“Arboretum” is a lush and caressing success, whose general vibe reminds me of spacey futurism, and more specifically the nostalgia of the Phantasy Star Online soundtrack. ’80s-inspired synth tones emerge to start, swiftly accompanied by a bass-y percussive push as the lead synths intertwine, Boards of Canada style. 01:20 sees the percussion fall back as a lonesome synth pad and lead re-establish the soundscape, the rhythm’s re-emergence at 01:59 proving very effective thanks to its brief absence. The emphasis on retro-sounding synths with a fondness for warm, spacey tones certainly succeeds — the gently hypnotic melody is of no inhibition to the soundscape’s evolution and staying power. “Arboretum” is a lovely track that shows Forhill’s talents well.
