BLUE RITA - Dark Desire

Written by Chris Magdalenski

The Apocalypse Will Be Danceable: A Review of Dark Desire by Blue Rita

Hello… This is Blue Rita Speaking… After the world fell into the hands of vampires dark desire spread across the wasteland of humankind…

I’m beckoned into the world of this album with these words, her voice a soothing mix of sultry yet laconic. As the monologue continues I’m transported to another place. A hazy club populated by little more than inky black forms. Amorphous shapes that may or may not be human in nature. Swaying listlessly within the waves of darkness, they sense my presence. I begin to worry. I’m not sure I belong here… 

I take a step to the door in retreat, but then the music starts.

The beat is magnetic. Shapes once amorphous shift into something far more recognizable — humans lost in dance. It’s impossible to not be drawn into the music’s dark energy. There are eleven tracks on the album, each one laden with the after-hours alchemical vibes that make for black-clad bangers. Pulsing beats mix with horror movie synths to create a sense of triumphant darkness. It’s 1970’s giallo psychedelia painted in 21st century neon.

Tracks like “Dark Desire” and “Moonlight Shadow” are perfect dance floor fuel, propelled by intense beats that are infused with just the right amount of swing. That said, Blue Rita also showcases a trippier side with efforts like “Frequency of Oblivion” and “Nosferatu”. Both are buoyed by sinister vocals weaving a storyteller’s haunted web.

Even though Dark Desire may be offering us glimpses into a blood-soaked apocalypse, at least we can dance under the light crimson moon.

For more, visit: https://phantasmadisques.bandcamp.com/album/dark-desire-the-third-album

TLF - The Lost Future

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

TLF’s The Lost Future combines his intense vocal performances with songwriting that delves deeply into emotional reflection, struggle, triumph and life's transience. The way in which he mingles well-composed instrumental tracks with powerful songs draws me in, along with the nostalgic sounds that fill the music. In addition, his guest performers add another layer of depth and feeling to the album with their contributions.

I am compelled by the way in which TLF forges together vocal performance and songwriting. Whether it's his own impassioned singing or the expressive performances of his guests, the vocals capture the dramatic and moving emotional explorations in his lyrics. The way in which he reflects on purpose, meaning and existence is powerfully affecting for me. I also enjoy the way in which his songs explore transience, interspersed with triumphant moments.

TLF's ability to write strong melodies is another powerful component that gives The Lost Future depth and power. He can write melodies that infuse his music with emotional ache or fill it with warmth and triumph. No matter which direction he takes, his melodies pierce right to the emotional core of the music. I also enjoy the way in which they support his songwriting and deepen the feelings he creates. I'm also enamored of the contrasting emotions he explores in his melodic writing.

Along with his songwriting and vocal abilities, TLF crafts layered synths nto ear-grabbing compositions on The Lost Future. The synth sounds range from gruff aggression to ethereal smoothness as they shape the textures and emotional tone of the music. I enjoy the way in which he uses 8-bit elements to evoke classic video game music and contribute a gritty, pulsating energy to the music. He also has a strong sense of rhythm that drives the music forward.

I also want to add my appreciation for his guest singers—Jaki Nelson and Elin—who each contribute their distinctive and powerful vocal performances to the album. They add more richness and emotional depth to the music and give it even more meaning for me.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Eclipse” opens with the sound of a storm raging and an echoing, trumpeting note ringing over threatening bass. The main synth melody has a gentle warmth to it, cut by the massively throbbing drums and dense bass. The lead synth glimmers with delicate, slightly rough-edged light and colossal bass throbs heavily as the guitar slices through.

A towering synth carries a dramatic, enigmatic melody above the heavy weight below it. A gleaming synth flashes and the singer's warmly deep vocals cry out with expression as the gigantic drums and bass drive on. Orchestral synths carry the melody with deep strength, intertwining with the singer's expression-filled vocals. The main melody continues, the lead synth full of a dark majesty. The track ends on delicately dancing piano and trickling water with a reverent choir in the distance.

