Sound of Thunder (EP) - Artificial Incline (Pop) We were introduced to Artificial Incline about two months ago with their first EP “Used to Be”, which we hailed as a raw and emotional experience derived from the specificity of the artist’s experiences. Now, Artificial Incline is back with three track EP “Sound of Thunder”, which provides a sampling of wildly different subject matter made cohesive through the sonic atmosphere of the driving pop power ballad.
But before we get into the EP, a reminder about our artist. Artificial Incline is a Canadian based lyricist focused on combining the power of music and technology to tell emotional stories. Hailing from Strathmore, Canada, our artist uses music as an escape, while at the same time using it to delve into the nuances of the underlying relationship traumas that necessitated the escape—cheating and emotional abuse. As an artist, Artificial Incline is inclined towards the complexities of human relationships, hoping to add their unique perspective to the conversation.
Like “Used to Be”, “Sound of Thunder” is another fusion of music and technology as we sense AI elements (and the context clues from the artist’s name), and our artist describes their latest work as a testament to their “perseverance and commitment to creating music that speaks to the soul.” Together, both EPs give us a solid understanding of Artificial Incline’s musical lane—a rousing mid tempo power ballad. Raw emotion and catharsis remain at the heart of Artificial Incline’s artistry in their latest project.
EP opener “Easy as Breathing” leads the listener to believe that Artificial Incline is in a different headspace than where they were with the last project. While the emotion remains raw and our artist stays settled in their vulnerability, the track is a pure love ballad dedicated to a love that comes naturally and effortlessly. Artificial Incline paints the sonic world we’re entering into with a lilting guitar melody, mesmerizing the listener first before the entry of the driving bass. When the track begins to hit a bit harder, the record transforms from a gentle ode to an anthemic pop number, as the instrumental becomes increasingly rousing.
Next up is the title track, which follows a similar sonic pattern—a guitar lead driving the track as a bass builds underneath. But the subject matter takes a sharp turn, going from a dedication of love to a more somber note—an existential rumination on the great beyond. Someone has passed in our artist’s life, and through the grief Artificial Incline wonders what it is like for their loved one on the other side. This track is heavy on the heart.
While sticking to the rousing pop ballad format, a piano lead takes over in “Better in Time”, which remains in a dark space as the subject matter turns to struggles through suicidal ideation. Ultimately, however, it’s a positive track as Artificial Incline pulls from their experiences to tell the listener that the darkest always comes before the dawn—there is light at the end of the tunnel and time heals everything. As Artificial Incline sings, “when the night is long and all hope feels gone, just stay strong.”
With their second project, Artificial Incline solidifies their musical stylings and continues to show that the blending of music and technology does not have to mean the elimination of the human experience. No matter how this EP was made, it has heart.