#darkave

REVIEW(ed):

“Now a messenger comes from a place that has bled…”

‘CYNTHIA’ is the long awaited album from @qyburnmusic & my word, it’s been worth every day of its extended gestation.

The Los Angeles-based artist/producer/legit human Connor Strader invokes “some kind of ethereal dance paradise with an underbelly of sex and corruption lurking just beneath the surface” by tapping into his first loves of Genesis, Rush, Yes & Jethro Tull across a 9-track spread that seamlessly coalesces these proggers w/ a heavy penchant for goth’d out & dark_waving theatrics. 

“She Breathes” is the table setter that opens the album & legit sets the tone of what’s to go down over the next 8 tracks w/ it’s dulcet tones, prog_gothing & multiple sick ass sax solos…. while the title-track finds our “master necromance” holding court & spreading the dark word by dropping another banger ass track for his fellow conjurors that’s chockful of synthetic dread, ominous beauty & deeply plaintive tones

“Loose Lips” is a delightfully string laden & piano-led lead ditty that operates within the cosmos while the transfixing “Ruby Red” finds Strader bringing the cosmically spooked goods across 5 ½ mins of dialed-in & dark_waving ProgPop, where every foggy chant & crystalline synth hits hard AF.

Elsewhere “Succubus” lives up to its sinister namesake while “Carson of Venus” is just the late night comedown we needed as treated guitars set the bed for a passioned croon & “Letting Go” picks the BPMs the fuck up while sending us to the nearest darkened dance floor.

Closing things out in proper bookend fashion, “Mythic Dawn” brings an epic feel, one that truly does pay homage to these mystical prog heroes but also packs plenty of NewWave touchstones ala Real Life, Bowie & a club-ready beat while mixing in plenty of percolating synth & medieval organ all of which lay an ideal bed for Strader’s commanding (yet airy) vocal.

1st part of my DJ SET.

1. Walk In The Sky With Diamonds / Jad Wio

2. Death Disco / Exedra

3. Crazier Still / Alien Sex Fiend

4. Is This Sin? / The Veil

5. It’s Been A Long Time / Dead Or Alive

6. Lihaa / Kuudes Tunti

7. Where Sank One Million Ships / Escarlatina Obsessiva

8. Creep Show /Plastique Noir

9. Le Temps Des Serpents / Asylum Party

10. Jalousie Ennemie / Zurück Placenta

11. Whom Are You Dancing For? / Art Fact

12. Princess Reta /Madame Edwarda

13. Future Daze / G-Schmitt

14. Schlachtet! / Grauzone

15. Wounded Canvas / Chants Of Maldoror

16. Love Lasts Forever / Virgin Prunes

17. Man Of Time / Kas Product

18. Put It There / Princess Tinymeat