The narrator asks, "Would you give it up for loving? Would you melt away in hate?" She questions whether this is the moment the song's subject has been dreaming about or just another day. She adds that when the other person feels as if they are fading, "when you know that you are unseen," and when they realize they’re slowly dying, they are "the eclipse that I have been."

A synth surges with slicing energy above explosive drums to open “Lucy.” TLF’s unique voice has a light touch with strong expression, carrying an active melody above the rebounding low end.

Punchy energy fills the percussion, as bursting synth flashes with light, accompanying the galvanizing vocals. A towering synth pours out radiance, carrying the main melody as TLF’s airy voice expresses the lyrics’ complex emotion. The drums drive onwards as a scintillating synth doubles the leaping vocals.

I enjoy the way in which the lyrics are interpreted by TLF here. Now, the song glides into a smoothly washing segment punctuated by gruff synth and sparkling higher notes. The song comes to an end on rough-edged, lambent synth and digital notes fading to quiet.

Our narrator says that everything is a circus and wonders why everyone's dressed in black. He adds that life's sole purpose is the fact that we're never coming back. He talks about a “serenade, so intricate” when we're watching this fake parade. We are “all alone in a soul between too much and no control.”

The storyteller tells the song’s subject, “Lucy, we're all going to die and until then we are wasting our lives” but he reminds her that “we still have tonight.” She's been crying intensely and “longing for that song to sing.” Now choirs shout, “Let the bells of leaving ring!” and tell her to run away.

Our narrator says that “succumbing hearts will never change.” One is “all alone in a soul,” and when life devours you, it does so slowly. He adds that the fireworks start as the coffin is lowered, and when it’s lowered, “your world falls apart.”

A rapidly rushing beat slowly grows in strength alongside a gently flowing melody and the lead singer's vocals to open “Sad/Is/Fight.” TLF’s' voice is full of feeling, carrying the interweaving melody as it actively leaps through the music while the drums and bass pound hard.

The melody’s minor key tinge adds a twist as the drums rush on and the glimmering synth in the distance flows past. The main melody has a hollow, choral quality, and the beats trip as the bass throbs deeply. TLF’s voice carries the song forward, weaving with a shadowy twist as the throbbing low end twists around.

Propulsive drums and bass support the leaping chorus as the open-voiced, melancholy-tinged synth unwinds through the music with a delicate feeling. The track dances on as an ethereal synth glides out, and the vocals slide between the aching melody while the low end pulses. A noble sense of loss fills the notes of the synth in a way that feels deeply touching. The song ends with the main melody crying out and fading away.

The storyteller says that when the song's subject hears him scream for more and for silence, "exits are only painted doors," and he’s looking to do some violence. He adds, "There is no other aim in sight, I'm just a rabbit in the headlight," and as everything sinks down, he feels as if he’s been reborn.

The narrator admits he can never find satisfaction or "feed that appetite." He says that it’s sad and a fight but reiterates that he can’t be satisfied. When the song's subject hears him calling underwater, they know they’re holding a knife behind their back "to cut the candle only shorter."

Our storyteller concludes that when his "true aims get out of sight" he’s just a vampire searching for action. Despite everything continuing to decline, he feels reborn in those circumstances nonetheless.

“Reggie's Anthem” commences with massive, dangerous-sounding bass and smoothly rushing drums. An 8-bit melody with dramatic, dark triumph pouring out of it dances through the track, with driving drums creating an exciting feeling. The melody is joyful and energizing, exploding with liveliness and a sense of adventure.

A surging, shadowy synth rises behind it to create an even greater sense of victory. I enjoy the classic VGM quality of the melody with its instantly engaging nature. A broken drum and bass beat moves beneath the surging, gleaming synth, infusing the music with strength and nobility.

The melody fills me with celebratory wonder, lifting me up with an encouraging sense of battling on. The main melody takes on a warmer, major key feeling for a moment, and then the organ-like synth swells behind the melodic line as the drums and bass explode in a punchy flow, rushing the track to a rapid conclusion.

