Digital Voyage, Vol. 1 is an enveloping electronic success from ReSeT Ryan Tram, an Ontario-based artist whose melodic sound draws from childhood nostalgia, video games, Japanese media, and beyond. The album presents a poignant thematic narrative, exploring a relationship in the context of the digital world and self. Red and Blue represent these partners, who become separated within the digital world. “The album talks about the feelings the two might have while being separated in unknown spaces, like freedom from each other, grief from missing one another, and happiness in living a colourful life,” Tram explains.
A commencing vocal countdown aligns with vivid synth bounces on “Elevate,” opening the album with a glistening effervescence. The ensuing “Anew” showcases the project’s dynamic tonal range, here extending into an elongated synth with intensifying fervency; the result is still charmingly melodic and bursting with personality, though succeeding in a diverse realm of emotions — perhaps indicative of a relationship entering a new phase. “Past The Sun” follows in feeling like a blissful release, in that context, as sparkling keys and mellow guitars combine into the album’s first vocal reveal, playing with a smoothly immersive enthrallment.
Porter Robinson is cited as an influence on the album, and the mixture of buoyant synth-pop lushness and futuristic-friendly intrigue align in a similar vein. Shades of Magdalena Bay and Oneohtrix Point Never also feel enjoyably present on “Human,” an excellent track that deftly travels between blaring enthusiasm and quainter, trickling serenity; the variety makes for a fun climactic drive throughout. Up next, “We Are What We Do” is a fantastic, replay-inducing production. “I feel the same way as back then,” the vocals admit during a calming bridge, following pulses of irresistible electronic swells.
The album consistently impresses in its quality songwriting and colorful production — continuing into a very strong final one-two punch in “Last May” and “Painted Sky.” “I wonder how you’re doing in your space,” is pondered on the former track, enamoring in its spacey rise and introspection — resembling a relationship whose “go our own ways,” decision seems accepted, though with lingering melancholy and yearning. “Painted Sky” finishes with a compelling elegance, weaving gentle vocals and starry-eyed synth illumination for a pacifying send-off. Digital Voyage, Vol.1 is a memorable display of melodic songwriting and electronic production from ReSeT Ryan Tram.
