A soft, recent fondness for Greyshadow Ruins had initial excitements lulled by the subdued nature of this tempered beast. Mountain Realm caught my ear for a shapely craft of Dungeon Synth venturing into the darker leanings of Fantasy themes with a meditative quality. Frostfall aptly achieves this again, yet to less fanfare with familiarity taking hold. This similarly structured set of short synth pieces is the quieter of the pair. Routinely drifting into glacial strides devoid of any urgency, a glum dankness steadies as its main thematic feeling, fit for the damp dark dungeon realms it ..read more

  As the Minecraft soundtrack series expands, its ability to have an impact on its own identity diminishes too. Three of our post-C418 musicians return for the lengthiest offering yet, delivering familiar tones and temperaments to their collective prior efforts. All new additions are welcome, yet only two tracks land with impact, meriting talking points. One fairly positive, the other dubiously negative. Both are record discs. Aaron Cherof's contribution's are inline with the smooth sailing of Trails & Tails' breezy charisma. Once again we ride gentle currents, as lush instrumentation ..read more

  Following up on Search Of True Ascendance, this next installment amends prior folly as a cohesive set of songs maintains an enchanting, spellbinding atmosphere throughout its stay. Steeped in mystique, a graceful venture through nostalgic realms teeters on spirituality as many melodies find moments of playful warmth intersecting with an Ethereal breeze. At its core, journey and adventure emote strongest, befitting of toned down VGM music, yet the Dungeon aesthetic and instrumental swells of curios composition lead these innocent tunes to grandiose themes. Opening with A Light From A Wor ..read more

Still lingering in the shadows cast by Woman, an eight year wait hasn't yielded much excitement. The Disco-Funk inspired French duo return crisp and clear with a tight production to dazzle with stunning aesthetic clarity. The record sounds utterly gorgeous, rich in texture and smoothness. Its samples croon and instruments strike with fidelity and groove. A sweet indulgence but that can only take it so far. Front loading the album with its best leaves a mediocre trail of songs experimenting with overt influences. Thumping dancefloor Disco sensibility, jolting Funk grooves, flushes of Progressi ..read more

  Hopefully paving the path to a new record, German outfit Chaosbay have been dropping singles, now wrapped into this three track EP. Showcasing the next iteration of their high-octane Djent Metalcore fusion, a familiar epic of soaring sharp vocal crescendo over the shimmer of dense guitar chords reigns supreme between some plunges of aggression. Money, a collaboration with We Are Pigs, is thee fruitful affair here. Effeminate vocals unite for a catchy chorus hook that predictably swings for the fences with its preceding dirty breakdown. Its swift looping structure and screamed conclusion ..read more

  The allure of Dungeon Synth has sunk in its claws again! Bestowed by the Spotify shuffle, Hidden Scriptures caught my ear. An esoteric passing spell, dream swept and hazy, its layering of mystic melodies keenly reminiscent of classic Trolldom had sucked me in for more. I'd actually passed on Paths Of The Eternal's first demo years back. I'm here now and adoring its meditative qualities, an ancient spooky synth with spiritual qualities that warmly arise from its nostalgic foundations. I have a particular fondness for its opening A Mystic Premonition that deploys virtual instruments disti ..read more

  I've become fairly accustom with a side of Floridian rapper Denzel through Spotify's artist shuffle. Tilted to my tastes, I've heard my preferred tracks from many albums rotated extensively. Melt My Eyez is my first time getting stuck in with a full record. I'm struck by how broad a scope Curry strikes within the Hip Hop sphere. Often steered by his guest features, Denzel leans into the Trap, Mumble and Pop influenced tunes where his presence diminishes. An autotune drenched T-Pain on Troubles, a cast of feisty features on the following Ain't No Way, a youthful high pitched hook from 45 ..read more

  From the outset The Fear Of Fear expresses itself as a heavier incarnation, casting aside the delicate yet persuasive balance of intricate Etheral aesthetics that graced the moody lulls of its successor Eternal Blue. In what feels like two steps back, Spiritbox trade in their originality for trendy heavy tropes and poppy song structures that are all to familiar. When leaning into aggression and brutality, the sways of exuberant Djent abuse takes hold. Slams, breakdowns and stomps arrive throttled and ferocious but tend to swallow up the intricate details other instrumentation offers fro ..read more

  Befitting of its mellow breezy aesthetic, Things To Keep Alive navigates through soothing, strolling tempos keen on a dissecting introspection of ones present situation. Direct and unambiguous, Kennedy's lyrics warms the heart ache and pains to the positive powers of reflection. Its felt instrumentally first, a steady current sails buoyant, soaked in the glow of effortless sunny skies. The tang of surfing guitar licks over simple drum grooves croons in gentle optimism. Whimsical melodies and softly Ethereal reverberations anchoring a little melancholic sour with the sanguine sweet. Occa ..read more

Somehow once deaf to their charm, I initially passed on Eternal Blue. Returning now a few years later, I've cracked what in retrospect seems so obvious. Music can be a mysterious beast at times but familiarity is often its remedy. Burning these songs into my consciousness, Singer Courtney LaPlante emerges the anchor. Her clean voice sails through turbulence, resolute and ascending. With a firm and graceful tone, she cuts through tensions with swooning melodies and hooks that shape up akin to Dream Pop. On the flip side, I found her throaty Hardcore leaning scream aesthetic less charming. Caug ..read more