Gigantic, pulsing drums and slowly echoing synth notes start “Things Will Never Be The Same Again.” Brightly glittering synth rings out above the hard-hitting melody as the chimes flicker and TLF's voice is muffled as he chants. The drums and bass are muscular as the vocals are taken up by Jaki Nelson, deeply moving and grabbing, as the synth rises in luminous chords that spill out through the track while the drums and bass pulsate.

The massive low end rumbles as Jaki Nelson’s vocals ache with feeling and the intensely brilliant synth flares out. The drums flourish, and TLF’s vocals chant, doubled by the flickering chimes, in an enigmatic and twisting melody. The steady synth pulse adds an almost vocal feeling.

Jaki Nelson's vocals capture the heartfelt lyrics as towering synth chords shimmer with powerful encouragement in contrast to the pained melody. A trumpet rings out with dynamic energy, leaping above the insistent low end until the song concludes with a fanfare.

The narrator says he’s got problems sticking right on his coffee mug and asks the song's subject to remind him what their problem is again. He adds that they know they had to leave because they heard a "blurry shot" but are kept in place by gravity. He reflects that "the stars look bright from where we are in outer space" and through the night.

Our storyteller points out that things won’t ever be the same again, adding that it can happen to the best of us. He continues, saying that when "a stranger is looking like a friend," things won’t be the same again. He observes that we’re drifting through space and "stumbling through our times" as we collect everything, both good and bad.

“Like aliens on the run, to hide from city lights,” the narrator says he is still "longing for all we had." He adds that the other person's eyes look tired because "they’ve seen it all." He concludes that he knows they’re out there in the night somewhere.

"Pixelhero on the Way" kicks off with radiant, gruff-edged synth bursts that jubilantly accompany clapping percussion, propelling the exciting melody forward. Elevated synths wind through above the rapidly pulsating low end, creating a sense of intense motion. The drums enter, punching forward as sparkling notes skip through the music, while the bass drives with a hard-edged pulse.

Raised sounds flow and the main melody cries out on a triumphant-sounding synth, victorious and tinged with more pained feelings as it leaps out. The flaring synth, with its gruff edges, adds luminosity as the colossal bass rumbles and oscillates.

A smooth synth carries a melody that hints at emotive ache and darkness. Metallic sounds add a jangling quality, while the drums and bass rush below a noble melody, uplifting me. In the distance, the drums shape the music as the track ends on the main melody, singing out with encouragement and joy.

A nervous warning sound rings out above seething bass to open "Running Down to Metahell" . The bass rushes along with a sharp chip of sound flashing out, while 8-bit tones add a gritty element. These pulsating, dancing tones slip through the music in a minor-key line. I enjoy the dominant power of the low end mingling with flickering 8-bit sounds as the drums rush into a pounding charge.

A brief pause leads into the main melody, which calls out on a medium-high, glimmering synth. The melody is tinged with warmth, moving actively. Choral sounds echo distantly as the low end pounds heavily. Gruff synths dance with twirling motion, while 8-bit notes ring out with clear sharpness and the background swirls smoothly.

Gigantic drums batter again as ominous bass churns below. The drums rush forward and the main melody cries out with hopeful emotion, lifting my heart and filling me with joy. Drums and bass pulse on as scintillating sounds light up the music. A secondary melody brings a more hurting feeling before the track concludes with shiny notes trickling through the distance.

"Better Days" starts with a pipe organ, adding a certain darkness, as TLF’s smooth, expressive voice slowly echoes with a tragic melody. The bass flows underneath as the pipe organ brings a dramatic quality. A heavy kick drum begins to heave, and trickling notes wash through the music.

TLF’s deeply felt vocals build and colossal drums collide as sweeping, string-like synths sing lustrously. The main melody climbs with touching gentleness as TLF captures the essence of the lyrics. Chimes flit with delicate lightness, complementing TLF’s intense emotional delivery. Flashing notes glow within the music, driving home the song’s spirit.

String-like synths dance with tender ease while the gigantic drums pulsate and luscious synths float through. Drums and bass continue pounding as a smooth, glassy synth is joined by soaring, wordless vocals. The track ends on a strummed guitar and resonant pipe organ.

