Meet Cynthesizer, a piano virtuoso with a background steeped in diverse musical influence. Seamlessly weaving the raw energy of rock with intricate jazz harmonies, her debut album When The Glitter Settles is a soulful meditation on life, love and loss.
Opener “Bound” has this playful, almost cinematic quality, primarily from the plucked bass line. It’s whimsical, with toy box melodies that immediately introduce Cynthesizer’s eccentric artistry.
And then there’s “Heart To Heart” which is without a doubt an album highlight, with a nostalgic kind of ’90s Alanis Morissette touch that simmers with melodic sensitivity.
But what the album offers in terms of compositional merit, it lacks in relevance. It’s clear that Cynthesizer is a master of the piano. She knows how to weave a good melody, but much of her debut feels somewhat outdated, lacking a contemporary sound or an innovative, culturally-attuned approach.
The result is nevertheless solid, and for the most part incredibly enjoyable. Imbued with a Fiona Apple-type nostalgia, When The Glitter Settles no doubt has something special to offer, but with a little more risk-taking and a more singular, unique style, Cynthesizer could go very far.
