Floatation. Paraphernalia. Coming Attractions. Introspection. You surely are familiar with the fantastic instrumental music from ex-pat Toby Tune by now. He’s been sharing his enthralling blend of powerful compositions with us since 2016, solidifying his status as one of our most prolific and beloved composers. His latest work is – of course – no exception. The Big Bang is a dynamic collection of explosive, truly cinematic music in classic Toby Tune style – and perhaps with a bit more edge than usual.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
The album cover describes this project as Dramatic Film Music, and the opening track lives up to that expectation completely. Danger Ahead, as its name implies, is full of intense, foreboding energy. Driven by rapid-fire drum fills and layers of hard-hitting string parts, it’s the kind of opener that fully grabs your attention and sets the tone for the album.
Journey is an excellent complement, full of a welcome combination of bright and dark moments that allows for full immersion into the soundscape being create. But with the percussion consistently at the center of the track, it feels like a natural sequel to the spirited rhythms of the first.
The guitar-style intro and almost chaotic rhythm beneath it make for an interesting, almost Latin texture in the intro to Jackhammer. The strings that enter later bring a smoothness, adding a sense of unity to the track’s initial abruptness. With fairly bold compositional moments and the occasional dissonant section, this would make for the perfect tension-building track in the next silver screen action blockbuster.
Toby softens things a bit with Prestige, a softer, less anticipatory number with an innate warmness brought out by the horn section. It’s anthemic, a proud victory cry of battles won and days saved. The brighter, more optimistic tone gives the heavier sections half of this project a welcome bit of balance.
Bad is another standout on this album. From the title, you might expect something intense and unforgiving, but this track is a bit subtler. With its jangly percussion and deep bass notes, there’s a definitive darkness in the undercurrent, camouflaged only slightly by the uptempo rhythms and neutral melodies.
Wel also love Big Deal for its pure dramaticism. Big booming drum hits, a single strum of an electric guitar, a minor melody for the horns, Jaws-esque string parts – this is a little piece of every suspenseful movie moment there is in one ultimate package. In fact, this one feels more suited to a horror movie at times with the audible anxiety it manages to create.
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
The title track The Big Bang is a bold, work that paints a very precise picture of outer-space-anticipation. The heavy, repetitive percussion is a backdrop to a variety of techno-leaning, otherworldly synths that are wholly transportive. Truly, this is the entire climax of a sci-fi action film in 1:01.
We also love Basher for its raw, hard-rock energy. With some absolutely pounding, unapologetic drum work and a back-and-forth between keys and guitar parts, this short and sweet number is an ode to what can be accomplished by a skilled producer and piano player – Toby recorded and performed the entirety of this album using just his keyboard.
IN CONCLUSION…
If the cinematic style of instrumental music is something you enjoy, there’s simply no reason that Toby Tune‘s work would be anything other than resonant with you. The Big Bang is undoubtedly his most fiery and dramatic work yet, and within it you’ll find effortless immersion into complex, vivid moments of musical magic that unquestionably belong seated in the soundtracks of your favorite high-energy films.
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BELOW: Listen to The Big Bang, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Toby Tune 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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