Release Date: 29 September 2023
Song Count: 14
Duration: 1 hour, 0 minutes, 53 seconds
Rating: 8.7/10
Description:
If ever in the mood for a retro-futuristic gem of a record fitting perfectly into a cyberpunk-esque setting, British synthwave band GUNSHIP has got us covered with their third and most recent album of theirs which we are looking at today. Described in short as a combination of their two prior LPs in terms of style with some added pizzazz thrown in, Unicorn takes the accustomed elements of synth genres and runs wild from those foundations, coming in swinging with some of the most energetic and lively music within its sonical categories one may ever hear. With many other artists and collectives joining in on the action with their talents, including but not limited to Power Glove, Carpenter Brut, saxophonist Tim Cappello, HEALTH, and even composer John Carpenter himself, there is a whole arsenal of influences, ideas and bundles of musical skill coming together here to make something truly exceptional.
Alongside the futuristic sounding synths, keys and industrial beats contained in every track, a whole array of other instruments are thrown in to add even more character to the music, including electric guitars and even saxophones that get their own solos and moments to shine. The full and immersive sound of the instruments is then topped off with several vocalists taking center stage to harmonically merge with their aural surroundings, and it all comes together as one big showcase of the essence of retro-futurism being captured in musical form. Every aspect of the album, from the meticulous details that add up over the course of the runtime to the grander picture of the music perfectly representing the specific ambience of a technology-driven yet simultaneously wild and rebellious city at night covered in neon lights and tall buildings, simply works out, as if every piece of the puzzle were to fall into place on their own.
Even with positive curiosity going in due to my personal affinity for hybrids between smooth synthwave and danceable electro music, Unicorn absolutely demolished any sort of expectation I could have possible had with its sky-high levels of production and practically insurmountable amounts of enjoyment it brings with almost every song up its sleeve. Everyone who has lent a hand on this 60-minute package has clearly given it their all with their talents in music, and it truly shows with how qualitative the final result ended up being. Definitely one to tune into on a nighttime drive, or an adjacent situation where the time and place calls for something that will set a slick and modern mood all around.