Andromeda Dreams - Hyperion

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Andromeda Dreams’ Hyperion is a luscious and complex slice of musical space exploration. Andromeda Dreams weaves together an interlocking tapestry of synth sounds, beautiful melodies and an atmosphere of cosmic mystery that creates an engaging and intoxicating listening experience. I am impressed by the way in which this album is able to evoke emotion through instrumental expression alone.

One of Hyperion’s strongest features is the depth and layering of Andromeda Dreams’ synth sounds. Like a work of orchestral music, the different tone colors and sonic textures that Andromeda Dreams mingles together become a harmonious whole. There is nuance, expression and beauty within the interactions between all of the different musical layers that I find deeply enjoyable.

Another standout on Hyperion is Andromeda Dreams’ melodic writing. He has a skill for writing melodies that are emotionally connected and expressive. I enjoy the way in which he can convey a wide variety of states of mind and feelings within one melody. There's something deeply evocative in his melodies that brings to mind works of classical music.

I also find the atmosphere of this album quite intriguing. Andromeda Dreams does a superb job of capturing the feeling of a space journey. The way in which he can conjure up imagery allows the music to capture and hold my attention as it unfolds. I find myself carried away by the journey on which I am being taken.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Intro” comes to life as huge, rumbling bass moves below ethereally circling, peaceful arpeggios. The track grows in strength as the arpeggios add starry brightness and the bass swells with crushing power. The arpeggios are fiercely radiant now, while haunting and fragile sounds glide in the background. Bass adds a rising darkness to contrast with the piercing illumination of the metallic synth. This track lays a cosmic sounding foundation to set the mood for this album.

Slamming drums and oscillating, flatly bursting bass open “Beyond The Galaxy.” Now smoothly sailing, medium-high synth slides through the music with tranquil ease above the punchy drums and solid bass. A chiming synth carries the main melody out through the music. The melody has an uplifting quality, touched by pain.

A sense of forward motion fills the melody as the chimes shimmer with supernova radiance. A higher, more fragile series of notes floats past and planing, trumpeting synth carries a melody that radiates yearning as the drums and bass relentlessly propel the music.

Darkness fills the low end in contrast to the chimes’ gleaming luminosity, carrying the mournful and dreamy melody as entangling, smoothly shining synth flows underneath. I feel a sense of hope tempered by an aching quality that draws me into this track.

Triumphant notes call out to add nobility as the twinkling synth is delicate. Arpeggios twirl along with the drums and bass as the low end shapes the music. The track ends as swirling synth accents the needy, gentle main melody and the drums and bass drive on.

“Supernova” opens as glimmering, razor-edged notes burst along with full sounding bass. The effulgent lead synth carries a melody full of excitement and victorious energy as it resounds above the driving drum beat and thick bass. After a series of tom hits, the drums and bass push hard again as the snare drum explodes with energy.

A softly glowing secondary synth carries a melody that is heartwarming and uplifting, putting a smile on my face as it cries out above the propulsive low end. The luminous melody unfolds with just a mournful tinge that tempers the positive feelings it exudes. A dazzling synth comes in, feeling hopeful as it reaches out for the stars.

Below the other musical elements, the bass is a heartbeat and the drums add guiding motion. Radiant synth flashes in now, climbing up high and permeating the music with solar light, contrasting with the weight and depth throbbing far below. Arpeggios dance and ripple with sparkling light as they extend through the track while sharp-edged bass trembles below as the drums fade away. A steady, reverent sonic flow exhales behind the other musical elements to add a calming breath.

Bell-like synth wanders through the music above the arpeggios, ringing out with resonant light above the softer flow behind it. Once again, the encouraging and joyful main melody calls out on the shining lead synth, suffusing the music with illumination. There's an epic quality to this track that carries me on a complex musical journey into the mysteries of the universe. The track ends on ethereal notes that float out into deep bass and fall silent.

Smoothly flowing notes echo out into open space to start “Obsidian.” Widely trumpeting notes grow in volume and strength as the bass rises underneath them. There's a sense of immense power held in check as the kick drum begins to propel the music forward. Sharply clarion notes call out in a melody that speaks of motion and progress above the driving drums and bass.

A shimmering synth carries a melody that leaps forward with flaring brightness and continual motion. Chimes shine out with glassy light above the echoing melody. Guitar howls with passionate life in a solo that flies above the pulsating low end with intense feeling pouring from it. The low end presses on as glistening chimes flicker out above rich bass.

The low end forms a pounding heartbeat now as the lead synth creates more dynamism and a broadly drifting sound flows through the music, calling out in a more melancholy melodic pattern. Chimes shine again as the drums and bass drive on with relentless motion. The guitar adds a sharper, slicing feeling to the music.

