Browsing Tag

Soundtrack

Tact rendered ‘Catharsis’ in their neo-classic homage to human resilience

Posted on 15 July 2024

Tact, led by the visionary Franco Tartaglia, has earned a revered reputation for kindling their compositions with heightened emotion since their 2009 formation. With their latest jazz-infused neo-classic soundtrack, Catharsis, they reached the pinnacle of evocative poignancy while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.

Ensuing from a diaphanously ornate feat of cultivated ambience, the instrumental arrangement, as suggested by its name, leads the listener over the brink of emotional release through a strikingly thematic crescendo of jazz-instilled rhythmic complexity.

Leading up to the crescendo, the delicate touch of minor key piano notes hit deep, stirring the senses before the addition of fluid, finger-picked classical guitars injects palpable warmth into the piece. Wordlessly, the piece reflects the often-overlooked beauty within humanity; our ability to physically, psychologically, and spiritually endure atrocity in the tumultuous human experience and take it within our stride.

Catharsis stands as a vibrant testament to the band’s journey and evolution; recorded at Temple Studios and accompanied by a film crafted by Kenneth Scicluna and Klara Vassallo, the release is the ultimate homage to inner strength and dignity.

Stream the official video for Catharsis on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Primary Phase Principle has unveiled their cerebral post-industrial fable, The Subdued Mechanist

Posted on 12 June 2024

Taken from the debut EP, Echoes of the Mechatronic Age, the standout post-industrial electronica score, The Subdued Mechanist, from the Winnipeg-hailing solo artist, The Primary Phase Principle, paradoxically pacifies the senses while heightening emotions to such a visceral extent, it is almost primal.

The concept EP implants listeners in a fictional civilisation which depends on a universal mechanism they can no longer fully understand to deliver the ultimate parable of the AI-dominated future we are sleepwalking into.

The atmospherically filmic ambience of The Subdued Mechanist cerebrally alludes to Orson Welles’ belief that there is no confidence equal to sheer ignorance; it’s a liberating, quasi-Stoic score that holds a mirror to humanity and its willingness to evolve beyond its own comprehension.

By pouring influence of NIN, How to Destroy Angels and Tangerine Dream through a science fiction lens, The Primary Phase Principle unlocked the narrative power of post-industrial. He has a superlative gift in his ability to chronicle immersive fables simply through juxtapositions of harsh mechanical synthetics and crystalline flashes of enlightenment. His EP is so much more than just another addition to the airwaves, it’s a beacon of higher consciousness.

Stream The Subdued Mechanist on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Victor Moreno delivered nyctophoria with his original film score, Ascend All Night

Posted on 9 May 2024

Victor Moreno’s original film score, Ascend All Night, opens an unflinchingly scenic aural space; he takes a score- opulent in emotion, yet aligned with a sense of unease -past the usual remits of neo-classical into a disquieting sci-fi territory that slips away from gravity.

Thick with unsettling intrigue, akin to a dark corridor you ache to explore, Ascend All Night unravels a nyctophile’s sonic dream by painting a twilight canvas in an ocean of depth which rushes forward into the static of intercepted radio signals before moving past them into the depth of the unknown.

Celebrated for his refined compositions, Moreno has a background enriched by his time at the Swedish Center of Electroacoustic Music and Sound Art. His collaborations with figures like Oliver Ackermann and Wolfgang Tillmans, and his reuniting with sound engineer Rupert Clervaux—who has worked with Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized—bolstered the polished audial textures that define this score.

This evocative piece, central to the narrative of the short art film Ascend All Night, crescendos through a rapture of rich textures, blending piano, violins, synthesisers, and the irreplicable draw of Spanish acoustic guitar. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, or Thom Yorke, Moreno’s work has ensured that the short film is already making waves across the film festival circuit, promising a vivid journey for audiences everywhere.

Stream the original film score here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Didier Recloux painted what it means to be human in an inhumane world in his cinematic score, First Walk

Posted on 21 April 2024

Didier Recloux’s single, First Walk, from the album Monsieur Linh and His Child, submerges listeners into a sombre, war-torn universe, showcasing humanity’s struggle against unimaginable atrocities. This profound composition, hailing from a Belgian-born composer with roots deeply embedded in a rich musical lineage, speaks to the resilience and spirit of the human condition.

