Cosmos VIII By David De Michele

 

Cosmos VIII

By

David De Michele

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Written across the stars is a tone and vibration so all encompassing, so connected, even Sagan once said in a phrase “We are Star Stuff” he is right and here on Cosmos VIII I believe that the artist has caught that energetic magic stuff of stars in his music, and as such we can simply gaze at the art work contained within for the rest of the duration of this album, and drift away in a realm of galactic bliss.

The opening track to this release in my view is one of the most powerful that De Michele has ever produced; Deep Space is a well of fluent synths, partnered by deeply influential and ancient vocalisations, the dramatic minor chord structures create their own climax, in one of the most impressive opening compositions I have heard for a long while.

Genesis the track, is a much lighter project, however the empowered vocalisations are almost a herald for what is about to come, the artists fast repeating keyboard motifs build a layer of great expectation that is incredibly exciting, the soft overplayed synths then manifest an undeniable progression in the same way that Vangelis did with tracks like Pullstar.

Future World is a wonderful track, one so open and vast that the listener has so much time to explore this incalculable realm of tonal essence. The light percussive beat with the powerful vocalisations manifest a cinematic feel with the synths on this track, one with ease could see this being used as segmental music for a space genre movie, perhaps as the windows opens to a new day ahead on a new planet, a song filled with the promise of things yet to unfurl can be found here.

We now edge into a new song called Intrepid, a track so delicate, yet deep and empowering, the tribal styled drumming here is different, but incredibly rhythmic, this is a fearless and adventurous piece of music that contains so many nuances, so many twists and turns that you may well want to press repeat on this one again and again.

We now reach the mid-way section of the album and as we do so we arrive at a track entitled Endeavor. This track starts off as one of the most ambient creations on the album, but its slow tempo and Vangelis styled bridge, moves into us a modulation of some of the finest EM styled music you are likely to hear in this genre, partnered with the vocalisations, it lifts this piece to spectacular new heights.

Now for something completely different, as we head full on into this next manifestation called Decision Point, once more growling synths lead the way and a dramatic energy of an undeniable occurrence about to happen, and the decision to be made is of such importance. The compositional structure of this track is simply amazing, fast paced and utterly breath-taking.

Whilst the following musical narrative Interstellar Propulsion may well be the decision made on the previously aforementioned composition, we have a forward moving arrangement of great momentum. This is like the captain of our musical vessel has kicked it up a notch to warp 4. The vivid tones and thrilling keyboard work make this one for me a stand out piece from the album.

We are now on The Edge of Time itself, a time to pause, as we gaze into the infinite continuum, the vocalisations seem to be the constant narrator on this album, and the cautious progression of this track is compelling and at times quite symphonic, then at the half way juncture we have a Berlin styled segment of flowing synths and uplifting keyboards, in what must be one of the most sensational creations from the album thus far.

So we knock on the door of the penultimate track, and here is Cosmos VIII or the title header. Our arrival in this region of space reveals new constellations, ancient peoples and new opportunities. The paused minor chords structures again manifest a symphonic backdrop on what has to be one of the most revealing and textured title tracks I have heard for ages.

The concluding offering is entitled Existential, this could well be one of the most philosophical compositions ever created on an electronic music album, multi paced it generates a disposition that relates to the human spirit and our endeavours, and quite beautifully sums up this entire album, a master stroke by the artist to finish with such a clever composition.

Cosmos VIII by David De Michele nudges the long linage of Cosmos albums for the artist, as we continue our journey of sight and sound and musical exploration, and perhaps even going where no one has gone before us in this genre. I believe that David has created here, an album that not only explores the far reaches of his musical tastes and desires, but also of his creative muse and presentational skills; this album is important, as for me it highlights the artists ability to create and further build on the dramatic, on one of the finest space based albums of the year so far.