Qnaut - Screen Memory

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Qnaut’s Screen Memory sounds like an intergalactic dance party, mingled with relaxing and tranquil moments that encourage calm and laid-back chill. The way in which Qnaut weaves together beautiful melodies, addictive disco grooves and a mixture of synth sounds and instrumentation creates both elegance and excitement. This is an album for repeat listening, as it rewards it with great enjoyment.

One of the standout features of Screen Memory is the melodies Qnaut composes. He’s able to weave emotionally engaging and ear-pleasing melodic writing to transmit feelings that move from serenity to groovy, booty-shaking energy. Each of his melodies sticks in my head and evokes a plethora of sensations and moods that keep me listening for more.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the locked-in drums and bass on Screen Memory. They create absolutely funky disco beats that are hard to ignore as they shimmy and gyrate through the music. The way in which the solid low-end pulse moves keeps the music exciting and fun. The overall feeling is one of dancing dynamism that unfolds throughout the album.

Qnaut’s mixture of fascinating synth tones, timbres and textures weaves in with electric guitar and saxophone to convey all of the different auditory states and emotional moments of the music. There’s a jazzy undercurrent which I find pleasing, along with the richly interwoven synth sounds that evoke everything from deep space to wild partying. I also enjoy the energy within the saxophone and guitar, which delivers a unique sound and deep engagement.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“UAP” comes to life as ethereal chimes tremble and shimmer with tentative fragility and an aquatic trickle. The background exudes coruscating illumination as the lead synth rises with serene tenderness, levitating and moving with trailing tendrils. The bass creates a rich support as radio transmissions crackle and gemmy notes rise and flow.

A steady kick drum heartbeat pulses as the shining synth trickles past like stars in the firmament. Tiny notes twinkle while the surging bass adds weight. A sense of cosmic peace permeates this music in a way that compels me to listen. Intensely gleaming synth echoes in a chiming line, exuding pure luminescence before silence falls.

Caressing notes float out into openness to commence "Telepathy." A quickly descending flurry of sound moves along with the rounded chords that rise as a kick drum begins to thump. A breezy sweep moves with the actively pulsing percussion and dynamic bass while the main melody traces through the music with uplifting gentleness.

The drums and bass form a dancing pattern as the main melody sings out with joyful, hopeful positivity. I am filled with feelings of well-being and happiness as the melody floats past and the drums and bass create a moving pulsation. Sharp-edged, tremulous notes flare out and the gleaming chords spill out brilliance as they move along.

Wind sweeps in and the drums and bass change pattern, pulsing smoothly as the lead synth carries the encouraging melody. The original drum and bass heartbeat reestablishes itself. The main melody reaches out hopefully as the track comes to an end.

"Time Machine" starts as softly wandering notes trickle through the music with delicate lightness. Bells ring out as the dense bass rumbles heavily and an accelerating drumbeat jumps into the music. Chords flow with intense incandescence as the drums and bass create a disco pulse, full of dance floor energy.

A groovy guitar moves through the music as the steadily thudding low end adds form. There's a sweeping wash of sound and the chords leap with piercing brightness as the pounding low end adds shape. I enjoy the way in which this song makes me want to move, locked into a funky groove.

Upwardly trickling synth twirls smoothly as a sax cries out, its passionate voice howling with feeling that moves me. The flickering notes fade away and the sax flies out with compelling liveliness as the piano chords add more energy. The track ends on the thumping low end and the wildly intertwining sax.

Floating notes and the sound of distant voices, along with an ever-growing low end pulse, open "Celeste." The low end continues to move with powerful bass as clapping percussion echoes into open space. After the drums flourish, the hip-shaking groove takes hold of the music while chimes flow out with broad elegance.

A tightly wound synth squiggles through the music eagerly. The drums and bass are massive and dense, moving with loose-limbed ease. Brightly flickering, distant synth cascades and again the disco beat takes hold. As the roaming, shining synth dances with celebratory energy, the low end carries me away with its sense of dancing persistence.

