See Thomas Howl - Glow in the Dark

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

See Thomas Howl’s Glow in the Dark unfolds in a intensely intermingled, sonically rich rush of motion and musical drama. There are fascinating auditory interactions and unique synth sounds that create strong imagery and keep my ears tingling. See Thomas Howl skillfully takes listeners on an eclectic synth voyage with this album.

Depth, complexity and interesting sonic interactions abound on Glow in the Dark. See Thomas Howl combines his synth palette in ways that are surprising and ear-catching. I enjoy his auditory combinations because they don’t do what one might expect. The sneaky moments and little details that he adds create interest and make me listen out for what might happen next.

I also enjoy the eclectic nature of the music See Thomas Howl creates on Glow in the Dark. The tracks roam through a plethora of moods, styles and energy levels as the album unfolds. Darkness, light, joy, loss and dynamism fill the tracks and draw me further in to the richness that defines the music on the album. I am happy to be taken on the journey that is being offered here.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Glow in the Dark” comes into being as a hissing sonic sweep bursts into bass oscillation as digital synth rebounds in a dynamic pulse. A lambent melodic line rings out, adding solar illumination as the angular bass and punchy drums press on.

A raised synth has a majestic, shadowed quality which draws me in. Digital-sounding synth bops jauntily and bell-like notes shimmer and gleam. Brilliant chords flash while the sharply moving low end propels the track. Glimmering synth glows out as rounded notes fall in entangled cascades and the slicing low end scythes in broken movement.

Gruff synth shifts as the massive drums slam in and radiance pours from high synth as the muscled weight below heaves. Triumph fills the main melody as the track ends on shining sounds.

A madcap voiceover is joined by clashing drums and a pumping bassline to open “All American Hero.” Hollow, computerized notes flicker in waves as full-sounding synth descends behind them and massive drums collide.

Chiming synth luminesces, carrying a melody with an ancient quality above the hugely muscled drums and dense bass. There is a wonderfully victorious feeling in the flashing synth melody that rings out. Panpipes move in airy patterns wth an angular feeling as glowing synth calls out in triumph.

Now glistening notes tremble as string-like synth curls through while the razor-edged low end pulsates. The track returns to echoing pipes and the ringing melody becomes an addictive dance. Drums batter and string-like sounds rake through as the low end throbs.

“Mazda RX-7” starts as sharply slashing, entangling synth jumps and elevated sounds call out. Distorted, vocal synth chants in as ethereally gliding arpeggios spin and grow more defined. An enigmatic synth melody sifts through in wandering motion, carried on a haunting synth while massive drums batter and raised notes call out.

The vocal synth adds an alien quality as it roams along. Broadly shining arpeggios twirl above the hard hitting low end. Ghostly, easily slipping synth moves again, effectively creating a spectral impression for me.

The dynamic low end shifts and cutting notes tumble past. Open-voiced, digital sounding synth comes in with a melancholy tinged melody as the track drives on to the end.

Mumbling, fat synth growls as rain rushes down and pounding drums come in to commence “Wet & Weysted.” Razor-edged notes sweep and bass grumbles far below. The synths twine in a dense, gruff sweep as the giant drums batter and a welter of cosmically drifting synth interlocks.

I enjoy the contrast between lightness and power in the music here. Intimidating bass towers as tensely unwinding synth descends while drums burst and the rain keeps pouring.

A juddering synth pulse moves past as the windy sonic sweep flows on. Snare drums move and unsettled notes fall above massive bass and elevated, flickering chimes as the track ends.

“Falling 4 U” begins as cutting, active synth slices in above powerfully pulsing snare drum and lush bass. Open-sounding panpipes move in dynamic patterns while the drums press on and the bass oscillates.

Power fills the scintillating, dense synth to create an intense glow. Chimes sparkle out in a pained melody with a gentleness I find compelling. Rapidly repeating synth forms a hypnotic pulse and panpipes have an entrancing feeling as the razor sharp low end drives on.

Blinding light pours from radiant, intertwined synth above the battering drums. Chimes ring with the hauntingly delicate melody they carry as whirling notes spin out endlessly and the track slides into silence.

A hi hat clashes and a medium-high, bending synth sings a melody full of energy and propulsive motion above rushing drums and solid bass to kick off “Breaking The Law.” The reverberating melody has a wonderfully free, celebratory quality as it rings out on airy synth.

Panpipes flit with devious energy as the low end throbs onward and glimmering synth forms an active pulse. The panpipes skip again, tricky and playful, while the drums pound on. Broadly shining synth dances in flaring lines as distorted, rubbery synth wriggles past.

Light-filled synth twirls in evolving motion as the smoothly scudding drums keep throbbing. Raised notes tremble as the drums flourish before those vibrating notes fade into silence.

Conclusion

Glow In The Dark has many moods, layers and musical interactions within it. Each element is well-executed and they combine into an aurally fascinating, engaging whole that compels me to keep on listening.