Zak Vortex - Mistakes & Heartbreaks

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Zak Vortex’s Mistakes & Heartbreaks conveys deeply touching emotion and sorrow tinged with hope for the future. In a tapestry of layered synths, expressive guitar and beautifully written melodies, Zak Vortex carries us through an emotional journey that simultaneously hurts and dreams. There’s an undeniably poignant strength to the music, making for a powerful listening experience.

One of the more compelling aspects of Mistakes & Heartbreaks is the overall atmosphere and mood created by Zak Vortex. Each track adds to the potent mixture of pain, loss, longing and glimmers of hope that permeate the music. I find myself contemplating my own personal experiences with all of those feelings and that reflection draws me deeper into the music as it unfolds.

Zak Vortex’s synth choices on Mistakes & Heartbreaks deepen the sensations and feelings he transmits to the listener. The way in which he mingles bright, radiant tones and textures with more sorrowful and lugubrious tones weaves together a deeply touching environment. The layers of sound come together to create an intensely moving elixir that drives right into the heart of me.

Another strong element of Mistakes & Heartbreaks is Zak Vortex’s melodic writing. His melodies are full of heartfelt expression, filling me with conflicting yet wonderful sensations. Zak Vortex skillfully captures the complexity of human feelings and thoughts within his melodies, moving seamlessly between loss and love. I can shut my eyes and let the waves of pure feeling wash over me.

I also have to mention Zak Vortex’s guitar performance on the album. His choice of guitar sounds and his skillful playing add depth and engagement to the music. The guitar is a crucial part of conveying all the feelings that suffuse the music.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Nobody Wants to Be Lonely” begins with oscillating, lucid synth waves, full of calm and pain. Colossal drums pulse as the bass grows in strength, while the synth washes smoothly through the music, adding luminosity. Wordless female vocals carry a dreamy melody tinged with ache as the gigantic bass moves with rolling pulses.

The vocals repeat that “nobody wants to be lonely” as glistening notes delicately move past. The drums and bass return, slipping beneath the raised, softly lit synth as metallic chimes flicker through the music, adding brightness. Shining chords climb while the low end continues to guide the track. The chimes sparkle, and the drums and bass shift, shaping the music.

The female voice cries out again, filled with grief, as the bells echo and brilliantly gleaming chords rise. The track ends with tranquil, levitating synth fading into silence.

Tender but massive bass, accompanied by emotive, caressing synth carrying a melody exuding mournful nostalgia opens “Mistakes & Heartbreaks”. The bass undulates as twinkling notes in the distance fill the music with introspective quiet. Drums enter along with the solid bass pulse, while higher notes spin and shimmer.

The main melody shines on a lambent synth, radiating need and loss. A voiceover speaks about how it isn’t anyone’s fault, offering reassurance and confidence. Dazzling notes flicker through the music as a silky arpeggio twirls. The drums and bass add their smooth presence, guiding the track forward as sunlit notes shine hazily above.

I’m drawn in by the feeling of being held and comforted, as if hands lightly touch my back, calming me. The main melody is full of powerful loss and need, tugging at my heartstrings before the song fades away.

“Just One More Day” comes to life with broadly drifting synth glimmers, paired with a sparkling note pattern oscillating above. The powerful throb of drums and bass guides the music, while crystalline arpeggios flicker in lighter contrast.

The low end carries a dark weight as the main melody emerges on a gently glowing synth, transmitting aching loss and a haunted feeling. The ringing chimes suffuse the higher notes with brilliant light, while the lower synth creates melancholy tones as the drums rebound.

An electric guitar enters, carrying a melody, riven with a palpable longing. The dark low end adds an ominous sensation, contrasting with the scintillating chimes. The main melody drifts out again, capturing me with its desolation as the drums and bass shape the music. The track concludes with fading chimes and an undulating synth that slowly disappears.

A bell-like jazz organ carries a thoughtful, placid melodic pattern as piano notes dance between to start “People of the Night”. The ringing synth carries the smoothly flickering melody, full of aching tenderness, above the solidly pulsing low end.

The piano skips in between, adding a second line of meditative sounds. In the distance, full notes spread outwards in unctuous chords, while a wordless female voice drifts with delicate sensations.

Flitting, raised notes slowly dance as the jazz organ rings out again, carrying a supporting melody in the background. The main melody slowly undulates, waving like undersea fronds as the bass sails out underneath. I am both soothed and touched by this track before it slips to an end.

“Broken Neon Heart” commences as a lustrous synth delicately seeps through the music. An iridescent shimmer fills the entangling notes as the solidly pulsing drums and surrounding bass guide the music. A broadly flowing synth carries a sadness-filled melody above the solidly pulsing low end. Notes that exude cosmic brightness slowly twinkle as the track shifts.

Worshipful vocals exhale peacefully as the background glittering notes float like feathers on the breeze. The drums and bass pulse again as the plaintive melody expresses a palpable sensation of loss. The way in which this track expresses complex feelings is something I find strongly affecting. The fragile melody fills the music with trembling sensations before the track ends.

Slowly pulsing drums and bass move along with a twinkling synth that slowly flashes through the track to open “Back From the Dead’. The drum heartbeat is solid as the bass oscillates, and the shining synthesizer carries a meditative, hopeful melody that radiates more uplifting sensations.

Zak Vortex’s guitar cries out, filling the music with a mixture of positivity and nostalgic memory. The bass undulates as the sleek synth slowly carries a dreaming sensation. Flaring notes gleam as the drums and bass continue to pulse. Now, the scintillating notes intertwine and fall silent.

Conclusion

Mistakes & Heartbreaks takes hold of me with its depth and intensity of feeling. This is music that truly fills my heart with emotion and melancholy. I am moved by the way Zak Vortex expresses his sadness, sense of loss, and lingering hope on the album.