The Pop Riddled Sounds of Major General
A few new releases from Major General have recently dropped, and each showcases a unique approach to pop-coated synth-driven songwriting, infused with a variety of other elements, genres, and grooves.
An album recently released called Modern Sonic Synth is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to dropping music that creates atmospheres. This is a very driving and upbeat style with colorful tones, soundscapes, rhythms, and overtones, giving the record such a bright aesthetic, and it's all completely danceable, for the most part.
The artist utilizes specific keys and synth tones when creating his music, which is something that you can tell a lot of attention was paid to. The detail in the tonality of the instruments is something that really helps shape the atmosphere of the record, and this whole thing leaves its mark.
It's very poppy. It's almost bubbly at times with elements of experimental underbelly, but still, floating perfectly under the pop umbrella with a vivacious approach, displaying a particular kind of energy a lot of the time that is very infectious.
One of the things I loved about this record in particular was how the beats are utilized because the beats throughout this release border on a line between classic pop, synth-pop, and a dance pop approach. A lot of them are once again, very upbeat with higher tempos, and even the ones that are mid-tempo still have that pop approach when it comes to the Beats of it.
I am also really loving how the record displays so much piano work. There are synths of all different kinds and sounds of all different kinds. But a lot of the record is based around a clean piano kind of sound, and I like this because it lets you focus a lot more on the melodies that he's displaying.
The melodies and that pop overcoat really make this record a lot of fun, the beats are what make it so danceable, and there are memorable hooks, a little bit of freestyle or what feels like improvisation bringing hints of jazz into play, and it just seems to ooze with character.
This record felt very good to listen to. It is spirited and creates this world around you that you can sort of soak in song by song.
A lot of times, there are sections where the pianos harmonize with each other, creating walls of different kinds of thickness and presence sonically, which helps the record flow in a smooth and natural movement.
Certain points of the record combine piano and since together with different overlapping harmonies or melodies that complement each other, and you can tell that as a producer, this artist is just having a ball.
Being able to layer these melodies on top of each other and have everything feel so almost carefree or open, lets the record feel inviting.
And that's exactly what it does. The whole thing invites you to come along for this sonic musical Journey that allows you to join the party. You get the sense that this record is about a renewal or a refresher. It just has that almost pop, breezy overtone to it, and this is part of its addictive approach.
Another album, even more recently released, is called Public Consciousness, which displays a lot of the same attributes and approach to songwriting.
I love both of these records and feel like they go absolutely hand in hand, like part A and Part B. If it were a cassette, I feel like one would be side A, any other would be the B side.
I definitely got myself attached to the whole aesthetic that was going on with the pianos, synths, and beats, along with that vibrant, spirited, and uplifting sort of soundscape that they all deliver together.
Now, one of the things I feel is really important about records like these is the mix. I don't always talk about the mix of records, but here I feel like it's definitely worth touching on simply because there was a lot of attention given to that as well.
The mix is something that was well thought out, leaving nothing dry. The pianos are touched with certain kinds of effects that give it wetness. Sometimes it's a hint of reverb or maybe a hint of delay, but a lot of the time it's not just flat or dry, it comes through with that wetness layering the songs and giving them a bit of depth.
Both of these albums are more than worth your time, especially if you love synth pop, piano pop, dance pop; it's all pop. It is fun, addictive, charming, charismatic, vibrant, and comes through with a little bit of a punch while still focusing a lot on layering melodies.
These songs have great textural approaches, and a lot of them got my body moving.
So, take a deep dive into both of these when you can, and I'm sure this will be something you can really soak in.
