D r e a m k i d - Dreamkid

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Dreamkid’s self-titled album explodes with the distilled essence of retro sound, refined into a cocktail of well-produced music with intensely felt guitar performances, strong vocals and a synth tapestry that bursts with energy and melodic depth. The end result is a neon and pastel hued journey through the emotional complexities of life.

One of the defining factors of the album is Dreamkid’s guitar chops. He delivers intricate, energizing and emotive performances that see his guitar fly and howl, dancing through well-crafted solos and propelling the album forward. There’s a high octane exuberance to his playing that galvanized me.

Another reason I am drawn to the album is Dreamkid’s vocals. They are full of power and life, expressing strong emotion and imbuing the songs with a heartfelt feeling. He captures the emotional depths of his lyrics within his voice and delivers them with conviction and presence.

There are lush synth layers that build up throughout the music, giving it depth and detail. The overall synth palette is full of ear-catching variety and interesting contrasts. When one adds Dreamkid’s ability to write melodies that increase the expressive nature of the music, the end result hits home with a mixture of retro sound and crystal clear modernity.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Restart” opens with the sound of rain and a cartridge going into a console. This soundscape is joined by creamy smooth bass swirling below and slowly turning, medium-high arpeggios circling.

Gruff synth bursts quickly in angular motion as an elevated string-like sound intertwines with it.  Dreamkid’s full, expressive vocals chant out over the massive retro drums, adding a unique touch. Sparkling synth light shimmers along with 8-bit digital sounds and slow arpeggios spin. Creaking, sharp-edged synth pulses cut through while fragile sounds swirl.

Gigantic drums batter while Dreamkid sings, “Screen on, all night, locked in, feels right. Round one, game on, hold tight, street fight” Now his guitar cries out with heartfelt emotion in a yearning, dreaming melody.  Higher synth flashes in to bathe the track in starry light before it ends.

Glittering synths ripple rapidly over an oscillating bassline far below them to commence "Broken Heart Airlines.” Full-sounding, medium high synth drifts in repeating, melodic patterns before hard-hitting retro drums add guiding motion over bass oscillation. The drums propel the music with deep power as the bass keeps undulating and flashing notes dance. Raised, cosmically spinning arpeggios and trickling xylophone fall through the music over the weighty drums and solid bass.

After a drum fill, cascading, shimmering synth tumbles down over low end weight. Tight, high synth sings out a glowing melodic line over the bass oscillation and glassy lights gleam and a pipe-like synth cries out in an airy voice. I am drawn to the chest-thumping drums as the bass throbs and the higher notes add lambent shine to the music before it fades out.

“Revenge Boy” starts as wide, lush arpeggios slowly move over undulating bass and a quick pop of distorted pipes adds a bouncing quality. Dreamkid’s voice bends in before the main vocal melody moves in jumping lines. The vocals are strong and expressive as the drumbeat and bass oscillation drives on, accented by an energetic thumb piano-like sonic flutter.

Dreamkid’s vocals capture youthful energy and a sense of action. A guitar solo wheels out and flies upwards with boundless dynamism. Leaping drums launch the music forward again. The vocals have irrepressible liveliness that I find enjoyable. Quick, glimmering notes add a sparkling ease to the song. The guitar cries out again in twisting, quicksilver motion over steady drum drive.

Solid, oscillating bass keeps the song moving forward while the angular guitar arcs in slightly choppy lines. The chorus hits again, flying out as the beat pushes on. Crystalline synth bounces and gleams as a drum fill hits and the wide arpeggios twist over the beat and out into silence.

A song of loss, triumph and a little bit of revenge unfolds as the narrator talks about how “she’s looking good” but feels the disappointment as “God damn she’s back with him.” He goes on to point out that the new boyfriend took a swing at him on the last summer, but “every dog will have its day."

In the chorus, our narrator reminds him that “it’s time for your revenge boy” because he owes it to himself. He adds that he’d better have his way because “you gotta do what’s right. Stand up, own the night.”

Now there’s a “fist pump in the air” along with “cold looks” from sidekicks” because it’s “time to show all who means business. One chance is all you get.”

Thunderous bass pulses as wide, hazy synths slowly spin out and whispered voices move to begin “Fatal Attraction.” Flashing chimes ring out with shattered glass sound over the hammering bass as Dreamkid’s vocals flow out, full of power.  Intense toms add weight as they charge into the music along with an orchestra hit. The vocal melody is mysterious and lightly gleaming synths accent it.

The drums drop out over a pastel synth swirl pierced by laser-like sounds as the massive drums heave below as orchestra hits split the music and flickering chimes add lustre. Dreamkid’s voice fills the sonic space, effectively capturing the lyrics’ dark lure. Bass rumbles with surging energy and ethereal voices echo into open space.

Now glittering synth lights flare and the vocals call out, Guitar arcs in a flying line as the vocals fill the music with emotion and strength. A dynamic guitar tide washes through the music as the track ends.

Our narrator talks about a woman whose “eyes point like a loaded gun” and when she has you in her sights, her plan will be put into action because “she’s hungry like a wolf.” The narrator warns people to get away and adds that “you better know the reason why she wants you.” He points out that she’ll upend your life and send it off like “a rollercoaster into darkness.”

The narrator says that she’ll “lure you in with her cherry lips” and her poison tastes sweet. He says she’s “like a panther to its prey” and no one can escape. He likens her to a “python wrapped around your neck” that will pull you down. He warns everyone “don’t be fooled by her deep green eyes, they distract you from the lies.”

