Forhill - Fragments
Artwork by Valentin Pavageau
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Forhill’s Fragments transports me on a lushly layered synth tide that radiates utter relaxation as it unwinds. Melodic beauty, intricately intertwining sounds and guiding rhythms combine into a entrancing whole on the album. Forhill and his guests weave tranquility into each note here.
The melodies that fill Fragments convey deeply calm and soothing emotion, tinged with some melancholy as they journey through the music. Forhill and his collaborators manage to imbue their melodic writing with dreamy feelings and more than a hint of longing.
Layer on layer of well-chosen synth sounds all mingle and intertwine on Fragments. There are synth sounds that evoke solar luminosity, eddying breezes and aquatic flow. Timbres from gruff to smooth interact while chimes twinkle and bass forms luscious depths. As a whole, there’s complexity and nuance in each musical element.
I also enjoy the use of percussion and rhythm on the album. The propulsion and shaping that the drums provide creates an important energy flow in the tracks. The way in which the bass also locks in creates a superb balance between repose and progress in the tracks.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Supernal” comes into being as tremulous synth drifts upward in a gleaming line before washing notes glide in and widely flaring synth entangles as the gently muffled drums and solid bass add support. There’s a smoothness and ease in the drifting notes as a medium-high, soft focus synth ripples in a steady motion as the drums and bass bring guidance.
Now the drums and bass urge onward as ever revolving, glowing synth twines around the beats as open-voiced notes shift with a delicate slipping motion. I feel serenity surround me now as twinkling notes sparkle above a hazy background.
Aquatic synth undulates while glistening synth wraps around itself in twirling motion above the constantly throbbing drums. Cosmic notes shimmer with soft focus light and breezy flow as lapping arpeggios tremble into open space and fade into silence.
A solidly propulsive drumbeat and luscious bass move “Iris” forward as it commences. In the distance, subtle luminosity floats, contrasting with the strong low end. Dynamic drums and bass add form to the gauzy synth flow that eddies around them.
After sonic exhalations drift, a rounded synth vibrates in a melodic line with heart-melting emotion. A bending synth sings out with wistful emotion trailing in its wake while the rhythm presses on. This track embodies everything soothing to me as it unfolds.
Air flows and a subtle bass oscillation shivers as full notes glisten mistily. The bass grows more prominent as pink sonic clouds move on by. Drums tap in again with shaping bass and a melody shines like a summer sun slowly sinking into the ocean. The song ends on fragile notes.
“Flicker” starts as a breezy flow mingles with diffused, slowly slipping notes. Nasal-sounding, rounded synth carries a richly tranquil melody while drums and bass lock into a dynamic heartbeat. Synth like foggy sunlight mooches through in an ear-pleasing, unmoored line as the effulgence around it grows.
Feathery synth dances delicately while the more unctuous notes around it intermingle. The drums and bass press on while slightly distorted synth trembles out in a pattern that exudes meditative contemplation.
Medium-high, polished synth glitters, the drums are gently guiding and brilliance enfolds the background. Radiant light fills the distance and washing synth circles while more defined notes trip in a trickling pattern. Sparkling shine fades along with static.
Lustrous synth flows in tremulous lines through an airy background that drips with wonderfully relaxing sensations to open “Division.” A steadily shining, elevated note sustains above widely illuminating synth that vibrates in overlapping pulsations.
High notes yearn while cascading synth arpeggiates. Drums and bass snap in and provide a strongly guiding motion. Brassy synth rings out in a melody that carries uplifting emotion as tapping percussion and active bass move.
Digital sparks descend and piercing synth carries crystalline light. Scintillating sunlight flickers from high synth and the funky bass line adds a groove. The track ends with the dreaming melody floating into silence.
“Luna” begins with a diaphanous melody that exudes longing as percussion softly guides. Angular synth slides along in an oscillating pattern, doubled by gruff bass and a crisply clicking drumbeat. Broad-sounding, synth transports a breezy melody that hints at wistful emotion as the skipping drumbeat and active bass pulse.
Shining synth drifts out to accent the lithe melody while the low end provides guidance to the track. Sparkling synth traces through while the main melody effectively carries me into rose-tinted memory while bell-like notes ring out with ethereal light.
Hollow percussion creates an open-feeling pulse as twisting synth wraps me in tranquility while active percussion creates form. The main melody carries me on lissome currents, allowing me to journey along with it. The track ends on silvery glow and hollow percussion.
Delicately glistening synth slowly unfolds while distant percussion taps and throbbing bass rapidly oscillates to kick off “Liminal.” A smooth arpeggio circles and worshipful illumination fills the background. Strongly pulsing drums and deeply surrounding bass form a rhythmic flow as flickering notes fall past.
The track floats into a segment that lifts me up on billowing clouds to fly me above the world’s cares. The percussion is a heartbeat below the breezy synth that pours out a soft-focus glow. All of the sonic elements intermingle in a lambent fog that creates relaxation before the track comes to an end.
“Iridescent” begins as an elevated sound rises out of smooth-surfaced synth waves/ along with sweeping air and gossamer, metallic notes twining together in a long outward glide. Vibrating synth moves in the distance as the easily skipping drums guide the track above bass flow.
A caressing synth carries a melody with a mingled ache and affectionate emotion. Glittering synth ripple past and the bass forms a richly moving ground below the steady drumbeat.
The main melody infuses me with a yearning for a beautiful place, dimly remembered, above the active pulse below. It. The balance of energy and laid back vibes works well here as the sliding melody winds out and ends in a diffused sonic cloud.
Bending sounds interweave into a lushly shining whole that shifts in slow motion to open “Decoupled.” Majestic notes slip out as extended bass undulates while airy static hisses. There’s a slow peaceful slide through open air as a hollow sound trembles.
I am utterly transported to a realm of silken ease in this track, as if a warm sonic blanket is being wrapped around me. Tentative, elevated notes gleam and tremulous emotion fills the music while the settling atmosphere unwinds into quiet in a long glide.
Conclusion
Fragments is an escape mechanism for those of us stressed and tired out by modern life. The album provides a chance for reflection with its combination of intoxicating melodies, shimmering calm and restful flow.
