Mike Vorpal's first solo EP, "Memes," shows that he is a brave artist who isn't afraid to explore the dark sides of modern life. He combines dark wave sounds with raw, guitar-driven intensity on six tracks to make a body of work that feels both experimental and very personal. The end result is a stunning first album that strikes a balance between atmosphere and urgency, letting listeners explore disconnection, compulsion, and psychological unease through sound.
The EP doesn't waste any time setting the mood. "Planet Earth" hides heavy themes of loneliness in the digital age behind catchy riffs, while "Manhunter" takes listeners into dark territory with its stalking guitar tones and creepy vocal delivery. Vorpal's early songs are both unsettling and easy to listen to, making them as interesting to think about as to hear.
Vorpal shows off a wide range of skills as the record goes on. "House of Capricorn" moves towards dreamy self-reflection with reversed sounds and warm synths, thinking about the cycles of addiction and compulsion. "Charlatan" comes next, and it goes deep into destructive psychology with drum machines and dark synths that sound like they were made for listening to alone at night. Each song on the EP keeps the theme strong while also pushing the sound even further.
The experimental side of the album reaches its peak with "Q," a chaotic and psychedelic song with overlapping vocal patterns and rhythms that are in sync. It's a song that goes against the rules of structure and dares listeners to either accept or fight its dizzying attack. "Overboard," a haunting song that perfectly captures the feeling of mental drowning, ends the EP. This is Vorpal's scariest piece, and it sticks with you long after the music stops.
These six songs constitute an EP that is both risky and rewarding. "Memes" doesn't avoid discomfort; it uses it as a way to express itself artistically. Mike Vorpal's first book pushes the limits by combining scary settings with fearless storytelling. It's an introduction that shows off his unique voice and promises even more intriguing explorations to come.
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