The storyteller reveals that the song’s subject didn’t find their way or take the chance given to them. He says, “You find your dreams in blankness” and emphasizes life’s relentless nature with them. He describes the subject counting stars and waiting for one to fall, praying for a guiding vision and for their “tragic mission to come.”

The narrator questions the subject: ‘What do you believe in? What’s keeping you sane?” He wonders what makes them wait “so patiently for better days” and even consider that better days might come. He declares, “It’s high time for being high, with your eyes raised to the sky,” asking, “Is there any life on Mars? Oh, I need to know!”

The storyteller empathizes, admitting he understands the difficulty of standing oneself. He offers solace, concluding, “I can take you anywhere, any way from here, away from here.”

Conclusion

The Lost Future is full of depth and creativity, blending intense vocal performances with rich, emotionally resonant songwriting. Its intricate melodies, pulsating rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics explores the fragility of existence and the enduring human spirit.

5 Years Of My Favourite #Synthfam Artists - Part Two

by Karl Magi

Dimi Kaye

Dimi Kaye has always captured me with his skillful guitar playing and melodic songwriting. He crafts a sonic universe defined by energy, motion and vivid storytelling, blending melody and atmosphere to create a thrilling auditory experience. Dimi Kaye’s music embodies the exhilaration of movement.

The way in which Dimi Kaye uses synths adds texture and emotion, ranging from gleaming, nasal tones to broad, trumpeting patterns that pulsate dynamically. These shimmering layers are complemented by his electric guitar mastery. He can make his guitar growl, shred or evoke deep emotional resonance. Whether delivering a smokin’ solo or a tender melody, hs guitar becomes a powerful force in his compositions.

A solid rhythmic foundation underpins Dimi Kaye’s tracks, where smooth basslines oscillate beneath steady drums, creating a seamless interplay between groove and energy. This rhythmic precision enhances the uplifting, victorious quality of his melodies, often soaring with positive energy and a sense of triumph.

Another reason I enjoy Dimi Kaye's music is the way he tells cohesive stories, weaving warm, detailed elements into dynamic and evocative scenes. From open roads to sparkling seas, his compositions take me on an auditory journey, combining melody, power and emotion into a vibrant and unforgettable musical experience.

Mayah Camara

The first time I heard Mayah Camara’s amazing voice, I was hooked. her voice brims over with soulful energy in an irresistible way. emotional storytelling, relationship and personal growth take centre stage in her songs, blending powerful imagery with intricate musical textures to create deeply resonant experiences.

I’m drawn to the deep nostalgia and longing in Mayah Camara’s songwriting as she reflects on better times and memories of lost connections. She expresses a yearning for idealized moments, balancing melancholy with an undercurrent of hope. She also explores the complexities of unrequited love, separation and misunderstandings while highlighting the resilience required to move forward.

I am deeply appreciative of Mayah Camara’s entrancing and powerful vocal performances that burst with deep feelings and emotional complexity. She can carry me to the stars or make me ache with sadness through her captivating voice and expression.

The way in which Mayah Camara effectively creates cinematic imagery enhances her storytelling. Images are metaphorically etched in the clouds and neon-drenched visions paint vibrant emotional and situational landscapes.

The backing music for Mayah Camara’s songs often emphasizes lush synth textures and dynamic melodies. Luminous and glittering synths create a balance between delicacy and robustness, while uplifting yet aching melodies express both hope and melancholy.

Damokles

Damokles remains one of my enduring favourites in the synth scene. I enjoy the way in which he blends vintage vibes with contemporary flair. his style is rooted in retro sounds and infused with funk, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and disco influences, But ends up sounding completely individual and fresh.

I've always been drawn to Damokles’ high production values, as he creates soundscapes full of intriguing synth tones and intricate textures. Layered arrangements and blistering synth and keytar solos showcase instrumental mastery and technical flair, elevating each track into an engaging listening experience.

Another reason I so enjoy Damokles’ work is his distinctive, deep-toned voice. He sounds like nobody else in the scene and creates compelling melodies that are both catchy and emotionally expressive. That strong sense of melody is pervasive, as he blends heartfelt expression with infectious playfulness.

