Album
Engramic

John Holcroft

SOMA Labs Music is proud to present this timeless album by John Holcroft that recalls the heyday of cosmic synthesizer music from almost 50 years ago. Today when DJs play these types of records in the club it’s called anything from Balearic house to cosmic space disco. Whatever the current label may be, Engramic will take you on a fantastic synth journey. Composed with both vintage and modern gear, it keeps that analog warmth and live feel which gives it that truly special character achieved by the masters of the genre. Classic synthesizer music is back!
SOMA Labs Music is proud to present this timeless album by John Holcroft that recalls the heyday of cosmic synthesizer music from almost 50 years ago. Today when DJs play these types of records in the club it’s called anything from Balearic house to cosmic space disco. Whatever the current label may be, Engramic will take you on a fantastic synth journey. Composed with both vintage and modern gear, it keeps that analog warmth and live feel which gives it that truly special character achieved by the masters of the genre. Classic synthesizer music is back!
First Engram
Beginning saturated and aggressive, “First Engram” weaves a constantly evolving journey morphing seamlessly from progressive electronic to more orchestral voices and back again.  It twists and turns as a living entity that is an adventure for the ears and mind.
Second Engram
With its driving melody, “Second Engram” is the perfect vehicle for the album’s single. It is precise and succinct with a consistent voice. Offset sequences and a driving beat add to the momentum.
Third Engram
Dynamic and at times symphonic, “Third Engram” weaves a path that is dark as it is moody. It breathes and at times holds breath in a soundscape that whispers as easily as it screams. Pounding and dense it turns on a dime to be open and beautiful with equal conviction.

Fourth Engram
“Fourth Engram” is a test of radical tempo fluctuations. Beginning with a stick heavy bias it then evolves into an onslaught of varying cadence that continues until its final notes. It plays as if a conductor is challenging the synth orchestra to its limits and yet the listener is left unaware to the frantic changes.
Final Engram

Expressive as it is melodic, “Final Engram” is the binding of all the merits of the album. Full of emotional lead lines the background is woven with a very carefully chosen array of voices. It never allows the listener to feel too complacent before it bends to another unexpected path. The final resolve is a testament to the power of electronic music.

SOMA Lyra-8 was used heavily on this album. In the words of the artist: It was an electric animal who at times would sing and at other times scream in pain. It can warble, gurgle and grunt as well as flow like bowed steel. It sits in the spectrum in a totally unique home adding a totally organic contribution while being the threads that stitch ideas together.

Release date: 24.11.2023

Label: SOMA Labs Music

Artwork: John Holcroft

Press release: Thomas Lundberg

The other instruments:

ASM Hydrasynth, Arturia Matrixbrute, Arturia Microfreak, Roland A88 controller, Roland Jx8p + PG-800 programmer, Roland SH101, Roland JP-08, Roland Integra-7, Vector Synth, Yamaha Modx, Waldorf Iridium, Waldorf Streichfett, Elektron Analog Rytm mk1, Sequential Tempest,
Akai S612 sampler, Mellotron micro, MRT audio breath controller, Source Audio Nemesis, Source Audio Ventris, Strymon Volante, Presonus Comp 16, MXR Dyna Comp, MXR Phase 90, Arturia compressor, preamp and plate reverb plugins, Mackie mixers, Roland Studio- Capture, Cakewalk Sonar, 10 string Tarara Chapman Stick with stickup pickup, Ebow, DigiTech FreqOut, DigiTech Whammy, Electro Harmonix Ram’s Head Big Muff, Paiste cymbals, Yamaha drums and hardware, Neumann TLM 102, Apex drum mics.
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