Matt Goodluck - Inner Cosmos

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impression

Matt Goodluck’s Inner Cosmos takes listeners on a journey through cinematic soundscapes while exploring a lusciously varied synth palette with nods to composers like Vangelis and Edgar Froese (of Tangerine Dream.) The result is an album that is complex, layered and ear catching.

Inner Cosmos is full of intense imagery and atmosphere, skillfully created by Matt Goodluck. There’s a sense of occasion in each track, layering together well-constructed pieces into a deeply engaging whole. I find myself traveling across the stars and through cyberpunk dystopias as the music unfurls. There’s nuance and depth in abundance here.

Matt Goodluck’s talent for writing synth-based music is clear in his ability to layer and combine a plethora of synth sounds to paint the mental imagery that fills his compositions. I enjoy how each individual tonal colour, timbre and texture wove together to enhance the emotional qualities and images on each track.

I also enjoy the way in which Matt Goodluck was able to pay homage to the synthesizer composers, who have influenced him, well, while still retaining his own unique vision and sound. It's always heartening when a composer is able to respect those who came before them while forging a new path.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Arrival” comes into being as edgy, threatening synth sweeps in a slicing line while wobbling, elevated notes ripple. Dominating bass oscillates with angular weight to deepen the sense of lurking danger.

Flashing broad notes glide out above the giant bass walls and hollow sound like a launching craft fades into silence. The impression of alien threat is powerfully created, starting off the album well.

Entangling synth tumbles with an intense gleam above rumbling bass depths to open “Dreaming.” Radiant, metallic synth cries with piercing light above the intertwining synth as it pours out energy.

The bass becomes a colossal throbbing heartbeat below medium-high, flaring synth. I am drawn to the way in which the lead synth creates a melodic pattern shot through with hope.

Wind sweeps as the bass briefly fades out before returning with trickling chimes that glint with sunlight above an active bass. Ethereal synth briefly adds a delicate quality as the chimes ring out.

Sharply piercing synth cuts in as the airy, fragile synth breathes out meditative gentleness. Bass ripples and adds shadow while scintillating notes flow into silence.

“Outer Limits” opens as a hang drum rings out into a shifting sonic drift along with rounded sounds. Elevated synth shines while gargantuan bass swells with a rough edged buzz that has a dangerous quality to it.

Gleaming synth glides with brittle, sharp-edged light above the massive darkness below it in a well-crafted contrast. Reverberating metallic notes move out into vastness as silence falls.

Airy bubbling is touched by fluttering static as huge bass towers up with great weight to commence “Interstellar.” Soft-edged, fragile synth slides past as breezy notes sweep. Trickling notes move past and wide, washing synth arpeggiates as one long, hazy sound glissades below.

Oscillating synth shifts while rippling notes flit. The background layering creates an unctuous, calming canvas that I find wonderfully tranquil. Shiny notes rush quickly rush while tautly trembling synth is joined by truly colossal bass. High, twisting sounds are joined by tender, aching synth with an orchestral quality.

Bright notes leap and bubbling sounds keep welling up. Galactic drifting permeates the music as darkly angular notes pop in while shadow fills the low end. Massive power throbs and delicate notes exhale into silence.

“Conspiracy” starts off as rumbling bass joins splashing synth that wanders as gossamer notes breathe out. Shining synth illuminates the other musical elements with clear light.

Hollow, metallic notes roam and radiant accents flicker while starry, elevated notes rise to ear pleasing effect. A voice over talks about CIA experiments as shimmering synth flows.

Splashing, open voiced notes trickle and airy exhalations delicately glide as sharply piercing light flows in. Steadily ticking notes move while a retro radio voice speaks.

Fragile synth washes through as flickering notes slice and fade. Hollow synth roams freely and trailing vocal sounds shift. Choral synth creates a meditative sound while far off notes rise and the entrancing pattern falls silent.

