Future Analog - Lost Without You
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Future Analog’s Lost Without You explores all the joys and sorrows of a relationship as it evolves and becomes complicated. The mixture of Paul Aston’s (Future Analog) strong songwriting, richly layered synth interactions and guest performances create a synthpop album shot through with energy and melancholy.
The songwriting approach that Paul Aston & Wesley Reid take on Lost Without You has a refreshingly direct feeling that I enjoy. The songs cut right to the heart of whatever emotional situation is being explored and drives it home for the listener. Each song takes hold of your feelings and pulls you more deeply into them as the song unfolds.
All of the synth choices on Lost Without You capture and intensify the expressive nature of the songwriting. Paul Aston is able to translate the words into musical concepts that bolster the emotional punch of each song. I am enamoured of the way in which he supports the songs with music that suits them so well.
Wesley Reid’s vocal performances are another stand out for me on the album. His voice has soulful intensity, a broad range and an emotive punch and these factors all help convey the lyrics of the songs. I feel that Wesley Reid has an excellent ability to drive home the songs with conviction. I must also say that Paul Aston’s own vocal performances are unique and engaging.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Searching” erupts with retro energy and joyful emotion. Hollow drums hit hard and pumping, driving bass is joined by flickering synth light. Trumpeting, gleaming synth sings an uplifting melody before Wesley Reid’s unique, expressive voice carries a melody full of dynamic life.
Warm synth tones burst and enfold the chorus as powerful drums and bass pound on. Ringing synth trembles out with bright energy as Wesley Reid’s caressing, encouraging voice soars out over active drums and bass.
Lead synth shines with radiant light as It fills the music with its rich tones and angular bass undulates. Quick notes sparkle and broadly glowing lead synth carries the hopeful, positive melody. The vocals are full of hope and we end on rounded, sparkling arpeggios and shiny chimes.
Our storyteller speak about how he’s been looking for the other person, hoping to find them. He says that he never “thought you would come into my life now” adding that his heart “skips a beat” when he sees the song’s subject.
In the chorus, the narrator talks about how he’s been seeking the other person and is thankful to have found them. He says that if his “searching had not lead to you” he is unsure of what he’d do.
Now the storyteller says that he’s been wishing for the other person. He adds that he had been “searching high and low” as he wished for the day that “would come to find someone like you.”
As the song ends, the narrator says “Have my heart, every day feels like a brand-new start.”
Digital-sounding, elastic synth ripples slowly before angelic notes breathe into the background to start “Free.” Solidly throbbing drums and bass kick in to propel the song. Wesley Reid’s strong, resonant voice carries a melody that bursts with energy above the pounding beat.
Rippling notes dance as Wesley Reid’s wonderfully expressive voice flows out with the jumping melody as the drums and bass punch on. Glowing background synth shines out above the hard-hitting low end. Wesley Reid’s vocals become more gentle and caressing as clapping percussion moves past.
Quick bass pulsations punctuate the vocals and now shining, frolicking synth leaps out with flashing light while the drums and bass drive on while dancing, nasal synth spins out a lively melodic line before the song ends.
This song’s narrator says he woke up to find a note from the song’s subject saying they’re leaving and now they’re not there. He points out that this has happened before and "I’m tired of all of these silly games.”
Our storyteller goes on to say that he deserves more and can’t ignore what the other person did to him. He tells them to hit the door because he’s “sure, never meant to be” so he’ll set the other person free.
The narrator’s eyes have been opened as he realizes that “the way that you were treating me was all in your plans.” He won’t take it and wants the other person to hear him when he says “it’s time for you to go, I gave you everything.”
As he says, “hear me roar” and heads out of the door, he realizes again that he isn’t able to ignore his treatment so it was clearly not meant to be. As he becomes aware, he’s started to love himself “through the good and bad with you.” Our storyteller isn’t taking it another day.
“From The Past” opens as Iwan Bedford’s surging synth undulates into the song along with unevenly throbbing bass. Wesley Reid’s emotive voice slips out gently while ethereal synth glides in the background. Oscillating bass supports angular synth pulses that merge with that bass heartbeat while Wesley Reid almost chants the vocals.
Punching drums and bass form a well-done contrast with delicate notes shining in the distance as bass flows along. Wesley Reid’s voice is soothing and a little dreamy as it carries the words while drums and bass shape the song.
Panpipes flit past with relaxed ease while the vocals ache just a little as the low end pumps on. Active percussion leaps as vibrating synth shifts and Wesley Reid’s vocals float past. Glistening distant notes trickle as undulating bass and delicate notes rise along with the lost feeling vocals before the song ends.
Our storyteller asks if the other person will remember him from the past. He speaks of looking out of a window “into a world of make believe” where a vision of his “perfect dream” materializes.
He asks his mirror to tell him what it sees and wonders if it will be “another cruel December.” Now he asks the song’s subject if they’ll remember him “when the morning comes” or if he will be a faded memory.
Echoing vocals join softly gliding notes split by glittering synth as the solidly throbbing drumbeat moves beneath them to begin “The World.” A soft shuffling sound accents the music before glowing synth sings an energizing melody.
Wesley Reid’s silky voice slips past carrying a melody tinged with loss above the thumping drums and solid bass as wide-sounding, lightly glistening synth curls through. Wesley Reid effectively captures the emotion in the words as pizzicato strings trickle and the percussion and bass leap.
