Midnight Driver - Dreamatik

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Midnight Driver’s Dreamatik combines smoothness and ethereality with dynamism and uplifting spirit. It may be classic synthwave in its overall sound but Midnight Driver’s unique approach adds freshness and interest. The inclusion of superb songs along with the textured, ear-catching synth layers creates a compelling and ear catching album.

The first aspect to Dreamatik that draws me in is the combination of guest vocalists and well written songs on the album. There's a level of engagement and image creation within the songs that catches my attention. The lyrics are expressive and emotive while Max Rivers and Lisa Reed are able to capture and convey those lyrics in strong performances.

Another aspect of Dreamatik to which I'm attracted is the particular way in which Midnight Driver approaches sonic layering. He has chosen a wide variety of ear pleasing and unique synth sounds with which he paints imagery. A mingled sense of delicacy and drive permeates the tracks on the album and draws my attention.

I enjoy the way in which a twist is added to classic synthwave tropes on Dreamatik. The approach that Midnight Driver takes to writing music along with the high production values weave together to create a lightness of touch and irrepressible liveliness throughout all of the tracks.

The final thing I will note that I enjoyed about the album was the spirit with which it was imbued. Strong mental images of neon lit, futuristic cities and the desire to drive until dawn fill the music with an enjoyable sensation..

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

"Pulse Of The Night" comes into being as unctuous bass moves with a delicately pulsating synth and a gently flowing series of twinkling notes. Fragility fills this track as a glistening, higher synth sails effortlessly. Lightly shaping drums and bass move as the main melody mixes tenderness and vigour.

The bass adds a steady heartbeat as flaring notes carry the softly touching melodic pattern. Warm, angular synth interweaves in a flickering pattern that slides through the track with laid-back ease. I enjoy the looseness and flowy nature of the music. A segment slips through in which luscious bass moves below a sailing synth that caresses the ears as it wanders.

Tightly tapping sounds move out above the deep bass and glassy notes undulate. There is a crescendo as the drums move in again, ticking to guide the music forward as the steadily trembling synth shifts. Now the round toned synth entangles a final time before silence falls.

Glimmering notes echo into open space above richly vibrating bass to start "Electric Avenue". Arpeggios flicker and circle as the drums burst above a bass well. Tightly wound notes twist and broadly chiming synth adds effervescence, carrying a celebratory melody.

Whirling synth is matched by heavily throbbing drums and dense bass before full sounding synth sounds descend. A splashing arpeggio spins out and huge drums burst below. I find the continually undulating synth mesmerizing.

Bell-like, breathy notes carry the uplifting and positive melody that trips above the steady low end heartbeat. Arpeggios twirl with trance-inducing feelings before the track glides to an end on the reverberant bells and slowly spinning arpeggios.

"Memories" begins as sharp-edged synth tumbles with active vitality and a shadowy tinge. Max Rivers' gently expressive voice carries a wistful melody as the drums and bass throb. Shining synth flickers in smooth motion as the low end pulses. Max Rivers' voice effectively captures heartfelt emotion as the ethereal melody slides through the music.

A lapping synth moves before richer, more scintillating sounds dance; the deeply emotive melody flows. The melody's delicacy and tenderness is matched by Max Rivers' soothing vocals. The drums throb again as Max Rivers' voice is wrapped by the lithe, glittering synth.

Now the vocals slip past as slowly twirling arpeggios with a calming quality spin, and the drums are up again along with Max Rivers’ vocals full of warm sincerity. The track ends on calming notes, flitting into silence.

The narrator talks about cruising down the street under neon lights. He says “the city’s alive, we're chasing dreams and shooting stars” The radio plays and “the synths are echoing in our hearts " as they’re surrounded by the city's heat on a night that seems to go on forever.

Our storyteller talks about the summer nights under “electric skies” with the song's subject. They’re living in a dream and won't say goodbye to each other. They’re making “memories in the neon glow (and) we are the heroes of this midnight show.”

The palm trees “sway beneath the silver moonlight” as the narrator and the song’s subject are washed by never-ending waves and their spirits are “soaring in flight.” Time stands still for them “in this endless paradise” as he asks the other person to hold him tightly so they can make the moment last.

Our storyteller and the song's subject are called by synths carried on the breeze. They are “lost in rhythm” and their hearts are at ease. They find peace together in the half light during an eternal summer that seems like it will never end.

As the song concludes, the narrator talks about how they'll still be in “this timeless realm” as the dawn breaks. He talks about how “summer synthwave ( will be) forever near” and ends on the words “in our hearts, this night is clear.”

Dreamily descending, shimmering synth moves smoothly to start “Starlight Streets.” Colossal bass rumbles underneath as the hard-hitting drums propel the track forward and trickling sounds drop through.The drums flourish and a creamy, breathy synth carries a melody full of progress and uplift.

