Sonic Gap (and Guests) - Colossus
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Sonic Gap’s Colossus carries listeners on an auditory journey through a world of exploration, adventure and mystery. Sonic Gap and his guests combine a complex mixture of different synth sounds with strong melodies and an exciting atmosphere to produce a rich album.
Well-crafted melodies are at the heart of Colossus. Sonic Gap and his artistic collaborators forge melodic moments that clearly convey emotion. I enjoy the mingled feelings and images that the melodies create as they unfold, pulling me into their world. I am enamoured of the music’s ability to transport me.
Sonic Gap and his collaborators have thoughtfully fused synth sounds into layered, intricate auditory tapestries. The creators effectively use the synthesizer’s broad aural range and plethora of sonic possibilities to paint imagery through tonal colours, musical textures and different emotional states they can create.
The way in which the musical complexity and melodic power combine on this album help take me on a journey through its world. I find myself closing my eyes and journeying along as Sonic Gap and his fellow artists unfold the auditory pathway in front of me.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“The Colossus” comes to life as dense, intertwining bass pulses unevenly and raised, sparkling chimes flash out in the far distance. Kaarin Zoe Lee’s clear, resonant voice tells the tale of the album and the discovery of “the colossus.” Elevated synth twirls as heavy kick drum throbs below it.
A majestic, victorious melody sings out on a bright, string-like synth to imbue the music with pleasing energy. Very taut synth oscillates above the dynamically bursting drumbeat as dramatic choral voices shift. The main melody soars out with triumph above slightly shaded choral voices as the angular, propulsive drumbeat drives on. Jagged, crunchy synth trembles in a repeating line over thudding kick drum.
Tightly wound, high synth trickles in a pattern that rises and falls over choral voices and the guiding drumbeat. Slightly aching synth washes out in a gentler melody that still has some brassy flash. Digital-sounding synth flickers as wide, energizing synth chords leap. The track ends on the uplifting main melody.
Distantly revolving, gentle arpeggios ripple outward, carried on a soothing synth that gains strength as “The Pyramid” begins. Arpeggios spin and radiant synth flashes as solid drums push the track forward. Delicate, ethereal arpeggios whirl out and flaring synth accents the music as the drumbeat and active bass press on.
Medium-high, glistening synth carries a hopeful melody that effectively conveys a sense of progress. Undulating arpeggios are carried on a tight, medium high synth. Active bass oscillates and drums throb on.
After a rising, trumpeting synth calls out, the main melody mingles an adventurous feeling and yearning energy as it reaches out. Drums move the music forward over sharp-edged, oscillating bass as raised, shining synth cries out the melody. Fragile, warming arpeggios spin out underneath and silence falls.
“The Statue” starts off as razor sharp synth oscillates with brittle clarity into open space as a kick drum throbs. There’s an insistently undulating pulse carried by crystalline synth as gruff sonic pulses add radiance.
Nasal-sounding, medium-high synth carries an enjoyable melody with an aching emotional core and inherent nobility. Drums punch and vocal-sounding synth chants in a tumbling pattern. Synth chords rise with powerful brilliance and the main melody is carried by wide synth.
A quickly twisting, round synth wriggles through above jumping drums and guiding bass. The main melody exudes a sense of melancholy tinged progress as the propulsive drumbeat goes on. Digital-sounding, spinning synth flows while punchy drums press on. Cut glass synth rapidly roams and the drum pulse pushes until the track ends.
Cosmic synth drifts in calming waves as birds call out and airy synth spins in slow arpeggios to open "The Hanging Gardens.” Wordless vocals flow as arpeggios flicker and quickly pulsing, slightly rough-edged synth forms a line beneath rippling chimes.
Hollow, full-sounding synth carries a yearning, heart-touching melody over drum and bass energy. Drums flourish as the melody sails out in caressing motion, flitting synth add shining accents.
Vibrant life pours from the music as it glides into a segment in which synth waves flow easily and wordless vocals breathe. Kick drum and powerful percussion shift and the melody fills me with wistful joy and a sense of peace. The music fades out on broad, distant arpeggios and twinkling chimes take the track to an end.
“The Lighthouse” starts off with piano chords that combine dynamism with softer emotion as ticking drums add shape. Widely cascading synth mingles with raised, glittering notes to carry the uplifting melody.
The distorted, slightly wavering synth carries a melody enjoyably full of positive motion and the feeling of journeying. The drumbeat pulsates on and radiant synth calls out, mirrored by lower and more wavering sound.
Chimes flutter and jazz inflected piano leaps and wanders. The main melody cries out again, nobility as it wheels freely before waves softly wash and enfolding piano chords wind down into quiet.
Hypnotic synth descends and repeats as solid kick drum pulses to commence “The Temple.” High, ringing sounds and hollow floating notes fill the background as active bass pulses. Blaring, sharp synth carries a melody that effectively combines mystery and rousing feeling as drums and bass create motion.
Bell-like, crisp synth rings and glittering, intertwining arpeggios tremble over angular motion. Arpeggios interlock and whirl as very high notes flow and massive drums thunder. Flitting, digital sounds tremble and ominous, heaving bass snarls as broadly driving, low synth presses on.
Creaking, cutting synth adds dominating weight and shadow swells from the gigantic, rumbling low end. Now lambent synth notes glow and ethereally climbing synth calls out through the sonic layers swirling around it into silence.
Conclusion
Colossus takes me on a ride across a luscious, detailed and expressive synthscape as it unfurls. The way in which Kaarin Zoe Lee, OSC, MicroMatscenes, Compilerbau and Canape Lee all collaborate only deepens the album’s musical experience.
