Austin‘s music scene thrives on a vibrant clash of genres, where unexpected sounds collide in an electrifying mix. It is therefore not uncommon to walk around the city’s downtown area and hear Mariachi Metal clashing with Glitch-Hop Yodeling, sometimes within the same song. Amidst this exciting chaos, Actve Captve emerges offering an interesting sonic blend that’s firmly rooted in pop but infused with plenty of exhilarating twists – imagine the soundtrack to your all-time favourite video game has just added some new tracks.
Led by the enigmatic Justin Han, Actve Captve thrive on injecting familiar melodies with electrifying energy, propelling them into wholly uncharted territory. Picture alt-rock blasting from a pixelated Ferrari, chasing neon-lit pop anthems down retro racetracks, all laced with a melancholic yearning for something lost. These tracks feel like stumbling upon a hidden level in a sprawling digital landscape, where each turn explodes with exhilarating melodies and emotional depth.
Forget pre-rendered pop anthems and predictable guitar progression. Actve Captve‘s debut EP, “Saudaze”, unfolds like a sprawling open-world adventure, packed with hidden treasures and unexpected encounters. Justin Han crafts a sense of constant discovery, infusing nostalgia with bittersweet undertones, akin to embarking on a side quest leading to surprising rewards. The music pulses with the raw energy of pop-punk, shimmers with the nostalgia of 80s synth-wave, and resonates with the melancholic beauty of “saudade,” the Portuguese word for a longing for something lost. Ultimately, this is a sound tapping into universal emotions that resonate deep within us all.
Throughout Justin acts as a companion, guiding you through the intricate levels of his emotional world. His intentionally raw vocals serve as your trusty in-game guide, their honesty echoing with an enviable retrospective quality. One moment, you’re soaring through epic landscapes on the wings of an Editors-esque anthem; the next, you’re immersed in a melancholic soundscape reminiscent of Tears for Fears. Yet, every journey reaches its climax, exploding into a triumphant clearing bathed in the light of Actve Captve‘s signature anthemic chorus. Throughout, Justin lays bare his emotions, immersing you in the experience like the most impactful cutscenes.
“Saudaze” unfolds as an expansive sonic world, each track a portal to a distinct soundscape. The single “Safe N Sound” immerses you in a neon-drenched city, its disco melodies soaring like victory fanfare. Picture CHVRCHES anthems on overdrive, infused with The 1975‘s smooth vocals, all blended with a shot of Deftones‘ raw energy. The EP closer “Last Forever” is another highlight careening down a different path, unfolding like a hidden level accessed through shimmering soundscapes reminiscent of Sam Fender‘s atmospheric anthems. Lost treasures glimmer in the distance, tinged with the bittersweet pang of nostalgia, resonating like a lingering echo from a previously completed mission.
Elsewhere tracks like “I Can’t Explain” act as power-ups, reminding you of the strength vulnerability unlocks, like levelling up your emotional stats. “Ellis Island” transports you to a melancholic moment, its haunting keyboard-driven melodies echoing the struggles of immigrants. But just when you think hope is lost, Justin unleashes a battle cry – a trademark anthemic chorus that would rally even the most dejected gamer. The final level to unlock, “Away From You” unfolds, its stripped-down soundscape reminiscent of Owl City soundtracking an epic boss fight, where Justin’s emotive vocals take centre stage, leaving you with a bittersweet victory melody.
Remember, this is just the first level in Actve Captve‘s genre-bending adventure, and trust me, you’ll be craving future updates. So grab your controller, fire up your headset, and warp into Justin Han’s neon-drenched adventure. This pixelated pop odyssey will have you racking up epic power-ups and unleashing your inner synthwave champion as you progress towards your latest victory lap.
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