Neon Vice 83 - Ocean Signals

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Neon Vice 83’s Ocean Signals is a blue water journey that voyages through oceanic peace across lusciously textured synthscapes and tidal energy. Neon Vice 83 weaves together soothing melodies, aquatic evocations and low end power to create a marine audio journey.

All of the ways in which Ocean Signals creates the sensation of floating in the sea and moving through water make for a lush listening experience. Neon Vice 83 has skilfully chosen synth tones and textures that paint imagery of waves gently washing, sunlight glinting on the ocean’s surface and currents swirling powerfully.

I am also drawn to the way in which Ocean Signals uses melody. The melodies are imbued with unfurling dreamy sensations and hints of melancholy that mingle with the enfolding serenity. Neon Vice 83 uses his melodies to pull the listener further into the atmosphere that drifts and sails along.

Mood is a strong part of why I enjoy the album. The music wraps around me with caressing motion, pulling me into the tropical seas of its sound. I lose myself in a watery world that leaches my stress away and lifts me past the worries of the day to day. This is ideal music for escaping the madness of the current world.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Hands Over Water” comes to life as bubbling fills the track along with slowly undulating, glowing synth. Radiant, slowly rolling synth creates a gliding pattern while a hard-hitting house drumbeat propels the music.

Sparkling notes flicker and soft-edged, medium-low synth carries a silken melody that sets my body at ease. In contrast the drums and bass add motion. Now glistening synth notes slide into the track as trembling bass shivers underneath.

The melody has an aching tinge to its calming motion as the drumbeat skips softly and chimes tinkle. Shining undulation continues along with the throbbing house beat while I let the melody’s gentle tendrils wrap me in their calm feelings and silence falls.

Peaceful ease floats through the background as solid percussion adds form and glimmering synth light slips out to open “Ocean Signals.” Deep tranquility in the low end permeates my mind, releasing tension as panpipes drift smoothly.

Now medium-high, string-like synth entangles with an angular feeling while the drumbeat guides the music and bass throbs. Varied percussion lightly touches as the panpipes give off a blue light, suffusing the music as they ripple. Widely knotting, string-like synth moves hypnotically, creating a contemplative state in me while the low end grows quiet.

“High Waves” starts as medium-high synth with a resonant quality drifts in a tidal flow to create a relaxing, somewhat aching feeling. A ticking percussive element lightly guides the track while seabirds cry and water slips in the background.

Effulgent synth notes flare and trail off as the main melody keeps cascading with soft emotion. The throbbing house beat adds motion to the meditative feeling of the track. Sunnily flashing synth drifts out in a hopeful melody that permeates me with positive feelings.

Drums drop out as the iridescent melodic notes shimmer. A rapidly rushing, hollow sound vibrates as the drums accelerate back into a weighty pulse. The main melody calls out on, making me feel as if I am floating in cool water, the sun bathing my upturned face.

Deeply burbling synth lusciously weaves an undulating pattern before fat drums hit with solid weight to begin “Discovery.” Steadily oscillating notes vibrate as reverent turquoise synth ripples and descends in slowly moving waves. The low end provides a steady influence that becomes more active as the music unfolds.

Twirling, distorted synth carries a melody evoking exploratory and quizzical feelings as the drums throb below. I am drawn to the slowly undulating sound that permeates the music in constant oceanic motion. Worshipful airiness fills the background. Peaceful contemplation fills the track as it comes to an end.

“Beaches And Sand” comes to life as steady static crackling joins subtly oscillating panpipes. Flashing synth broadly pulses and sparkling notes trickle. Broken, open-voiced sounds move with a guitar-like notes as bass trembles in quickly rolling lines.

Playfully frolicking, chiming synth carries a joyful melody above the guiding drums and rich bass. Static crackles again as arpeggios revolve distantly and flickering light accents tautly twanging guitar.

A drum hit flits past and clapping sounds echo. The main melody pops along, giving me a charmingly nostalgic image of playing on the sand as a child while the ocean smoothly splashes on the expansive beach.

Conclusion

Ocean Signals creates the sensation of slipping into the warm water of a tropical ocean to swim amidst vibrant corals and teeming reef fish. It fills me with a combination of nostalgia, relaxation and melancholy while carrying me on its guiding drumbeat and bass motion.