Damokles’ blend of vintage-inspired sounds and modern production captures his deep sense of individuality, offering an exploration of intriguing sonic possibilities. Whether through its funky grooves, jazz-infused rhythms or spirited synth journeys, his music expresses his unique personality.

With its bright energy, personal expression and genre-spanning appeal, Damokles’ music carries me on a bold and entertaining journey through eclectic, well-produced and innovative sounds.

Lau Fares

Lau Fares captured me from the get go with her vocals that mix emotional depth and dynamic energy. She weaves love, loss and catharsis into a luminous sonic tapestry of sound in her songs. The way in which she combines expressive vocals, radiant synths and powerful instrumentation captures both the ache of heartbreak and the hope of renewal.

Another strong aspect of Lau Fares’ music is the way in which her vocal performances bring together raw intensity and heartfelt emotion, mingling love and loss with passion and need. Her voice is warm, enfolding and unmistakably emotive as it soars and caresses. her performances embody the struggles and triumphs of human connection.

I've always appreciated the way in which Lau Fares fearlessly explores complex relationships In her songs. Her themes range from toxic ties to the challenges of love at a distance. Yearning melodies and throbbing basslines capture the push-and-pull of desire while dynamic synth solos and intricate guitar often amplify the emotional arcs.

There is something elemental in the way that Lau Fares captivates me. Despite the overt retrowave feeling in her tracks, her fusion of sound and emotion resonates deeply, producing a satisfying and transformative musical experience.

Elevate The Sky

My first experience With Elevate the Sky’s music exerted a powerful pull because of his expressive passion and his deeply heartfelt vocals that convey both strength and vulnerability.

Elevate the Sky crafts detailed synthscapes, blending retro aesthetics with modern flair to transport listeners on an emotional journey. From gentle caresses to soaring intensity, his voice becomes a vessel of yearning and triumph, evoking hope and resilience.

I am also a fan of the way in which Elevate the Sky uses rich, retro-inspired instrumentation— including pounding '80s drums, glowing synths and dynamic guitar solos— to immerse listeners in an engaging auditory experience. All of the elements add depth and diversity, creating an intriguing, broad sonic palette.

Elevate the Sky’s songwriting often embodies feelings of hope and triumph as it uplifts, energizes and inspires. His songs exude positivity, resilience and the triumph of light over darkness, creating an exhilarating sense of adventure. I also enjoy the way in which his songs unfold as journeys of emotional exploration.

The fact that Elevate the Sky also collaborates with a wide variety of artists further enhances his music, as they all add harmony and warmth. Elevate the Sky delivers a nostalgic yet timeless blend of emotive storytelling and vibrant sound, a true celebration of music’s transformative power.

Montse Torres

Ever since I first discovered her, I've appreciated the way in which Montse Torres crafts music that immerses listeners in a narrative-driven world. I find her emotional depth and rich sonic textures captivating. She explores themes of resistance, memory and human resilience against the dehumanizing forces of a technological dystopia.

Her instrumental sophistication is another reason why I so enjoy Montse Torres’ music. Her dynamic range creates tension and intrigue, underscoring her storytelling’s emotional weight. Her music often pairs modern electronic elements with organic sounds like the koto, xylophone or soaring electric guitar solos, adding nuance to her synthscapes.

I enjoy the way in which Montse Torres delves into the struggle between humanity and technology, capturing both defiance and hope. She looks at the resistance against technological dehumanization and the power of love and emotion.

I’m compelled by her focus on preserving human connection and feeling. Her tracks unfold like cinematic stories, set against dystopian cityscapes where love and memory act as beacons of resistance.

The way in which Montse Torres’ music combines emotive elements with atmosphere balances haunting melancholy with glimmers of light. Her layered, evolving soundscapes carry me on a journey of introspection, defiance and hope in the face of looming darkness.

