THE G - Wanderers

Review by Vero Kitsune

Los Angeles-based Synthwave artist G. Brown, also known as THE G, has recently joined in synthwave and retrowave stalwart New Retrowave Records (NRW) artist roster, which includes synth greats Ollie Wride, Michael Oakley, Jessie Frye, Futurecop! and Parallels. The G initially garnered attention with the release of his first two dynamite offerings - Cosmopolis (2017) and Concrete Island (2018) - and has since built a sonic brand evoking “daydreams, endless summer nights and the romance of the open road.” After four years in the making, The G unveils his latest full-length record, Wanderers under the NRW umbrella. The 11-track grand opus deviates from the usual confines of electronic music production by incorporating live drums and guitar performances into his signature neon-lit, retro soundscapes. Featuring a host of notable talents like Dimi Kaye, Michelle B., JJ Mist, Vandal Moon, Vampire Step-Dad, Wanderers carries a mix of 5 vocals and 6 instrumental tracks to create a seamless yet tonally and emotionally varied, introspective experience.

“There are a lot of great synthwave albums, but most give you ten tracks of the same vibe. I wanted to capture the wider range of feelings and moods that a person actually experiences. But most of all, Wanderers is about that yearning to explore, which we’ve been cut off from for the past year,” The G explains. “Most of my songs are about driving LA at night and being emo while doing it,” he humorously adds. We can definitely relate.

Wanderers starts off with “Starshine" - a very moody, dramatic intro composed of gently shimmering top lines over gradating warm, tubed synths pads reminiscent of classic lo-fi ‘80s movie scores. The track pushes and pulls in a soothing, calming lull, generating a meditative state which sets up the stage for the following track. In a bold, unexpected maneuver, “Memories of Ice” jumps right in and hits hard in full blazing thunder as one of the record’s highlights, immediately delivering an exhilarating, action-packed arpeggiated thrill. “Memories of Ice” features a riveting guitar performance by one of the very few “master shredders” in the synth scene, Dimi Kaye, layered with catchy synth hooks over the massive outrun dynamics that would make one want to jump into an F1 racing game. The record makes a swift return to dreamscapes with the title track and the record’s first single, “Wanderers,” showcasing an effervescent vocal performance by Michelle B. reminiscent of young Stevie Nicks. “Wanderers” contains reflective nostalgia vibes, starting with crystalline arps over Michelle B.’s honey-coated, perfectly loose, emotive melodic delivery. The record then takes a smooth turn, transitioning into a colder, moodier vibe in “Lights,” featuring The G’s effortlessly cool vocal delivery and catchy hooks. The track is remarkably low-key and uncomplicated with classic back-beats and simple top line melodies, yet it still drives with The G’s sensitive sound choices over the undulating undercurrents that seem to carry the track on a steady flowing freeway.

The G takes us back into dreamland in the instrumental track “Dreamtime,” featuring heraldic, celestial arps that seem to harken intergalactic rainbow roads and glittering neon-grid dimensions perpetuating in every ‘80s childhood memories. Similar to “Lights,” “Dreamtime” ebbs and flows more on the delicate, subdued side in its writing, yet the stylistic sound choices bring out the vibrant hues and inherent richness of its memorable, heart-felt dynamics. Michelle B.’s vocal prowess makes a return in “Away,” providing stunning cadences in her emotive delivery that first brings warmth and 70s-type of retro tenderness to the pastel-hued, pillowy track before climbing into pitch-perfect crescendoes that compel listeners to sing along. The record maintains its cool cruise with “Gardens of the Moon” - another track that discards superfluous embellishments and confidently utilizes steady-streaming, single variant arps and pared down melodic Eastern scales that turn into ear worms over time.

Darkwave artist Vandal Moon makes a dashing appearance in “Remember“ and delivers a very lush vocal performance reminiscent of Robert Smith, bringing unexpected dark jewel tones and a nice deep contrast to the record’s overall glistening neon and pastel palette. This track showcases The G’s ability to divert and explore darker realms outside of synthwave, yet still manages to maintain cohesive sonic qualities while creating a relevant bridge and intersection between two distinguished genres. Retrowave artist JJ Mist guest stars in the youthful hyper ballad “Can’t Wait,” invoking sand-blasted teenage dreams, shoulder pads, corkscrew hair and Lisa Frank perfumed stationery. The record eases into the smoke-filled, slow-build number “Out There” featuring Vampire Step-Dad. The track showcases gentle, tingling melodic top notes and star-lit glimmering arpeggios paving way for a grand guitar crescendo. Wanderers finishes its sonic journey with “Spiral,” an instrumental finale that retains the record’s overall minimalistic approach, but fills all the gaps with imagery of emotional, neon-lit bold strokes. The track harkens the spirit of a new dawn, fresh awakenings and gentle breeze brought by sun-kissed oceans to welcome summer, captivating listeners with hope and longing in blissful surrender.

If this were visual art, Wanderers could be easily described as a series of refined watercolor pieces - delicate and transparent with nothing superfluous or overdone that could easily mar a placid landscape. The record defiantly discards all the usual pretenses of musical bravado or over-the-top athleticism, but rather leverages understated and low-key dynamics in its own romantic way. Wanderers exemplifies The G’s sincere and unique approach and sensitivity to details established in his choice of wave forms, emotional cadences in compositional delivery, and how slight shifts in stylistic choices truly make a world of difference, giving color to dynamics and soundscapes. The perfect description for this record is “perfectly chill” with its own share of peaks and valleys that provide listeners with a beautiful, vast spectrum of hooks, dramatic moods and unexpected jewels to sink their teeth into and satiate the crave for cinematic nostalgia. Less is often truly more. Wanderers serves synthwave and retrowave lovers all the way through as a solid offering and an instant classic staple.

To keep updated with The G, visit newretrowave.bandcamp.com