gwEm – Atariffic Review

What does gwEm sound like?

Chiptunes across the decades, often with a raving punky punch.

The review of ‘Atariffic’ by gwEm

With over 20 years of chiptune music behind him, gwEm has a knack for reaching back to specific eras and chipsets and giving them a rave or punk edge. This time around ‘Atariffic’ focuses on the 8-bit Atari sound and beefs it up. This album goes hard on the drums and the bass lines.

The best example of what ‘Atariffic’ does best is ‘Wicked Modulation’. It brings uptempo chiptune chords that shiver and arp which give a late 80s sound. gwEm adds a grizzled modulation to the bassline and some damage to the drums so they punch through. The song is aggressive and dramatic, like a bedroom indie production of chiptune music – although to be clear, the production is balanced perfectly. ‘The Beautiful Earth’ takes the same approach with a bouncy beat – with each kickdrum boinging the melody synth around gleefully. ‘No Timers’ is lower, slinkier and reminiscent of VVVVVV’s soundtrack.

Where gwEm likes to break free of the 8-bit restraints, the album flourishes too. ‘Open Your Cart’ is a triumphant and speedy drum N bass track with a bombastic groove and brassy overture. You can’t deny yourself grooving to it. ‘Donk’ is a happy hardcore beat slowed down to allow for cheesy rubbery anthems that spiral into a chaotic synth solo that gets your blood pumping. It is a great example of a standard four-chord dance track being elevated by riffing off into something more spectacular. ‘Barbeque Season’ is the sister track, borrowing the drum ‘n’ bass grooves from ‘Open Your Cart’ but reapproaching the chords and ideas from ‘Donk’ in a grizzly dance way. It also has its own synth solo too. This Atariffic portion blends so well together that it’d work well in a club playlist.

The final portion of the album goes deeper and darker on the theme of feeling under duress. ‘Slow Rave’ is exactly what it says on the tin. gwEm doesn’t strictly make a rave track at a slower BPM but it evokes the brooding drama of a track like that. ‘Babylon Can Wait’ gets into percussion loop speed switching. The back half of the track flips from a near jungle groove to stretched-out slow vinyl-cracking beats for parts of a musical bar. It is dynamic and playful whilst also bringing chords and melodies from the school of underdogs of war.

Having gone through the upheaval, ‘Further Out’ returns to upbeat, playful and celebratory Atari sounds. It has all the makings of an end credits track and feels like it could be the album closer. It isn’t as the modulated bass sizzle of ‘Kung Fu’, complete with vocoder snippets, heavy drum ‘n’ bass rhythms and curious synth chords fires all cylinders at you instead. gwEm then closes the album with a secret track – an Iron Maiden remix! ‘Fear Of The Dark’ is a fast, frantic bop. It swaps out the percussion samples used across the album for rock cymbals and slappier snare so it feels and sounds like a bonus track. I’m not hugely familiar with the original but I enjoyed the fanfare of this piece to round off the album.

Mixing Atari 8-bit chiptune, drum ‘n’ bass loops and giving everything a gritty and muddy smear in production makes ‘Atariffic’ a great album. gwEm melts a mixture of moods and feelings together and since the album feels like a prelude to an epic boss battle, it gets you pumped and ready for action. 20 years in and still producing bangers, this is another gem from gwEm chiptune fans should pick up.

Also… Crocodile Dundee 2 samples?! What?!

Recommended track: Wicked Modulation

---

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.