The track glides into an oscillating bass section in which string-like synth climbs to add encouragement to the music. There's a drum flourish and the guitar cries out again, lending power and emotion to the music. I enjoy the way the track moves between hope and pained emotion. As the track comes to an end, the guitar wheels out above it with soaring life while the drums and bass press on and silence falls.

“Hyperion” opens as powerful bass moves below darkly shaded synth that carries a melody with a cosmic quality that floats out into openness. flaring synth entangles with metallic luminosity above the wandering synth that tumbles through the music. Rough, massive bass snarls and an arpeggio twirls to add rushing energy to the track.

The main melody combines pained emotion and majesty as it moves on gleaming notes. The main melody has a wide open feeling as the radiant notes float past. There is a nobility to the main melody along with the emotive ache that fills it. In the distance, swelling bass moves with muscled power as fluting notes float.

A brassy synth flashes into the music, echoing out with more brightness. it adds a tinge of Hope to the track above the darkly moving low end. Glimmering light slips outwards into the music from a more delicate synth that moves behind the intense glow emanating from the background. Arpeggiating notes drift out into space to add expansive power before the track comes to an end.

A steady flow of warm synth adds a rich background sheen and the drums throb slowly to start “Air.” The glimmering notes rise and billow in waves as softly tapping percussion echoes into the background. The drum heartbeat is joined by a bursting snare drum as the slowly shifting bass flows smoothly underneath. Peaceful and tender emotion fills the music as widely gliding, digital sounding notes ring out.

The melody wraps around me like a warm blanket, leaving me feeling settled and calm. The drums and bass create motion as tremulous, shimmering notes dance out in the background. delicate radiance fills the lead synth as it carries the melody out, full of hope and peace. The oscillating synth entangles as the bass moves with a laid-back feeling.

I relax more as the music unfolds and a secondary lucent synth sings out, gently floating above the smoothly undulating notes that support it as the drums rebound. Relaxation permeates this music as it takes on a more majestic quality, a secondary series of notes soaring behind it to add expansive sensations. The track comes to an end on rippling notes sparkling out above the oscillating low end.

“Ganymede” starts off as intensely rushing percussion and cutting bass move along with explosive chords that exude overwhelming brightness. The bass oscillates with muscled strength as shining notes fly out. A string-like synth carries a melody that is full of dynamism and triumph.

Chimes flicker in the background with metallic luminosity and the rushing low end pushes forward. A sense of achievement fills the main melody in a way that I find compelling.The track exudes a sense of free and easy flight as the lead synth adds a glowing sheen.

Chimes ring out again with delicate light to accent the rushing drums and bass. Drums flourish again the track returns to the “A” section, the rough edged synth dancing out above the pulsating low end.

Flaring chords and support and now a medium-high, glimmering synth calls out in the melody with a sense of progress tinged with a hint of more challenging emotion. A sense of energy and kinetic speed permeates every element of the music. in the distance, chimes dance and the relentless low end curious this track to a conclusion.

Distant, razor sharp notes flash out into open space to start “Mirage.” Medium-low, unevenly bouncing synth moves below the leaping, radiant chords. Drums and bass rebound in a smooth heartbeat below the metallic light above them.

A medium-high, brightly shimmering synth carries a meandering melody with a cosmic quality. The drums and bass throb as the slowly swirling lead synth carries the drifting melody with ease. Drums flourish and steadily flashing chords illuminate the music. The track moves into a segment in which an elevated, howling synth carries a solo with a rather haunting quality, roaming out above the even low end.

The xylophone adds a unique quality in the distance as elevated synth cries out with mysterious and tender feeling. I enjoy the atmosphere created in this track as it does indeed reflect the sense of a mirage. Ethereally pulsing notes flicker in the distance before the song comes to an end.

“Genesis” begins as a galactically gliding synth sweeps through above a slowly oscillating bassline. The sweeping sounds have a ghostly elegance to them as they float out above the deeply resonating bass. The music embodies flowing weightlessness, touched by a glowing synth. The bass pulse creates steady motion as sliding chords add starry brightness.

A snare drum ticks as crystal chimes cry out with fragile luminosity. The drums add more shape to the music as the extended, galactic chords float out. Chimes carry a melody with a tentative and tender quality that attracts me to it. The entire track is haunted by melancholy as it unfolds. Chimes resonate with pure light above the ominous bass.

The sensation of floating in open space is clear in this track. Now the gigantic base pulses alone momentarily before the sweeping chords flow again and broad, medium-high synth twists. This music conjures images of huge space objects.

Gruff, sharply cutting notes flash out as intertwining notes behind them extend outward. Underneath all of the other elements, the low end creates heavy propulsion. The track ends on the shadowed melody and chimes ringing out with a distorted quality before the track ends.

Conclusion

Hyperion is a beautifully crafted work of instrumental synth music that transcends the genre to explore new worlds through intensely interlocking sonic complexity. This is an album that demands a lot of attention and time from the listener and keeps one engaged for the entirety of its length.