Twanging guitar breaks through the threatening, gigantic bass that flows in broad motion to begin “Night Of Anubis.” Nervously tumbling arpeggios whirl and tight, worried notes slip past.

High, seething sound moves and echoing, elevated synth drifts in wandering lines. A voice over gives the audience advice about eradicating ghouls by killing the brain.

Rushing arpeggios add to the tension and ticking sounds increased the urgency. The music skilfully generates a terrified sense of anticipation. A steady, high sound screams and buzzing darkness surges while a much gentler, more tragic synth calls out before the track fades into silence.

“Into The Blue” comes to life as a surging cacophony of voices mingles together into one chanting line. Piano-like synth roams in mesmerizing motion before gently caressing, lambent synth carries a calming melody above the wandering, undulating piano.

Razor-edged sounds slice while a reverent feeling flows in the airy background synth. The main melody has a soft touch despite the gleaming light pouring from it.

The slipping background pulses steadily and the piano adds shape while wind floats past. Worshipful synth moves with a choral sound that effectively deepens the music's ease.

Glistening synth rings out in a peaceful melody and rushing sounds intertwine in the distance. A bubbling pattern shapes the music and ocean sounds flow into quiet.

Luminous synth moves slowly, vibrating with hazy motion to open “Atlantis.” Vast bass begins shaking below with dense strength as glimmering synth echoes out with a tremulous intensity.

Rich bass undulates with muscled depths below delicately gliding notes carry a melodic ache that travels through the track. Digital notes trickle as aquatic sound ripples past, lifting me on a turquoise current that puts me in a easy going mood. A vocal sample speaks of lost Atlantis above smoothly rounded bass as glassy synth shifts.

The vocal sample tells of the awful destruction of the city as open synth echoes with a distant, lost feeling. Aquatic notes also move past while sharp-edged strings cut in. The vocal sample speaks of Atlantis rising again.

“Neon” starts as roughly growling bass fills the track as a flat sounding synth arpeggiates. Wind blows and dazzling synth chords add lustre as they echo into openness.

Xylophone adds a shiny, darting accent that rises and fades above the twirling arpeggios. Peaceful synth calls out, creating engaging tranquility as buzzing sounds move. Tentatively lambent synth is touched with glowing chimes while shadowy synth shimmies and bass wells up.

There’s a deeply soothing feeling in the glistening synth, relieving stress as chimes add radiance. A technological sounding synth pulses in the background. Keen-edged synth adds more intensity and silence falls with the sound of traffic.

Rain falls softly as delicate synth swirls and drifts in roaming lines to begin “Deckard’s Requiem.” A steady gleam fills the background with caressing radiance that permeates the track.

Digital sparkles flit past as lush bass rises up elevated synth slowly undulates. There is deep calm in the rounded, xylophone notes that slowly flow out, effectively imbuing the music with melancholy peace. A rich bass current slips past as trickling notes ripple.

Ethereal synth trails along with an aching emotional tone as distantly spinning notes sail out into the misty rain, falling onto iridescent pools in a Blade Runner dream. There’s meditative qualities along with a mournful tone.

“Voyager” comes into being as dense, massive bass rumbles with a shivering crackle as cosmically bending synth shifts with tentative ease. Soft-edged synth brushes while reverberating piano carries tender notes given a touch of strangeness by squelching sonic flows.

Looming bass creates an impression of the unfathomable darkness in outer space. There is a pleasing contrast between terrifying power and untethered wandering while radio transmissions crackle out.

Tapping notes, along with twisting synth trickles and bells, ring out as percussion shimmies. Digital sounds are touched by piano notes slipping past while intimidating bass shadows rise. High chimes flicker while a skittering synth is accented with metallic tapping before the track ends.

Conclusion

Inner Cosmos is an expansive and exciting journey through Matt Goodluck’s fertile imagination. I enjoy coming along with him as he deploys his synths to create “head films” that are full of interest and passion.