Twinkling notes drift downwards as the bass becomes muffled and fades to near silence. Cosmically gliding notes flow as washing arpeggios spin lightly through the music. the drums throb again, adding dynamism as flashing notes continue to fall.

Powerful bass slowly floats and again the main melody sings out with consummate joy as continually lapping arpeggios flit past. The track ends with massive drums fading out into the towering, glowing synths and scudding notes.

“Neon Odyssey” comes into being as gossamer synth delicately drifts like flower petals on the breeze. I am drawn to the silken notes’ wonderful lightness while they float downwards. Solid bass flows below as an airy breeze glides and softly flickering synth slides past in tender motion.

Now, powerful drums punch the track forward as endlessly twirling notes tumble downwards. The bass rumbles far below as glittering synth continues to cascade, and the drums and bass add shape.

Now, delicate synth flickers alone before the huge bass returns to growl underneath. Massive drums come in again to shape the track, and the beaming synth descends in sparkling motes before silence falls.

Gleaming synth leaps with dynamic positivity above interlocking string-like notes to commence “Running in the City Night.” Lisa Reed’s emotive, smooth vocals carry the dreamy melody above rapidly polished notes as the low end adds propulsion. Lambent synth chords support Lisa Reed's gently caressing voice as the drums and bass undulate.

The chorus exudes lustrous radiance as the string-like synth intermingles. Energetically glimmering synth flicks past with a lively feeling. The vocals have a gentle touch, which I find compelling. Now, full-sounding, laid-back sounds drop through the track as the endlessly propulsive low end goes on.

The rapidly blossoming, string-like notes shine below before luminous synth flies with uplifting emotion. The tautly beaming strings are joined by an airy flow before the song ends on Lisa Reed’s expressive voice.

The storyteller is running in the city at night, surrounded by neon lights. She loses herself in the “rhythm of the street” as she feels the city's beat through the pavement. The crowds buzz and cars speed by “underneath the Urban Sky.” All of it echoes off the walls of buildings as her “heartbeat answers city calls.”

Our narrator is always running and never still as she is “chasing dreams up every hill.” She says that they feel alive with the city's pulse as they try to survive the urban chaos.

She adds that the sidewalks are crammed with people and their loud voices as she tries to find her place within the crowd. She talks about “lights that blur, dreams that shine” as her heart is seized by the city night.

The storyteller is lost in the shadows of towering buildings and she can “hear the whispers, hear the call.” She can feel the city breathe and sigh. The song concludes as the storyteller says that “we are sparks we can't deny.”

“Silver Moon” begins with an optimistic synth that bursts with warmth as the drums and bass pulsate and rich chords slip out. An open-sounding arpeggio ripples as the drums continue to shape the music. The arpeggios create a hypnotic quality as they twirl, and a melody that fills me with a sense of boundless hope and gentleness sails through the music.

The arpeggios add texture as they spin, and the drums create a propulsive beat. A medium-high synth with a full-sounding, almost brassy quality flits through the music. The drums and bass pulse with a steady beat, and the string-like synth frolics.

Now arpeggios circle as ethereal sounds drift through the background, and the drums drop away. The bass undulates as trumpeting notes drift out with a flighty melodic pattern into echoing space. The drums flourish, and shining synth unfurls with sunlit joy as the low end keeps on driving the track forward.

Limpid synth flows out in broad waves to commence “Wandering Heart.” Lisa Reed’s ultra-silky voice wraps around my ears as she carries the yearning melody out above the widely floating synth. The percussion is as gentle as the vocals as they reach out with soothing emotion, and the flowing feeling is joined by the drums in their evenly pulsing heartbeat.

Lisa Reed’s voice captures the emotion of this track perfectly. Strength and serenity combine here to good effect. The drums and bass give the music a pulse that is now joined by rounded synth flashing out airily. Quickly flitting notes slip through in a slowly trickling motion.

The waves of synth continue to wash with meditative calm before the refined synth frolics with a light touch. Lisa Reed’s voice carries the lyrics with touching emotion as they unfold. Now a pattering synth wriggles through the music. The song ends with the vocals moving in a slipping motion before the round notes flicker to a conclusion.

Our narrator has found a distant place where "dreams like waves roll and sway” as birds wheel under a sapphire sky. She walks along the cliffs with the wind tousling her hair, feeling carefree as she leaves “footprints in the sand so fine” as she lets her thoughts drift away.

The storyteller’s “wandering heart” has set her free so she can “sail the world across the sea.” She says that at every turning of each different path, there are no regrets left. Brightly glowing stars guide her through the night “with the moon lighting my way till the break of a new day.” She found herself “lost and found in this place unbound.” While colours dance in the light wind, all of her troubles come to an end.

Conclusion

Dreamatik carries me away on an emotive, dynamic journey through intriguingly layered synth landscapes. This is music for late night driving and relaxation.