“Running” is the latest EP release by Her Motives Are Silent, a music outlet of Michael Valenzuela, a profoundly creative songwriter, composer, and musician based in Calgary, Canada. It’s his first piece of work this year, serving as an adequate follow-up of “Pieces,” “A Message,” and 22022022,” three excellent compositions released in 2022 that you should also check out as soon as possible. Still, Her Motives Are Silent material showcases many innovations in songwriting, composing, arranging, recording, and producing. This EP release consists of the original version of “Running” and four other versions. Besides the original song, you can hear a radio edit, Mickey Valenz remix, instrumental, and Mickey Valenz remix of the instrumental. All five versions showcase how creative, talented, and versatile artist Michael Valenzuela is, as his ideas and musicianship shine through each rendition.
Lyrically, “Running” is an introspective track about processing anxiety and facing fears until overcoming obstacles and reaching for the solution to a happier life. Soundwise, Her Motives Are Silence combines many different but complementary music styles to illustrate such rich and luxurious sonic imagery. Perhaps darkwave comes to mind first, but you’ll notice how some of the finest elements borrowed from synthwave, synth pop, dark pop, post-rock, goth rock, downtempo, and art rock found their way into this mesmerizing sonic equation. He uses all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift this song to new heights while remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary music genres resulted in a catchy, engaging, memorable composition that will unquestionably appeal to even the pickiest darkwave fans and beyond.
From the initial notes and beats, you’ll notice that Michael Valenzuela thought about everything while writing, composing, arranging, recording, and producing all versions of this song. “Running” contains a perfect structure, garnered with many intricate segments, brilliant ideas, and outstanding orchestrations. The artist poured heart and soul into this fine piece of sonic artistry, so the pleasant listening experience is more than guaranteed As soon as you press play, you’ll notice how synths reign supreme. The interplay between multiple orchestral layers acts as a perfect backdrop for all the vocal articulations to shine upon. You’ll hear how expertly assembled chord progressions, ambiances, and sequences resonate on one side while the other shines with catchy leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, and other sonic maneuvers. These synth works unquestionably shine with so much power, demonstrating Michael Valenzuela’s interest in darkwave, synthwave, dark pop, post-rock, goth rock, and downtempo music.
Still, his marvelous vocal performance serves as a centerpiece, commanding attention and guiding listeners through each segment of this song. His impressive vocal range seamlessly balances low, mid, and high notes, emphasizing all the segments and orchestrations from scratch to finish. Besides providing a profoundly detailed vocal performance that unquestionably decorates everything he intended to do, Michael Valenzuela contributes emotional depth to this song with sincere, confident, and emotive vocal maneuvers. The rhythm section is another detail that this artist paid attention to, so you’ll hear how the equally intricate, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines roar beneath the synth layers, offering more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth while binding all the orchestrations with rhythmic patterns. Her Motives Are Silent also incorporated many delicate beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics that unquestionably keep the remainder of the instrumentations in line while dictating groove and tempo. Like all the other orchestrations, these rhythmic sequences contribute to the overall listening experience, making “Running” such an incredible darkwave piece worth spinning over and over again.
Of course, the other renditions of “Running” sound equally good. You’ll notice how the radio edit is slightly shorter, but equally harmonious, melodic, and catchy like the original. The arrangements are quite similar, so the artist wanted to create a radio-friendly version that would appeal to the DJs and radio hosts with its length more than the original. Micky Valenz’s remix carries a more robust rhythmic structure and the artist emphasized the melodies even more. It’s such a perfect contrast compared to the original version, and it will unquestionably appeal to all the listeners looking for a more cathartic and ethereal ambiance. The first instrumental on this EP showcases the original version of the song but without the vocals. This instrument could be easily used as the perfect soundtrack for a movie, TV, or radio show due to its hypnotic, irresistible themes and ambiance. The same goes for the radio edit and Mickey Valenz remix instrumentals. Her Motives Are Silent wanted to showcase all those beautiful, calm, soothing, relaxing melodies, harmonies, sequences, ambiances, low-ends, and beats that define this mesmerizing darkwave song, and he ultimately succeeded in his aims.
“Running” is a darkwave masterpiece that will immediately grab your attention and refuse to let go even after the song ends. Michael Valenzuela poured heart and soul into this composition, proving he’s a skillful, clever, talented artist whose writing, composing, arranging, and producing abilities go beyond comprehension so many times during the entire track. It’s a must-listen for every true Darkwave fan and beyond, as this song carries many additional styles that will appeal to a broader auditorium. You should put it on your radar as soon as possible. The EP is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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