Digital Love - Win The War
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
With Win the War, Digital Love has created an album that erupts with emotional depth, exploring themes of resistance and love. The musical backing effectively uses synths to convey as much emotion as the vocal performance can muster. The lyrics are well-written and add impact to the album. The end result is mature, expressive synthpop with a strong emotional core.
The first element that draws me to Win the War is Digital Love's vocal performance. She has a fresh-sounding voice with a unique tone that captures a wide range of different feelings and states of mind. Her voice allows her to delve into the lyrics she’s written and really find their heart. The performances add a great deal of nuance and feeling to the album.
I'm also drawn to the songwriting on Win the War. Digital Love is able to cut right to the heart of matters with her writing. Whether her songs express defiance, passion, or fear, they manage to find the center of those different emotional states and punch it home. I find Digital Love's writing style intensely engaging.
Win the War’s musical backing adds lushness and support to the songs. I enjoy the layering and mingling of different synth sounds along with fresh percussion and melodies that sometimes contrast and sometimes complement the lyrics and vocal performances. All of the different sonic components on the album come together to create a cohesive and impactful result.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Win the War” comes into being as smoothly flowing synth slides along with bursting drums, while a vocal sample from *Star Trek: Voyager* moves in the background. A melody exploding with triumph and bright energy weaves in between the powerful drums, conveying upward progress. Digital Love’s unique, emotive voice carries a melody filled with hope and warmth.
A rounded, medium-low synth throbs as the drums flourish and the ascendant melody adds luminosity above the guiding bass. The song’s sentiment tugs at my heartstrings. Digital Love’s enfolding voice moves along with deeply resonant synth that reverberates behind the vocals. The drums throb along with the melody that glows and flies above the guiding low end.
The vocals embody the lyrics' sense of resistance. Synth flares and tightly rippling notes trickle past as Digital Love’s voice soars. The drums throb, and the main melody shines with victory. Digital Love lets her voice carry the song to an end along with the glimmering melody.
The narrator asks if the song’s subject can hear the “awful crashing sound like fireworks exploding all around?” The other person knows she's insecure, but she points out that “it's you and me, and we're taking on the world.” She explains that “this is how we're going to win the war” because their love is worth fighting for.
Our storyteller is “waiting on the break of dawn” while the battle continues to rage. She tells the other person that “I know how difficult it can be,” but points out that the current situation will fade into memory one day. She concludes that “maybe it's a sign or some kind of grand design, but I won't let go.”
A bouncing synth with clean edges moves along with quickly bursting drums and full-sounding notes that flash out below to start “Squeeze.” The drums kick, and Digital Love's voice rises with energetic strength as popping, frolicking synth notes intertwine.
The drums and bass create a quick pulse as the trumpeting synth cuts in with uplifting vigour. There is an interesting dynamic contrast between the lyrics and the music in this track to which I am drawn. Hollow-sounding notes echo out in a jumping line. Chimes flicker as Digital Love's voice carries the chorus.
The drums cut in again, and the synth joyously dances as the vocals carry the expressive melody. The chorus has a warm flow and punk rock vibes. It explodes with light, with an effulgent synth accenting each line. The chimes sparkle again, and the hollow notes twine together before the track comes to an end.
The narrator is “looking down on city streets under moonlight” as she observes that the song's subject is looking pale. She reassures them that “everything can be all right tonight.” The narrator paints a picture of walking through a foggy evening on a “midnight rendezvous” with a ripped dress and feet that are “black and blue.” She adds that if she could be seen through her eyes, one would know that “this is no disguise.”
She asks the other person if the situation is something wanted or something needed. She wonders, “Is it just a game to you?” She speaks about “prowling dimly lit streets where hearts go to be still,” while an observer describes her as being “dressed to kill” with a body “made to thrill.” She asks the song's subject to “squeeze my hand, take me home” and for them to squeeze her hard and not let go.
The song concludes as the narrator looks deeply into the other person's eyes “as stars collide” because she's never sure if “tonight will be the night.”
“Act Surprised” starts off as solid drums punch out a steady beat and jazz organ calls out with bell-like tones. The organ carries a gentle melody as a nasal sounding synth wriggles in an angular line and funky accents move along with unique percussion. Digital Love’s engaging voice carries a melody tinged with mournful feeling.
Drums flicker as the funky, nasal sounding synth pulse moves along with the accenting notes. Bell-like organ chords add gentle illumination while the drums and bass punch. The chorus erupts with uplifting positivity that contrasts with the overall mood of the lyrics. The drums pulsate again and Digital Love's expressive voice calls out as the low end drives on.
I enjoy the varied percussion sounds along with the expression of the vocals here. The drums press on, accenting Digital Love’s strong performance. Flaring notes blossom as the jazzy, groovy low end keeps the track moving forward. The nasal, pulsating notes drop away for a moment and then the chorus leaps up, intensity pouring from Digital Love's voice. Trumpeting notes jump and the chimes ring as the drums rebound. The track ends on scintillating light.
