There are many ways music can move the listener. It can be used to convey emotions, or bring about an air of fun and excitement through high-energy beats. While music often accompanies a cinematic production, very few times can the music alone transport the listener to a scene in their minds. Globus’ Cinematica album immediately whisks you away into the world of the album with the intro track, “Sprockets,” then follows it up with “Peace in Our Time.”
The track immediately begins with a building tension, giving you the feeling of being watched while alone in a movie. The vocal performance creeps in, solidifying the haunting aesthetic of the track. The lyrics such as “this is the birthing of a monster, begin a legacy of pain” bring it all together to double down on the dark atmosphere it sets up. At about the 1:30 mark, the track comes to life and as the feeling of the track moves from lurking to fevered pursuit in the dark. The instrumentals are fully cinematic, with pulse-pounding drums, ambient guitars and dramatic orchestral cues that allows you to perfectly visualize the sinister story being told. It is an interesting turn after a welcoming setup from the intro track, but is instantly attention-grabbing and leaves you wanting more.
“O California” has a mysterious intro that capitalizes on the air brought about by the previous track in a big way. With distorted synths and heart-pounding percussion. The vocal performance is ethereal and gravely, giving it a distinct alt rock feel. Lyrics such as “she gazed upon a western sky she dreamed of paradise, where she would be fantasized” and “she fled out to the hills, where mythic tales of armageddon have come to pass” tell a story of a dream awry, which is beautifully underscored by the grandiose arrangement and reverb-laced vocals. The guitars are wailing and rock hard when the track demands it, with the moment around the 1:50 mark being one of the first times they spring to life and are let loose to rock out. When the track slows down, they do a great job of keeping the mysterious atmosphere with reverb-laced strums that give the track an eerie personality.
“False Redeemers” creeps up into your ears with a dull, deep synth sound that’s tamed by spacey light waves, before the whole thing feels tense like a chase scene. In no time, this feeling goes from tense to powerful with a rising sense of it growing all around you. The whole thing hits you when the vocals kick in from the first line of “chanting mystic incantations!” The line feels like a wake-up call and is tempered well by the lines that follow it. The track does a great job of feeling like a rock-and-roll heathen ritual, with pulse-pounding drums and wailing guitars that immerse you into the aesthetic completely and will have you banging your head to the beat. With a hypnotically hardcore aesthetic, and entrancing, echoing vocals, “False Redeemers” is not a track to miss.
From the top, “Mighty Ship” has an undeniable groove that sways back and forth. The haunting synths underneath add a delightfully otherworldly quality that has a nice back-and-forth sway. This proves to be another track where the drums will get your head banging almost immediately, while the guitars back them up to give it a perfect hard-rock quality. The chorus feels absolutely triumphant, with an orchestral arrangement that feels absolutely heroic when backing the vocals of Lisbeth Scott. The whole track feels like it becomes fully alive around 3:20, with an absolutely unforgettable performance that runs the second chorus into an incredible outro. If you’re looking for a stand-out track on the album that nails all of its adventurous, cinematic qualities, it’s “Mighty Ship.”
“Carry The Flame” immediately starts into a jazzy vocal performance. Stacy Wild’s voice gives this track a personality all its own and as the track unfolds, the soul fusion shines bright and goes hand-in-hand with the signature rock of the album. This feeling is undeniable during the guitar solo, that shows its power as it wails side-by-side with a complimentary vocal backing. Lines such as “it’s driving me crazy, this endless refrain. Still I carry the flame, oh yeah” and “sometimes the beast is sprung from its cage. From down in the dirt, I’m coming with rage!” Are full of power, with emotion that reaches into your soul to get you up on your feet. “Carry The Flame” is another stand-out track, and one that will make you happy you listened to the album all the way through.
For those looking for something truly different, Cinematica is for you. Globus’ signature rock stylings mix well with the various influences they pull from other genres and cinematic arrangements to bring their vision to life. From ambient rock to soulful grooves, each track feels eclectic with a personality all its own. The album is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, telling a story of heroism and perseverance through difficult and tenuous times that may seem filled with darkness and despair. While the more dramatic tracks may seem a bit grandiose for some, those looking for a truly cinematic listening experience will find it in Cinematica.
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