Unconditional Non-surrender from Mike Torr

This is the first of my sharing and reviews of “Unsigned Musicians”. Today, we check out the album “Future Conditional”.

Synthesizers and Beats

Mike Torr goes by the name “Insides and Outsides” on his BandCamp, YouTube, and BlueSky. Though his music varies in style (I don’t know anyone else like that <wink>) this album I’d call synth-pop or synth-wave.

I discovered Mike on BlueSky in the thriving independent musician community there. The first album I heard by him was “Hardy Perennials“. That album is piano compositions. I deeply admire and respect his keyboard skill and how that translates to his composing.

Future’s Ahead

In his statement about “Future Conditional” on BandCamp, Torr says, “I wanted to become more proficient with my music software, though I also wanted to produce some Synthwave material.” I’d say that he was quite successful at demonstrating his proficiency on both counts.

The first track, “No Smoke”, sets a mood. I have the sense I’m at a shoreline with the many noises of that environment including fog horns. It quickly shifts into a rhythm of beats and synths. Like the fog horns, there’s plenty of bending pitches throughout.

There’s time for a great build-up and some very cool soloing. I’m deeply appreciative of the movement in these compositions. There was never time to get bored or wondering when the next change-up would occur.

Conditioner For the Soul

“Ground Up” is the second track. The mood is both filled with synthesizers and the sense that there’s a Far or Middle Eastern influence in this instrumental. Perhaps echoing “No Smoke”, there are some accompaniments that attack on the first beat and immediately again on the second beat of the bar. A great rhythmic enticement.

The third piece on this album is “Far Shore”. This one starts with piano before a beat comes in with fretless bass lines. Cool, echoey synths play above this with delightful modulations and pitch bends. Again, Torr demonstrates his virtuosity with the synths and keyboard technique. Listen for the return of the piano later in this track.

Mike Torr: Go And Syn No More

The fourth track, “Sentient Sky”, rounds out the album. Immediately, the synthesizers take over the sound. Repeating bass, bending swells, plucky arpeggios, and a driving beat under it all.

I’m truly impressed with Mike Torr’s keyboard skills and knowledge of synthesizer manipulation. In particular, the first three tracks all had wonderful, subtle, and soaring solos throughout. The compositions each had their own progression, but they truly developed in inspirational ways.

Subscribe and follow Insides and Outsides on YouTube to see behind-the-scenes peeks at his creative process. Keep making your music, Mike! I appreciate it.