STAR VISION – Another Time, Another Place (2023) + Four More Reasons Why (2024) *Exclusive*
STAR VISION is a new AOR / Melodic Rock act from Stockholm, Sweden, born out of nostalgia for the ’80s – a time when blockbuster films filled the big screen, guitar solos ruled the radio, and epic summers created memories that would last forever. Taking influence from artists including, Foreigner, Don Henley, Genesis, Journey, Whitesnake, Richard Marx, Lou Gramm and John Parr, Star Vision’s debut EP ‘Another Time, Another Place’ captures the spirit of yesteryear without kitsch or cliché.
Star Vision is the brainchild of songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Scott van Dort, formerly of Los Angeles act The Black String Theory, a modern rock band with some progressive pop. But Scott van Dort love – and the music he grew-up with – is mid-Eighties pumping AOR driven by Melodic Rock guitars.
So Scott decided to augment STAR VISION production and efforts, and now it’s time for a second EP properly titled “Four More Reasons Why” – 4 new songs showcasing why he keeps creating this kind of music, four more reasons to fall in love with STAR VISION music.
For the new songs of “Four More Reasons Why” van Dort brought a bass player to obtain a more detailed rhythm, the guitar solos are performed by expert shredders – Jimmy Konsta & Doug Mecca – and now there’s two vocalits helping to create massive backing vocals, harmonies.
The lovely midtempo ”I Was the One” brings to mind 1987 John Parr, the ethereal ‘Not Enough For You’ has a Strangeways atmosphere, ‘Love Again’ is a minimalist ballad, and the joyful ‘From Out of Nowhere’ seems taken from 1985 movie soundtrack.
On ‘Another Time, Another Place’ we find the rocking, keyboard-driven “Searching High and Low (Remedy)“, followed by the EP’s nostalgic pop/rock anthem, “Destiny“, the heartfelt “Last Day of September“, and closes with the arena-ready “Remember Those Nights”.
As bonus track there’s ”Destiny (D.O.O.O.M remix)”, a remix/version of the song done synthwave, with an arcade game feeling – very retro.
STAR VISION represents a full circle for Van Dort. “I grew up listening to hard rock and metal. But I’ve always felt a strong connection to the sounds I heard on the radio and the music that my Dad played when I was a kid after he unexpectedly passed away in 2021, I felt a strong urge to revisit the music of my youth. With STAR VISION, I feel able to combine all the elements I love about music – keyboards, guitars, drums and strong vocal hooks.”
This is pure ’80s music, and while there’s a lot of things to improve in STAR VISION like the drum machine, a better mastering, etc, this project delivers a wonderful slice of retro ’80s, AOR / rock&pop / melodic rock for all fans rejoice.
HIGHLY Recommended
Another Time, Another Place (2023)
01 – Searching High and Low (Remedy)
02 – Destiny (2023 Master)
03 – Last Day of September
04 – Remember Those Nights
05 – Destiny (D.O.O.O.M remix) [Bonus Track]
Four More Reasons Why (2024)
01 – I Was the One
02 – Not Enough For You
03 – Love Again
04 – From Out of Nowhere
Scott van Dort – All vocals and instruments
Jimmy Konsta – Guitar solos
Doug Mecca – Guitar solos
David Bergner – Bass
Patrik Lindgren, Matt Lipkins – Backing vocals
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BKQZW9V2/star-vision
