Synth Single Review: Starlust by Neon Highway

Review by Karl Magi

Neon Highway’s Starlust is an exploration across the stars. The track starts as a match is lit and ethereal sounds trickle past while a swelling bass pulse rumbles below. Distant, metallic sounds slowly circle as a piano trembles with a melancholy, shadowy melody into the vast depths.

Smoother, lighter synthesizer twinkles and rebounds as the drums shape the music. The synthesizer has a serenity and delicacy that I feel contrasts well with the mournful piano. I also want to add that I like the cover artwork’s theme and it’d be great to see a collaboration with an artist to further develop it.

A string-like synthesizer slips past, carrying a melody that aches and caresses, while the drums continue shaping the track. Filigreed chimes spill out starry illumination as they twist and the piano chords add strength and darker emotion.

A feeling of loss tinged with sadness fills the piano, while the synthesizer strings emanate gossamer sensations and the drums and bass keep pulsing. As the track ends, notes that glitter like far-off stars move above the bass, which adds a void-deep sensation.

Synth Single Review: “The King of Miami’’ by LAU

Review by Karl Magi

LAU’s The King of Miami hints at an inevitable downfall, with retribution looming. An acoustic guitar strums as the giant bass surges and flashing chords fly past. LAU speaks the Spanish opening and the English lyrics emphasize that darkness. A siren howls as the leaping low end moves with sharp chimes and LAU’s powerful, expressive voice captures the shadow and threat in the lyrics.

Brassy notes trumpet out as metallic chimes ring while the undulating bass growls. LAU captures all of the story’s power with her luscious voice while the drums keep guiding the music. A Spanish guitar twinkles and the chorus erupts with strength and shadow while the bass heaves and the chimes flicker. The horn section has a bright retort while the drums and bass press on.

I enjoy the way in which LAU delivers her performance, while the spoken-word part is touched by Spanish guitar. The bass thuds and Brian Skeel’s electric guitar solo flies, dynamic and intricate, as the low end pushes forward. Again, the chorus explodes, climbing above the brassy notes and chimes as the track’s heartbeat throbs. As the song comes to an end, the passion reaches a fever pitch before silence falls.

The narrator says in Spanish, "This business has no name. Killing your own men—blood is on your hands. You feel cornered." She adds that the song's subject wouldn't tell his mother, "how you're killing for power," as she points out that he's the king of Miami and "you're burning it with fire."

Our storyteller says that the song's subject has a "power addiction, like a game of cards," as he chooses who lives and who dies. She adds that "private jets and ammunition really can't take you that far."

Now, the narrator says that the main character buys politicians and pays off the police. She adds that "a little immunity can't help a god," as she points out that he'll get retribution "but for now, you gotta try to hide the cash in offshore accounts." She concludes by saying that the song's subject has "no remorse," while he creates enormous pain that keeps getting worse and worse.

Synth Single Review: Dead Serious by Magic Sword

Review by Karl Magi

Magic Sword’s Dead Serious radiates victorious menace as it unfolds. The track begins as the intimidating bass rises and expands outward into echoing space. A rapidly exploding, bursting drum beat shatters as the colossal bass moves. Arpeggios with slicing edges trickle as the tremendously heaving low end presses on. Brass-like synth rises with triumphant strength, towering above the pulsing drums and dense bass.

Dark nobility pours from the brass section as arpeggios flicker past. The delicately shimmering notes rush as the slashing bass thunders and trumpeting notes call out and fade. The low end is ferocious as laser-like warning sounds leap in rhythmic motion, the drums and bass bursting with each quick pulse while the nervous arpeggios spin. Now the track glides into a segment in which a gently glimmering synth cries out with dramatic strength as a rising howl echoes.

The massive drums rebound while the dramatic, string-like flashes intertwine. I enjoy this track's weight and shadowy majesty as the brass section rises with victorious luminosity while the low end shatters below. I also want to comment on the artwork, which fits the track's theme well, but it’d be cool to see a collaboration with an artist. As the track draws to a close, elevated sounds scream and fragile notes trickle with crystalline light.

A quickly sweeping sound moves before a violin winds out, carrying a rapidly dancing, intense melody to commence Dead Serious (MALO Remix). The colossal bass is still apparent from the original, but now a full choir cries out with dramatic energy while the string section arcs with brilliance.

A rough-edged, towering and effulgent synth shines above the reverent choir as the violin continues to move in angular lines. Ferociously gleaming synth and a rapidly ramping-up, warning sound now move above the threatening bass that heaves with tectonic power as the drums collide.

Wind sweeps and the string section calls out with melancholy and grace while the violin continues to slice in sharp-edged lines.The massive weight of the orchestra cries out, creating cinematic drama that draws me in. Brassy notes move above the crushing bass weight and now the choir lets loose with a chanting pulse that matches the battering drums.

A tightly winding sound rockets forward as the apocalyptic choir screams a warning. Wobbling sounds move as the broken beats and ominous bass thunder. Unstoppable strength fills this remix as it hits hard and the strings add underlying warmth to the churning muscle around them. The track ends on a piano carrying a fragile melody out into silence.

Synth Single Review: “Infinite Ocean’’ by Aisle 9

Aisle 9’s Infinite Ocean is an evocation of the beauty and atmosphere of the ocean. The track starts as massively throbbing drums move with a smoothly brilliant synthesizer that washes in gliding waves as breathy air flows. The drums are strong but elegantly smooth as the bass pulses in long lines and worshipful vocal sounds drift. Refulgent chimes ring lightly, suffusing the music with a sunset glow, while the low end throbs on.

Unfurling, caressing synthesizer tendrils slip out into the flow of the music, waving like sea plants under the blue water. I breathe in, breathe out and can almost feel the salt air washing over my face as Aisle 9 evokes oceanic beauty. I also like the concept of the cover art but would be happy to see a future collaboration with an artist.

Vibrating, softly touching synthesizers shimmer and hover like mist across the water. The bright chimes evoke sunlight breaking through the haze to flicker on the water's surface. A rounded, easily slipping synthesizer extends in long planes, curling around me and moving past while the chimes dance with tender light and the drums shape the music. Now the track floats with consummate delicacy while the bass moves like the tide, inevitable and endless, while the sparkling chimes fade to silence.