Australia based producer Killstarr, aka Jonathan von Kelaita, is turning heads with his debut album, “Worlds Apart.” Streaming straight from the sun kissed city of Melbourne, “Worlds Apart” is an achievement in synthwork – expertly blending elements of dreamwave, chillwave, and outrun to create a happy, dreamlike nostalgia reminiscent of familiar synthwave tones but wrapped wholly in it’s own unique sound.
Killstarr has been producing music since 2014, but has only just now released his first full length album. Too often many producers jump the gun and release large, inexperienced albums – and the restraint shown from Killstarr is palpable in “Worlds Apart.”
The entire album is filled with magnificently articulate production and spot-on mixing, making none of the mistakes regularly seen on debut releases. The Killstarr sound is one of a seasoned artist who clearly knows exactly how to craft lush and involved soundscapes.
In fact, “Worlds Apart” is already turning heads, with several well known synth artists lauding the release and Vehlinggo listing it among their “5 Can’t-Miss Releases,” saying Killstarr “…just plain makes me happy….He gets dreamy, upbeat, and invites the listener to join him on fantastic journeys…. I recommend you buy this entire album right now.”
What sets this album apart is the overall tone – the way that Killstarr approaches nostalgia. Many times nostalgia is a melancholic sound that leaves the listener wistful and daydreaming about bygone days. With “Worlds Apart,” however, the nostalgia is a much more happy, joy-inducing blend.
Killstarr combines that smile inducing nostalgia with traditional thrumming basslines and some very interesting, slightly RnB influenced beats and immaculate production to truly craft a truly memorable album.
Top Cuts Wonderland, Worlds Apart, Hyperdrift, Whole New World
