Mike Vorpal‘s debut solo EP “Memes” is a bold fusion of dark wave aesthetics and guitar-driven intensity, offering you a deeply introspective yet electrifying experience. This six-track collection presents strikingly different songs that collectively explore the darker corners of contemporary existence, each standing as its own sonic experiment united by themes of disconnection, manipulation, and psychological unraveling.
The journey begins with “Planet Earth”, whose deceptively catchy riff and bouncy rhythm mask a profound meditation on digital-age loneliness. Despite its anthem-like qualities, the track dissects how our desperate attempts at connection often leave us more isolated than ever. Vorpal crafts an ironic juxtaposition between the song’s accessible sound and its existential weight.
From there, “Manhunter” transforms the EP’s trajectory entirely. The guitar tone creates an unsettling spaciousness, as if the instrument itself is stalking from the shadows. Vorpal inhabits the perspective of journalist Freddie Lounds from Thomas Harris’s Red Dragon, narrating serial killer Francis Dolarhyde’s story with genuinely eerie vocal delivery. The track succeeds not through cheap thrills but through atmospheric dread that will leave you genuinely unsettled.
Taking a sharp sonic turn, “House of Capricorn” introduces reversed sounds and warm synthesizers, creating a dreamlike yet sober reflection that evokes themes of addiction, compulsion, and the cycles of gambling. This dramatic shift demonstrates Vorpal’s range, moving from horror into introspective territory without losing emotional impact. You’ll find yourself drawn into its hypnotic atmosphere.
The emotional journey continues with “Charlatan”, where Vorpal explores the psychology of someone fully aware of their destructive behavior. A relentless drum machine and somber synths create the perfect backdrop for late-night contemplation. The kind of track that demands you listen alone during long drives.
Now, if you’ve read our article on this next song, then you should already be pretty familiar with how “Q” assaults you with synchronized guitar, drums, and vocals pounding identical rhythms while lyrics overlap in tongue-twister fashion: “Get it, you don’t get it, you don’t get to…”. This psychedelic experience challenges conventional song structure, creating something genuinely unique that will polarize you and your friends’ musical tastes.
Finally, the EP concludes with “Overboard” my personal favorite track on the EP, and in my opinion, Vorpal’s most accomplished composition. The track achieves genuine artistic expression of psychological drowning through brilliant songwriting and a tangibly eerie atmosphere. It’s a bone-chilling experience that transcends typical genre attempts at creating fear, delivering something that will stay with you long after it ends.
“Memes” showcases an artist unafraid to traverse vastly different sonic territories while maintaining thematic coherence. Vorpal has created something that challenges you as a listener while rewarding those willing to engage with its darkness.