LukHash

I’ve always found LukHash’s blend of digital nostalgia, grandeur, and emotional depth particularly intoxicating. The way in which he draws from 8-bit and chiptune elements evokes the early era of computer music with bubbling chip sounds, spiky digital landscapes and grungy computerized textures. These retro influences are intertwined with modern synth mastery, where glowing, lissome tones bend and twist, majestic melodies soar and broad notes dance with an air of adventure.

I find LukHash’s mixture of kinetic energy and motion quite compelling. Propulsive basslines and massively punching drums drive the low end with explosive speed while sharp-edged rhythms and bouncing synths create a dynamic sense of uplift. His melodies can express moods and feelings moving through dark majesty and aching emotion to dreamy tranquility.

My ears are pleased by the atmosphere and emotion permeating the music, painting vivid scenes of cyberpunk adventures, dangerous digital worlds and shadowy landscapes. The interplay between light and dark is Something that LukHash does well is contrasting gleaming, noble synths with the gritty elements, balancing uplifting triumph with lurking tension.

Ultimately LukHash’s mixture of digital nostalgia, majestic drama, and kinetic intensity creates music that’s powerful, evocative and richly textured.

Sunesis

I am deeply compelled by the way in which Sunesis creates profound musical experiences by blending emotionally Impactful storytelling with Textural soundscapes. I am touched by the way in which her vulnerable, tender vocals tremble with emotion and By her lyrics that explore themes of love, longing, and loss. This emotional depth is complemented by the duality of melancholy and hope, reflecting the complexity of human experiences.

The defining factors that draw me to Sunesis’ sound are its galactic tranquility, stellar glow, and spaced-out environments. Her music has a sense of immensity, transporting listeners to celestial realms. Layers of shimmering, twinkling synths intertwine with gigantic bass and solidly pounding drums, creating dynamic contrasts that ground the ethereal with rhythmic vitality.

Sunesis also has a beautiful touch for evoking flowing sensations. Her music’s rippling motion and gliding notes mirror the emotional journey embedded within. The interplay of light and shadow, desolation and warmth emphasizes the transformative nature of the songs, where struggles resolve into moments of clarity and connection.

By weaving together lush instrumental textures, cosmic imagery, and heartfelt vocals, Sunesis offers a cinematic and introspective auditory experience. Each track becomes a journey through inner emotions and vast, otherworldly realms, resonating deeply with me.

Aisle 9

The way in which Aisle 9 mingles superb production quality, enchanting guitar playing and richly layered synthesizer tapestries immediately makes him one of my favourite synth artists today. I am enamoured of the way in which he uses intricate guitar, complex synth sounds and Intertwining notes to weave an intricate and immersive tapestry Is deeply enjoyable.

I am touched by the way in which emotion flows deeply through Aisle 9’s melodies. Haunting delicacy meets uplifting encouragement, Coming together into tunes that resonate with nostalgia, hope and a tinge of melancholy. Each track carries an aching expressiveness, bringing together loss and yearning while maintaining a sense of forward motion and optimism.

Aisle 9 has a superb sound defined by dynamic and textural layers. Powerful basslines, ethereal synth strings and airy chords interlace with punchy drums and vibrant melodies that sail effortlessly through the compositions. Sharp bursts of rhythm and digitally flickering notes add texture, while The artist's solos emphasize moments of free-flowing, joyful energy.

There's a deep atmospheric quality about the artist's music that lends it additional depth and engaging power. I find myself moved by his soundscapes. Aisle 9 creates a sound that is both grounded and otherworldly, carrying me on a deeply moving auditory journey.

Calida J

The way in which Calida J weaves a rich tapestry of emotions, blending themes of love, memory and self-discovery is charming to me.Her compelling Strength as they explore the complexity of human relationships, touching on longing, heartbreak and reconciliation. Her Writing explores the tension between closeness and separation, often framing these emotions with a sense of unfulfilled longing.

Nostalgia and remembrance are central motifs, evoked through Strong imagery and songwriting that captures intense feelings. many of her songs acknowledge the impermanence of cherished moments, while also celebrating their impact.Calida J Also explores personal transformation, balancing the heartache of past experiences with optimism and resilience.

