Album Review #4: Windows彡96 - Plume Valley

The feeling of being at home, it’s quiet, I probably just ate a bowl of cereal, (likely Cinnamon Toast Crunch), its winter, it’s too cold outside. Looking out the window and seeing the heavy piles of snow makes me enjoy the heat in my home. Not a sound to be heard, as my parents are upstairs doing work. It’s just me, in front of my old cathode ray tube television. I decide to take out the super nintendo that was given to me and play it. There is pure comfort in this feeling, not a worry in sight.

Plume Valley by Gabriel Eduardo, also known as Windows 96, captures this feeling very well. The feeling of being at my cozy home on a winter weekend afternoon. Each song on this album feels p***ionate and comfortable. A feeling of comfort and safety is brought on upon listening to it, as it perfectly emulates this feeling, while also emulates the sound fonts of the super nintendo quite well, while also adding unique elements to make it all the more heavy and rich with texture.

As mentioned before, the way the album sounds is highly reminiscent of a game soundtrack from the super nintendo, featuring many familiar sound fonts and drum patterns that I would hear in a lot of games, mainly Donkey Kong Country, which is a game I am very fond of, so obviously, I got a little nostalgic while listening to this for the first time.

Plume Valley is not like most of the releases under the Windows 96 moniker. Most others sound similar to the synthwave or chillwave genre, and kind of have this cl***ic vaporwave style going in, as in, you can have one listen to it and go, “yup, that’s vaporwave.”. This one to me stands out from the rest. Not just by the sound, but also the feeling. Something about it feels incredibly more safe and sentimental. This is what I would call true vaporwave. An album that succeeds in making the listener feel a memory, maybe a memory that they didn't even have, but regardless, it will take them to a place of pure comfort of reminiscence.

Plume Valley is by far my all time favorite of the releases by Windows 96, and I highly encourage anyone to listen to it, as it is a cl***ic within the vaporwave genre. Also, try to pick up a vinyl or c***ette if you can, it’s got some cool bonus tracks on it. (P***aros is the best imo)