Synth Single Review: “Sunset Drive” by Sun City

by Karl Magi

Sun City's “Sunset Drive” emanates brilliant sparks while a rippling arpeggio softens the edges in the background before chimes glitter and Chris Catton’s velvety vocals seize a mixture of affection and wistful feelings.

Chimes shine like sunlight on freshly polished paint as the notes sail along. The drumbeat is like the road rolling under a car's tires as Chris Catton reaches for the sky with his earnest performance, permeating me with retro dreams.

The beat cruises as the chorus flies with ardent emotion and Jonas Klintström Larsen’s fervently crying sax cuts into the music to express new beginnings, carrying my imagination along with it. The vocals pour out hope and a contemplation of future possibilities while the sax cascades with the dreams of a 1980s summer.

Saying goodbye to the song's subject, the protagonist adds that he'll be leaving for a while as he says, "hold on, don't cry, I believe it's for the better." This time he's not going to take for granted what he finds "calling me on this sunset drive like a transistor radio playing in the backseat of my car."

Despite having come a long way, our storyteller sees that the journey is endless as he continues, "I know it's hard but I just can't keep pretending, I'll just have to take my chances." He was mistaken in that there was no one to keep him going but, "I'm still unshaken, keep my foot pressed to the floor and say so long."

Synth Single Review: “On & On” by Marvel83' & Dave Maverick

by Karl Magi

Marvel83' & Dave Maverick’s “On & On” invokes a broadly spreading sense of serenity as notes like the barest breeze trickle peacefully above a smooth but steady rhythmic pulsation before Dave Maverick’s guitar cruises like air rippling across open fields, moving with complete freedom.

The drums are firm and the guitar captures impressions of openness and endlessness while the background projects an auroral sheen. I take a deep breath and let it out, allowing my tension to bleed away as Dave Maverick’s guitar summons the feeling of sailing across vast landscapes, skimming over treetops and sweeping past mountains with total smoothness.

Chimes descend with a soothing touch and the guitar transmits sensations of gliding weightlessness that contribute to the calming feelings which surround me. The beat fades away and resonant synth captures utter relaxation before the guitar slowly trickles out into silence.

Synth Single Review: “Soaring” by Wellside

by Karl Magi

Wellside's “Soaring” trembles and a rising wind lifts the music with a theme that brings sensations of open air and free flight to life before the underlying bass creates lush support and a fresh synth breathes out. Percussion snaps into a shaping pattern as expansive tones lift me up, my heart feeling light and airy as a piano sings with release and relief.

The drumbeat is steady as the main melody glides on gilded wings, soaring up through the clouds. notes flash with flickering sunlight as the gentle arpeggios circle and chords climb before an open voice synth exhales a theme that produces surrounding peace while metallic sounds shine like solar light in a cerulean sky.

Percussion drops away as extended chords shift and the elevated synth transmits the melody, carrying out above the world, free and moving past all of the complexities that plague us before the music slips easily to a close.

Synth Single Review: “Final Girl” by FHE

by Karl Magi

FHE's “Final Girl” expands with evenly throbbing tones and rushing air before the piano and electric guitar convey a feeling of growing fear while Nona’s dominating voice projects confidence and toughness above the rhythm’s shaping dynamism.

Defiance and danger fill the vocals as the chorus echoes with strings intertwining in minor key swirls as the piano adds brightness. Fierce power and a deadly attitude emanate from Nona’s gripping vocals while volleying piano adds to the tension as a scream echoes.

The chorus pours out murderous intent and a warning while boxing beats flick back and forth. This song takes hold of my imagination and makes me smile. A minor key twist creates a vengeful impression as the vocals ring out wickedly and the punching percussion carries the song to an end as the Shining piano melody instils terrifying sensations.

Despite looking sweet and having a smile like Barbie, the main character warns us that you might not think she's brave, but she has "a shovel for your grave." She might be kind to strangers and she’ll "even take your pulse but watch your back if you come for me because I'll kill you off."

As the narrator keeps the house lights low and her story thin, she adds " if you ask where I've been they'll say that's where I begin." Her style is to kill them in the dark as she continues, "you better not blink ‘cause I'll stab you in the heart." She reminds us that, "baby, I'm the final girl, I'll tear your heart apart."

While the enemy may think they've chosen our storyteller's fate, their grin is too wide because "I've got weapons loaded in the glove box of my ride." Telling them that they can search the hallways and the other floors, but "I'm already standing at your front door."

She points out that, “I'm just your total nightmare with a cute dress on and a very bad plan." To conclude, the main character says, "I leave a little silence before I take my revenge, then I bow like a scream queen with a red right hand."