Her frequent collaborator, Fonz Tramontano, weaves his own magic, using his synth skills to evoke cosmic glow, diamond galaxies and velvet night. He creates an otherworldly atmosphere, emphasizing Calida J’s intense and grabbing performances.

Another reason why I so enjoy Calida J is the way in which her emotionally expressive vocals amplify her storytelling, she can deliver aching emotion and pure soul with trembling vulnerability or defiant power.

Through her heartfelt narratives, introspection and evocative melodies, I am struck by the way in which Calida J invites listeners on a transformative journey, exploring love, loss and the human condition with profound sincerity and hope.

Beckett

Beckett’s music always seizes me as he fuses nostalgia and rhythmic energy, blending retro influences with contemporary flair. With his smooth, funky grooves and a retro-tastic production style, his sound is heartfelt and sharp, rooted in synth-based melodies that pay homage to genres from classic video game music and Japanese city pop.

I’m entranced by Beckett’s voice as it glides effortlessly through sultry, smooth tones and gritty intensity, full of captivating versatility. I also enjoy his diverse instrumentation like funky slap bass, layered synth, jazzy guitar solos and talkbox effects. He creates an immersive experience that’s equal parts playful and sophisticated. I also find Beckett’s knack for catchy melodies and fun synth solos to be deeply pleasing.

His collaborations are another reason that I enjoy Beckett’s work with guest performances from artists like Luca Ricardo and Rachel Jones adding depth and variety. Each piece radiates atmosphere, conjuring imagery of city lights, cerulean skies or intergalactic adventures.

Beckett’s ability to seamlessly meld synthwave, funk, jazz fusion and city pop allows him to craft music that feels both timeless and fresh. The result is a soundscape that invites me to dance, dream and revel in a richly textured auditory journey.

Seersha

I find the way in which Seersha’s music skillfully combines excellent storytelling, dynamic instrumentation and lush soundscapes. Her explorations of empowerment, resilience and emotional complexity allow her to explore the highs and lows of love, loss and personal growth. She blends introspection with poetic imagery to create intense narratives.

Her silky, emotive voice is another reason why I enjoy Seersha so much. Her vocals are aching, wistful and dynamic, as they pull me into the heart of her storytelling. Seersha’s vocals, often complemented by collaborators like Juan Cezar from Frisky Monkey, add depth and contrast to her sound, creating a harmonious blend of styles and tones.

I also enjoy the way in which Seersha's backing music features layered synths, undulating basslines and bursting drums. She uses textures such as shimmering chimes and glowing sonic waves to generate ethereal atmospheres while throbbing beats and oscillating rhythms provide a powerful undercurrent. Guitars, saxophones and even panpipes further enhance the dynamic and immersive experience.

In the end, it's the blend of resilience and vulnerability in Seersha’s music that most attracts me to it. She layers intricate soundscapes with heartfelt vocals and introspective lyrics. I find her music deeply pleasing for the way in which it invites me into a world of emotional exploration and sonic sophistication.

STYGIAN RUIN - A Violent Egress

Written By Chris Magdalenski

Soundtrack to a Burning Sky: A Review of A Violent Egress by Stygian Ruin

There's a world where those that worship the old gods succeeded. The fruits of their blood rites ripening on a tree of sacrifice, only to come crashing to Earth in unspeakable glory. Monstrous terrors released laying waste to everything within a tentacles reach.

Oslo's Stygian Ruin brings the darkness of that world to life with their latest release A Violent Egress. Comprised of two tracks that clock in at around 40 minutes total, the album is nothing short of an epic journey through a post-apocalyptic hellscape.

Like their previous releases, the music is darkly beautiful. Masterfully orchestrated with multiple layers of sonic texture to uncover though repeat listenings.

The vocals are a character by themselves. They lurk in the depths of the mix, guttural growls that emerge from the grinding guitars and sinister synths with all the menace of an eldritch creature.

This is mood music for the end of days, and I offer that as the highest of compliments. With five previous releases to explore I'm just getting acquainted with this band. I highly recommend you do the same.

For more, visit https://stygianruin.bandcamp.com/