Chuck Howard's Album Reviews
Singularity is absolutely perfect from beginning to end. The auditory spectrum is wider than any recording I think I've ever head. I discover something different every time I listen to it and feel more and more connected to the recording every time I hear it. I'd love to review every song, but AllMusic.co
1. Singularity - The distorted synth melody during the intro sets the tone for the recording. The way it weaves in and out during the arpeggiated sequence sets the album's mood in motion. The transition to the more aggressive beat and bassline at 4:30 with the high pitched vocal weirdness is mesmerizing. The subtle build-ups utilizing overblown clipping was an unexpected, but mind-blowing approach at the end of the track
2. Emerald Rush - One of the more unique and beautiful tracks on the album. The way Jon varies the tempo of the arpeggio synth with the dynamic nature of the piano part is super tasty. That doesn't account for the subtle, but noticeable pads and synth idiosyncrasies sitting on top of these noticeable parts. This track is reminiscent of Open Eye Signal with the way his chording plays with leading tones. It has the same depth and ambiance without feeling redundant. There's an otherworldly beauty to the vocal-style track throughout. Listen for how he subtly begins swinging the beat at 4:20. I've never heard anything like it.
3. Everything Connected - Love the transition of Neon Pattern Drum to this song. Hearing this for the first time made me realize this has got to be a concept album. Once I realized this, I began hearing the entire recording differently. Jon's use of reverb, delay, and distortion at the 1:50 point gave me chills. The beat and triplet bassline from 4:00 on is rude and with the ambient pad/melody sitting on top of it. Gorgeous. The transition that takes place at 5:30 with the weird bass modulation effect before the high hats come in to add that extra layer of funkiness is…smh. This album is amazing. Just when you don't think the song could get any more unpredictable, he destroys you with the beat from 7:00 to the end of the track with one of the most beautiful, most dynamic outros I've ever heard.
6. COSM - This is without a doubt my favorite track on the recording. It has the most depth and mind-bending properties. It takes a bit to establish itself, but when taken into context with the entirety of the album, it makes perfect sense. Especially when you listen to the reverbed pads that mimic each note. That's what's mind-blowing about this album is that each listen reveals a layer you didn't hear the first time you listened to it. At 1:40 the melody established a rhythm and the bass drum comes in to satisfy
7. Echo Dissolve -Very painful and sad piece. Definitely deviates from the rest of the recoding, but may grow on me and make more sense within context of the entire album as I continue listening to it. For now, it's skippable and definitely my least favorite track
So far, best album of 2018.
1. Singularity - The distorted synth melody during the intro sets the tone for the recording. The way it weaves in and out during the arpeggiated sequence sets the album's mood in motion. The transition to the more aggressive beat and bassline at 4:30 with the high pitched vocal weirdness is mesmerizing. The subtle build-ups utilizing overblown clipping was an unexpected, but mind-blowing approach at the end of the track
2. Emerald Rush - One of the more unique and beautiful tracks on the album. The way Jon varies the tempo of the arpeggio synth with the dynamic nature of the piano part is super tasty. That doesn't account for the subtle, but noticeable pads and synth idiosyncrasies sitting on top of these noticeable parts. This track is reminiscent of Open Eye Signal with the way his chording plays with leading tones. It has the same depth and ambiance without feeling redundant. There's an otherworldly beauty to the vocal-style track throughout. Listen for how he subtly begins swinging the beat at 4:20. I've never heard anything like it.
3. Everything Connected - Love the transition of Neon Pattern Drum to this song. Hearing this for the first time made me realize this has got to be a concept album. Once I realized this, I began hearing the entire recording differently. Jon's use of reverb, delay, and distortion at the 1:50 point gave me chills. The beat and triplet bassline from 4:00 on is rude and with the ambient pad/melody sitting on top of it. Gorgeous. The transition that takes place at 5:30 with the weird bass modulation effect before the high hats come in to add that extra layer of funkiness is…smh. This album is amazing. Just when you don't think the song could get any more unpredictable, he destroys you with the beat from 7:00 to the end of the track with one of the most beautiful, most dynamic outros I've ever heard.
6. COSM - This is without a doubt my favorite track on the recording. It has the most depth and mind-bending properties. It takes a bit to establish itself, but when taken into context with the entirety of the album, it makes perfect sense. Especially when you listen to the reverbed pads that mimic each note. That's what's mind-blowing about this album is that each listen reveals a layer you didn't hear the first time you listened to it. At 1:40 the melody established a rhythm and the bass drum comes in to satisfy
7. Echo Dissolve -Very painful and sad piece. Definitely deviates from the rest of the recoding, but may grow on me and make more sense within context of the entire album as I continue listening to it. For now, it's skippable and definitely my least favorite track
So far, best album of 2018.
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