Our storyteller feels that there's a strange sensation in the air, like a "stillness wrapped in despair." She says it might be a ghost or a premonition. She and the song's subject have laid all their cards on the table, and looking back at the relationship is like "looking back at a book of fables." She says that "for what it's worth, and while it lasts," they have something between them that is like magic only they can perform.
The narrator talks about how the other person said, about the relationship, that it would be a case of "whatever happens, come what may." Our narrator, on the other hand, asks, "Why can't we go back to yesterday?"
Now, "a cold touch creeps through the night," and the storyteller sees a spectre illuminated by moonlight. It is "a memory of days long gone" and old hurt that they can't run away from.
The narrator concludes by asking why the other person can't "at least act like you're surprised," even though everything she needs to know is in the other person's
Cymbals sweep and delicately sparkling synth adds luminosity to open “Same Moon.” The drums slowly form a beat and a nasal sounding, medium-high synth carries a melody that drifts like leaves on the wind above the guiding beat. Digital Love’s voice echoes delicately, carrying a hopeful, yearning melody.
There's a twinge of aching need in the vocals which grabs my heart tightly. The broadly reverberating drums and unctuous bass add luscious depth. Digital Love’s vocal performance has a soulful warmth along with the synth backing. A tranquil, medium-low synth breathes out a soothing melody while the low end continues to guide the music.
The drums are broad sounding and smoothly shape the music while the medium-high synth glows with tender feeling. A round-toned synth dreams into the music, carrying a melody that mingles melancholy and anticipation while the low end continues to add form to the music. Digital Love’s voice embodies need and tenderness as it moves through the song.
Emotive illumination pours from the track, the lusciously intertwined synths moving with the distinctive vocal delivery. Wide percussive variety adds interest below the delicate melody that slips with aching affection while everything is supported by the bass flow. The synth solo is freewheeling and reaches out with light fingers to brush across the music.
The melody in the background provides a gossamer filigree on which the solo can dance and sparkle while shaped by the percussion. The vocals move now only with glittering chimes, heightening the vulnerability of Digital Love’s performance before the drums surge and radiance pours out before the song ends.
The narrator calls out to the song's subject, telling them that she can see them "through the smoke" and hear "the whispered words we've never spoke." She asks them to take her hand and lead her out of the dance floor because "maybe our twirls can slow the turning of the world."
Our storyteller points out that "we all live under the same moon," and all of us want our own luminosity to shine through. She asks the song's subject if they can feel the sense of nirvana.
Now, the narrator sees the other person "start to shine" and tastes the other person's lips as they brush hers. She asks the song's subject to hold her tightly and promise that it'll be alright. She concludes by asking the other person if they can feel the sensation that is like heaven.
A rich cascade of different percussion sounds and clapping synth, along with breathy panpipes, kicks off "Guillotines (No Promises)." The intricately woven percussion moves underneath Digital Love’s drifting vocals as razor edged notes throb. The panpipes wheel through the music with light energy, along with intricately interacting drums.
Sharp-edged synth throbs as Digital Love's voice cuts with a velvet sharpness. The panpipes flick through the distance as the drums rebound. The chimes add sparkling accents to the chorus that cries out with defiant life. The drums move with a loose-limbed ease as the bass throbs. I enjoy the song ‘s rebellious nature despite the backing music’s surprising tranquility. Hard-edged bass throbs as the ethereal panpipes unfold and the drums keep the music moving forward. The bright, metallic notes flash, and Digital Love's vocals climb to the sky, calling for a fight. The vocals have an engaging delicacy to them as they vary; percussion pulses and the glimmering notes move as the track comes to an end on the swelling chorus.
Our storyteller talks about feeling the walls closing in on her with no place left to hide. She knows that she has to “sharpen the knives and cut” in order to escape. She has been “prepping myself for the end, ever since the start” in order to fight with all of her heart for their love. She and the song’s subject are going to be “building guillotines of hope” as she has the blade if the other person has the rope.
The narrator encourages the song’s subject not to give up, adding that “there are no promises in this life or the next.” She goes on to say that they shouldn't give up because the others have “picked a fight they'll learn to regret.” Both she and the song's subject are “desperate and counting down the days, just trying to survive” as they are fighting for their loves and lives.
The song concludes as the storyteller talks about war planes filling the skies and flames rising. She tells the song's subject that they don't need to be afraid, but they do need to be ready.
"Blood Money" starts as a scintillating synth plays a dynamically leaping pattern and actively popping drums move in along with dense bass. All of the musical elements run together in a rushing flow as orchestra hits smack in. Digital Love's voice has a sibilant sound that emphasizes the darkness of the lyrics. The orchestra hits continue to cut in as the main melody swirls through the music with enigmatic expression.
Digital Love's voice lends the lyrics victorious energy. After another explosive orchestra hit, the surging radiance of the medium-high synth ripples through the music, and the drums and bass guide the music. I am drawn to the way in which Digital Love’s performance captures the impactful lyrics. The explosive orchestra hits accent the flowing and dancing melody as the drums and bass continue to add a heartbeat.
