Synth Single Review: “Pity Party” by Natalie Gray

by Karl Magi

Natalie Gray’s “Pity Party” pours out prismatic waves, creating warmth as a phone rings and the percussion begins to tap, before an answering machine message starts. Jack Craig’s production flashes with effervescent energy and gigantic, retro percussion resounds below Natalie Gray’s confident vocal delivery with its compelling resonance.

A jumping guitar gives off exuberant impressions while vibrant synth chords punctuate the song. The classic '80s sound and the electrifying dynamism in Natalie Gray’s vocals draws me in. The chorus carries a wry sense of humor while the big beats press on.

As the funky electric bass locks into the groove, Natalie Gray puts some fun into the vocals. Cymbals flare as she belts out the words with pop energy and the guitar adds lightning strength above the pulsating drum beat before the song concludes.

Complaining that she just needs a break, the main character asks for "five little minutes just to go right " as she wonders how much it'll take. With a sigh, she says, "Life's a joke and I'm the punchline." The narrator asks the listeners to "clap for the queen of the almost-made-it’s" because, despite her life being a dream, she seems to hate it. "At least it looks nice" and you're not going to see her “crying in the disco lights."

Our protagonist welcomes the listeners to her pity party where she's going to dance all night and cry until morning. She adds, "don't forget your paper crown, I'll provide the breakdown" reminding everyone that the dress code is "sad but glam." She invites everyone to come on down to her pity party where they’re all welcome.

Putting on "glitter like its armour" while inflating balloons for her own drama, the storyteller says that she, "told my friends ‘I'm doing fine’ then sobbed into a boxed white wine." Once again, she invites us to "clap for the queen of the almost-made-it’s.” The narrator observes "What a smile! I think she fakes it. Would you even know?"

To conclude, our protagonist asks, "What's the point in trying when you're so close to crying? What's the point in trying? No one's going to save you. "

Synth Single Review: “Asphalt” by Lucien Drive

by Karl Magi

Lucien Drive’s “Asphalt” creates impressions of jagged edges and powerful propulsion as it pounds to life with darkness undulating before cymbals add a metallic sharpness while the main theme unfolds in trickling tones. Ragged notes shiver as the solid underpinnings generate rapid motion before a motif of full-sounding notes conveys a journey into the freedom of the open road.

I travel with the artist as he tells an auditory tale of travel and adventure. Chimes contribute a diamond glow while the endlessly churning foundation pushes forward. The main melody delineates feelings of drifting down endless roads, asphalt continually speeding under a car's tires.

Shadows surge from the percussion before the main theme glides alone, full of melancholy wandering, as the drums and bass return to advance the track. Surprising softness tumbles from a round-toned synth before the driving under layer and floating notes fade into silence.

Synth Single Review: “Golden Years” by ZXSP

by Karl Magi

ZXSP’s “Golden Years” grows with a speeding underlayer and gigantically explosive snare drums while a surging synth tumbles in a mad rush, punctuated by incandescent chords and shadow. Unrelentingly propulsive, the drum beat is joined by a shower of sonic embers that radiate encouragement and gentle remembrance, as majesty creeps in.

Rebelballad’s guitar growls with enormous strength to give support to the pounding percussion and synth which glides below. Rebelballad’s solo tears forth from the guitar, exuding irrepressible positivity and defiant success, lifting my heart up as it climbs. The intricacy and expression in the guitar notes captures the sensations of passionate memory.

Elevated tones produce starlight which glimmers on the edge of the throbbing beat. The guitar is unleashed once more, sobbing with unrestrained feeling, capturing the dreams of youth that still linger in our hearts. The track concludes with an accelerative underpinning pulse.

Synth Single Review: “Come Alive” by Anniee

by Karl Magi

Anniee’s “Come Alive” runs lightly over my ears as overlapping voices mix with refulgent notes which blend into a harmonious whole before the steady triphop beat creates a flowing pattern and Anniee’s meltingly tender voice reaches out. A heady combination of caring and concern come together to create protective emotion.

Washing with prismatic tones, the background shimmers as the vocals call for hope in the face of adversity, gliding with hushed delicacy. Production elements come together here to give emotional strength to the showcased vocal performance.

Balanced drums and bass allow the touching fragility and vulnerability of Anniee’s sweetly resonant voice to move me. Vocal layers cascade above extended tones that bend and levitate with velvety ease before the song drifts to an end.

As she asks "where did you go, little rosebud? Where did you go, little girl?" the narrator points out, "you are far too young to lose your petals," but the world is smothering.

The song’s subject talks in her sleep and the narrator queries, "Oh won't you wake up from your sleep?" She wonders what it's going to take for the other person to come to life. In conclusion, she says "I saw you then, I saw you when, once upon a rose."