Morgan Willis - Supernova

(Self-release 2018)


There has always been a strain of synthwave that draw from anime and Japanese arcade game aesthetics as much as from the more mainstream elements of '80s pop culture. Mitch Murder's Selection 1-4 albums are the most obvious examples, but really this is a theme that runs through much of the outrun sub-culture. The latest from Morgan Willis, is cut from the same cloth--though it is also a purer and more doctrinaire distillation of synthwave music than Mitch Murder's manic insanity.



Supernova is a lot of things. It is upbeat and optimistic. It is smooth and also funky. It is expertly produced and...wait for it...not too loud! It is also a lot of fun. It really did remind me of some older Japanese cartoons, particularly the ones that mix romance and sci-fi. Like Spaceketeers, a 1970s cartoon I had on VHS (courtesy of a cousin in Massachusetts, where it aired on local TV).

The best track, by far in my opinion, is "Professor Omega," which features Paradise Walk on vocals. It is a super funky space jam. The Timecop 1983-esque ballad "Victory" is also lovely, full of beautiful synths and pure, unadulterated dreaminess. And my other favorite is "Midnight Radio," which re-establishes the link between synthwave and French Touch.

My only issue with Supernova is that, while there are no bad moments on the album, there also aren't enough memorable ones either. A lot of the tracks bleed together, so that I can't quite recall their names or melodies. The effect is, perhaps, a bit too much cohesion. Even still, Supernova is quite a good album. If you are up for some warm nostalgia colored with space dust, this will be a good album for you.

Score: 9.0