The drums flourish again, and the twirling synth flares. Now, piano arpeggios shimmer in the distance of the gently touching vocals. The drums punch hard again, and angular synth notes wriggle as Digital Love lets loose with her unique singing ability. The main melody glimmers again, and the low end charges on until the song ends.
The storyteller talks about humanity “scratching at the walls like rats, starving while our parasites grow fat.” She says that it's entropy at work. She talks about people skirting around the point that there's “always someone else there to exploit and we gotta eat.”
Our narrator points out that the world is burning down, “but the line keeps going up.” She adds that business has sold human souls for capital and “left us holding out the beggar's cup.” The ultra-wealthy profit from people's need with “insatiable greed,” which becomes their blood money.
The storyteller refers to the wealthiest as vampires that must feed and we're all just red meat.” She talks about how the final nail is being hammered in with a “fatal crisis that's too big to fail,” and that crisis is apathy. The only antidote is to “lock the door, unhook the phone” and gather our sticks and stones because words aren't enough.
However, the narrator's ultimate hope is to be able to “lay down in the sweet summer grass” and watch the clouds pass on by like paradise.
Haunting synths, joined by an aggressively pulsing bass and bursting drums, begin "Gallows Girl." A twisting synth sings a wistfully spectral melody as chimes sparkle and the gigantic drums rebound. The low end has a galloping quality to it as the melody unfurls with gentle melancholy. Now, the drums and bass move alone before Digital Love's voice slides through the music with diaphanous delicacy, carrying the aching lyrics.
Shadow permeates the track as the low end’s throbbing pulse continues. A shining, hazy synth drifts with Digital Love's deeply affecting vocal delivery. A hint of triumph mingles with the darkness as the melody gleams with sharp light. Again, the dark bass pulsates, and trailing tendrils of sound wander around Digital Love's softly caressing voice.
The vocal’s emotional qualities grab me and take hold. Drums leap again as Digital Love's voice evinces strength. The melody glides with a ghostly quality as the drums batter. Arpeggios arc while Digital Love's voice trembles. The song slides back into the main melody as the chorus rises, and the low end’s heartbeat drives the track on before silence falls.
|Terror fills the narrator so much that she can barely feel her hands, “slipping away like precious grains of sand.” She says we find ourselves “at the rising of the fall” and reminds the listeners to think of her when the hangman calls.
The chorus is a sort of prayer as the storyteller speaks of living life on the gallows, hallowed be thy name.” She'll be paraded out for the others that follow, “hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come.”
Our narrator is so afraid that she can barely think, “so hold your breath and try hard not to blink.” She's hanging on for “a last-minute reprieve,” and she is holding out and “starting to believe.”
The storyteller points out to the audience that they wouldn't trade places with her on any day. She looks down at the people who put her on the stage, reminding the listener that “you will never know the hate, the hurt, the dread in every single step.” She concludes by telling the listeners that they'll never know the “constant fear of facing violent death.”
"Possession" comes to life as an ear-grabbing variety of unique percussion collides with piano chords that add weight. The varied percussion keeps the listener’s ears excited as delicately sweeping notes hover and guitar twirls in between. Digital Love's voice captures need and desire as round-sounding notes dance with tentative lightness.
The bass guitar adds support as the tapping percussion moves around it. Digital Love's voice is full of passionate fervour as the undulating bass moves along with powerful piano chords. Strings add warmth and a shadowy shading as the full-sounding synth emerges. The vocals touch with feathery lightness and intense emotional expression.
Broad synth dances in between the strings that rise with growing energy as Digital Love's voice calls out, full of power and desire. The piano rings out as the chorus soars, and the guitar entangles with it, rising and shining brightly. The guitar melody has a hopeful strength to it as Digital Love's voice captures the lyrics’ depth. The piano has a luscious quality as the vocals crescendo and grab hold of my heart.
The synth chords radiate piercing light, and the undulating bass adds more weight. Digital Love drives home the words with undeniable conviction above the intricately layered background. The song ends on a lush tapestry of sound, each element mingling to produce a sensation of joy and fulfillment.
Our storyteller finds herself "shaking like an autumn leaf, hanging on to the tree like a thief." She feels like wind-driven snow but also like she's melting in the hot summer sun.
The narrator tells the song’s subject to "lay me down like I'm your possession" and hold her down to make her confess. She asks them to "make me forget my imperfection" as they hold her down and possess her.
Our storyteller talks about being lifted up and off her feet by the "soft and sweet" morning air. In the evening, the sunset "brings the golden rays" in a moment that seems to go on and on for days.
The narrator describes a summer rain falling and "soaking the valleys and the plains" and turning the soil to clay. She concludes that if life is all a dream, then "I'm glad you are here with me to watch it all wash away.”
Conclusion
Win the War is a synthpop masterpiece. It isn't shallow or lacking in emotional intelligence but instead explores many facets of the human experience. The way in which Digital Love combines her intriguing voice, lyrical sensibilities, and ear for musical interest makes this one of the most enjoyable albums of 2024 for me.
