Tired of his musical peers always choosing to write sad songs instead of happy ones, Corona, CA based artist Michael McDannold set out to blaze his own trail and create music with a message. He has become Positronic – short for Positive-Electronic, and the name mirrors the kind of music that he’s been making.
New Life is Positronic’s sophomore release, following A New Day (which you can stream here) back in 2019. Positronic is a one-man show – McDannold writes, programs, and records all of his projects himself, though he may be accompanied by keyboard players and backup singers at live performances.
“I was going through a really hard time when I wrote this album and I had to express my feeling and emotions. It kind of just bubbled up out of me. This album is therapy for me.”
Like for so many other artists, the album New Life was born from the struggles of its creator. But instead of dwelling on the challenges, Positronic strives to rise above. To turn the page, to start the new chapter. When the going gets tough, keep going. And in listening to New Life, it’s clear that the music that has sprung from these difficulties is the silver lining.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
New Life begins the album confidently with exactly the sentiment you might expect to find from Positronic:
“A brand new life is now beginning, as I look away from things that are ending. The day is bright and I am grinning, I sing a new song, a brand new song.”
The cascading synth runs in the intro to World Full of Love are almost hypnotizing, before settling into a comfortable driving beat, which nicely complements the message of never giving up.
The layered, bouncing vocals in the chorus of My Joy are a great choice, bringing a different, unique energy that draws sharp attention to the hook.
We really like the driving, pounding beat in The Tides of Change. The song marches strongly on just as Positronic encourages the listener to do:
“Pick yourself up off the ground, where you go depends on you.”
Hold On might be the closest we get to a ballad on New Life, but this doesn’t mean we lose the uplifting theme. Instead, backed by delicate, staccato synths, we hear the timeless theme that love can conqueror all, conveyed by a gentle and flowing melody.
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
When You Fall Down brings together more of those cascading synths that we really like, along with some really interesting dissonant notes in the intro that keep the listener’s ear guessing as to where we might end up. This pairs nicely with the message, which is clear and strong:
“Oh, when you fall down
Upon the ground
I’ll be here for you“
You might not know where you’re going to end up in life either, but that’s okay when you have someone to lean on.
IN CONCLUSION…
Uplifting, bright, and optimistic. Fun, but with feeling. And a great change of pace to listen to an album where the only messages the artist wants to get across are positive. Positronic has a captivating, engaging synth-pop sound that is sure to delight listeners everywhere with his emotive and inspiring message. New Life achieves the goals McDannold has set for himself – we dare you to listen to these tracks and not feel like your day has gotten a little brighter. Check out New Life by Positronic below.
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BELOW: Check out our full artist interview with Positronic, listen to his album New Life, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Positronic by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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Check out our interview with POSITRONIC:
INTERVIEW: Positronic (Click HERE)
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