Edictum – A Cosmic Scale (Album Review)

Edictum – A Cosmic Scale (Album Review)

Written By: Dan Eachus

Release Date: March 28, 2025
Genre: synthwave / spacewave

Introduction

For years, Synthwave artist Edictum has been regarded as one of the genre’s most forward-thinking composers, pushing the boundaries of retrofuturistic soundscapes while staying true to the nostalgic core that defines Synthwave. With A Cosmic Scale, Edictum delivers an awe-inspiring sonic odyssey that transcends simple homage, crafting a vast and deeply conceptual experience rooted in both scientific and musical theory. The album’s title alone suggests grandeur—a journey through the universe where the eight planets serve as the eight notes of a scale. Drawing from both the astronomical and cultural mythology of these celestial bodies, the album channels the legacy of Gustav Holst’s The Planets while forging its own distinct identity, utilizing contrast and texture to shape an immersive interstellar voyage. I was tasked to write this several months ago, but to wait until closer to the release day to publish it. I have been overjoyed with excitement to share this with you all, and now I get to do so!

Let us begin….

The Grand Voyage Begins: Astral Guide

The album opens with Astral Guide, an introduction that establishes the tonal foundation for what’s to come. Ethereal synth pads rise and expand, evoking the endless cosmos, while cinematic layers of reverb-laden arpeggios weave a sense of anticipation. The track is less about propulsion and more about immersion, creating the sensation of drifting weightlessly into the great unknown. There’s a palpable sci-fi quality here, reminiscent of Vangelis’ Blade Runner score but with a more contemporary, club-friendly structure. It’s a mesmerizing start that invites the listener to embark on the journey ahead.

Solar Flares – A Celestial Inferno

If Astral Guide is the launch into space, Solar Flares is the moment one encounters the raw, untamed energy of the sun. The track is a pulsating force of nature, blending soaring melodies with a relentless undercurrent of bass that mimics the violent eruptions of solar activity. Edictum expertly captures the dual nature of the sun—its life-giving warmth and its destructive potential. The track features dramatic crescendos and moments of near silence, mimicking the erratic bursts of energy expelled by solar flares. It’s a powerful, almost overwhelming composition that demands to be felt as much as heard.

Mercury – The Winged Messenger: Synthwave Meets Drum’n’Bass

With Mercury – The Winged Messenger, Edictum introduces one of the most unique compositions on the album. By adopting a tempo of 173.6 BPM—an inspired choice derived from astronomical data—the track fuses Synthwave aesthetics with the rapid-paced intricacies of Drum’n’Bass. The result is an electrifying, high-energy piece that embodies Mercury’s swift orbit around the sun. Glitchy percussion, rapid synth sequences, and airy leads give the track an effervescent quality, as if the listener is hurtling through space at breakneck speed. It’s a dynamic and exhilarating contrast to the album’s more contemplative moments.

Venus, The Bringer of Peace – A Nostalgic Embrace

If Solar Flares represents chaos, Venus, The Bringer of Peace is its tranquil counterpart. This track leans into warm, lush synth textures, conjuring an atmosphere of harmony and optimism. There’s a subtle nod to the golden age of space exploration, a time when the cosmos felt like an inviting frontier rather than an unattainable abyss. The progression unfolds with patience, allowing melodies to breathe and evolve organically. It’s a love letter to an era when humanity looked toward the stars with hopeful wonder, encapsulating the softer, more romantic side of cosmic exploration.

Gaia, The Bringer of Life – The Earth’s Anthem

Breaking from Holst’s planetary cycle, Edictum introduces Gaia, The Bringer of Life as an essential narrative addition. The piece begins with sparse, tentative notes, reflecting the early formation of Earth. Slowly, layers accumulate, building in intensity until they reach an exuberant crescendo, mirroring the Cambrian explosion and the unstoppable force of life’s emergence. The track is structured like an evolutionary arc, from its quiet origins to its triumphant peak. It stands as one of the album’s most emotionally resonant moments—a testament to the miracle of life itself.

Blue Moon – Longing for the Night Sky

Blue Moon captures a duality of emotions: awe at the universe’s beauty and sorrow for the fading clarity of the stars due to light pollution. The track alternates between hopeful, uplifting progressions and melancholic harmonies, encapsulating both wonder and wistfulness. Edictum employs a triplet groove, blending elements of Outrun and melodic house, adding a hypnotic sway that reinforces the sensation of gazing up at the sky in quiet reflection. It’s one of the album’s most poetic pieces, striking a balance between nostalgia and forward-thinking sound design.

Mars, The Bringer of War – A Cyberpunk Reinterpretation

Edictum takes a bold approach with Mars, The Bringer of War, veering into Cyberpunk territory to reimagine the relentless nature of battle. Instead of directly borrowing from Holst’s infamous composition, Edictum channels its raw intensity through a dystopian lens. The track’s distorted vocal samples, ominous bass growls, and industrial synth stabs create an atmosphere of impending doom. War is not glorified here—it is depicted as an unrelenting, mechanized force, where humanity is lost in the shadows of conflict. It’s a harrowing yet masterfully executed piece.

Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity – Grand, Playful, and Danceable

The mood shifts dramatically with Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity, a track that radiates pure exuberance. Built around a bright 12/8 rhythm, the composition feels celebratory, drawing on Holst’s themes while transforming them into a danceable Synthwave anthem. There’s a delightful playfulness in the shifting time signatures, as if Jupiter itself is dancing along with the music. It’s a moment of pure joy, a reminder that even in the vastness of space, there is room for mirth and festivity.

Saturn and Beyond – The Album’s Expansive Closing Chapters

From here, the album takes a more introspective turn. Saturn unfolds in a mesmerizing 6/8 waltz, mirroring the planet’s celestial elegance and its mysterious hexagonal storm. The layers of synths cascade like Saturn’s countless rings, creating a sense of grandeur and infinite complexity.

Uranus continues this trend but injects a sense of unpredictability—rhythms shift constantly, mirroring the planet’s tilted and eccentric rotation. It’s a lively, restless composition that never settles, keeping the listener on their toes.

Neptune, The Mystic is a fittingly enigmatic closer, drenched in icy reverbs and haunting choirs. The track moves at an unhurried pace, embodying the deep space isolation that defines Neptune’s distant orbit. It’s both majestic and unsettling, a final farewell before the album reaches its conclusion.

Kuiper Belt – A Cosmic Coda

While Pluto may have been demoted, the Kuiper Belt serves as a worthy final piece in Edictum’s grand cosmic scale. Chaotic yet structured, this track captures the essence of countless celestial bodies drifting at the edge of the solar system. It’s a swirling, kinetic finale—neither triumphant nor tragic, but rather a reminder that the cosmos continues its eternal dance, indifferent yet mesmerizing.

Final Thoughts

What can I say……A Cosmic Scale is nothing short of a masterpiece. Edictum has crafted an album that is both deeply intellectual and emotionally compelling, balancing scientific inspiration with raw musicality. Every track contributes to a grand narrative, forming a journey that rewards repeated listens. This isn’t just an album—it’s a voyage through space, time, and the vast landscapes of the human imagination. A triumph for Synthwave and a defining moment in Edictum’s career.  I have been sitting on this review for a few months now, eagerly awaiting the proper time to release it…and that time is NOW.  Go grab your copy of this amazing album TODAY.

BUY IT HERE: https://edictum.bandcamp.com/album/a-cosmic-scale

Available on vinyl too!