A veteran of various musical influences—from the progressive rock echoes of Maurice Jarre to the iconic cinematic scores of Ennio Morricone—Recloux’s work reflects a diverse palette of sounds and emotions. Having mastered multiple instruments and the art of orchestration, his compositions carry a unique signature that resonates with the mind, body and soul.

First Walk itself is a poignant reminder of this versatility. The orchestral arrangement, carefully cultivated under the tutelage of experts across continents, delicately weaves a tapestry of humanistic progressions that evoke deep emotional responses. The dual essence of purity and torment reverberates through the very core of the release, engaging the listener in a deeply immersive cinematic experience.

The crescendos, striking in their clarity and impact, build a pensive atmosphere that transcends mere auditory experience; they demand contemplation of what it truly means to endure in an inhumane landscape.

Stream the official music video for First Walk on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Delve into the digital abyss with Intonation Effigy’s harbingering journey, Artificial Intelligence

Posted on 6 April 2024

Intonation Effigy’s latest single, ‘Artificial Intelligence‘, composed by Keegan LaBrot, is a dark and harbingering journey into the underbelly of electronica. This cinematically dystopian instrumental release is larger than life in its encapsulation of the ever-lingering threat of AI’s inevitable domination.

The track is a masterclass in creating a disquieting and artfully disconcerting atmosphere. Intonation Effigy’s use of complex and glitchy time signatures is a sonic visualisation of the tumultuous epoch we are entering. The equilibrium between dark, bass-drenched synthetics and light, almost ethereal aesthetics is a testament to Intonation Effigy’s ability to emotionally round out his immersive productions. The track is a journey, not just through sound, but through the emotional landscape of a world grappling with the rise of artificial intelligence.

As the third single from this artfully profound visionary, ‘Artificial Intelligence’ establishes Intonation Effigy as an essential name to follow in the electronica scene. This track is more than a musical composition; it’s a statement, a reflection of our times, and a glimpse into a possible future dominated by AI. For fans of electronica looking for depth, complexity, and emotional resonance, ‘Artificial Intelligence’ by Intonation Effigy is a must-listen.

Artificial Intelligence dropped on March 19th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Let your imagination breathe in the woodland lore in Supernova Goldfish’s composition, Mystic Forest

Posted on 16 March 2024

Few modern orchestral pieces resonate with the vivid imagery and emotional depth of Supernova Goldfish’s ‘Mystic Forest‘. This single, a masterful blend of neo-classical composition and ornate folk elements, invites listeners into a realm where material reality slips away and imagination breathes freely.

Alexis Walter Blaess, the Argentine-American composer behind Supernova Goldfish, draws inspiration from luminaries like George Winston and Olafur Arnalds. He has a unique ability to instil awe and wonder into his productions which find opulent balances between worldly and introspective qualities.

Mystic Forest unravels as a reflection of the composer’s respect for nature; it shifts from the serenity of a sun-dappled glade to the subtle trepidation of unknown paths while encapsulating facets of woodland lore. The interplay of light and dark, the dance of trepidation-tinged and playful tones, all coalesce into a cinematic score that engulfs the listener in aural fantasy.

The release is a reminder of the enchanting power of music to transport us to places unseen, to touch the intangible, and to reconnect us with the natural world’s mystique.

Mystic Forest was officially released on March 1st; stream the soundtrack on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Martin Packwood wrapped his latest jazz fusion, Moonlight in Paris, in the warmth of the Parisian night

Posted on 15 March 2024

Martin Packwood’s latest single, Moonlight in Paris, is a scintillatingly smooth journey through the streets of jazz fusion, where every note feels like a step along the Seine under a starlit sky. This amorous installation unravels as a sensory expedition, wrapped in the warmth of a Parisian night.

Packwood’s guitar work, reminiscent of the bluesy soulfulness of Eric Clapton, intertwines effortlessly with the jazz keys. The bluesy guitar notes, like whispers of a distant love affair, meld with percussive fills that don’t just give the score structure, they fill Moonlight in Paris with anticipation.  Each progression in the track teases the listener not unlike the narrative arc of a classic romance.

