Naïve Magic: A Dungeon Synth Digest #17 – Roundup
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Even before this ambitious series, I was always excited for Ithildin. Out of nowhere, this Canadian artist released a magical debut A Long Expected Party and since then has been working on a giant project. Ithildin has been sonically illustrating the 2017 book “Flora of Middle-Earth: Plants of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium” by Walter and Graham Judd with each song an alphabetical list. In Volume 4, we get entries D through F. On social media, Ithildin admitted personal obstacles as recording was done in pieces with real life complications. I enjoy having backstory as the fourth installment of this series continues the magic, and even with real life obstacles, Ithilidn manages to channel what was described as a “chaotic” production into a serene landscape of magic and wonder.
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I remember one of the first Hole Dweller albums I listened to was 2020’s Return to Roost which displayed a brilliant vintage sound which could have been the soundtrack to a BBC television show from the 70’s. I still think of Hole Dweller as some sort of Time Lord who travels via magical means. While I of course enjoy the lo fi quality of earlier works and 2022’s Another Chance at Peace, there is something personally magnetic about woozy synths which sound like they are diffusing into star wipes. With Dreams of Hereafter
continues Hole Dweller’s presence as one of the key figures in dungeon synth’s history with a “comeback” album that is designed to be a landmark record.
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You Wake Up In A Crypt is a fundraising compilation organized by the community over at Melkor’s Dungeon. The compilation benefits writer Laird Barron, a contemporary creator of weird fiction and horror. This is the second charitable effort done by the discord with the first being You Meet In A Tavern… benefiting humanitarian aid in Ukraine. I have always enjoyed compilations, as they provide a snapshot of a time and place. You Wake Up In A Crypt features dozens of contemporary and active artists such as Aura Merlin, Hermit Kight, Ithildin, Heaven, Elyvilon as well as a handful of others who are just waiting to be discovered. Meklork’s Dungeon once again shows a community and organization which is not only altruistic but logistical in their execution of a fantastic compilation.
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Castlesiege is a fun addition into the world of dungeon synth, as this artist did not have some demo lead up to the debut rather like a phantom just appeared with a full length. You can thank the people over at Dungeons Deep for probably having tons of artists just ready to deploy when no one is looking. What is more remarkable is the level of quality from music which could be pulled from the greatest 32 bit RPGyou never played but would love to if you could. The Council of Trees is not only a stellar debut from an unknown artist but comes with a short little story which I am sure can be expanded upon in future installments. Unpause your game, and finish your quest.
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Twenty-twenty was a long time ago, but if anyone can remember back that far, you will remember the Comfy Synth Boom, which saw a lot of people inside (due to the pandemic) making comforting synth music. While comfy synth has had its share of praise and detractions due to its sudden rise in popularity, the genre has mellowed into a niche style of composers aiming for the comfy. Covered Bridges was one of the many albums released in 2020, and now, three years later, the followup sees the sound move from uniform comfy to carnival music played from a circus in dreamland. The Aurora not only shows an artist branching into worlds beyond but also shows comfy synth not as a flash in the pan but a serious foundation to a comfortable future.
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Aindulmedir has been championing the style of winter synth for years and much to the comedy of others, seems to exist outside of the dungeon synth world. Seriously, who is this person? This Swedish artist, outside of collaborating in dozens of ambient based projects, seems only concerned with making landmark synth records and then retreating back to some frozen castle to read tomes by a fire. Both The Lunar Lexicon (2019) and The Winter Scriptures were both highly praised by the community, and Star Lore seems to be aiming to complete a trilogy of understated magic. I bet you want this tape, but unfortunately it’s already unavailable.
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Everything was going to plan forQuestmaster with two previous releases celebrating dungeon synth’s most famous aesthetics. Twenty-twenty-three was supposed to be the year when the artist released a third album in the style of the other two with a name like “The Twelve _______.” They didn’t, and now what we are presented with is a fantastic marriage between dungeon synth, new age, and vaporwave aesthetics which has opened up my consciousness with crystals and psychedelics.
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I can remember first hearing Deep Gnome and making jokes regarding the Bandcamp picture of the artist dressed in a cape smoking weed in a forest which seemed to encapsulate the vibe of fantasy synth. What began as a gaff and a funny picture was quickly followed by a competent record and a string of quality releases. This one is no different. Wanderlore continues to add to the reputation of Deep Gnome as a stellar musician first and then close second a prankster pixie. May your mushrooms always be stolen by forest creatures.
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Cloistered Shadows has some strong old-school gaming vibes. This might lead you to believe the sound will also be old-school and moody rather than pixelated and moody. Desolation Tales & Tethered to a Mystic Realm is a double rerelease of the 2022 debut with an additional 2023 EP. Cloistered Shadows inhabit the realm of the room lit only by a black computer screen but also the far out world of Berlin School inspired synth. This is an impressive artist, and the double release by Dark Age Productions underlines the seminal work that is waiting for more discovery.
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My favorite song from Retrogoblin is “Six D-20s and a Bag Full of Shrooms” which is not just funny but rides on this vibe of psychedelic fantasy which powers this whole city known as Retrogoblin. This is chip synth in reverence to old CRPG and video games, and thus the majority of the music sounds as if it could be overworld music to a game that exists in your dreams. Retrogoblin also possesses a constant feeling of irreverence which is the compass for this project, as if they are going to show up to Thanksgiving tripping and in desperate need of orange juice. The latest Weregnome Records release is a reissue of the 2021 debut plus bonus tracks which is coming on special edition spatter vinyl since that is where we are in life. Also, if the artist is reading this, I was playing Destiny 2, and a player on the other team had the name Retrogoblin, so if that was you, I am glad we got to play Crucible together.
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