Walmind - Past and Future
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Walmind’s Past and Future combines fascinating synth tones, timbres and textures with a sense of adventurous energy and melodic beauty. Walmind weaves together all of the musical elements into an engaging and entertaining journey across time and space.
One of the characteristics I enjoy about Walmind’s work on Past and Future is the way in which he mixes and matches different synth colours and textures. Each track unfolds with ear catching auditory combinations and permutations. Walmind carefully chooses each track's sound palette to ensure that it captures the emotions and sensations which he is seeking to create.
I also enjoy the melodic writing on Past and Future. Walmind crafts beautiful and emotionally engaging melodies that reach out and pull me into the album. There are moments of beauty along with darkness and enthusiastic energy that move throughout the music. I am enamoured of the way in which Walmind is able to carry me along on the journey that unfolds across all of the tracks here.
Past and Future has a fresh and lively quality that I find deeply enjoyable. I get the feeling that Walmind was inspired and energized while making this album which comes through in the life and dynamism of the music. His joy at exploring the soundscapes here is palpable and transfers through to me as a listener. I always feel that an artist's passion for their music kindles my own passion to listen to it, which is definitely the case here.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“Eclipse of the Soul” comes into being as sharply beaming notes arpeggiate over crushing bass. The low end lends ominous weight as the electric guitar curls into the music above the spinning arpeggios, and a kick drum shapes the music. Walmind’s enigmatic and drifting guitar slips out above whispering voices in the background.
Drums lend the track an even pulse as the guitar cries out with desolate emotion. Bass swells underneath as the arpeggios twirl in cosmic motion and the guitar captures bluesy loneliness. The arpeggios add texture while the drums guide the music, and the guitar solo expresses mysterious emotion. I enjoy the guitar solo’s ghostly quality as it hovers above the cruising drums.
The bass lends expansive space to the track as guitar unfurls with a wandering feeling. Arpeggios continue to spin; the drums softly touch, and voices in the background form an indistinct whisper. The guitar sails onward with a sense of loss as the drums impact the track. The track ends as the guitar falls silent in open space.
Wide-open, gleaming synth smoothly spins through the track as luscious bass rumbles and flashing notes burst to open “Doicus Dreams.” Massive drums collide as the luminous synth glides, and a digital-sounding, illuminating melodic pattern fills it. The glowing melody mingles with the huge drums and solid bass, creating ear-grabbing contrast.
Extended synth chords glisten, and broadly pulsating notes twirl. A medium-high, digital-sounding synth echoes with a relaxing melody imbued with forward progress as the low end beats on. Now, the melody is full of lingering gentleness, while the powerful drums and bass add propulsion.
Wind flows past, and full synth chords shimmer with lush life before the drums add shape again. I am drawn in by the tenderhearted melody as the hard-hitting drums and bass move the track forward. Airy synth slips through again as the digital notes intertwine, and the track comes to an end.
“Journey to Andromeda” comes to life as immense bass flows and brilliant synth chords add luscious illumination. The drums begin to throb as pearlescent notes hover, radiating warmth and embracing radiance. The drums add weight as the bass glides underneath and shapes the music. Glowing chords spill out into the music with caressing luminescence as the drums gently add form and the bass slips past.
The refulgent chords are rich with subtle brightness, and a reverent synth in the distance adds further gentleness. Now the bass glides alone with the full-sounding synth drifting into space as a slowly sweeping sound swells again. The drums return to their easy-going motion as a glittering synth levitates with enfolding brilliance.
Chimes twinkle out as the drums continue to push the track forward. I enjoy the lead synth’s overwhelming sense of peace as it sails out through the music. Worshipful notes add encouragement as the lusciously full chords move past. incandescent notes add crystal lambency, and the track quietly comes to an end.
Ethereal string-like notes entangle above lush bass with cosmic weight to kick off “Ixo.” A heavy kick drum pounds as gliding notes slip out with calming smoothness, gleaming as they carry a melody capturing yearning emotion.
Dense drums and bass move as the easily flowing melody creates a hopeful feeling as it slips out. The lead synth exudes stellar luminosity as rich bass and throbbing drums shape the music. Serene notes mingle feelings of longing and energy.
The drums and bass continue to drive with a steady beat as lithe, glimmering notes float. I find myself physically relaxing while the track unfolds. The music ends on drifting synth notes fading out into space.
“Japan Walker” opens as bell-like synth chords dance together with intense brightness while the drums and bass rebound underneath. The dazzling, lustrous chords dance together to create uplifting energy, tinged with hints of melancholy. The drums and bass are colossal as they move, adding motion and richness, while echoing notes flare out with surrounding light.
I enjoy the main melody’s sadness as it moves above oscillating, slightly broken bass while ghostly notes trail through. Twinkling synth coruscates as the pounding drums and bass add form. The main melody undulates and illuminates the music with a burnished sheen. Wind sweeps through the track as the synth tumbles with flashing luminosity before silence falls.
Restfully trickling, rounded notes flow through above brightly flashing synth and dreamy bass to start “I See The Sun.” Lustrous arpeggios twirl easily as flaring notes glow underneath and the solid drums provide a heartbeat. Bending, caressing synth carries a melody full of uplift and hopeful joy above the guiding drums and bass.
In the background, a full-toned synth actively dances and the track returns to the calmly flowing notes that ripple past. The drums and bass are punctuated by a leaping synth that adds greater luminosity. Tightly spinning notes intermingle and a meditative melody full of laid-back emotion sings out.
I enjoy the interlude provided by this track as it contrasts with some other tracks' more intense emotions. Drums and bass throb as the main melody carries feelings of summer relaxation through the music. The arpeggios continue to intertwine and flicker out as the low end adds form before the track comes to an end.
“The Color Of Love” begins with a percussion burst and smoothly floating synth spreading out like ripples on a pond. The deliciously warm synth trickles like melted chocolate above the bursting drums and bass. A gleaming synth carries the fond main melody.
A hi-hat keeps time as an entangling synth descends with softly touching feelings. The main melody shines, drawing me into a state of quiet relaxation which leeches my stress away. Rounded notes descend and calming synth shimmers with summer warmth.
The main melody dances again, imbued with loving emotion. Lissome notes in the distance tumble down and the bass adds weight as the song ends on the soothing melody.
Smoothly cutting synth notes flow together in rebounding motion as ethereal sounds swirl together to commence “Past And Future.” The drums and bass push forward in a steady heartbeat and sharp edged synth slices in sweeping motion.
The broadly intertwining synth vibrates outwards as elevated arpeggios spill out delicate illumination. The drums and bass continue to throb with guiding energy as rising, gruff notes climb and raised sounds flit past. Trembling synth moves with a rough edged sound before peaceful chords plane out.
Underneath it all, the drums and bass press the music forward as xylophone-like notes flare. I am enamoured of the way in which gentler and more energetic sounds mix here. A broadly tremulous synth flashes outwards, fading away as the percussion falls silent.
Conclusion
Past and Future is a charming auditory exploration that tells many stories as it unfolds. I find that each time I go back and listen to the tracks, Walmind reveals new facets of his musical creativity and passion. The end result is an album to which I have quite enjoyed listening.
