Local Review: SLC Synth Alliance – Dream Variations Vol. 2

SLC Synth Alliance
Dream Variations Vol. 2
Self-Released
Street: 12.15.2025
SLC Synth Alliance = Emeralds + Alessandro Cortini

Ambient music is a special thing. Most people would never go out of their way to listen to it, and if they did, many would probably be confused by what is happening, or more accurately by the lack of what is happening. It is difficult to explain the appeal to someone who doesn’t already understand it — and without that base, entering such an inherently esoteric and liminal world of music and sound can feel daunting. SLC Synth Alliance, however, provides a relatively approachable entry point with its one-hour compilation, Dream Variations Vol. 2.

The opening track, “Little Mountain” by Dante Lerae, starts the compilation off strong with a glitchy handpan soundscape that ebbs and flows under the sound of rainfall. The way Lerae manipulates the handpan’s timbre to push the music forward is interesting, and the wandering bass line gives the track a solid foundation to breathe on.

When I first looked at the track list, the name Fezmaster immediately jumped out at me, not just because it’s an awesome name (it is), but because Fezmaster once opened for my band at an Old Cuss show several years ago. He showed up with a flashy, yellow, handmade computer and a couple of flutes and went from there. I remember being amazed by the uniqueness of what he was doing, and maybe it’s because of that experience that I felt let down by his contribution, “The Carpenters Apprentice.” It is repetitive in a way that never quite develops, and it doesn’t remain static in a particularly compelling way either. In this case, the homemade-computer-reverberated-flutes concept feels more visually interesting than musically engaging. That said, there is something to be admired about the sheer originality of what Fezmaster creates.

“I DON’T EVEN KNOW I AM HERE” by burgersmoke immediately caught my attention, not because every letter of the title is capitalized, but because of its groaning bass line. The music production nerd inside me immediately started wondering how that sound was recorded, processed and reimagined. If that sound were further explored, it could easily venture into the territory of Sam Gendel‘s blueblue, an avant-garde “jazz” album filled with nostalgia and beautifully tape-decayed textures.

The bit-crushed MIDI synth sounds of “Secret Labs” by Runestomper are undoubtedly the highest-energy moment on the album, which is refreshing. However, the lack of significant timbral evolution causes the track to feel more repetitive than it probably needs to.

“Horse” by Arroyo has the opposite energy, taking the listener to a distant, barren landscape. It’s a masterclass in just how much can be accomplished with so little.

“Bardo” by Medium provides an excellent contrast, standing out as the most, dare I say, analog synth-sounding track on the compilation. It very well may have been recorded using MIDI synthesizers and automation, but the presentation makes it feel like you’re listening to someone performing live at a synth jam. As someone who has spent years recording my own live synth sessions, I found that especially welcoming.

The compilation ends with my favorite track, “Zoia” byLoghouse Woods and Patrick Ruffner. It begins with a windy ambient landscape before gradually unfolding into a heart-wrenchingly beautiful, string-filled arrangement, giving the piece a cinematic quality similar to the way Max Richter‘s “On the Nature of Daylight” is used in Denis Villeneuve‘s Arrival. My only complaint is that it ends too soon.

If you already enjoy ambient music, there is absolutely no reason you wouldn’t enjoy Dream Variations Vol. 2. If, however, you don’t particularly like or understand ambient music, there isn’t anything here that is likely to change your mind about the world of filter sweeps and VCOs. Ultimately, the compilation’s greatest strength is that it was created entirely by local musicians, each bringing a unique perspective and sound to the project. I’m excited to see what comes next from the SLC Synth Alliance, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing what the Salt Lake synth community has to offer. —Teddy P.

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