Floating In Space - Simon Sebastian

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Simon Sebastian’s Floating In Space is a fully realized musical journey across detailed soundscapes that evoke galactic majesty and sweeping planetary vistas. Simon Sebastian imbues the music with intricate synth interactions and enough dynamism to keep everything interesting and engaging.

Atmosphere is central to Floating In Space’s sound. Simon Sebastian paints images of soaring across starry vastness, observing the outstretched arms of galaxies and descending to fly across the surfaces of distant worlds. I am caught and held by the imagery and evocative auditory explorations in which he engages.

The synth palette that Simon Sebastian deploys on Floating In Space effectively deepens the sense of floating across vast cosmic views. There is intensely dense bass mingling with starry synth light and energetically moving lines that elevate feelings of action that imbue the tracks. The way in which each synth sound mingles with the others creates ear-catching music.

I also appreciate the melodic aspect of this album. Simon Sebastian has written melodies that have the ability to evoke a wide range of emotional states. The way in which the melodies unfold is charming and compelling as they move through the tracks.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Cornetto Galaxy” opens as bursting, twisting synth floats energetically in the distance as drums rebound. Full clarity establishes itself as nasal-sounding synth pulses over bouncing drums and actively shifting bass.

Blaring energy leaps in the background as widely echoing chimes carry a bubbling, energizing melody above solidly jumping snare drum throbbing in steady motion. Simon Sebastian’s synth palette combines into a layered, luscious flow. Open-sounding ringing synth spins along with lively energy above the drumbeat’s guidance. Sparkling, high synth adds sunlit accents as it twines around broadly flaring chimes.

Open-sounding, rounded notes move in an uplifting pattern below flashing notes frolicking on nasal, reverberant synth. The propulsive main melody dances out on echoing, mistily shimmering lead synth while the drums and bass add sharp edges before drifting into quiet. I enjoy the mixture of different sonic textures within this track as it unfolds.

Wind sweeps as distantly tumbling synth shifts below it to start “The Wind On Mars.” Faintly metallic, bright synth trembles out in angular motion as open-voiced notes whirl and a progressive drum pulse creates motion above massively throbbing bass.

A crystalline synth carries a melody that slides meditatively, shaped by the low end’s dynamic motion as airy notes sweep and heavily pulsating drums create shape. The shining melody takes on a warmer quality as it evolves, flaring out above the active movement below it.

I enjoy the slightly melancholic softness that touches the radiance and sharpness of the elevated, cut glass synth.The drums have a resonant quality as wind glides through and the drumbeat changes as bass pops. Gleaming synth rings out in drifting notes as flanging, climbing synth repeats in expansive patterns and the drums and bass guide the music forward.

Flickering notes limn the track and that roaming, ethereal synth brushes with the lightly airy melody as the low end pushes on. The gentler secondary melody returns to flow along before the track ends on percussive power and glistening synth.

“Black Holes” commences as towering, shining synth moves in a steady flow as lower, more resonant synth cuts in unevenly. Growling bass adds a thick grounding layer now as metallic notes gleam through in planing lines. Warmth creeps in as the shining synth keeps trembling.

Chimes delicately illuminate the track in a melody that I find gentle and full of peaceful light above the low end’s depths. Colossal drums move in to create a sense of great power as they throb. Panpipe synth sings out breathily with settling, tranquil motion and the low end powers forward.

Chimes ring out again, lustrously carrying the melody with its delicacy and uplift, before panpipes exhale their caressing sensations again. Underneath it all, power pours from drums and bass, the lower synths creating a shaping flow as air glides and the track ends on the intertwining notes with which the track began.

Glimmering synth reaches a sharp point as it cuts in before sweeping past to begin “Floating In Space.” Reverberant synth shakes as fat, widely twirling bass arpeggiates and raised sounds glide in galactic motion.

There’s a scudding energy from the bass as it moves and the drums flatly burst in as glassy notes twist through. I enjoy the trance-inducing pulsation that drives on as piercing notes ring out in a melody with starry float and intense illumination.

Crisply effulgent synth echoes into openness as the low end has a firm pulse. Scintillating notes flicker past and the undeniable kinetic energy of the low end is now touched with roaming, lambent synth wandering past as silence falls.

“The Pillars Of Creation” commences as steadily luminous synth swells in the background. Vast bass expands outward while fragile, shiny notes flicker out. Light rises in the distance above gargantuan bass walls as a heartbeat throbs.

Intensely illuminating synth descends in coruscating motion while a repeating, wide-sounding secondary synth sings out. Drums create an active pulse along with the rebounding bass as the radiant synth sings a melody with lively positivity above guiding drums. Metallic notes twinkle as an actively dancing, medium-high synth pirouettes in the distance.

After a drum flourish, the brilliant synth melody slows, becoming more introspective and peaceful. Tremendous bass depths open below the drumbeat as jingling percussion moves. The main melody imbues the track with uplifting luminosity before the track comes to an end.

Softly caressing, tremulous synth flows with static to start “You Have Arrived At Your Destination.” Rounded synth swirls as a steady, nasal sounding pulsation shifts. Crystalline notes like chips of ice shimmer and solid bass throbs. Solidly punching drums burst as dynamic bass shifts.

Fluting notes drift with soothing tenderness along with a steady gleam behind them. The bass and drum groove adds motion as full, smooth notes descend in easy motion and raised notes flit past. I enjoy the ethereal exhalation of the fluting synth, carrying a melody that loosens tension from my shoulders.

The drum and bass combination drives forward motion as rich synth washes through. There’s a hissing shaker sound that adds texture as misty notes intertwine. The track drifts into silence on shivering synth with a delicate light as static crackles.

Conclusion

Floating In Space is one of those albums that creates textured depth, melodic beauty and energetic sensations in equal parts. It is a listening experience that carries me away to new realms as I listen.