Portsmouth darkwave synthpop outfit Magnetic Skies who comprise of Simon Kent (vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass), Jo Womar (keyboards, vocals) and Lenin Alegria (drums) release their latest album `Fragments` this month, the follow up to 2023`s `Empire Falling`. When asked about the album frontman Simon Kent shared that “`Fragments` reflects a fractured, fast-moving world where identity, intimacy, and meaning are increasingly elusive; life, memory, relationships, and reality are broken into pieces, and each track is trying to gather those pieces into something coherent and meaningful. There’s a yearning for reconnection, with moments of clarity, love, and transcendence to offer salvation.”
The album opens with `No End` an edgy dreamy instrumental number with flowing synths and one of two tracks inspired by the works of seminal Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski. We have in `A Place on Earth` a number inspired by David Bowie`s `Fashion` although for me it had a sense of solitude, almost loneliness and a feeling of trying to encourage a partner to take time and reconnect away from the distraction and destructive influence of the net.
`Back To Life` was a faster paced upbeat offering whose chorus strapline of “Bring it back to life” is made for singing along to. A number that appears to be looking for inspiration, maybe a purpose to life. We enjoy a much heavier EBM ambience both lyrically and musically with `Closing In` The band have shared that ‘There’s a sense of pressure, fear, and confrontation, personally and with society in general, like struggling with psychological warfare and external control,’ explains Simon, ‘But it also expresses the need to fight back with inner strength: “Arm me with light now”.’
`Your Shadow` is a delightfully tender reflective slow burn. I saw that `Slow Motion` was described as ‘a surreal, dreamlike escape into euphoria or love, where time slows and nothing else matters… like a fleeting, momentary escape from reality.’ There was a kind of New Order vibe to this illusory and trancelike offering.
I found `Can You Feel the World?` a really immersive absorbing listen with some middle eastern tinges as it evolves. We enjoy a similar sensation with `The Light In You` another slow burn with an engaging resonance.
Singer Simon Kent shared that `Everything`s Alright` “captures the feeling of being present, of love, and reclaiming joy. A euphoric, possibly nostalgic moment where life feels whole again.” I have to agree entirely as this track is a joyful earworm and exudes a real sense of exhilaration and elation, a reason for being alive. There`s a kind of cinematic mood to `Fire Escape` with lyrics that project a kind of uncertainty or insecurity in a relationship and looking for a possible escape route.
The album closes out with `She Calls On Me` the other Krzysztof Kieslowski-inspired song which is “about rebirth, flow, and the comfort of not being alone anymore… A sense of awakening and surrender to something greater – love, fate, or an unseen force.” It`s the longest song on the album and a captivating and engaging submission which really draws you into its melodic layers.
`Fragments` is a really appropriate title for this release as we enjoy segments and splinters of a disconnected life and that push to reconnect and reunite before its too late. There`s some deeply introspective and contemplative compositions along with some much more uplifting pieces that emit a real passionate and emotional sentiment. An album that had me completely bewitched and mesmerised at times.
Rating 9/10
