic force joins a bending synth rushing past with dramatic life. The theme evokes excitement and growing action as it rises above the rubber band twanging, painting starscapes coming into view for the main character.

The underlayer charges while the higher notes are like a warp drive erupting into life. Computerized notes ring as chords with luscious depth and surrounding warmth rise, drawing pictures in my mind of a console coming to life at the touch of its operator's hand.

A theme full of thrilling energy and potential danger spills out above hollow, actively moving tones and hard hitting percussion. The sparkling main melody sings with invigorating liveliness and creates feelings of increasing potential and the opening of new horizons before the track comes to an end.

“Signals” trembles with slightly distorted notes that seem to emerge from a faraway place and spread deep, contemplative emotion, supported by a hugely towering beat. Notes like metallic light glisten and climb, generating sensations of triumph mingled with tragic undertones and cascading notes that have a shadowy, technical feeling. I find the theme somewhat unsettling despite the shining brilliance of the notes.

Distorted, nasal sounds shift as hollow notes breathe with spectral energy. An anti-gravity drift calls to mind endlessly moving through outer space before the crushing synth creates a dramatic wall of sound, calling to mind both threat and potential, reaching for the stars as the pulse goes on. As the music draws to a close, the beat subdivides and the massive synth fades into quiet.

Bass like a black hole dominates the low end while “Spaceship - Vapor” roams off into the void with a tune that conjures painful memories tracing through the heavy blackness that hangs underneath. Clean drums march in as a melodic line gleams like the hull of our hero’s spacecraft caught in the light of an alien sun.

The piano line calls up a feeling of forever unmoored in vast darkness while the bass drops and a theme of heroic strength rings out before the beats and bass resume. An emotional invocation of the lonely man on an impossible journey is touching to me as it moves through the composition.

Wrapping rhythms support the free-flowing melody as the kick drum throbs and the piano is a still, peaceful centre in the midst of the underlying weight. The motif that winds through the track is full of aching sensations and brings the track to a finish.

Synth A/B Single Review: “Two Worlds Apart” by The San Junipero Experience

by Karl Magi

The San Junipero Experience’s “Two Worlds Apart” begins with an ominous sound rising along with Zsuzsi Szabó’s French voice-over. It has a cool and simultaneously emotional quality as it echoes above the synth, slowly passing by, touched by a slowly shimmying beat as the extended chords levitate.

Balazs Specker’s roughness-tinged vocals carry the haunting melody along with twisting, crystalline notes and a fuzzed-out guitar crying in the background. Rising tones convey early morning light while the guitar melody climbs with thrill and a feeling of epic dynamism, mingled with Balazs Specker’s powerfully felt vocal performance.

The undulating underpinnings shift as the steady pulse again supports Zsuzsi Szabó’s voice-over and the vocals belt out with honest strength as the guitar grasps emotion and sends it flying in my direction while the chorus climbs, with the guitar broadcasting brilliance while the foundation presses on. Now the song ends with an answering-machine message and the music closes.

As the first narrator points out that something happened that morning when they woke up beside each other that she doesn't really understand. She adds, "my thoughts were all jumbled up, like in a smoky bar at night” when everyone's speaking loudly, words are lost and "you can't really feel things anymore." She's unsure of how she feels but is thinking of the second narrator and says, "I love you, call me back."

Our second narrator wonders if he's still dreaming or if he's awake because "I didn't have the input to measure it or estimate." His heart is "up and running" and the sequence has already begun with "her scent all in my brain." He's still haunted by the first narrator's voice that just keeps on coming. He says, "I'm trapped and hypnotized in a daydream full of lies."

As they are "two worlds apart, drifted hearts drowning in memories," the second storyteller says "it's all over you, falling premises of promises.” Having been "taught to count forever, to wait patiently” by the second storyteller, our first storyteller says,"time is already slipping away from our world " as they hide behind silences and "wear masks so we don't have to face our demons" rather than saving their love.

The second narrator finds her desperate words charming but “my thoughts keep on pounding, sweet drops from the perfume of pain.” In their “losing game of passion” there isn’t a correct direction and he concludes that, “no choice can work for us, in this maze we’ve bloomed to be lost!”

To conclude, our first storyteller points out that we get hurt and start from the beginning with "the same story going around and around, no beginning, no end." their story finishes on their final day together as she says, "Is this really how it all ends? We've reached the end, forever. "

An even rhythm joins a churning guitar to summon “Voyage” into being, with darkness surging beneath the gruff strings and the French vocals capturing the original song’s sensation as the big drums accelerate. The guitar spins with a shadowy evocation as the female vocals join Balazs Specker while the chiming background casts azure light.

A bouncy note pattern twirls as Balazs Specker transmits the lyrics with clarity while the underpinnings chop sharply. The warmer tones of Zsuzsi Szabó complement Balazs Specker’s voice well, transporting that classic chorus while the guitar is joined by a synth that bounces.

The solo line from the guitar is adventurous and exciting while the relentless pulse below presses on. Actively tumbling percussive sounds are teamed with crystalline feelings before the song concludes.

The narrator imagines an endless journey across mountains, oceans, rivers, deserts and distant cultures, moving freely above the divisions created by nations, conflict and ideology. The repeated call to travel “in the unimaginable realm of love” suggests a desire to escape violence and prejudice and reach a place of universal connection, peace and human unity.