Sydney-based synth artist Daniel Hall is back once again, returning from a period of quiet relaxation with his eighteenth studio album. Titled 'Apollo', the album sees Daniel turning back the clock, exploring well-tread sonic paths and pushing the boundaries of his sound. This is an album that confidently strides between nostalgic 80s synth-pop and contemporary electronica, a testament to his enduring passion and creative vision.
From the outset, 'Apollo' grabs your attention with an explosive opening cut. 'Gods and Demons' delivers a 90-second blast of pure energy, a potent blend of melodic synth-wave and industrial-tinged pop that sets the stage for an album brimming with dynamism and diversity. True to his word, Daniel has packed 'Apollo' with a vibrant, almost unrelenting energy, with each track adding to the experience.
'Arabian Nights', inspired by a recent trip to Dubai, showcases his willingness to experiment with pulsating beats and a touch of Middle Eastern-inspired melodies. It's an unexpected but welcome sound, where different elements collide over shimmering EDM textures. 'Some Things', the first single from the album, arrives in familiar form, sharing a driving beat, melodic synth tones, and almost melancholic undertones in Daniel's vocals as he calls out, "some things, are lost forever, some things, you couldn't find". Buoyed by the light atmospherics of the track, its a whirlwind of 80's pop sounds worth exploring.
Elsewhere on Apollo, Daniel's love of bands like Erasure and Depeche Mode is on full show, rallying through tracks like 'Lifelines', 'Rush', and 'Arcane'. They're songs that are neatly polished and familiar, taking lead from the '80s sounds and crafting something that is both nostalgic and new.
The album culminates in 'The Quiet After the Storm', a poignant synth-pop ballad that provides a powerful ending. With its lush, shifting soundscapes and introspective lyrics, it leaves the listener with a sense of hope and tranquillity that blossoms through lighter synth tones, steady beats, and flickering orchestral moments towards its end.
Leading up to the album's release, Daniel himself has shared that 'Apollo' was his best album to date, and it's hard to disagree. Vibrant and dynamic, it's a vivid flashback to the 80’s that offers transformative thrills for listener's searching for a resurrection of classic synth-pop sounds.
'Apollo' is available now on all streaming platforms. It is also available through Daniel's Bandcamp page as a limited edition custom boxed USB, and on CD through Pink Dolphin Music.
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