Cat Temper - Furio

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Cat Temper’s Furio is a lusciously woven sonic tapestry that brims over with complexity and a stunning plethora of ear-grabbing synth sounds. There’s a muscled power to the drums and bass while melodies are interwoven with a wide range of fascinating synths. This is an album that will bear repeated listening to notice new facets of the music.

Layers within layers is the way in which I would describe the music on Furio. Cat Temper has interlinked synths that have every possible tone and texture one can imagine. They are silky and elegant, abrasive and angry. Synths saw, sing, howl and twist to weave an auditory fabric that is endlessly interesting to me.

I enjoy the emotional ambiguity and fluidity of Cat Temper’s melodies on Furio. The feelings that the melodies create are mixed and sometimes conflicted, but that only makes them more appealing to me. There is something pleasing about having one’s brain engaged by music in an ear-pleasing way.

The intense strength of the drums and bass on this album also deserve comment. I find the unique variety of percussion sounds and the imposing bass power draw me in and get me shimmying along to the addictive beats that unfold.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Growls On Film” comes to life as quickly rippling, taut synth flits and monumental drums collide in uneven pulses. Oscillating synth joins the propulsive beat as dense bass rises in clouds. Raised, glowing synth carries a melody pleasingly brimming over with sunny ease and encouragement above rebounding drums and strong bass.

Tumbling bass rushes before a pan-pipe synth moves with an uncertain feeling, cut by gravelly synth descending while active bass shifts. Vocal-sounding synth echoes into the music as a mysterious arpeggio spins out, adding a devious quality. Huge, dark synth pulses as nervous, bright synth twirls out arpeggios.

Hollow synth flits through and intriguing percussion taps as breathy pipe-like synth is cut by heavier, hard-edged sounds. Slap bass twangs as a nasal-sounding, minor key synth snakes enigmatically through the music. The drums jump and the track ends on growling bass and worried-sounding arpeggios.

Quickly undulating, muscle-bound bass and thudding kick drum erupt into a propulsive beat to open “Feline Fatale.” Jagged synth grinds into the track in a dynamically shifting pulse as big snare drums explode.

Gritty synth leaps in energizing lines as smoother, rounded synth curls out in a catchy motion. Twisting, expansive lower synth is touched by sparkling chimes. Now mellow chords rise below starry synth, rushing notes dance and flaring chords add sunlight.

Immense drums and bass drive as widely whirling synth skips along. A leaping, hopeful melody slides out before frolicking notes sail in. The track ends on an energetically bursting synth pattern.

“Sin of the Kitty” begins as trumpeting synth falls through space as quickly oscillating bass drives along with overwhelming drums. Cosmically drifting, open-voiced synth drifts in an ethereally touching melody above solidly punching drums and bass.

Medium-low synth cuts in to add more weight. There’s an enjoyable, diaphanous delicacy in the melody here. Chiming, lush synth spins out dancing arpeggios touched by shadow. Breathy synth slides along as the hard-hitting drums push forward. A snarling guitar slashes in, adding feral energy while sneaky synth swirls with a minor key twist.

Victorious synth sings while clean, glistening arpeggios spin and the guitar thunders. The track moves into a cascading segment as medium-low synth adds active motion. The music fades on quickly pulsating notes.

Rapidly trickling synth flickers and grows in intensity to start “The Chauffeur.” Flashing, resonant synth leaps out and bouncing, sharp-edged bass kicks as a snare drum adds motion. Raised, brilliant synth carries a distant and gentle melody, wonderfully full of ease and peace.

The drums rebound as buoyant synth moves in a circular motion, sweeping through the track. Arpeggios move in contrary motion while soft-edged, expanding synth is briefly touched by unique drums.

Bass pops along with massive drums as slowly drifting synth adds an enigmatic quality. Bending synth dances before luscious, medium-low synth hints at more complicated feelings above the varied percussion.

“The Seventh Stray” opens as clear, ultra-sharp synth carries a swiftly shifting pattern as wide bass doubles it. Heavily throbbing drums add intense propulsion as they slam in. Raised, lucent synth flashes out in angular patterns as gruff bass keeps throbbing. A synth with a tinkling resonance carries shaded energy in it.

Hard-hitting synth moves in angular motion as another wildly roaming synth blurs through above the massive drums battering in. Widely blaring lead synth floods the track with brightness and drums smack in with real muscle. Airy, flowing synth with a tense edge moves in as popping notes flicker past. Flaring synth moving over slowly shifting, twisting notes behind it. Leaping synth blurs as the track ends.

Thudding kick drum and rolling bass waves propel the track with surging power to commence “Electric Pawpurella.” Gyrating, heavy synth slices in and a snare drum adds explosive motion above strong bass.

Trumpeting, medium-high synth flies out, carrying a darkly energetic melody that I enjoy. Charging bass and heavy duty drums keep the track moving. Glistening lead synth repeats the lively melody as towering bass and solidly hitting drums shove track forward.

Medium-low, digital-sounding synth with a hollow voice slides in slipping patterns. A zapping sound beams in above hopping drums as widely volleying synth climbs and descends into quiet.

“Please Please Tell Meow” begins as flickering synth trickles through in an effortlessly moving pattern before razor-edged bass pulsates. Gigantic retro drums hammer in and sharp-edged, distorted synth grits. Gleaming arpeggios ripple above a lower synth’s harsh growl as tapping percussion accents the music.

Softly shining notes intertwine as drums tick and vibrating synth forms a trembling pattern. Glittering arpeggios vault while brassy synth flies upward, adding enjoyably elevating emotion.

Digital-sounding, pipe-like synth carries a melancholy melody with a lost feeling to add emotional depth. Broad arpeggios shift and pulsating synth slides in a steady pattern before silence falls.

Absolutely colossal bass moves in slowly pulsating lines along with a thumping kick drum to open “Last Cats On The Stairway.” A hi hat ticks along with echoing claps before radiant synth forms a melodic pattern effectively tugging the listener forward.

It feels as if a great force is acting on the low end as the thundering drums punch home and the shimmering synth glows. An uplifting, medium-high synth pattern comes in along with sharply metallic synth. Varied, unique percussion shapes the music and a distorted synth shimmies past.

The music drifts into calming synth gliding into open space. Bubbling percussion adds shape before flying synth frolics in a minor key above rushing drums. The track ends on gigantic bass and flashing synth accents.

Conclusion

Furio is synth music with real richness, depth and undeniable energy. My ears are exceedingly happy as I listen, stimulated by the variety of the sounds and excited by the relentless life pouring from the music.