Flaring synth rebounds past as chimes shine above bass depth. The main melody returns with its illuminating energy and the vocals yearn intensely. Quickly trembling synth with a string-like sound slides through. Sunlight radiates from elevated synth strings before silence falls.
The narrator wonders why the song subject is trying to obscure their feelings when he’s “seen it in your eyes” and he realizes that they are leaving but doesn’t know why. He asks “what can I do to save us?” He is desperate to know. Our narrator seeks reassurance and tells the other person that “my heart is in your hands.” He wants to share the future with the song’s subject and “give you the world.”
The storyteller says that “money won’t matter tonight” because he knows the other person is leaving. He says that losing them means he can’t survive. He points out that he is around and willing because “you’re everything.” Now there’s no time to wish and he prays for the other person to come back.
“You never told me you were leaving” is what the narrator states. He tells the song’s subject that they hold his heart and then asks how they can move toward healing. He says that he’ll give them the world and concludes “if you leave me there’ll, be darkness and silence.”
“Issues” commences as large, lush drums throb in time with a medium-high synth that cuts with angular luminosity as bass swells. Majestic, glimmering synth carries a melody with an enfolding, slightly pained quality as the drums and bass press on. Paul Aston's unique vocal timbre adds feeling to the lyrics.
His voice’s quality draws me inward as it is touched by shadow while glistening synth floats out above the huge drumbeat. Radiance fills the brassy synth as a note of positive energy comes in and the heaving low end drives the track.
Paul Aston’s voice has an engaging quality as the vocal melody vibrates and bass rebounds in hard-edged walls. Percussive motion carries the song onward and brightness fills high synth. The song ends with Paul Aston’s distinctive vocals.
The teller of this tale asks the song’s subject why they can’t see the issue they are facing. He adds that he always knew the other person was bad news “making me wanna disappear.” He continues to ask why they don’t see the problem and adds that he’s unsurprised by the truth and “now I’m glad we’re through.”
Our narrator says that the other person tried to exploit their good nature but now he won’t compromise because “you took my love for granted.” With them gone he feels like he can breathe. He repeats that they’ve got so many issues and asks what that person is trying to prove.
The storyteller says the other person thinks they’re angelic “so you can’t believe that you’ll never be.” He adds that one can’t be too careful because he “dodged a bullet.” He goes on to say that the other person was “trying to put me through it.”
The song’s subject is trying to gain him back but just cries. Our narrator points out that everything the other person did was wrong and they need to say goodbye because they only ever lied.
In the end, he’s happy the relationship has ended and he says he doesn’t “have to deal with that no more.” He’s free and can finally start to breathe again but he concludes “you don't realize it was love suicide.”
Reverent synth floats out over actively jumping percussion and fat bass to open “Be Alive.” The vocalist has a caressing and ethereal voice that carries the mysterious melody well. Her voice floats into choral synth with a worshipful feeling before warmth permeates the music.
The singer’s voice is emotive and soothing while giant bass pulsates and flaring synth moves. Fragile synth glints and flows while the singer’s voice has a tender quality, carrying the vocal melody with its minor key moments. Supporting synth intertwines in a filigreed tangle above dynamically undulating bass and softly pulsing drums before silence falls.
The storyteller says she’s feeling numbed by routine and he’s not proud of what she’s become but “I’m just too far gone.” She’s looking for a distraction and a different experience which is “something magnificent.”
Now our narrator goes on to ask “what would I give to be alive…to feel alive?” She answers herself by saying she’d give everything for “a brand new start…to stay alive” and a different plot.
This tale’s teller says that predictability defines her life and she’s tired of always working. She is looking for a disruption because “it’s unacceptable I need something different.”
“Beautiful Liar” starts as luminosity pours from intensely flashing synth as Paul Aston’s passionate voice cries out above it and colossal bass rumbles before the drums splash out. The vocal melody mingles desire and darker tones while light leaps from the broadly shimmering synth while the tremulous bass oscillation moves.
The drums create intense motion while Paul Aston fills his voice with expression and the giant drums collide as the bass creates muscled support. The chorus has deep power as widely rippling synth rebounds.
Now the bass waves flow rapidly and the drums pace the song easily. Paul Aston sings with poise and emotion as the propulsive low end rushes on and the huge bass gives the music dynamism while brassy notes flash and fade.
“Save the stories for someone who cares about you” is how the narrator opens the song as he adds that the other person just lies. The danger is in their beauty which is irresistible. He asks, “What have I missed?”
Now our storyteller answers his question by saying that he’s irritated with thee situation and “tired of this hesitating.” He questions why the other person has to tell so many lies because “when we were good, my heart was on fire.”
The narrator didn’t realize that the relationship would fail but the other person “turned out to be a beautiful liar.” He adds that the song’s subject thought they could manipulate him but “I see through your lies.” He says their disguise is poor and it’ll lead to their downfall.
He concludes, “You think just ‘cos you're beautiful…you can lie and still have it all…you can lie and you wouldn't fall.”
Conclusion
Lost Without You is full of life and expression. It takes the listener on a journey across a widely varying emotional terrain, supported by strong performances and musical choices that deepen and intensify the messages within each song. The end result is a enjoyable musical exploration of love and relationships.
