Europaweite Aussichten - Night Sequences 3

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Europaweite Aussichten’s Night Sequences 3 roams through a widely varied series of synthscapes characterized by richly interwoven sounds, strong melodic writing and deeply atmospheric sensations. There’s a good deal of depth and breadth on this album, created through skilfully combined musical elements.

Intricate sonic layering creates engaging, interesting sonic experiences on Night Sequences 3. Europaweite Aussichten builds up complex auditory experiences in his music, relying on his ability to weave and layer synth sounds. There’s detail, nuance and aural interest in each sound and he carefully mixes them to produce an enjoyable listening experience. I am drawn to the way in which tonal colour, timbral variance and musical atmosphere are carefully built up throughout each track.

I enjoy the melodies that Europaweite Aussichten unfolds across the musical canvas of Night Sequences 3. The melodic writing is engaging and moves through different, mingled emotional states. Europaweite Aussichten has a knack for combining wide-ranging emotions in one melodic line. This skill allows him to further add to the atmospheric nature of the music within this album.

Atmosphere oozes from every part of Night Sequences 3. Each individual track has a unique feeling to it, generating strong imagery through sound. I enjoy how every piece tells a different story and explores a different emotional state, while managing to come together in a cohesive way. I like the journey each track guides me through as it unfurls.

This album’s musical guests also deserve a mention. Full Eclipse and The Astral Stereo Project contribute their unique musical sensibilities to “Our Church Is The City And The Prayers Burn Bright” and “Meet Me At The Station Past The Steel Rails” respectively. Their personal styles shine through while still respecting Europaweite Aussichten’s sound. The end result is added variety and depth that mixes well with the album’s overall feeling.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Rats Are Out Tonight” opens as swirling, worshipful synths flow out into empty space. Metallic percussion, fluttering higher sounds with an organic quality and upwelling bass combine before the rebounding percussion gains strength. Now the drums volley and quick, minor key synth chords flare and fade to create energy and motion.

Vocal sounds echo in choppy motion, adding to the track’s propulsive feeling. There’s a pleasing lost, wandering quality in the string-like synth that comes in. String sounds create an orchestral quality, deepening the expressive nature of the music.

Gigantic, battering drums bounce and vocal sounds shiver and trip as bass rumbles. Brighter, higher sounds cascade before the drums hit add motion and twisting, raised notes drift. Choppy vocal sounds end the track along with  fragile strings and static hiss.

Trembling, medium low synths echo out into open space as “When The Mirror Image Has Stopped Yelling At You” begins. Rising, rough-edged synth pulses climb and fade above colossal, hard-hitting drums. Rounded, medium-high synths slip in a lightly touching pattern over undulating drums and oscillating bass.

Raised, string-like synths flash over shadowy bass and fragile piano ripples. As resounding drums and solid bass throb, gleaming synth creates a diffuse cloud while sharp-edged sounds cut in and the music grows in power.

Deep bass growls and synths flare out and fade while an indistinct higher sound intertwines. Choral synths chant with glowing intensity over the massive, heaving weight far below. There’s a good balance between tension and reverence in this track. The music ends with thick bass and round sounding notes.

“Coming To Terms With Who You Are (And Then Forget About It In Five Seconds)” starts as dense, darkly swelling notes grow and heavy-hitting drums rebound. A piano carries a hopeful, uplifting melody as the solid drum and bass pulse smoothly propels the music.

The piano has a slightly distorted quality, but it brims beautifully with feelings of contentment and open skies. The piano flits through a light, easy-going melodic segment that puts one at ease, feeling as if some weight has lifted.

Jangling, slightly twangy guitar notes sing out, flashing through as the piano caresses and rounded, medium-high synth glows. The smoothly gliding, strong drumbeat flows on while the piano melody rises like a sonic thermal to inspire and fill the listener with a sense of yearning for better days.

Pipe organ rings out as powerful bass rises to commence “Our Church Is The City And The Prayers Burn Bright.” Intertwining, slowly trembling synth shivers through over weighty bass and active drums. Glimmering sounds wash through as an elevated, twinkling synth spins out undulating melodic patterns.

Thick synth chords shift below the other musical elements. An electric guitar cuts in, skilfully weaving a triumphant melody, full of victorious emotion. Bass rumbles and gleaming synth chords cut in, lightening the sound.

Shining synth flickers with delicate, quickly spinning notes as the drumbeat throbs solidly forward again. Tremulous clouds move in the distance and warm notes rise as string-like metallic synth shines out and silence falls.

“What’s On The Air This Christmas Tonight” starts as glimmering synths flash out over steadily undulating bass.  High, twinkling notes shine as the drumbeat kicks into gear, adding active energy to the track. as the synth sparks flutter into a similarly active pattern as the bass oscillates.

I find the fragility and caring sentiment of the bell-like, tinkling synth melody charming. The drums drop out as the bass keeps on oscillating and piano comes in as a darker background sound briefly rises. The melody is imbued with feelings of gentle joy and good-natured comfort, while drums and bass add encouraging energy. A thick bass oscillation and wistful sounds end the track.

Tripping, sharp edged synth quickly flares and echoes to kick off “Do You Remember The Synthwave Days.” Mistily intertwining synths slowly rise into the wide open auditory space around them. A classic, rebounding retro drumbeat and hard-hitting bass create pulsating motion.

Razor-sharp notes tremble through the music, positively enhancing the track’s speeding sensation. The track breaks into breathy, floating panpipes as skipping synths pop in. Gigantic drums and heavy bass accelerate while shadowy, elevated sounds curl through the music.

Everything is dominated by the classic, oscillating synthwave drums and bass before sparkling chimes flash. Chimes add bright light and jangling tension as the cosmic panpipes and throbbing notes tumble. A sax cries out, carrying a devious melody over the continual driving throb below and the track ends on cutting sound.

“Meet Me At The Station Past The Steel Rails” comes into existence as vast, rising chords climb on pipe organ-like synth as Stygian bass throbs. Starry brightness pours from very high, shimmering synths that sparkle with delicacy over the majestic weight moving below them.

Broad-sounding, glowing lead synth carries a slowly unfolding melody, wonderfully full of noble grace. Surging low end strength enhances the melody’s regal qualities. Sharply bright synths flare as a steady buzzing fills the background. Hollow drums pulse distantly while twinkling lights sparkle.

As the bass fades, elevated synths with a string-like sound call out before solidly hitting drums are joined by muscled bass  Wide open, galactic vistas are evoked here as the track ends on glowing, fragile synth carrying the gentle melodic pattern into silence.

Percussion forms an unevenly throbbing motion as string-like synths interweave to open “Time Spent In The Kitchen.” A piano carries a dynamic, positive sounding melody as the strings weave resonant warmth around it. The drums keep up a shaping pulsation as raised, bubbling synths shiver and gently drift.

Strings add a pleasing lushness as distant vocal sounds echo out. Ragged-edged drums join in as the string section rises, adding a richness and depth to the music.  The piano moves again, brimming with encouragement and a sense of possibility, while the deep bass and strong drums add form to the music. The track fades on Theremin-like sounds.

Conclusion

Europaweite Aussichten has painted a luscious series of musical vignettes on Night Sequences 3. There’s emotional depth, melodic strength and intricate musical detail in abundance throughout the album. I’ve long enjoyed Europaweite Aussichten’s approach to synth music and this recording is no exception.