MoTER - Aerodnmx
Author: Dimi Kaye
Let me be clear, this is not an objective review. MoTER is a good friend and an old collaborator. In a parallel universe (that broke away from our own 3 years ago) he would be an artist under one of the oldest and most legendary synthwave labels around, with people praising his music. Unfortunately that’s not the universe we live in, so let me introduce MoTER to you.
First of all, before reading press play on Slam, the second track on his latest EP Aerodnmx 01. You did that? Great. Let’s begin.
MoTER is a synthwave producer from Greece. Even though he is a guitar teacher by day, you will never hear guitars in his music. Instead, what you get is synth sounds that have the grittiness you expect from analogue instruments. He doesn’t use a lot of instruments in his compositions though, you will mostly hear a sweet pad, a lovely lead synth, the bass and the drums. It’s what he does with these instruments that matters though.
Now, when I asked you to play Slam, one of the two things happened: You stopped dead on your tracks with the opening sound that reminded you of early PS1 racing video game soundtracks; You loaded a new tab with MoTER’s Bandcamp page and started checking his discography. When the track progressed, what got your attention was the incredibly unusual and fresh take on arrangements, melodies and use of the instruments. You could say this is… progressive synthwave. And you would be right.
If you are one of those people, you don’t need to read anymore. MoTER’s discography is on Bandcamp (and other streaming platforms). Go nuts, have fun listening to something that sounds new and fresh and if you find time, go tell MoTER that you checked his stuff, he will be glad to hear it.
Instead, if you kept reading, focusing more on the words instead of the music, I will ask you now to press play on Midnight Trail. Give it a few seconds and then tell me: Does your head bob? Do you find yourself playing air synths along with the stabs and the catchy melodies? Doesn’t this track feel like it would fit in a main menu screen from that PS1 racing game, with the announcer passionately screaming “Career Mode!”, “Time Attack!” etc. as you press up and down on your controller?
There is definitely retro nostalgia in MoTER’s music and even if it doesn’t remind you of 90s video games, I am sure it will take you back to an unspecified time in your life that you fondly remember.
The reality is that even in its slow, ballad moments (like Sq. Victoria), MoTER’s music sounds way different and unique than anything the retrowave scene has to offer. It has its own style, its own voice but definitely keeps that retro and nostalgic feeling we all love. MoTER’s music is to synthwave what Japanese Pop is to the western pop music. It’s still pop, but the chord progressions, the instrumentation and the inspirations behind it created something that you can definitely distinguish. It’s something familiar but different.
If you dig deep into MoTER’s discography you might feel that some track sounds feel similar, and that has to do with him mostly using the same instruments. That doesn’t take away the fact that his music remains original, something you probably haven’t heard before in synthwave.
There aren’t many people who heard of MoTER or his music, but those who do (some of them are artists you definitely know and love) are die hard fans and get excited when he announces a new release. I hope you become one of them.
As I wrote in the beginning, this is not an objective review. I am a big fan of his music and I have huge respect for the person. Then again, I will not go around praising someone if I don’t believe in them and their art. And I do believe in MoTER’s music. I believe that most of you who will check it will fall in love with the style and how different but catchy it is. How fresh and totally retro it sounds. If you do, then share his albums with your friends and let him know.
Stay creative and keep supporting synthwave.
For more MoTER, visit moter.bandcamp.com