Powerkørd - Retrocede

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Powerkørd’s Retrocede is a tale of danger, darkness and a glimmer of light trying to break through. The album combines strong melodies with well chosen synth sounds, intimidating bass and dominating drumbeats to produce intense musical imagery. I enjoy the aural tale that Powerkørd weaves as this sonic journey carries forward.

Powerkørd’s melodies on Retrocede have clarity and expression woven into them. I enjoy the way in which each melody unfolds a small story within an individual track, contributing to the overall album arc. The emotions and imagery contained within them are engaging and dramatic in a way that enhances the storytelling aspect of the music.

Synths have an enormous capacity for creating wildly varied sonic palettes and Retrocede showcases that capacity well. Powerkørd has carefully drawn together a mixture of snarling, flowing, shining and textural synth sounds. He layers and interweaves, contrasts and complements different synths as he tells us the album’s story.

The mass and heft of the bass and the percussion on Retrocede contribute to the portentous, endangered sensations that fill the music. There’s an ominpresent shadow that lurks in the album’s underpinnings and helps lend the tracks a sense that some imminent threat is about to manifest itself.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

"Waiting In Darkness” begins as a steady drone with a tinge of threat is joined by gruff, sharp synths slowly moving in echoing notes that rise and fall. A thick bass pulse adds weight and anchors the track as rippling, medium-high digital synth arpeggiates and reverberates in minor key lines.

Now arpeggios spin continuously over steadily throbbing, dense bass as cosmic sound whorls drift out above it. Medium-low, rough-edged synth carries an energizing, dramatic melody that slices with well-crafted triumph above a bass oscillation and in between haunted, higher notes that fade away as the track ends.

Buzzing notes tremble ominously as they writhes above gritty bass and below hollow, distant synth to start “Incarcerated.” Fat, trumpet-like synth carries a melody that’s both delicate and agonized as the drums smoothly throb. A thick bass oscillation moves the music below the shifting, airy, open-voiced synth.

Medium-high, nasal-sounding synth dances in oboe-like, gentle arpeggios that grow in volume and glow as they flutter in a pleasingly melancholy line. Muted, rounded trumpeting synth carries a slowly hurting melody while shining notes gleam above the slightly corrugated bass and smoothly guiding drums. The track ends on the hollowness and float.

“The Brotherhood” opens as flashing, metallic synth cascades in rapidly intertwining, rushing notes.  Massive synth flows underneath in huge, charging slabs while heavy bass rises and a propulsive snare and kick drum combo are joined by flourishing toms.

Crushing synth walls are cut by glittering, elevated synth gliding above colossal bass and towering synth. I enjoy the majesty of that gigantic synth sound. The bass is thick below medium-high, nasal sounding synth with a wobbling quality that carries a victorious, rushing melody.

The main melody adds an urgent feeling above rippling bass and steady hi hat pulse. Interlocking, wildly spinning synth falls and the kick drum and hi hat add shape while the huge synth flows out and silence falls.

Tranquil synth slips into the music above rich bass, carrying a pained and soothing melody tinged by a wistful, fragile chime to begin “Guided By A Fallen Star.” A smooth snare drum and light hi hat add percussive direction below the tremulous, airy melody that beautifully creates a peaceful sensation.

Starry synth dreams above the lightly touching drums as they shape the music.  Warmly singing, high synth floats out in a reassuring melody that runs soft hands over the soul as the drums steadily flutter. Tumbling, flickering synth sparkles above the lead synth melody, so full of calming and settling emotion. The melody drifts alone above the bass before ending.

“Join the Fold” commences as sinister bass pulses with blunt force, heavy with dark intent. A high sound ramps up and  heavily hitting drums intertwine with gnarly bass to create slowly propulsive motion.  Gritty, medium-low synth effectively carries a melody both tragic and triumphant above the great weight below it.

Drums batter and funky bass adds a strong groove as hard-edged lead synth carries a weighty, muscled melody. The melody’s wild movement reaches upwards with yearning nobility as massive drums crash and the dark bass surges. A smoother, airier secondary synth roams in a wistful melodic line.

Now the track drifts into a gentle segment in which metallic, digital-sounding synth trembles below bright notes illuminating the interlocking bass and drums. Shimmering, chiming synth carries a lambent  melodic pattern with a melancholy tinge. Smoothly swirling synth shines above the drum and bass propulsion before silence falls.

Reverberant, glowing synth slowly ripples into “The Shadow Dance” with a hint of troubled emotion as it is hit by a threatening, jagged bass wave that shivers far below. The bass forms a rushing throb as elevated arpeggios slowly turn. Metallic percussion adds a clashing feeling above the  seething, gruff bass.

Arpeggios flash warning as a high, fluting sound cuts in.  After a gong sounds, victorious synth trumpets as a chorus of shadowy voices calls out and jangling percussion throbs. The entire track does a superb job of conveying staggering power and a sense of dominant danger before silence falls.

“Under Thundering Skies” opens as thunder cracks and rain pours. Battering bass oscillates rapidly as a snare drum rushes into a speeding beat. Assaulting synth slabs growl in a dynamic pattern and smoother, shimmering synth dances out in a surprisingly uplifting melodic line.

Throbbing drums and urgent bass add intense motion and strength. Now gliding, hollow synth dances in a melody that has a hint of aching and a caressing feeling above the driving weight underneath it. There’s a lonely quality in the glittering synth that I appreciate.

Steady choral sound  flows as the hard-edged drums and massive bass shape the swirling main melody.  Drums keep pressing on as rounded, brassy synth howls with an energetic melody, tinged with threat. After a drum flourish, truly huge synth rumbles above bass motion and silence falls.

Soothing synth flows, as a darker synth hints at troubled feelings to start “Retrocede.” Bursting, gargantuan synth flares out in a towering wall as a pounding kick drum heaves underneath it and reverent sounds flow. A snare drum moves along with muscled bass as a flowing, smooth synth slides in above it.

After a drum fill, the track drives on with lightly drifting, worshipful synth above the dangerous weight below it. I am drawn to the strength of those contrasting elements. Medium-low, shimmering synth sings out a propulsive, yearning melody as it climbs.

Gently reverent synth flows and powerful drums and bass shove forward with slow strength. High, open-voiced synth adds a hurting, but dreamy melody before the track ends.

Conclusion

Retrocede takes a rich, layered approach to synth music that is combined with strong melodic sensibilities, a flair for the dramatic and sonic storytelling. Powerkørd has a knack for unfolding a tale through music and I enjoy being taken on that journey.