Solar Sequences is an early, definitive cosmic concept album by Dutch synthesizer artist Romerium, initially composed under the working title "Planets II" and officially released in 2012–2013. Serving as a bridge between his early ambient experiments and his later intricate space epics, the album acts as a direct musical narrative of leaving Earth behind to chart the outer edges of the solar system.
Style of the Album
The album is fundamentally built on classical late-20th-century electronic music traditions, explicitly categorized by the artist under three main pillars:
Classic EM (Electronic Music):
Heavily influenced by pioneering space synthesists, the tracks feature layered lead solos and vintage waveforms generated from classic hardware synthesizers.
Berliner Schule (Berlin School):
True to the subgenre, the backbone of the record rests on driving, rhythmic step-sequencers that oscillate continuously, giving the tracks a physical sense of momentum.
Space Music:
Expansive, open-ended atmospheric soundscapes form the backdrop, creating a canvas that simulates the infinite void of the cosmos.
Mood of the Album
The emotional and atmospheric landscape of Solar Sequences is heavily dynamic, capturing both the excitement and the isolation of space travel:
Propulsive & "Jolly" Rhythmic:
Unlike his darker ambient projects, parts of this record carry an upbeat, highly-active electronic pulse designed to keep the listener moving forward through space.
Awe-Inspiring & Cosmic:
The music evokes a profound sense of scale, translating the vastness of the universe into an emotional, thread-bound narrative.
Mysterious & Distant:
Certain tracks incorporate heavily texturized, slightly distorted solo leads to portray the unfamiliar and harsh environments of foreign celestial bodies.
Critical Review
For fans of traditional space-synth and Berlin School music, Solar Sequences stands out as a foundational stepping stone in Romerium's early catalog.
Critics from electronic music platforms like Sonic Immersion have praised its bold rhythmic approach, pointing to the 10-minute opening track "Leaving Earth" as an exceptional introduction that perfectly blends imagery and emotion to pull the listener out of Earth's orbit.
Another clear highlight of the album is the track "Disappearing", which critics have singled out for its massive, bouncing sequencer patterns layered flawlessly alongside deep space effects. The album closes on a unique collaborative note with the track "Signals from outer space" featuring fellow electronic artist Matzumi, adding sweeping orchestral hints to the arrangement.
While reviewers noted that the album’s early 2012 production and mastering lacked some of the ultra-polished, pristine clarity found in Romerium's later 2020s works, it remains a highly imaginative, deeply engaging cosmic trip. It successfully showcases an artist rapidly honing his signature ability to turn hardware synthesizer frequencies into vivid, filmic astronomical stories.
Style of the Album
The album is fundamentally built on classical late-20th-century electronic music traditions, explicitly categorized by the artist under three main pillars:
Classic EM (Electronic Music):
Heavily influenced by pioneering space synthesists, the tracks feature layered lead solos and vintage waveforms generated from classic hardware synthesizers.
Berliner Schule (Berlin School):
True to the subgenre, the backbone of the record rests on driving, rhythmic step-sequencers that oscillate continuously, giving the tracks a physical sense of momentum.
Space Music:
Expansive, open-ended atmospheric soundscapes form the backdrop, creating a canvas that simulates the infinite void of the cosmos.
Mood of the Album
The emotional and atmospheric landscape of Solar Sequences is heavily dynamic, capturing both the excitement and the isolation of space travel:
Propulsive & "Jolly" Rhythmic:
Unlike his darker ambient projects, parts of this record carry an upbeat, highly-active electronic pulse designed to keep the listener moving forward through space.
Awe-Inspiring & Cosmic:
The music evokes a profound sense of scale, translating the vastness of the universe into an emotional, thread-bound narrative.
Mysterious & Distant:
Certain tracks incorporate heavily texturized, slightly distorted solo leads to portray the unfamiliar and harsh environments of foreign celestial bodies.
Critical Review
For fans of traditional space-synth and Berlin School music, Solar Sequences stands out as a foundational stepping stone in Romerium's early catalog.
Critics from electronic music platforms like Sonic Immersion have praised its bold rhythmic approach, pointing to the 10-minute opening track "Leaving Earth" as an exceptional introduction that perfectly blends imagery and emotion to pull the listener out of Earth's orbit.
Another clear highlight of the album is the track "Disappearing", which critics have singled out for its massive, bouncing sequencer patterns layered flawlessly alongside deep space effects. The album closes on a unique collaborative note with the track "Signals from outer space" featuring fellow electronic artist Matzumi, adding sweeping orchestral hints to the arrangement.
While reviewers noted that the album’s early 2012 production and mastering lacked some of the ultra-polished, pristine clarity found in Romerium's later 2020s works, it remains a highly imaginative, deeply engaging cosmic trip. It successfully showcases an artist rapidly honing his signature ability to turn hardware synthesizer frequencies into vivid, filmic astronomical stories.