Derrick Sena - Neptune Blue
Pop, Alternative
California, U.S.
Overall Impression: Derrick Senna fuses spacious electronica with soulful pop, on his release of "Neptune Blue". This mid-tempo track combines an array of sweeping synth leads and shifting rhythmic textures with effervescent piano and a massive backbeat, while meticulously layered and arranged male vocals express compassionate themes with an uplifting spirit. Senna's lyrics offer empathy and support to anyone feeling isolated or alone, using a cosmic metaphor to convey that sense of being an outsider and finding "home" in another person. Sleek modern production and innovative sound design, as well as thoughtful songwriting and a warm, welcoming vocal style make Derrick Senna's "Neptune Blue" a must-listen for any contemporary pop or r&b fan, particularly synth-pop and chillwave enthusiasts.
Strongest Point(s): Awesome production, incredible attention to detail. Solid mix, good clarity and tonal balance. Outstanding arrangement, excellent instrumentation. Compelling harmonic structure and chord progression, simple enough for pop without ever becoming stale or boring. Gorgeous intro, nice gradual build. Drums sound fantastic, nice fat snare. Incredible synth selection, tremendous variety and cohesion. Love the retro leads in particular, they give this track a vintage r&b quality that contrasts nicely with the more prominent futuristic synth sounds. Vocals sound amazing; great understated and vulnerable delivery style that lends itself to this sound, as well as incredible production and creatively arranging the backing vocals and harmonies. Lyrics are simply brilliant and feel like a heartfelt invitation to someone adrift in their own universe, offering up not a rescue, but a shared journey home. All in all, this is an incredibly compassionate and uplifting bit of song craft, as well as a tremendous track with a captivating sound. Absolutely stellar work on this one, from top to bottom!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of RnB, Pop, Contemporary RnB, Synth-Pop, Chillwave, Adult Contemporary
Artist target suggestions: The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Bryson Tiller, ZAYN, The-Dream, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Miguel, Pharrell Williams, Calvin Harris, Troye Sivan, Washed Out, Neon Indian
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About the Reviewer:
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent within the next generation of musical explorers.