A scintillating synth drifts as it is underpinned by the thick bass and bell-like notes echoing metallically. The tremulous sounds in the distance wander as the low end shakes with funky life. The track ends with the slowly undulating, sleek synth sliding through the music above the low end before fading out.

“Spectre” starts with a distantly glistening synth and a ticking, clock-like sound while worshipful voices rise warmly. The disco groove hops into the music, creating dynamic motion as the hard-hitting drums punch. Above them, glimmering notes climb and flow outward as the propulsively booty-shaking groove takes hold and wriggles past. Notes like gem chips reflect the reverent glow that fills the distance.

The track moves as creaking bass softly throbs and intertwining, golden synth threads embroider the music. Whispering voices shift indistinctly as the hard-hitting low end moves and elevated, bending synth adds a ghostly feeling while the chimes dance. The groovy low end continues to pulse while haunting notes drift, trailing spectral tendrils, before the rounded synth leaps with lively strength and the track bounces to an end.

“Tropical Haze” opens as a serene, reverberating synth slips out with a relaxing feeling. Utterly calming notes shimmer through the music as quick thrills of synth rush past and rebounding notes move. The pumping disco beat is propulsive as rapid synth sweeps add luscious illumination and funky guitar entangles.

The strong guitar is joined by strings that glimmer and leap as the thudding bass adds shape and unctuous notes float. Delicate, broadly trembling synth slips past and breathes out. I enjoyed this hovering segment for its settling, soothing sensations as quickly flaring notes flow past.

Again the disco beat throbs, adding exciting motion to the beautifully peaceful notes that dance above it. Bouncing, twisting synth floats with an alien sound above the thick bass as a nasally echoing synth carries a celebratory melody. The metallic ripples of notes add starlit energy before the song comes to an end with the funky guitar and dense bass intertwining.

“Symbiotic” kicks off as a dreamy guitar floats past with laid-back relaxation permeating it. a softly ticking hi-hat moves in steady motion as the jazzy guitar wanders and a slowly pulsing, stomping beat moves underneath. The guitar swirls and glimmers as it roams and an elevated synth wriggles with a misty, slightly haunted feeling.

The steady beat continues to move before a glockenspiel carries a sparkling tune cruising past with easy grace. I enjoy the way in which the guitar slips through the music, transmitting supremely chilled-out feelings. The synth moves in nasal-sounding whorls and the track slowly fades into silence on the glockenspiel and guitar.

“Aeon” begins as fragile synth shivers. A warmly tremulous, reverberant synth carries a melody full of melancholy and tender emotion above slightly distorted chimes. The melody is soothing and lullaby-like, cradling and warming as it unfolds. I find myself feeling settled as the gentle melody drifts and tiny sparkles of synth add luminance.

The main melody is incredibly affectionate and a little aching as it passes. the lead synth calls out, deep with emotion and touching sensations, as a sweeping synth flares in the distance. Peace moves as the pulsing drum adds a heartbeat and the sparkling notes leap past, while the thudding low end shapes the music before it fades.

“Discovery” starts off as digital sounds blink and a distant radio voice crackles while towering synth chords flow outward. Bass rushes with dramatic energy and a ticking hi-hat begins to throb as the snare drum rises. An accelerating sound moves as radio communications continue, chimes twinkling as the roundly glowing synth climbs through the music with a feeling of opening vistas.

After a drum flourish, the lead synth melody inspires me to dream of the stars opening in front of me. The guitar cries out with intricate dynamism, leaping through the music and exploding with a sense of exploratory liveliness. The guitar solo is smooth and takes hold of my heart as it unwinds with skillful motion. Drums continue to punch with propulsive life and the sound of computerized notes shivers. The electric guitar evokes flight across the stars before the song comes to an end on soft chimes and warming chords.

Conclusion

Screen Memory is full of fun, funk and deep relaxation. The way in which it creates a sense of galactic energy and a feeling of danceable grooviness results in music that pulls me in and keeps me bopping along as the album unfolds.