Peter Gagliardi - Artwave

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Peter Gagliardi’s Artwave is like a soundtrack to a monumental space opera. It combines vast scope, intricately intertwining synth layers and deeply emotional moments into an intensely expressive whole. I feel as though I’m being transported across the starry reaches of outer space as I listen to the album as it unfolds.

One of the main factors in my enjoyment of Artwave is the way in which Peter Gagliardi conjures up sensations of space travel. The colossal bass sound creates a feeling of massive openness, the gleaming synths form starlit pinpoints and the grand scale of the overall sound lifts me up and carries me away across galactic soundscapes.

Another major reason for Artwave’s success with me is Peter Gagliardi’s melodic skill. His melodies are engaging, emotive and full of deep expression. I enjoy their clarity and the way in which they can induced mixed emotions in the space of a single track. The ability to combine well-chosen synths with lyrical expression draws me in again and again.

The way in which Peter Gagliardi holds my interest through his detailed, layered synth tapestries is another reason for my satisfaction with this album. He carefully selects synths for their tonal colours, textural contrasts and overall emotional qualities and weaves them together in an engaging and thoughtful fashion. The end result is entrancing and compelling for me.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Orbit” begins as steadily pulsing bass and elevated, dazzling synth drift in. Wind moves back and forth as deeply throbbing bass is joined by rising synth warmth and evenly pulsing drums. High synth dances in crystalline arpeggios as piano-like, wide-sounding notes create a melodic pattern that exudes gentle and encouraging emotion. The emotional content of the melody is compelling for me.

Tiny sparkling lights add a starry feeling and nasal-sounding, round synth carries a hopefully climbing melody. Arpeggios twinkle and spin while bass depth adds lushness. Trickling, elevated notes evoke a star-filled sky as the extending, caressing synths with a gruff edge slip out. Drums and bass provide a guiding influence in the music. The medium-low, full, chiming synth melody sings out, imbued with optimism as it floats out into space and the solid bass lifts the other sonic elements.

Extremely deep bass creates a sensation of vast space as glittering synth ripples in  a light-filled pattern to open “Distant Colony.” The lead synth has a woodwind-like quality as it carries an enigmatic, ancient-sounding melody into the track’s wide open spaces. Radiant high synth notes accent the music as it grows in power, bass and drums moving the track forward.  Metallic chimes flare and glow above the surging energy below them.

Now a cello calls out with trembling gentleness carrying a poignant and emotive melody that I enjoy. The resonant cello has a caressing feeling as the drumbeat and bass keep the track moving. A mournful tinge comes from the string section as active bass roams. Nasal-sounding synth aches as power mounts below it adds richness to the sound. Yearning fills the melody as gleaming light flickers in and the track ends.

“Wide View” starts as whirling arpeggios cascade tightly and an angular drum and bass pulse propels the music. Broadly glowing synths slide through the music with a lightly caress that adds a peaceful contrast to the drum and bass energy. Tender lead synth glitters with delicate light as it carries a melody rich with a feeling of possibility.

A solid drum and bass throb guides the track onwards. Rough-edged, medium low synth take up the melody, doubling the brighter chimes. I am drawn to the noble, graceful melody as it soars out, imbuing the music with a sense of progress and growth. Drums pulsate and the bass oscillates below them. A vista opens in this music, carrying with it aspirations for better things to come while the dynamic low end of the track keeps moving.

Echoing space and hard-hitting kick drum are touched by a rising, steady sound that exudes foreboding as “Dystopia 01” starts out. Hard-edged synths bend and oscillate as a raised, slowly intertwining synth pulse moves in. Lucid, surprisingly gentle synth carries a melody that soothes, in contrast to the threatening feelings looming behind it. I am enamoured of the soothing melody. Massive drums and heaving bass surge together into open space as wave-like sounds sweep.

Now elevated, lost-sounding synths dance while powerfully rising, rounded notes call out. Buzzing sounds move as raised, spinning synths dance. The melody enfolds rough-edged, heavily throbbing synths that are sliced by flaring, gruff pulses. Haunted synth tones emphasize the melody and the entire track swells with power and interlocking sonic layers. The music ends with muscled energy and a hidden sense of danger as the melody fades one last time.

"Dystopia 02” commences as softly falling rain and steady, low bass is cut by darkly majestic, sweeping synth chords. Deeply rumbling bass slowly roams as pained, shadowy synth chords shift and a continuous bass oscillation begins. Chimes gleam as the full-bodied lead synth calls out, carrying a melody that ripples through with bereft emotion.

The bass is a physical force that effectively permeates the track, lending a well-considered power to the music. Gentle sounding lead synth slips through the track. High synth forms astral pinpoints that contrast with the bass’ sheer force. Medium-high synths feel hurt as skittering sounds move past and the track fades to silence with the rain.

Deeply throbbing drums and a soothing synth glow are joined by the hard-hitting drum pulse and thick bass to open “Neon Utopia.” Gigantic drums pulse and elevated, luminous synth carries a dancing arpeggiation. Soaring lead synth carries a melody brimming with expanding vistas and exciting possibilities.

Visceral, forceful drums shape the music as cloudy light filters through in the background. Glimmering synth climbs upwards, coruscating above the slamming drums. The main melody cries out again, high synth flickering and expressing uplifting emotion. There’s a strong contrast between the elevated synths and the aggressive drums and bass that drive the track on to a conclusion.

“Colonizing Enceladus” comes to life as overlapping synths glisten and rise and a hollow bass pulse moves through the track while metallic sounds exhale. Now reverberating drums and gliding bass support the elevated lead synth. The track’s fragile, tender melody is shot through with a dreamy feeling to which I am drawn.

Echoing drum throb enhances the gliding sensation as the lead synth carries the main melody with a feathery touch. An undulating arpeggio ripples below the melancholy, delicate melody. Steadily vibrating drums and pulsating bass support the other musical elements. String sounds create resonant layers before the raised lead synth sparkles and the arpeggios slow and drift off into silence, punctuated by flaring illumination.

A slowly unfurling, effulgent synth slips above a steadily moving drone, distant and diffuse as “Veil City” begins. Separated notes gleam above a constant lower synth flow and evenly repeating, elevated synth accents the track. A slightly rough-edged, nasal-sounding synth carries the trembling melody.

I am drawn to the tentative quality in the music as the starry, raised synth twinkles and bass rumbles in an oscillating pattern. The lead synth suffuses the track with a glow as the moving bass underpins it. Power grows as the music reaches a crescendo, filling the track brimful with a sense of strength. Medium-high, bell-like synth adds another sonic layer. The bell-like synth has an exquisite touch above oceanic bass energy as flickering, high notes move past and the track fades to quiet.

Conclusion

Artwave creates a complex, cinematic musical journey that carries me away. I can sink into the lush soundscapes and allow them to lift me out of the mundane and send me flying across the cosmos. This is music to get lost in and enjoy the process of doing so.