Synth Single Review: “BFF” by NIGHTRUN

by Karl Magi

NIGHTRUN’s “BFF” has a hushed, ominous foundation tinged with mournful and tentative emotion before the thumping heartbeat of the percussion adds tension and floating sounds produce peaceful moments. The dynamic beat supports a line of shifting tones, increasing the feeling of growing danger. Nostalgic memory floats in the motif painted by the synth while the towering rhythm rebounds.

A melody, like a jewelled waterfall, floats with a placidity that contains seeds of melancholy within it. I sense underlying nervousness and appreciate the softness and emotive evocation in the main theme. Cruising drums keep forward motion alive while the arpeggio adds ramped-up tension. Percussion drops and tremulous notes hover and a bell-like sound vibrates before the rhythm explodes again.

The main melody has an adventurous touch that adds wistful memories and hints of tragedy to the mix. The huge percussive force drives as the thematic pattern conjures the complexity of youth. Friendship and caring pours out above the massive beat before the music closes.

Synth Single Review: “Loading…” by Stacy Gabriel

by Karl Magi

Stacy Gabriel’s “Loading…” has a funky feeling as a choppy vocal sample is punctuated by levitating, digitally piercing tones as the groove locks in with tightly wriggling sounds and chimes that descend with diaphanous, ethereal sensations. An environment full of relaxing impressions fills the piece with meditation.

Trembling tones carried on soft bells are cut by extended notes that move with more assurance. Locked-in underpinnings and otherworldly tones are balanced with ringing notes which echo into open space. A layered richness permeates the different musical segments and I am pulled into the fascinating sonic world around me.

An arpeggio ripples with easy-going smoothness and weaves an atmosphere of pastel ease that moves above the slightly staticky foundation. A plethora of fascinating synth textures paint the alternate dimension envisioned in the track. Chiming tones generate serenity in my mind before everything closes out.

Synth Single Review: “Some Magic” by BMX Escape & Midsummer Ex

by Karl Magi

BMX Escape & Midsummer Ex’s “Some Magic” briefly tunes across radio stations before before a pattern of notes, like the breath of a ghost, eerily trace outlines above the rhythmic support as chiming tones spill like gems before Johan Collander’s vocals summon enchantment above lissome notes.

The beat pushes with energy while the resonant vocals pull me into their spell, so warm and full of life. The main theme trails like haunting mists above metallic bells while velvety emotion filters from the vocals and the underpinnings press forward.

The chorus gives off silky passion and a synth solo moves between nostalgia and aspiration, Benoit Gaultier’s complex sonic weaving creating deep feeling. A sax breathes out with ardent emotion and fierce need as the funky bassline carries things to an end.

Telling the song’s subject that he "gave you a potion made from starry skies, a touch of alchemy to make you realize" our storyteller understands that they can't go back in time "when the world didn't move so fast to the streets where we once played." It might look similar but it just isn't quite the same.

Saying, "(I) still want to make you feel some magic, I want you to believe in me," the narrator points out that "they say it's bad to be too nostalgic" but he knows the other person will love him forever. He concludes, "mix a little silver and a pinch of flame, the spell of moonlight so we stay the same."

Synth Single Review: “Manifold” by Echo Wolf

by Karl Magi

Echo Wolf’s “Manifold” rumbles with supercharged power, a V8 rattling, as a crushing drum beat is swept by angular tones ripping the music as a choral voice creates more dominant strength. The jamming underlayer mixes with slicing, gritty synthesizer to create ferocious pressure while the guitar bends, creating a spectral muscle that gives off intensified tension.

Feelings of discomfort and danger fill me, driving the slicing shards of sound harder into my mind. Distorted vocals repeat as swirling notes create unsettling impressions, slashed by ragged tones and accented with epic vocal power. Disembodied sounds float, painting pictures of lurking shadow and mysterious force, spreading outward.

An elevated, computerized sounding motif cries with intensity and haunting impressions that grasp me. An assaulting weight thunders, creating the overwhelming sensation of growing danger and darkness pouring from each corner to drown me. An ending comes abruptly, falling into silence.