Pashang - Void

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Pashang’s Void captures all of the vast majesty of outer space through a richly interwoven synth tapestry. There are moments of great power, gentle delicacy and aching emotion that move through the wide-open canvas of the album. This is deep, enjoyable and expressive instrumental synth music that invites exploration.

Synthesizers have a massive scope to explore a plethora of sounds and auditory textures. Pashang digs deeply into that sonic variety on Void to create intense richness. The sounds range from colossal rumbling bass to starry synth sparkle, moving through textures that move from gruff snarling to delicate crystalline shimmer. Each different tone, timbre and colour adds more complexity to the final result.

Void is also defined by the atmosphere that permeates the album. In everything that Pashang does in the music, there’s a sense of massive open spaces and unfurling cosmic vistas that surrounds it. The way the bass fills the space and the layered synth sounds unfold conjures up sweeping sensations of interstellar exploration. I enjoy being transported on the journey through the music.

Another strong aspect of the album is Pashang’s melodic writing. He crafts melodies that are capable of expressing nuances and shadings of emotion that range from melancholy to triumph, sometimes in a single track. I am drawn to his skill at combining synths that reinforce the emotional tenor of his melodies and deepen the overall expression of the album.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Glimpse The Void” comes to life as extended sonic sweeps slide into an open space full of tiny sparkles into which bass flows and a single dark piano note repeats. Brightly trumpeting synth reaches out with glowing notes through the vastness, feeling victorious and tinged with melancholy.

The mixture of those two emotional states is appealing to me here. The drum heartbeat forms a powerful pulse below the triumphant, flaring synth as choral voices call out. Wide, strong drums create a shaping pulse along with oscillating bass waves. Drifting, shining synth is touched by whirling arpeggios as smoother, elevated sounds descend through them.  and the gigantic bass washes as we float into an empty void in which lost voices float along.

Hard-hitting, shadowed piano notes create a sense of foreboding as a twisting, medium-high synth is battered by huge drums. The background chorus moves above rich bass that rumbles below it. Brassy, nasal-sounding synth glides along with surging bass while sharp, glittering notes move in a gently shifting pattern. This track is full of galactic power and dark majesty.  Huge drums collide and bass growls, as rising synth calls out before the track towers to a conclusion and fades out.

Rounded, nasal-sounding synths ascend with growing energy to open “Approach The Void.” Huge, rebounding drums throb and quickly spinning arpeggios dance above the rumbling bass slipping underneath.

Battering drums and rapidly wheeling arpeggios effectively build motion as chimes flash through the track. Drums and bass fade into a gently floating openness and before the arpeggios ramp up and spin again. Gargantuan, rough-edged bass grows in intensity through the music.

Delicate, crystalline chimes carry a beautifully tender melody. The energy level erupts as colossal drums drive on and bass thunders. The chiming lead synth shimmers with feathery delicacy, in contrast to the heavy weight underneath it. The track ends on twirling arpeggios.

Distant, fragile synth notes with a metallic edge move into and through the open space to kick off “Traverse The Void.” A dense bass wall moves with a sweeping sonic arc as gleaming chimes flash with intense brightness. The chimes carry an airy melody as a massive drum and bass surge propels the music with conviction.

Broad-voiced chimes carry a mysterious, trembling melody that introduces a pleasingly tenuous emotional state in the music. Energizing triumph fills the lead synth melody, accented by clean, glittering synth flares. Cosmic drum power and bass waves move alone before the shining chimes carry the minor key melody, spilling over with a sense of dominance.

The wide-sounding chimes leap out in bursts through the open spaces around them and a steady bass flow adds continuing weight. Silence briefly falls before the chimes shimmer again, adding a mingled sense of optimism and something less sure. The heaving drums and bass press on, dynamic and full of life, before metallic notes ring out and the track ends.

“Heart of the Void” commences as dangerous, rough-edged sounds echo into open space along with massive, heavily pulsating bass that has a feeling of threatening intent. Slowly descending sounds are followed by trembling chimes that wander above gruff, jagged bass.

The lead guitar howls into the void as a secondary surging, muscled guitar line looms behind it. Above the powerful guitars, gleaming synth cries out and drums softly tap. Roaming sounds unfold above overwhelming bass that slowly moves below them. Forlorn high synth adds a pained feeling before the guitar cries out over shattering drums as sparkling synth notes arpeggiate.

I am drawn to the haunting lead guitar as secondary, hard-edged guitar line snarls below and the drums strike with great weight. Arpeggios add more energetic motion while the lead guitar screams.  The rising darkness grows ever more threatening below tense, nervous high notes.

Aggressive, angular bass and hard hitting drums form an attacking, dynamic pulse to start “Flee The Void.” Brighter, higher synth carries a dramatic, shadowy melody out over the continually driving drums and sharp-edged bass.

An enigmatic voice drifts as quickly flickering notes climb higher and effectively ramp up the tension. Now the beat becomes an evenly slamming pulse as ferocious notes slash through the music, faster and faster. The track breaks into a throbbing charge as the mysterious melody rising before the track ends.

Conclusion

Void is a nuanced, intricate and expressive synth journey across a limitless cosmic canvas. This is synth music that has maturity, richness and emotional complexity woven through it and I am fascinated to hear what Pashang might do next.