The genius of Packwood lies in his ability to draw from a diverse palette of influences. His style, a confluence of Santana’s rhythmic mastery and the improvisational spirit of jazz, makes Moonlight in Paris a track that transcends mere auditory experience. It’s a piece that paints pictures, evoking the filmic aura of a David Lynch creation.

This release, following Packwood’s consistent contributions to the jazz-rock fusion domain, confirms his place as a sculptor of soundscapes rather than just a musician. Moonlight in Paris is a nocturnal stroll through the heart of jazz fusion, leaving listeners with a longing for just one more night in the city of lights.

Moonlight in Paris will officially release on March 15; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Supernova Goldfish narrated ‘Forgotten Love Stories’ in his orchestral score

Posted on 2 March 2024

Supernova Goldfish’s latest standout composition, Forgotten Love Stories, the opening single from the album Beautiful World, is a poignant exploration of the soul’s emotional depths. Alexis Walter Blaess, the Argentine-American composer behind the Supernova Goldfish moniker used the delicately compelling piece to capture experiences of Earth; not solely through a humanist view, but a deeply naturalistic one, by removing any sense of ego from the narrative.

The piece begins with tender piano keys, their softness mirrored by the gentle caress of orchestral strings. This introduction sets a tone of introspection, inviting listeners into a world where emotions are heard and felt. As the narrative unfolds, the tempo quickens, echoing the exhilaration and loss of inhibition which comes as a courtesy of affection.

Blaess, drawing inspiration from pianists like George Winston and film composers such as Dustin O’Halloran, crafted an intimately affecting composition through heart-stirring violins and a contemporary orchestra with an exotic vibe, adding layers of complexity to the piece.

The climax of the composition is a masterful depiction of the strife and wounds inherent in love and war. The music swells, capturing the intensity of these emotions before gradually resolving into a reflective calm, leaving listeners with a sense of catharsis. Blaess’s ability to convey moods and emotions through melodies is evident in every note.

Forgotten Love Stories will be available to stream on all major platforms from March 1st; stream it on SoundCloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pablo Laguna exposed the shadow side of neo-classical electronica in ‘Apnoea’

Posted on 28 February 2024

Madrid’s most striking composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Pablo Laguna, built on the foundation laid by the release of his 2019 debut album, Gradus Ad  Delirium, by unleashing his unnervingly commanding album, Is Not the Land, featuring the standout instrumental score, Apnoea. The haunting sonic narrative is a compelling dive into the depths of contemporary experimental music.

Born from the mind of a composer who seamlessly blends classical training with a punk ethos, Apnoea is a masterful fusion of neo-classical orchestral strings with unsettling electronic elements.

The disquietingly arrestive soundscape is far from the conventional cinematic neo-classical path; the horror elements are beyond Lynchian as they almost veer into baroque electronic folk territory. The synths quiver and shake as much as the electronic aesthetics to deliver a poignant reflection of our tumultuous times. Even with the jarring elements in this shadow side of neo-classical electronica, you can’t help but be hypnotised by the arcanely nefarious atmosphere.

Stream Pablo Laguna’s LP, Is Not the Land, in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Embrace the beauty and brutality of the human experience with Mirko Sangrigoli’s seminal neo-classic composition, Z

Posted on 17 February 2024

Mirko Sangrigoli’s latest single ‘Z‘, from his sophomore LP, is a cinematic instrumental emblem of his dual artistic identity. As a jazz musician and a composer of filmic soundtracks, Sangrigoli demonstrates his ability to straddle these worlds with finesse.

Z, the title single from his 2024 album, is a narrative of the complexities of our times, articulated through the eloquence of keys. The track begins with a sense of urgency, the piano keys dancing rapidly, evoking a sense of franticness that mirrors our chaotic epoch. Yet, there’s a method to the madness, which speaks to Sangrigoli’s jazz background. The improvisational feel of jazz is present, but it’s reined in, controlled, and purposeful.

As the piece progresses, it shifts into more reflective moments; these intersections are where Sangrigoli’s talent shines brightest. The transition from the frenetic to the contemplative interludes is seamless as they open a gateway to introspection, echoing the quieter moments in our own lives.

It’s a soundtrack for the ennui-inclined existential soul, capturing the beauty and brutality of the human experience. For those seeking a musical piece that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, ‘Z’ is a journey worth embarking on.

Z was officially released on January 31st; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast