Debut album from Aptøsrs

Aptøsrs is the new moniker of composer, songwriter and bestselling author Paul Terry who presents a fresh musical endeavour built on musical exploration. Based in Los Angeles, Paul Terry is no newcomer to the music scene, having earned acclaim for his work in film scoring, earning nominations for prestigious awards like the Sydney Web Awards and Raindance Film Festival.

His solo projects, including the revered Cellarscape, have also earned him recognition for his innovative musical style and prolific output. With Aptøsrs, Paul Terry makes an exciting foray into a synth-driven instrumental sound that marries elements of synthwave, cinematic orchestrations and rock.

First revealing the project in February, he released the debut Aptøsrs single with “Rust Mountain,” making a compelling artistic statement ahead of his brand new debut record titled Elders. Featuring eight tracks, Elders as a captivating window into the world of Aptøsrs, expertly mixed and mastered by industry veterans Adam Noble and Robin Schmidt respectively, who have worked with the likes of Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves, Wolf Alice, Royal Blood and Pixies.

The album starts with the debut single “Rust Mountain,” an immersive journey formed by pulsating synths, reverb-drenched instrumentals and dynamic rhythmic twists. The track sets the tone for the album, showcasing Aptøsrs’ ability to blend mesmerising ambiance with rhythmic intensity.

The intricate flutter of clean guitar tones on “With Each Step” follows as the piece gently slips into an ethereal soundscape of lush synth tones and the rising pace of the kick beat. Building with the patter of percussive elements, an immersive scene takes hold as a constantly shifting musical experience is laid out as switching rhythms and upbeat melodies collide to form a bright instrumental piece.

“A Peaceful Way to Defy Them All” casts a subtly moody aesthetic as the deep strikes of atmospheric tones are met with the contrasting light of the delicate piano notes. Crafting an enthralling sound that builds to an anthemic finale, the punch of a full drum kit drives the hazy fabric of the instrumentation into an epic crescendo.

Other highlights on the album include “Questionnaires” with its stretching sweeps of sustained synth textures, airy piano and string tones cut with soft staccato notes. It’s an elegant piece of future-classical music that showcases the producers knack for filtering his inspirations through his modern sonic lens to present something familiar yet entirely new.

The record closes with “Encore, Vredefort” where bold piano notes and warm string layers are driven by the rattling punch of crisp percussion. Setting up a theatrical listening experience full of dark twists and turns, it’s a sensational burst of the Aptøsrs sound that sees the artist reframe his unique sound with the intensity and rhythms of metal to deliver a thrilling conclusion to his incredible debut album.

Listen to Elders below