Warganization – Like a Nightmare (2020)
A lot of people experience the phenomena where they are caught in an unpleasant dream and are unsure if they are even in a dream at all. This sensation is the basis of Like a Nightmare, the new EP from Warganization. The 4-track EP includes a song that focuses solely on this, two remixes of the song and an additional tune. Through the album, you are propelled through the unreal dreamscape by haunting tones and skittering beats.
While Warganization is primarily the solo project of Jack Morrison, he has teamed up with other musicians and artists from across the globe over the years. For this EP, Log S provides the synth work while Mals Marola offers additional production and songwriting. Together, they take you on an interesting sonic journey through dreams and the emotions they invoke.
The EP starts with the title track ‘Like a Nightmare’ and this is the original version. At the start, you are hit with a glitchy electronic line while softer notes lurk in the background. The vocals have a dreamy vibe to them as they hazily waft over the electronic soundscape. The movement of the melody and vocals form an ever-changing soundscape much like a dream where you have no idea what is happening. At one point, the melody changes to something more nightmarish with building tension and a sense that something is going to leap out at you.
‘Like a Nightmare (Ronnie Raygun’s Ravenous Retrowave Mix)’ is the first of the remixes on the EP and completely changes the opening. You are hit with deeper notes and a very different build-up of the dreamscape. There are less glitchy electronics on this song, but the vocals have been kept mostly the same. This version of the track seems to thrust you into the nightmarish dreamscape sooner than the original but does not have the same level of tension.
‘RX3’ is the next track and has you moving to its deep beats from the first note. There is something infectious about the beats of this track. The electronic notes overlapping the beat have a futuristic vibe to them. The song makes you want to move around and would be amazing to listen to at a party with the volume turned up. This is a completely electronic dance song but the different movements in the notes give it enough variety and flavour to keep you engaged.
The album ends with another remix of the title track ‘Like a Dream’. This remix takes a completely different approach to the other and the original track. You are thrown into a light and dreamy soundscape which is soft and wafting. The vocals have more airiness to them as they float in an echoey haze. The way this remix has been created gives you a better move from good dreams to a nightmare landscape. You are also able to feel the sensation of not knowing if you are in a dream or not much better.
Warganization thrusts you into a sonic dreamscape turning into a nightmare to capture the sensation of not knowing if you are really dreaming in Like a Nightmare. The title track sets the tone of the EP while the two remixes give you a different take on the track. The additional track is infectious and gets you hooked from start to finish.
Find out more about Warganization on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
