In a broken world of new and not necessarily soul-lifting deeds and actions, Dreamkid is the silver bullet. Dreamkid a.k.a Ryan Morris is a harbinger of all that is nostalgic and dreamy.
There are many of Dreamkid’s tracks to choose from (and I suggest that you make a playlist!), but to give you a flavour of his work and send it out there as a solid representation of his music, in this review, we were focusing on just one track, and ‘Fatal Attraction’ has it all - the spacious echoing of kick drums, the solid pace of the genre, the echoing vocals, the breaks filled with anticipation, and satisfying drops. Of course, the contrasting sting and smooth misty feel of the synth in Ryan’s very capable hands is the melodious star of the show.
To hone in on inspiration for a moment, ‘synthwave’ is the word. The synthwave microgenre of the early 2000s has its roots firmly planted in the original cold wave of the 1980s which was the emotional core of the action, sci-fi and horror movies genres, as well as the games and art of the decade. Dreamkid’s works nestle perfectly in between like a hand to a glove. Intentional or not, Dreamkid’s work appears to echo some of the giants of the 80s decade and genres such as Tangerine Dream, John Carpenter, Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis, and would sit perfectly by them on the metaphorical record shop shelf.
For those who were lucky enough to experience the sheer creativity of 80s movies and games the first time around, you can’t fail to be catapulted back to those days listening to Dreamkid’s tracks. Suddenly we’re back to the days of smooth atmospherics, of bright colours, light and sound; of misty blue and orange sunset skies silhouetted with palm trees; the golden days of Top Gun, Terminator and Blade runner.
Dreamkid’s tracks are more than just pieces of music inspired by the music of the 80s they are nostalgic emotions in art form, and I fully expect to hear his work in genre-related games and movies in the future.
Listen to 'Fatal Attraction' by Dreamkid on Spotify.
About Dreamkid (from Dreamkid's website):
"Ryan Morris aka Dreamkid has always been obsessed with the feelings of nostalgia, not to mention all things music. Entering the world slap bang into the mid-eighties was a major contributing factor for his love of synthwave music. Having grown up on the sunny eastern shores of South Africa and spending most of his youth surfing, skateboarding, playing guitar and listening to Blink-182, he inevitably ended up starting a pop punk band during his school years.
Relocating to the UK in 2005 and a few years later, Ryan found himself signed to independent US label Sumerian Records in his alternative rock band New Volume. But it was through his love of 80s style pop songs however, that he discovered the New Retro Wave YouTube channel in 2015. Ryan says of that fateful day, “I always loved 80s music but when I discovered this whole synth scene I was completely sucked in.”
The global pandemic and resultant lockdown saw the birth of the Dreamkid persona and a time to hone in on his unique synthwave songwriting craft. With his androgynous look, wild care free attitude and together with his love of performing on stage, Dreamkid is hoping to stir up the world of synthwave with his own brand of nostalgic melodies. Debut album out now on Outland Recordings."