Listening to Somnorine feels less like putting on an album and more like slipping into someone else’s subconscious. From the outset, it’s clear that Skylarka isn’t interested in escapism for its own sake. This record is a deliberate sonic exploration of dreams, existence, and nihilism, with every track rooted in an actual dream she experienced. What impressed me most is how committed the album is to that concept: the sounds, structures, and production choices all feel designed to recreate emotional states rather than chase polish or convention.
Skylarka’s background gives this project real weight. Coming from DIY punk, metal, and jazz, and now working almost entirely online after long COVID ended her ability to tour, Somnorine feels like both adaptation and defiance. Instead of disappearing, she redirected her creative energy into becoming a vtuber, streaming music production live and building an audience in real time. That context matters, because this album doesn’t sound isolated or sterile. It feels alive, collaborative, and human, even when it leans into synthetic textures.
Sonically, Somnorine sits in a dark synthwave world with an unmistakable 80s aesthetic, but it never feels nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake. Chiptune influences cut through the gloom, adding an edge that keeps the album from drifting into background ambience. Tracks move between dreamy melancholy and outright menace, reflecting the unpredictable logic of dreams themselves. One moment you’re floating, half-aware, the next you’re trapped in a synth-metal nightmare. That emotional whiplash feels intentional, and it works.
What really sets this album apart for me is its vulnerability. Skylarka openly explores consciousness, death, and the idea of finding peace with impermanence. These themes could easily feel heavy-handed, but here they’re handled with restraint. Even when the album peaks in intensity, it never feels performative. The closer, an openly existentialist punk rock anthem, feels like waking up after a long night of restless dreaming—raw, honest, and unresolved in the best way.
The collaborative process behind Somnorine also adds depth. Much of the album was created live on Twitch, with Skylarka’s community actively shaping lyrics and arrangements. You can feel that dialogue embedded in the music. It gives the record a sense of motion and risk, similar to a live performance, even though it exists entirely online. Rather than smoothing out imperfections, Skylarka embraces rough edges and “unpolished” moments, trusting the listener to come along for the ride.
Ultimately, Somnorine isn’t trying to be comfortable. It’s weird, introspective, and emotionally demanding, but that’s exactly why it stands out. Skylarka has created an album that feels deeply personal while still inviting others into its world. It’s not just a collection of tracks; it’s a journey through half-remembered dreams, dark nights of the soul, and the uneasy clarity that comes with waking up. For listeners willing to engage fully, Somnorine is a striking and genuinely unique experience.
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