What we have here is a swirling instrumental, evocative and presenting the tempest.
This is a single from an Australian synth-rock artist, The Orphaned Bee is the brainchild of renowned sound engineer and multi-instrumentalist Brett Tollis. On February 28, 2024, the debut of The Orphaned Bee, titled “Thinking Without Language,” is released on Bird’s Robe Records.
The superb production features Alex O’Toole on drums (Meniscus), mixing and piano by Ron Pollard (Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, Yomi Ship) and drums recorded by Tim Carr (We Lost The Sea, Matt Corby).
My Review: 5 songs, 23 minutes, 24 seconds.
“Rain” opens with the synth evoking the falling rain and there is an accompanying throbbing drum sound that helps an almost sci-fi film backdrop soundtrack feel about the piece. My 17-year-old thought it sounded like game music. It was the single from the EP and gets everything off to a fast, bright start.
“Water” is heavier and has the suggestion of distorted lyrics that have a punky attitude within this heavy synth sound. My son said this one reminded him of a battle scene in a game; it is a powerful vibe full of atmosphere and evocative of the waves crashing around a ship.
“Sanctuary.” The Spotify image for this one is a man alone on a liferaft (the ship sunk in that storm?); the waves and the tune are calmer. This is a slower track; the drums sound heavy and slow, and the music is uplifting and reaching up toward the skies.
“Fire” and a Zoroastrian flame burn a single light. This track is more thoughtful, the synth/drum combination keeping a beat reminiscent of the flame flickering. The fire and water play in the EP is there as the elements strive for ascendency. Again, this track introduces a form of vocal occasionally, but more as an addition to the instrumental rather than a distinct lyric.
“Ascendance” closes the EP and returns to a sci-fi groove. The music returns in a circle more toward the opening, with the longest track on the EP running to just under 6 minutes. It musically experiments with synth sounds rising and falling.
Standout track: “Rain.”
In Summary: The Orphaned Bee’s EP is a 23-minute sonic journey through elemental themes, blending synth-driven soundscapes with atmospheric depth. Opening with “Rain,” the EP immediately sets a cinematic, almost sci-fi tone, while “Water” introduces a heavier, battle-like intensity with distorted vocal effects. “Sanctuary” slows things down, evoking solitude and calm after a storm, while “Fire” explores rhythmic flickers of sound, mirroring a dancing flame. The EP concludes with “Ascendance,” a return to its sci-fi roots, closing the experience in a sweeping, experimental synth finale. It is a soundtrack for a sci-fi movie as yet unmade.
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You can stream the single here
By Benny (the Ball) Benson
