Soul Extract – Chasms EP
Soul Extract – Chasms EP
FiXT
Release Date: 26/09/2024
Running Time: 17:55
Review by Beth Morait
7/10
Soul Extract is a Cinematic Rock solo project, the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Josh Mullis, that blends all the elements which make cinematic music dramatic. Expansive orchestration, Rock hooks, synth effects, and meaningful vocals. According to the press release, this EP explores “…intricate emotions, human survival, and the untapped depths of the universe…” So, not a huge subject matter to deal with then?! I mean… that’s a hell of a task to set yourself for an EP that’s only 4 tracks and just shy of 18 minutes long! But, if there’s one thing that’s in abundance in this business, it’s ambition. So, the question is, does it hit the mark?
Opening with ‘Supernova’, we’re instantly hit with the aforementioned synth and orchestration. It’s big. It’s serious, and it’s dramatic. Low strings, pulsating synth, and drums with a whole ton of reverb on them. This, combined with the clean soaring vocals that enter, make it very ethereal. Then the guitars bring it back down to earth, working well with the synthesized sounds to create a heavy passage. I really like the way this song flows through movements of lightness, and heaviness. But I kind of want more dynamic range in it.
‘Anomaly’ is next. This one is much more of a Rock tune than the opening track. It’s Modern Alt Rock, mixed with a bit of Emo, but still with the symphonic and synth elements sitting in the background, adding to the effect of the music. It plays really well with dynamics, making the contemplative bits gentle, and then punching up the choruses. It tells the story of a lone survivor in space.
Then things ramp up a bit. ‘Innerspace’ is a mighty powerful song. Pleasing effects on the vocals, crushing bass tones, and some real heavy guitars. But again, the full orchestral spectrum of instruments sitting in the background enhances and cinematises everything. This is a blistering track, and my favourite of the EP. It’s thoughtful and thought provoking, and musically, it’s spectacular.
The press release describes the final track, ‘Entangled,’ as a track that ‘delves into quantum mysticism, contemplating the idea of quantum entanglement as a metaphor for human connection.’ I’m not even going to pretend I understand any of that sentence. But it’s a decent track. It makes me think of 30 Seconds to Mars, from around 2009. But just with further advanced synths. That’s not a bad thing though, as I love 30 Seconds To Mars!
All in all, this is a nice little EP. My only criticism is, while it’s vast, creating magnificent cinematic soundscapes, I find it a bit samey. I think there’s a lot more exploration to be had here, and I’d like to see more variations in things like dynamics, tempos, and key signatures, just to provide a bit more variety. But that’s just me being greedy!
This is an EP that’s easy to listen to, and you don’t need to get stuck in the meaning if you don’t want to, as it’s a musically pleasurable experience with, or without lyrical meaning. It’s also worth mentioning that Soul Extract donate all the proceeds from the project to charity. And anyone that does that is definitely worth mine, and your attention.
‘Entangled’ Official Visualizer
TRACKLISTING:
01. Supernova
02. Anomaly
03. Innerspace
04. Entangled
LINE-UP:
Josh Mullis – Everything
Guest musician:
Brian Skeel – Track 3
LINKS:
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