Synth Single Review: "Fight Those Invisible Ninjas" by Watch Out For Snakes
Karl is a longtime freelancer who's passionate about music, art, and writing.
Watch Out For Snakes’ single Fight Those Invisible Ninjas has the artist’s trademark chip sounds combined richly with other synthesized components to create multi-layered music. The track combines classic 8-bit video game sensibilities with a soundscape that takes hold of the ears and won’t let go.
The tune opens with a harsh, growling pulse of edged synth with a rapidly pounding beat that launches energetically and is matched by those pulses. The 8-bit lead has a bright quality to it as plays a cascading melody, reminiscent of classic Capcom or Konami action game soundtracks.
The lead sings out with a sense of triumph while a nasal-sounding, slightly distorted chip sound moves in shifting pulses underneath it. The lead melody is a little choppy and has a certain melancholy over the strong beat’s throb. A lower chip sound circles as a bouncing pulse of 8-bit sound comes in. There’s a higher tone that climbs in rising waves as the gritty bass pulse goes on.
A solo section sings in a glowing synth sound but the beat underneath it never relents. There’s a guitar-like growl and slower, broken drums move in below a minor key melody with a wavering feeling to it. The track returns to the main melody, slightly pained as the high chip sound calls out over the movement under it.