“Parallax,” A Mesmerizing Foray into the World of Synthwave

Album Review: “Parallax” by Bending Grid

Written By: Dan Eachus

Bending Grid’s latest album, “Parallax,” is a mesmerizing foray into the synthwave genre, masterfully blending the nostalgia of 1980s sci-fi with cutting-edge electronic sounds. The album, spanning an ambitious twenty tracks and featuring a plethora of talented guest artists, takes listeners on an exhilarating journey through vibrant, pulsating worlds crafted from intricate synth patterns and evocative melodies.

From the opening track “Neon Heat,” featuring the lush vocals of Jolie, “Parallax” immediately transports the listener into a vividly cinematic soundscape. The arpeggiated synths and 80s-inspired percussion set the tone, encapsulating the essence of retro-futuristic aesthetics while infusing it with a modern twist. Jolie’s voice adds an ethereal quality to the track, making it a perfect introduction to the album’s overarching theme of exploring expansive realms both familiar and new.

Jolie’s contributions are significant throughout the album, especially on tracks like “Party In My Time Machine” and “Retrospace,” where her vocals are complemented by a soaring saxophone solo, adding a layer of emotional depth and nostalgia. Each collaboration on the album brings its unique flavor, enhancing the overall experience. Teya Flow’s haunting performance on “Vampires” introduces an atmospheric and darkwave influence, while Violet Fears delivers a captivating performance on “Lost In Space,” blending synthpop and alternative rock elements seamlessly.

Bending Grid’s production prowess shines through in every track, meticulously crafting each piece to create immersive and euphoric arrangements. The album’s soundscape is rich with layered synths, driving basslines, and melodies that paint vivid pictures of dystopian futures and interstellar adventures. The influence of iconic 1980s sci-fi films is palpable, yet “Parallax” remains fresh and contemporary, avoiding mere nostalgia by pushing the boundaries of the genre.

The conceptual depth of “Parallax” is one of its most impressive aspects. Bending Grid weaves a narrative through themes of technology, AI, and humanity, presenting a poignant exploration of the cosmic unknown. This thematic richness is supported by the dynamic contributions of the featured artists, each bringing their unique flair to the project. Notable collaborations include tracks with Roxi Drive, The Safety Word, and Lucy Dreams, each adding to the album’s eclectic and expansive sound.

Roxi Drive’s contribution on a cover track is particularly noteworthy, as she brings her distinctive 1980s-influenced synth-pop style, adding a layer of authenticity to the album’s retro-futuristic vibe. The Safety Word, an innovative electronic duo from Melbourne, blends dream pop, chillwave, and trip-hop influences into two original tracks, creating a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere that perfectly complements the album’s tone. Lucy Dreams, with their unique dreampop style and AI band member, adds a futuristic touch, making their collaboration a standout track.

Visually, “Parallax” is as striking as it is sonically. The album artwork and promotional visuals are designed to complement the music’s retro-futuristic vibe, enhancing the listener’s immersive experience. Bending Grid places significant emphasis on the visual aspect, ensuring that the imagery reflects the album’s themes and mood, making “Parallax” a multi-sensory journey.

The album’s production quality is impeccable, showcasing Bending Grid’s ability to create a cohesive and immersive sound. Each track is meticulously layered with intricate synth patterns, driving basslines, and evocative melodies that paint vivid pictures of dystopian futures and interstellar adventures. The influence of iconic 1980s sci-fi films is palpable, yet the album remains fresh and contemporary, avoiding mere nostalgia by pushing the boundaries of the genre.

“Parallax” boasts an impressive lineup of guest artists who have contributed their talents to create a vivid musical tapestry. Jolie, the headlining featured artist, known for her work in the Pop and EDM genres, adds her mesmerizing vocals to five original tracks and one cover song. Teya Flow, a talented Ukrainian pop artist and DJ, graces one original song and one cover on the album, while The Safety Word, an innovative electronic duo from Melbourne, Australia, contributes to two original tracks.

Roxi Drive, the British singer-songwriter and actress, known for her 1980s-influenced synth-pop tracks, lends her voice to one cover. Berzan Onen, a professional rock singer, songwriter, and vocal coach from Istanbul, Turkey, known for his extraordinary 4-octave vocal abilities and throat-singing, contributes to two original tracks. By Forever, an artist with over two decades of singing and songwriting experience, delivers his distinctive vocals in one original song.

Lucy Dreams, a unique dreampop duo from Vienna, Austria, blends their AI band member, Lucy, into one original track. Violet Fears, specializing in Synthpop and Alternative Rock, contributes their lead singer’s vocals to one original track, while KERO, an American electronic music artist recognized for his innovative take on the Synthwave genre, takes part in one original song. Gulsah Brett, a seasoned session vocalist with over 10 years of experience, records in her top-notch studio for major brands, and lends vocals for two original songs.

Bending Grid also draws in additional talent, making him a star collaborator. Andrew O’Halloran, a seasoned songwriter, producer, and engineer, collaborates with Bending Grid by co-writing lyrics for six songs. Zefear, the Ukrainian EDM sensation, enriches Bending Grid’s “Parallax” as a mixing engineer for two songs and delivers a killer guitar solo in “Hypersleep.” Kaarin Zoe Lee, a synthwave DJ, radio host, and public speaker, brings her dynamic narration to the original song “In Love With An Android.” Outshift, the Belarusian synthwave duo, mastered all twenty songs in Bending Grid’s “Parallax,” enhancing the experience for listeners.

Tyler Lyle, frontman of the hugely popular band “The Midnight,” lauds the music within as deeply resonant, seamlessly merging Bending Grid with the pulse of synthwave’s essence. His acclaim resounds: “This sounds awesome. You guys have done a great job.”

Overall, “Parallax” is a testament to Bending Grid’s artistic vision and technical prowess. It successfully bridges the gap between the nostalgic allure of 80s synthwave and the innovative edge of modern electronic music. For fans of the genre, “Parallax” offers a richly textured and emotionally resonant experience, cementing Bending Grid’s place as a formidable force in the synthwave landscape. The album promises to be a unique and captivating listening experience, solidifying its place as a significant contribution to the genre.

“Parallax” was released on May 3rd, 2024, and is now available on various music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. Lyric videos for the album are live on YouTube, in addition to two music videos. The album can be found on Spotify here.