“Game Over” begins as dense bass forms a gargantuan underpinning and airy sounds sweep as slowly descending synths glow. Metallic chimes carry undulating arpeggios that move in waves to add tension as huge bass floats. Chanted, distorted vocals repeat “life isn’t always like the movies, even though we want it to be” as trembling, delicate synths flow in pink clouds.

Drums burst in a dynamic line as broad, darkly pulsating synth and angular sounds intertwine and bounce. Twisting, bright sound shifts as the razor-edged bass and massive drums collide. Tense, elevated notes slowly fall through the music, delicate in contrast to the hard-edged bass.

The guitar moves slowly, doubled by chimes as wind sweeps. Colossal drums and broad, unevenly pulsing bass propel the music. Again the guitar leaps out, full of infectious energy as it whirls. I remain impressed by Dreamkid’s guitar chops as the album unfolds. Drums hit hard, the guitar gruff and full of potential energy while a worried arpeggio spins before the track ends.

The sound of typing is hit by all pervasive, heavy bass that swells out along with a tapping hi-hat and a tense snare to start off “Officewave.” A voice answers a phone and a slightly unsettled  arpeggio ripples in before slap bass adds funky flavour and a hollow drum keeps tapping.

Glimmering, slowly shifting synths tumble down in flickering interlocking lines and a bouncy, medium high synth plays a quickly moving pattern, adding exuberant life to the music. Rounder synths fall in over the rapidly thudding drumbeat and slap bass. The track bursts into jumping, metallically ringing synth repeating a sharp-edged pattern as full, glowing synths circle below and the endless drums keep hitting.

After a drum fill, a worried-sounding arpeggio twists above the yawning bass chasm below it.  Guitar slowly echoes out and after a windy sweep, a metallic synth bubbles over the drums and unfolding slap bass.

“Hearts Don’t Beat The Same When They’re Hurting” begins as far off, quickly spinning arpeggios dance out over oscillating bass and the drums slam in. Dreamkid’s aching, echoing voice flows out over the pulsating bass and colossal drums.

The big, bold retro beat is cut by splinters of gleaming synth as the vocals ring out over the propulsive drums. Flickering chimes sparkle and arpeggios keep whirling as the song flows into a smoothly gliding section split by quick diamond light. Dreamkid imbues his voice with deep feeling and retro sound in a way I find quite pleasing.

The drums and bass form a heartbeat as glassy lights shimmer. Circling arpeggios add shape and the drums’ heavy presence is undeniable. A soaring synth solo twists through to add a yearning feeling as distorted voices pop and gossamer light shines.

Heartbreak, bitterness and loss fill the lyrics as the storyteller says that he hasn’t heard from the song’s subject for three weeks and asks if he was nothing at all to that person. He says that the other person has moved forward while he’s still sitting there. He adds that he “can’t get my head around how you played me like that” and easily twisted his arm.

Now “this drink and sunset are the only things holding me” because “hearts don’t beat the same when they’re hurting.” The storyteller points out that they are still “young and learning” as they play “vicious games.” He adds that sometimes he can't get up "when everything is so damn fucked.” Our narrator concludes that he probably didn’t mean much to the other person and remembers “the way you looked last time, your black Ray-Bans and that dead smile staring back.”

Resonant synth smoothly glides in waves as a distant siren cries out along with a police radio to kick off “The Fugitive.” Feather-light, warm synth wanders and sparkling chimes fly out as the big drumbeat and throbbing bass move the music forward. Chimes add a rippling glow as the main melodic pattern creates a sense of motion carried on a shining synth.

The retro drums have serious weight to them as broad, bell-like synth carries an uplifting melody. Dreamkid’s guitar soars out in a hopeful, encouraging melody. Luscious, shiny synth flashes with animated light and the giant drums push the music onwards. The guitar unrolls into the music, lifting it up with inspiring energy.

The track breaks into glittering, bell-like synth floating over top of seriously dense bass. A slower, reverberating beat thuds out along with a tom fill as synths like light on aquamarine water rise.  Dreamkid’s passion-filled guitar helps guide the track to an end.

"Night Ride” Lost, distant drums have a muffled beat that grows along with lambent arpeggios and a solid, throbbing drumbeat along with a steady bass flow. Dreamkid’s voice is full of dreaming hope, a nostalgic yearning for what can never come again.

The drums and bass are a heartbeat as the vocal melody mingles wistfulness and affection. Quick, glowing synth motes flicker through and the hard hitting drums and bass keep moving the song onwards. Dreamkid injects intense emotion into the words as the percussion thunders on.

Metallic synths glimmering with gentle ease before the guitar slices in, singing out a melody that reaches for the sky. I enjoy how the guitar brims with desire and melancholy, all intertwined. Sonic layers build up as the song ends, filling it with richness before fading on the rising guitar and feather-light chimes.

Our storyteller’s regret is clear as he says that if he could do things over “we may be still more than friends.” He adds that he tried to repair what was left and points out that “if I could go back in time, I would.”

The narrator talks about how he’d take the song’s subject on a “night ride” like the last time with “your face reflecting car lights” and like the last time he wants to “make us feel right, tonight.”

The storyteller is asked to see the other person’s point of view “before it all falls through.” As the song concludes he asks why the song’s subject had to leave and ends by saying “if I could go back in time, I would.”

Conclusion

Dreamkid’s debut album comes charging onto the scene with energy and conviction. The way it mingles pin-sharp production, emotional expression and a rich musical tapestry results in an excellent first effort. I was transported down the neon streets and through Dreamkid’s auditory world on a thoroughly enjoyable ride.