Imagine entering a neon-lit utopia where reality graciously takes a coffee break, your ideas are glittering, and your sentiments are floating on synth clouds. To be honest, you might not want to return to the “Panpsychist” world of the Juno Empire. Wrapped in psychedelic stardust and dazzling synth-pop, this music, which was produced by Alexander Thomas’s insatiably inquisitive imagination, seems like a cosmic love letter to awareness.
Synth pads that are calm and spacey take you into orbit right away. It’s like floating through a slow-motion galaxy where everything is glowing a bit too brightly, but in the greatest conceivable manner. However, soaring melodies and playful percussive flares interrupt before you can totally relax, bringing bounce, glitter, and the irresistible temptation to bob your head as if you’ve unexpectedly discovered the mysteries of the cosmos. Or feel as though you may.
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The vocals then begin, posing the kinds of queries that stay with you long after the song has ended. Is everything present? Does it know who I am? As he sings, Thomas’s voice is rich, multi-layered, and covered in futuristic effects, giving each syllable a sense of suspension between dream and reality. Here, there’s a lovely contrast between awe and curiosity, as if you were standing on the brink of some enormous cosmic truth and looking in with wide, bright eyes. “Am I shaded with everything created?” the song asks as it progresses. The question, “Should I assume that we’re integrated?” rises and climbs into a blaze of synth energy that explodes like fireworks.
“Panpsychist” by Juno Empire is genuinely unique since it effortlessly strikes a mix between mainstream delight and thoughtfulness. One minute, you’re thinking about life itself while floating over ethereal, reflective soundscapes. Then you’re hit with a barrage of hooks that are so memorable that they almost ink themselves into your memory. It’s a stunning tug-of-war between peace and tumult, reflection and revelry, tranquillity and intense synth pleasure.
With songs like “Gold Eyes” and “Seeds,” Juno Empire has previously demonstrated a talent for catchy, moody pop, but “Panpsychist” seems like a step up – brighter, more vivid, and even more engrossing. It’s the type of music that makes you feel like your headphones are a gateway, your room is a space rave, and your mind is somewhat more enchanted. Put “Panpsychist” on, drift off, and let it rewire your sense of wonder subtly.
