The Rise is a gripping new album from COBRASPICE. Whereas the Virginia-based producer’s debut album dream embraced a diverse stylistic journey, The Rise enthralls with a more focused vision — embracing synthwave, house, and electro influences within a lyrical drive to inspire and invigorate. A thematic emphasis on overcoming challenges, and pursuing brighter days, compels within a range of soundscape-heavy synth productions.
“Don’t Be Afraid to Feel” opens the album with a hypnotic allure. Dreamy, wordless vocals emit a ghostly captivation as buzzing synths and steady percussion assemble. The ensuing vocal lead follows — “illusion fades away,” — as galloping rhythms and spacey synths continue the momentum. “Getting closer day by the day,” they let out as a spirited effervescence persists alongside. “Stuck in a Circle” follows with a soulful vocal smoothness, imploring to “stop wasting your precious time on me,” in its satiating progression to arp-friendly synth sequences and glistening atmospheric engagement. The Rise kicks off with a particularly strong one-two punch, and the quality songwriting and production doesn’t let up from there.
A more intense, upfront rhythmic character emanates across “The Setting Sun.” A whirring, climactic intensity melds with house-laden percussion into a lush, spacey intrigue; the dynamic tonal range on this fantastic production is especially stellar, excelling across both serene introspection and club-forward energy. COBRASPICE consistently impresses between spirited pop and balladry alike, with the latter being more apparent on “Over and Over.” “I fall over and over for you, it’s a dangerous game,” the vocals lament there, pairing with shimmering keys and a continuous sense of adoration for a blissfully melodic envelopment.
In addition to its share of pop immediacy, the album’s production also consumes across both steadily unfolding structural developments. “Breakthrough” is one such example. Lyrical contemplations on changing weather, into freezing tumult, lead an emotionally charged impact. “Every time I go outside,” fervent vocals project, culminating with strong immersion following the initial atmospheric rise — seamlessly developing from quaint synth pads into bursting color.
“Victorious” is another winner in regards to structural growth, attaining an impassioned percussive element following heart-on-sleeve pop accessibility. Closing the album, “Are You Happy Now” struts a synthwave satisfaction; the title-touting questioning melds with pulsing rhythms and a synth-y radiance for another replay-inducing success. The Rise is a fantastic, melodic success from COBRASPICE.
Pre-save the album here ahead of its January 28th release date.
