Greetings dearest gentle reader and music lovers Let’s welcome Tom. Tom is from Holland, and since 2018, he’s been performing as Hipster Pug. For the first two years, he made a few albums and episodes in the genres of downtempo and lo-fi. However, after two years, he wanted to create a more intimate album that told a story through music, which is what he did with Neon Noir, which he released in 2020. Additionally, this was his first album that was more neoclassical and ambient. The 16-song album is called “Signal from the Universe” and was released on 1st November. Let’s talk more about the album

“Prologue” is the first song on the album. The songs twinkles deeply then bright popping sounds filter in. The song then takes a dramatic turn with brooding sounds like one you would hear playing when a protagonist is in danger. Fitting that the title of the song is prologue because it welcomes listeners to the album

“Act 1 the Signal” is the next song on the album. This song signifies change. The song starts with glitchy sounds before very bright piano notes set in. The drum beat that is added doesn’t take over the song, but it fits in so well with the piano sound and occasional dial sound

Next up is “Signal from the Universe”. The song starts with static sounds like when you’re trying to maintain service when going into a tunnel or searching for an FM station. All the sounds in the song are sounds used when talking about connection and a signal falls under the category

Up next is “The Maze”. The song starts with operatic sounds that sound different at every turn in the song but it’s the same melody. As you learn you can hear the depth the length and the curves of the song. That makes the song so unique and so awesome

“Yugen” is the next song on the album. A sharp synth sound meets you when the song starts but the tempo builds to add different dimensions to it. This particular sound reminds Me of a harrowing time a character from the hit series 13 Reasons Why called Hannah was harassed by another student at a shop when she was buying candy. The latter part of this song though has a certain loudness to it. And it’s definitely a sound you can put on to harness your thoughts

Next is the song “follow your own path”. The song has a party poo synth energy to it. The sound will make you feel like you were at a rave, with glow sticks just grooving with the music

Next is “Act 2 cave of memories”. Change is about letting go of the past and looking forward to what you would like, a sentiment that we as humans share. The song has this ethereal energy oozing out of it and it is so beautiful

“Des vu” is up next. The sound in this song is soft at the beginning but the melody elongates and makes it more open to blend these little other sounds into it and even accommodates other sounds till is in perfect harmony

“The Cave of Memories” is the next song on the album. The song filters in and out, and with this method, you can enjoy every sound you hear and savor it. This song was so healing and transformative

Next is the song “No More Looking Up”. This song starts with a couple of singular and lonely sounds. It’s dark and very light. With this song, you feel like you’re flying a kite on a bright day and watching it float fabulously and freely

Next is the song “Light Part II”. The song is an optimistic song with a very heavenly and ethereal vibe. The sound is a breath of fresh air and will make you feel good about everything in life

“Act 3 New Beginning “is the name of the next track. This song represents new beginnings and a self-explanatory new start. The song does represent new beginnings. The song sounds so hopeful and makes you feel like everything is possible, a message that is crucial in this world

The next song on the record is “the path of new beginnings”. This song is very light and also crisp. It is glacial so listeners can hear and experience every single note in the song and have fun listening to these very different sounds coming together as a unit

Next is the song “Inner Beauty”. The song is very operatic and dramatic and coy at the start but the sound grows into itself and the urgent and piano and violin sounds are nothing short of amazing!

Next up is the song “Nothing is ever quite the Same”. The sound is breezy yet flawless. The sound cuts a clear and fine line that listeners can hold onto and follow the direction each note will take before the song ends

The last song on the album is “Epilogue”. This song is the song that says goodbye to listeners. The intro is a sad and lonely note that the rest of the sounds stand on to create the best sound you’ve ever heard, very avant-garde and classical which will delight your senses and be a treat to your ears

Hipster Pug has made a phenomenal body of work. This album is a masterpiece and takes listeners on an unforgettable sonic journey like never before. The songs don’t have words but they speak to you whether you have an ear for music or just a person first experiencing neo-classical songs for the first time. He is very talented and I can’t wait to hear more music from him

Stream the “Signal from the Universe” album on Spotify

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