Synthwave Compilations - From Dusk 'til Dawn

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Synthwave Compilations’ From Dusk 'til Dawn brings together a cross section of the hugely talented #synthfam to weave together a captivating musical tapestry that carries listeners on a journey from light to darkness. The breadth of talent on offer means that this album is a deeply engaging, entertaining listening experience as it unfolds.

Each artist who made a contribution to From Dusk 'til Dawn brings their own unique musical style and vision to bear. I enjoy the way in which the artists contributed music that has distinctive qualities on an individual basis while still fitting into the overall theme of the album. The end result is a sort of integration that creates a lush whole.

I appreciate the way in which the different contributions to From Dusk 'til Dawn exude intensely atmospheric impressions. The tracks effectively conjure up intense imagery and sonic states that capture the feelings that each different piece seeks to evoke. I find the journey on which they take me deeply pleasing as it carries me along.

Let me note that I had a tough time picking favourites on the album. Each contribution is well-done and full of musical quality. I appreciate the effort and skill that went into every piece and the noble goal for which the album was created.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

Tholos - Horizons: Trembling guitar notes reverberate in brightly gleaming lines that entangle as massive drums flourish. Sweeping synth twirls as a gently shining synth sings a delicate melody and bass glides as a snare drum taps. Radiant, full-sounding synth carries a hopeful and tender melody out over the guiding low end.

Peaceful joy charmingly permeates the lead synth as it shimmers and chimes twinkle past and the guitar strums warmly. Breezes slip through as glistening synth spills out the yearning, dreaming melody while drums and bass shape the track in a steady heartbeat that takes us out.

Lavallette & Louvers - The Getaway: A softly crackling background is broken by leaping, luminous synth carrying a triumphant melodic pattern. Louvers has an impassioned, unique delivery and the vocal melody has a wistful quality to it while the hugely glowing synth moves. Now drums kick in while synth glimmers.

The vocal melody has an aching quality while rounded chimes ring out. The low end shapes the track and Louvers’ voice has a melancholy quality within it. A scintillating synth briefly rings out before drifting notes slowly move in hazy lines.

Louvers’ vocals feel lost and pained while chimes sparkle. Drums hit again along with brilliantly shining synth and the scudding bass. The melody has a sunny energy that contrasts well with the mournful vocals while chimes trickle past.

Our narrator speaks of the main character taking the wheel, their fate being sealed in “the getaway.” He says that the sun hasn’t shone since the other person left and how that feeling has lasted for years. He talks of trying to move forward “with all your hopes and fears.” Now he creates the image of heading down the road with “your foot on the gas” and never looking back as the future rushes in.

The storyteller talks about the unending nostalgic glances back as “we just pretend like we’re getting on.” He goes on say that at the end of the day, we haven’t grown up and “we never got fun.” Ultimately we have never been able to figure out how to escape from our lives.

Falling Islands - Realspace: Fragile, flickering chimes float out in rippling motion as a slowly sliding synth light fills the background. Airy exhalation moves as distant raised notes drift. Gargantuan bass grows below as ringing chimes densely entangle and pour out radiance while the bass rumbles.

Reverent sound rises and flows out and now heavy, pounding drums drive on as bass keeps up a solid motion below them. Guitar carries a melody that sails out with ease. The melody has a wonderfully glassy smoothness and a quality of encouragement tempered by yearning as the punching drumbeat adds shape.

Elevated, twirling synth leaps in oscillating motion as the guitar unfolds in the melody that adds soft light and a feeling of relaxation that eases my tension. The drums and bass give the track form below the laidback, slightly melancholy guitar melody as a flaring sound in the distance grows more intense. The bass is a deep well as the tangling guitar spills out before falling silent.

THALREX & Displacement Activity - Falling Waves: Scintillating synth sparkles as waves wash and seagulls cry. The lead synth glistens in bursts as the deeply pulsating low end surges forward.

Raised synth moves in intertwining lines as bell-like notes tremble and the low end creates constant motion. Luminous synth flashes out in a victorious melody before shimmering chimes with a metallic quality ring out.

The track drifts into deep bass float as chimes flit in brilliant motion. An elevated synth creates solar illumination as it sings a yearning melody that reaches for the stars as chimes add blinding light and the track ends on the washing ocean.

Aisle 9 - I See Stars: Shivering, echoing synth floats out into open space with an ethereal quality as aquatic sounds move in the distance as a voice announces that “tonight I see stars. ” Luscious bass throbs while open-sounding synth moves in wandering lines above huge drums.

Metallic notes vibrate past as the bass supports slipping, airy synth as it pulses in. Effulgent synth with a rounded quality carries a peaceful melody with a hint of pain in it as the low end shapes the track.

Bass bursts as the glinting synth floats with tranquility. Guitar unfurls in a cosmically gliding solo with a melancholy heart while drums solidly throb. I get the pleasant sense of drifting into a galactic starscape in this track. Trembling, gleaming synth is backed by oceanic washing as it fades into silence.

vylt - Visions: Horror-filled chimes ring as a voice over speaks of “grotesque images crowding in. Massive drums punch forward aggressively as sparkling synth carries a melody speaking of terror and lurking evil. Guitar lacerates with ferocious force and snarling rage as the chimes create a brightly horrifying vision.

A Theremin-like synth with a spectral quality carries a melody that haunts the track. The drums and bass are a maelstrom as fat, digital-sounding synth pulsates in a forceful line accented by chimes. The guitar is a growling menace in the background as the worry-filled main melody shimmers out. The Theremin trails mistily before the guitar effectively creates a deadly threat with its razor sharp edges.

Drums shatter into the music as distorted chimes ring and guitar saws. The dynamically driving melody dances above the raging storm below it. Illuminating chimes are energetic and nervous above the shadows that seethe in the low end before the track ends.

Pashang & RAN - Time’s Arrow: Clock-like ticking moves above a shadowy bass flow as unearthly notes with a haunted feeling float out. Gritty synth pulses slowly and a raised synth drifts in misty scraps above towering bass.

Raised, broadly gleaming synth carries a roaming melody that’s full of loss while chugging bass slices and heavy drums punch. Time ticks on and piano notes add a portentous quality. Raised, glimmering notes wash in tentative motion as giant drums batter. Piano notes add more darkness as guitar lacerates, giving me a well-drawn image of claws tearing into the music.

Strings rush rapidly, adding tension. Reverent notes flow as a mournful synth calls out with a hurt and desolate melody. Drums smash hard and guitar pulses in sharp-edged power as a howling synth flickers. The track ends on a tumbling, intricate guitar solo.

Conclusion

From Dusk ’til Dawn creates intricate synthscapes that highlight every aspect of the broad world of contemporary synth-based music and all of the first-rate talent within the musical community known as the #synthfam.