Who is the man behind the mask? Electronic producer from the US and your imaginary friend he claims. He has been making music and released an album in 2012 and this is the first I’ve heard of him. His forte is EDM and despite me not recognizing his moniker, he did do a collaboration with ODESZA, who are one of my favorite groups and were my gateway into the EDM space and subgenres. Speaking of ODESZA, it does seem safe to say our masked crusader does seem to wear their mood and influences on his sleeve. He and his contemporaries are on the chill side of the spectrum and his current album Emotion Engine, seems to be consistent with the vibes. And this album does give good vibes no doubt. It does its purpose, that if one feels down in the dumps, then Engine pats you on the back and tries to lift you back up. It has these pleasant and sweet melodic hooks and choruses. The synth poppy album has sunny, airy production with expanded drums and uplifting lyrics too, as this sound has been done before. Despite it being done, I still recommend it! I’ve said before that good art makes you express emotions (positive or negative). There has been a lot of EDM that sounds too saccharine to the point that they sound like wallpaper. But here, I’ve enjoyed the majority of my stay at Emotion Engine.
It starts with “Memory Card” that is as epic as it is beautiful with its progression we crash through with these windy, jungle snares. It’s a welcome mat at the start of the album and Slow Magic establishes the atmosphere. Then we go into what sounds like a throwback to the 80s with these distant, punchy snares and drum machines in “Half Alive”. It already sounds like a bop and then comes Artemis Orion’s sweet, airy vocals that mesh well together alongside the percussion with her lyrics telling you to leave your worries by the doorstep. Listening to “Lost” struck a chord, as listening to Elohim on an EDM track sounds like it all sounds in place as it should be. As someone who listened to many tracks in the late 2010s it was nostalgic in a way and hearing her auto tuned, melancholic performance now is living proof that she didn’t lose that magic. “Celebrity” is an instrumental break with these choir vocal sample chops and drums that transitions into “Need U”, which has these chipmunk vocals juxtaposes with the ethereal space the production provides. I really liked “Critical Hit’s” hook and refrain that not only made it catchy, but emotional. I liked the touch of bedroom pop that made it intimate and the music displays for us that these songs don’t need to be that grandiose to pluck our heartstrings.
“A train I never took”, could be classified as an intermission break, but it kind of slaps as an intermission. It has these sounds ethereal and ambient synth chops that make Slow Magic’s soundscape emulate a digital fantasy with a satisfying progression. Speaking of satisfying, “Promises” is not only that, but gratifying as well with its earworm of a chorus. “Hanami” is a colorful blend of keys, drums, and guitar folk chords performed by Yutaka Hirasaka. “Changing the Tide” has its charm, while Slow Magic puts their vocals in the line in this indie pop number. After the ambient slow burner that is “Dreams”, the album closes off with a banger. “End Credits” features The Chain Gang of 1974 and the chemistry that Mohager and Slow Magic have are undeniably in sync. The aesthetic sounds has these nostalgic synth leads and satisfying vocal chops that are well juxtaposed to Mohager’s vocals. It’s a great closer that makes the audience at your DJ set to raise those hands in the air.
The album starts out strong and then it kind of takes a nosedive in the second half in my opinion. There are moments where it kind of succumbed to the pratfalls of EDM for me. Some of the tracks don’t have the memorable segments unlike my favorites here, as they do get kind of derivative. “Celebrity” definitely sounds the most awkward with the sample chops. And “Dreams” tries to be pensive, yet sounds sleepy to me.
And I must conclude, that Emotion Engine passed the vibe check. I enjoyed it and after a listen I left with a net positive of…positivity? And I feel like that’s the purpose of projects like these, as Slow Magic says in EDM Identity, “I’m hoping Emotion Engine provides a sense of connection and captures emotions that don’t need to be explained.”. And yeah, I agree something as intangible and fluid as human emotions doesn’t need to be explained or dissected, especially on how to evoke them through your music. It doesn’t need to be deep, because if the world is as mechanical and easy, then explaining how you did the trick, would lose the luster or magic. All I’m saying is, anyone who is into EDM should give this album a spin. The reprieve for your mental will make your mind thank you.
FAVORITE TRACKS: MEMORY CARD, HALF ALIVE, LOST, CRITICAL HIT, A TRAIN I NEVER TOOK, PROMISES, END CREDITS
LEAST FAVORITE: DREAMS
His discography is available for streaming. Links down below.
[Apple Music]﹡[TIDAL]
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