Xafran – Find a Way (2022)
There is a lot of music out there that taps into our collective sense of nostalgia, but Xafran is bringing a fresh downtempo infusion to this. With his debut EP Find a Way, he sprinkles a modern electronic vibe over some retro undertones, adding a fresh splash of pop to bring it to life. The synth-heavy atmosphere of the EP is given direction by the electronic-tinged vocals that offer a slightly experimental edge to the sound.
While tapping into both the old and new vibes of music, he takes us on a transformative journey through the challenges we all face in life. Although this EP is the debut for this musical incarnation, Aaron Zafran, the man behind the music, has lived through many releases as a lifelong musician. After dabbling in multiple genres and styles as an artist, producer and DJ, he is returning to his 80s pop roots with this project.
The title track ‘Find a Way’ opens the EP with an epic journey that really sets the tone of the collection as a whole. Inspired by his own transformative journey, the single dives right into the heavy synth tones that bring a touch of retro vibes to the soundscape. The progressive chords of the opening draw you into the journey that reaches out into the distance with a movement that seems to mimic the flash of streetlights when driving late at night. As you fly down the darkened road, the synths are met by an ambient higher tone that enhances the expansive feeling of the single. The new layers of sound that make their way into the melody bring their own touch of transformative energy, twisting and turning to form something greater than the parts of the whole. The vocals have an electronic tinge as they rise from the depths of the synths laying down the path of the track with a touch of anticipation over what is waiting for you at the end.
‘Feeling Cold About It’ has a more modern feeling to the sounds with a clearer pop vibe. There is a depth of emotion that shines through the opening tones as they swirl modern electronic pop tones around a more retro musical flow. This creates a floating feeling like you are suspended in a moment and inundated with the emotions infused into the vocals. In the low levels of the melody, there is a darkness like a pit resting below your feet that you could fall down at any moment. This is contrasted by a lighter feeling woven into the vocals that keeps you from sinking. Through all of this, a hint of futuristic tones make their way through the soundscape, leading you into a new twist of transformative energy.
The opening of ‘Running Out of Daylight’ has an almost breathing touch, like taking a deep breath first thing in the morning and feeling the renewing energy of the crisp air. This sweeps into a warm and rather atmospheric sound that brings a chill to your skin, but leaves a trail of revitalising energy. As the single progresses, it feels like you are moving through the day from dawn to dusk. The mixture of harmonies is fantastic and really chill, while the heavy electronic vocals glide across your skin like the heat of the sun. Through this track, you relax into the sound of the melody as you travel through a chilled day and soak up the good vibes that flow through the music. In the latter parts of the melody, there is a slightly more moving vibe that has you lightly bopping to the sound.
The EP comes to an end with ‘Retro Eyes’ which features Lukky Sparxx on vocals. The name of the track is quite apt as it is a blast back in time to the heart of the synthwave moment. The synths bubble and draw you into the melody where you are met by a retro progression that brings classic 80s sounds to a slightly modern edge. The vocals by Sparxx have a light rock touch to them as they flow over the high layers of the music. Through his performance, he tells the tale of a connection between two people who long for days long past. It is a wonderful nostalgic track that takes our love for older tones and weaves it into an interesting love song.
Xafran is taking a love for retro tones to a new level by infusing a touch of modernity to the synth-laden and emotionally transformative tracks of Find a Way. Each song has a different nostalgic touch that culminates in the retro love story of the last track. Through the music, he transports us through journeys of transformation soaked in synthwave sensibilities.
Find out more about Xafran on his website, Instagram and Spotify.
