What makes Starcalc by Vektroid notable?

Starcalc is significant for its role in defining the vaporwave movement's aesthetic, which blends retro digital sounds with evocative themes of nostalgia. The album has been critically recognized for its innovative approach to sampling and sound design, influencing a wave of subsequent artists within the genre. When Vektroid released Starcalc in 2011, they were already gaining traction in the vaporwave scene following their earlier work, particularly with the influential album Floral Shoppe. This release marked their continued exploration of nostalgic and surreal sound aesthetics, solidifying their position as a prominent figure in the genre.

How many songs are on Starcalc?

Starcalc has 18 tracks, running approximately 91 minutes.

Starcalc

Vektroid · 2011

91 min · 18 tracks · electronic music

A kaleidoscopic blend of ambient soundscapes and vaporwave nostalgia that transports listeners through digital dreamscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Mindscape — This track exemplifies Vektroid's ability to create immersive environments through layered synths and ethereal melodies, epitomizing the vaporwave ethos.
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Dusk at Temple Amiga — The lengthy composition showcases intricate sound layering and an evolving atmosphere, highlighting Vektroid's skill in crafting expansive soundscapes.
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Awakening Starscape — This track combines nostalgic samples with a serene progression, representing the emotional depth often found in Vektroid’s work within vaporwave.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends ambient soundscapes with nostalgic samples, marking a solid entry in the vaporwave genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of reverb and echo effects, creating a spacious, immersive sound environment throughout its tracks.
Many tracks utilize looping melodies that gradually evolve, often layering additional sounds to build complexity over time.
Several pieces incorporate samples from retro video games and media, contributing to the nostalgic atmosphere characteristic of vaporwave.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Interstellar Safari 2:38
2 Mindscape 3:35
3 Awakening Parakeet 6:29
4 VGA Grid 2:10
5 Featherskull 3:51
6 Nova Prophet 5:07
7 Infinity Diskette 2:43
8 Dusk at Temple Amiga 8:12
9 Terrestrial Sands 7:42
10 Awakening Starscape 8:33
11 Walk With Me Saturn 6:08
12 Planetary Zones 5:42
13 Amazon Polytrac 6:09
14 Interstellar Clusters 3:22
15 VGA Coral Reef 6:02
16 Orion Megalith 4:34
17 Amethyst Martini 2:28
18 [untitled] 6:24

What to play next

Listen next

Polytravellers

2011

Go back to

Dream Castle

2011

Full Vektroid discography Artists like Vektroid

vaporwave

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata