Day 7. Soft Replica’s “Only Ever in Dreams” STORMS to the forefront of our series, demanding to be reviewed and recognized as my 4th favorite electronic album. Soft Replica has turned heads in the ambient/shoegaze/dreampop/vaporwave scene already, even with only one album under their belt. I also chalk up a lot of their success to the fact that we are mutuals on rateyourmusic (subtle flex). Regardless of our close connection, this review will be free of bias and I’ll stick to the facts- I personally love it! There’s tons of beauty on this record front to back. The intro track Everyone Is Asleep is a great tone-setter, it’s a short track with these waves of shattering synths and little clicks and whispers that feel like they’re caught between our world and the realm of the eternal dreamer. Next up is Valerie’s Dream, it’s got this seamless transition into a similar sound that adds a drum pattern at the front of the song. There’s lots of really strange percussive snares and cymbal crashes that mix into the synths and vocals of the previous track. I quite enjoy Nights That Never Were as well, it’s easily top 2 or 3 vaporwave songs of this year for me. The carrying melody of these synth notes that stretch across multiple measures, with a dreamy guitar-like backing, not to mention all the little synths on the bridge… perfection. I’ve talked so much though. Just listen, and you’ll see.