Color Theory

Color Theory sounds like the intersection of a rainy 1980s city street and a modern high-definition dream. It is music built on the architecture of classic synth-pop, but it carries a weight of formal musical training that manifests in sophisticated chord progressions and lush, intentional arrangements. The sound is characterized by shimmering lead synths, steady drum machine pulses, and a vocal delivery that feels like a whispered secret shared in a crowded room.

What truly distinguishes the project is the 'literary' quality of the songwriting. Brian Hazard brings a sense of narrative depth and emotional vulnerability that is often missing from the more aesthetic-focused corners of synthwave. There is a persistent sense of yearning and bittersweet reflection, as if the music is trying to capture a memory that is slowly fading into digital noise. It is clean, precise, and deeply emotive.

Newcomers should start with the 2018 album 'In Space, No One Can Hear You Cry' to experience the project's peak atmospheric synthwave era. For those interested in the project's roots and its uncanny ability to channel the spirit of the greats, the Depeche Mode tribute album offers a fascinating look at how Hazard's voice and production style can seamlessly inhabit the world of his primary influences.