Mini-Review: Altersun's Videomemories Is Yet Another Great Sunlover Records Release
https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=736658345/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=333333/artwork=small/transparent=true/
I don't honestly know how they do it, but Sunlover Records consistently finds great artists and releases quality material. From their horrorsynth dog producer to Javarnanda to this newest Altersun release, each album they put out brings something entirely different to the table, so I really want to start this review out by commending them for their dedication to quality tunes. Sunlover Records...we salute you!
But let's cut to the chase. Altersun is a electronic music duo from Rome whose music glows with the neon-drenched sounds of the 80's. Their newest release, Videomemories, continues that trend and expands it even further with the addition of a female vocalist. As the title says, this is just going to be a quick mini-review of a few tracks, so here we go.
Astral
Those of you that regularly read my reviews know that I'm a sucker for chillwave...I like to think my heart beats in a downtempo rhythm. Astral has some incredible vibes to it. The pads are subtle yet provide an ethereal atmosphere that's just audible enough to transport the reader into a sonic dreamland; the bass doesn't overwhelm either, just floating in the background enough to keep time. If I'm being completely honest, I'm not a huge fan of the vocals on this track, but then again I'm more into the instrumental side of retrowave so I might be a bit biased
Dirty Tape
The title of this track says it all. This track keeps it grungy yet chill with that fuzzy tape glow we all know and love. The automation/lfo's on the pads is killer, the bass is rhythmic and groovy, the claps and percussion cut right through the mix and drive the energy forward. The standout part of this track for me was the lead synth that comes in around the 1:47 mark; the way that the synth alternates with the bells gives an emotional ending to Dirty Tape that makes you want to listen to it over again. Again, I have to be honest...I'm not a huge fan of the vocals but the instrumentation is gorgeous.
Videomemories
My favorite track on the album also happens to be the titular track. If you couldn't tell by my opinions of the previous two tracks, I'm not really vibing with the vocals on this album. That being said, Altersun has gone above and beyond on the instrumentation and composition. Videomemories is the perfect culmination of all the emotion and drive built up in the previous 8 songs and brings the album to a concrete end. There's no vocals on this track and instead the melody is entirely moved by synth-genius. While listening to it, I felt like I was watching the most gorgeous sunset slowly fall beneath the horizon. It's really quite a gorgeous track. I can't think of one thing even remotely critical to say about it so I'll just stick to letting you all know that you should listen to it ASAP.
While the vocals might not be for everyone, I would still highly recommend this record to anyone who loves the sounds of the 80's.
