LA Nights - Surf
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
LA Nights’ Surf is a unique take on synth-based music with explosive dynamism, fascinating synth combinations and a fresh feeling that I enjoy. The album is layered and varied with an exploratory quality that takes me on an auditory journey as it unfolds.
Irrepressible and compelling energy pervades Surf, driven by the intense percussion and rhythmic bass. I enjoy how clean and crisp the drums are and the surging strength that they exude. I am also enamoured of the tidal bass energy and when both rhythmic elements interact, they imbue each track with life and motion.
Abundant and fascinating synth sounds mingle together on Surf in a way that pulls me into the music. Synth glimmers, growls and trembles in layers that interact in ear-grabbing ways. There are powerful contrasts between lacerating shadow and luminosity as well as moments of crystalline delicacy and heartbreaking emotion. Each sonic interaction engages me more fully.
Rather than relying on clichés in the music, this is an album that takes synthwave elements and reconfigures them to create a fresh sound. I enjoy the experimental edge in the tracks and the way that LA Nights uses his synth palette to paint strong imagery in my mind.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Searchers” comes to life as medium-high, soft-edged synth sings out above rippling, metallic notes A sharply popping drumbeat and solid bass add support. A nasally entangling synth carries a dynamic melody that presses on eagerly.
Lambent notes with a knife edge slice to create an effective contrast to the gleaming sounds that tumble above underlying bass oscillation. Creaking, dark-toned synth snarls with ferocity while clean drums jump and bass glides.
Flat sounds smack in and nasally twisting synth trembles in a revolving motion that speaks of forward progress. Drifting, sparkling notes entangle and active drums are lacerated growling synth that adds insistent power. Lustrous, bright notes make a flaring mark before silence falls.
Razor-sharp synth cuts in a widely spinning arpeggio to start “Wonder.” Clean drums hit hard and colossal bass undulates in a subdivided pulse in between the drumbeats. Finger snaps move with giant bass and the drumbeat splashes broadly.
A keen-edged synth torrent falls through and arpeggios spin in a swathe of dense grit and blazing luminosity. Drums rebound before dynamic bass slowly oscillating and glimmering synth dances out with coruscating brightness while the drums punch in. An ear-pleasing, frolicking synth tide washes and endless arpeggios turn as bass pulses and fades.
“You Said Further” starts off as cool-sounding synth ripples into a softly surging auditory space. Towering drums and gigantic bass form a propulsive heartbeat as a honed synth vibrates and flat percussion batters over trickling notes.
Radiant synth dances with intense illumination that pierces the track. Elevated, open-sounding synth spins in hypnotic motion above the angular drums and bass that lend a clean energy to the music. I enjoy the way in which an impression of a pastel blue sky fills the background synth as it glides easily.
Fierce bass hammers and the hollow sounding synth entangles as it spins smoothly. progress. Power pours from the lacerating low end as cascading synth provides a softer touch before the track draws to a close.
Distorted xylophone rings out in a trickling line, imbued with calming emotion as punchy drums pop in to add guidance as “Soda” begins. A swirling bass flow slips below the percussion to add substance.
A soothing sonic blanket fills the background while crisp drums snap and bass slides easily. The xylophone has a enjoyably wandering tenderness to it as the big drums smack in. Bass oscillates rapidly as string-like synth roams freely. Xylophone glimmers above hard-edged synth pulses while the bass drives on and the drums add motion.
Bass moves in groovy bursts and breezy xylophone sails along while an organ-like synth intertwines in quick notes. The low end creaks sharply and a nasally elevated synth echoes out before fading on a slapping, string-like sound.
“Surf” commences as drums form a steady pulse and widely entangling, tech-y synth reverberates in floating lines. Oscillating bass forms a surging flow as nasal-sounding, taut synth trembles above bursting drums.
Medium-low synth cracks sharply to create a hard pulse along with the powerful drums and razor sharp bass. A croaking sound rattles in an even pulse as broadly glowing synth with a jagged edge leaps in shifting walls.
I am drawn to the twisting secondary synth that sings a journeying melodic line while growling bass undulates. The track ends on the intertwining, technological synth and the muscled drumbeat that fills the background.
Metallic, wide-band synth trembles as broadly flowing drums crate laid back motion to open “Later.” A guitar howls with emotive tones, brightness suffusing it as it carries a melody with a mournful ache at its heart.
Drums drive on with massive weight and snapping reverberation as the guitar melody unfolds, touching my heart with the pain radiating from it. Colossal bass throbs while the drums create a hard-hitting rhythm that adds form to the music.
Ethereal notes bend in the distance as the guitar’s passionate, piercing sound drifts out and captures yearning. Percussion claps in and the bass oscillates to shape the track. Sparkling notes shimmer and twist while the guitar cries out with wistful feeling and the bass pulsates far below and silence falls.
Conclusion
Surf explores synth-based music in a way that is deeply pleasing and engaging. The synth tapestry’s textured richness and dynamic life is accessible, but still intriguing in a fresh way. I’ll be interested to see how LA Nights will to continue to evolve the musical ideas on this album.
