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Album Review

zircon – ‘Arcology’ [Album Review]

A captivating masterpiece, Arcology transports us into zircon’s world, a mesmerizing depiction of his wondrous creative universe.

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zircon ‘Arcology’ album artwork
zircon ‘Arcology’ album artwork

EDM producer zircon, aka Andrew Aversa, releases his concept album, Arcology, the portrayal of a future civilization surrounded and supported by technology. Nevertheless, an innate desire for a natural environment remains.

Imagine living in a high-density, self-sustaining, chrome-walled city where everything is within walking distance: residential housing as well as police, grocery, hospitals, and municipal offices. Is this Shangri-La a pristine utopia? Or is it a penitentiary disguised as paradise?

Arcology conveys listeners into this encapsulated world while exploring the complex existential implications of technology on human lives.

Collaborating on the album are Jillian Aversa, vocalist for video games like Halo, Destiny, God of War, and Assassin’s Creed, vocalist/rapper Omega Sparx, and Jeff Ball, the brilliant violinist on Steven Universe, League of Legends, and PUBG.

Inspired by science fiction, anime, and video games, zircon’s sound blends elements of drum and bass, progressive breakbeat, trance, dubstep, and future bass. Along with his solo releases, zircon’s music appears on video game soundtracks, television, commercials, and streaming content.

Encompassing 10 tracks, highlights on Arcology include “The Pulse Within,” with its shimmering, swooshing intro flowing into a driving rhythm topped by dazzling layers of rippling sonic textures.

zircon, photo by Jillian Aversa

zircon, photo by Jillian Aversa

A personal favorite because of its magical mood and the alluring, enchanting voice of Jillian Aversa, “Take Me Away” lifts listeners, and conveys them into a vibrantly upbeat storybook world, where all worries and troubles disappear, replaced by feelings of happy ever after.

No Limits” also features celestial vocals from Jillian Aversa. Her voice glides on translucent tones over a deliciously pulsating melody that glimmers and percolates with effervescent surfaces. Whereas “Modular Raindrops” reveals the sensation of venturing outside and being caught in a delightful downpour of warm rain.

The final track, “Beyond Our Vision,” opens on soft, emerging tones that slowly build into a thrumming rhythm overlaid by dancing, cavorting synths as Jillian Aversa’s spellbinding voice imbues the lyrics with silky, soaring timbres. Jeff Ball’s violin solo evokes a lusciously tender expectancy, full of wistful hope.

A captivating masterpiece, Arcology transports us into zircon’s world, a mesmerizing depiction of his wondrous creative universe.

Arcology Track Listing:

1. The Pulse Within
2. ReSpire
3. Take Me Away
4. The Other Side
5. No Limits
6. Stranger Skies
7. Modular Raindrops
8. Infiltration
9. Generator
10. Beyond Our Vision

Run Time: 41:24
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Record Label: Independent

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