‘Through the Veil (Album)’ by Andrew Corbin and the Space Funk Odyssey

‘Through the Veil (Album)’ by Andrew Corbin and the Space Funk Odyssey

Today we are experiencing a musical journey through time and space. Andrew Corbin calls his album ‘Through the Veil’, which is being released today on the FiloFX Records label (I would like to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to Andrew Wood). 

The Toronto-based musician is characterised above all by his versatility, which he naturally gives free rein to on ‘Through the Veil’. Declaring him a newcomer would be inappropriate, as he has been up to his musical mischief since the turn of the millennium (CreatureBox Collective, Basements of Badmen compilations, Shad, or as an opener for K'naan, co-founder of Split Kick and much more...).

His current project is Andrew Corbin and the Space Funk Odyssey, on which he gives free rein to his artistic spirit and embarks on sonic voyages of discovery with his synth-pop spaceship, which often seems very futuristic but never loses the drive of the 80s. Driven by the retro aesthetic, he now unites all his influences on the aforementioned album ‘Through the Veil’ and gives us a work that combines 90s house, synthwave, synthpop and experimental electronics.

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Even the futuristic opener ‘Enter the Space Time Continuum’ leaves us amazed and makes us want more. This desire is fully satisfied with the already familiar ‘Just Let Me Move Again’, a successful mixture of pop and 80s synth landscape with perfect vocals reminiscent of The Simple Minds, only more electro-based. 

With ‘Tricky Situation (JamesBondLover)’, Andrew changes direction a little, a little calmer, but without losing any of the tension. This track maintains the level and you find yourself back in 90s synth mode, with the groovy drum part standing out in particular. This is followed by ‘I'm Dreaming’, which serves both sides, quasi retro meets present, and can be celebrated as a new synth wave pop song of the 2025s. 

‘Fever Child’ lives from a soundscape reminiscent of Jean-Michel Jarre, which is lifted into a mesmerising universe by the vocals. This is followed by the dramatic-sounding ‘I'll Be Here For You (Orchestra Interlude)’, which appears as if out of nowhere, captivates with its choice of sounds and allows us to hear another level of Andrew Corbin. With ‘For A Minute’, we travel back to the world of 80s synth-pop and enjoy an arrangement that shows vocals and instrumentals in perfect balance. 

‘All This Time’ sets the course for the rest of the journey and impresses with the interplay of story and music, showing how sounds can add depth to a story, reminding me in places of Terence Trent D'Arby at his best. ‘Tell Me’ takes us to the dancefloor and delivers almost beats a la Bronski Beat, very catchy and definitely one of my favourites. 

The farewell is approaching and is heralded with ‘I Heard We're Never Really Far Apart’. Maybe it's far-fetched, but somehow this song reminds me of Prince. Great track! Finally, ‘Tell Me How You Feel On The Dancefloor’ is another 90s dance groove that emphasises the elegance of the entire production.

‘Through the Veil’ by Andrew Corbin and the Space Funk Odyssey is a self-contained album that, in my opinion, has no weaknesses, offers a broad musical spectrum and makes retro vibes sound so futuristic that you find yourself in both dimensions, past and future, at the same time - in the present! ‘Through the Veil’ can be described as a "Must-Listen" without hesitation.

NenesButler - Indie Music Blog