The Orphaned Bee | Solkyri – “18oh4” Review
Released: November 14th, 2025 | Bird’s Robe Records
A Cinematic Collision: The Orphaned Bee & Solkyri’s “18oh4”
When two of Australia’s most innovative acts join forces, the result is nothing short of spectacular. “18oh4” represents a thrilling collaboration between The Orphaned Bee and Sydney post-rock veterans Solkyri, creating a sonic landscape that bridges synthwave’s neon-soaked highways with post-rock’s vast emotional territories.
From the opening moments, “18oh4” establishes itself as something special. The track wastes no time building its foundation—a pulsating synthwave backbone reminiscent of Volkor X‘s darker, more cinematic work, particularly his “Godwave” era. But where Volkor X often leans into pure darksynth aggression, this collaboration finds its power in restraint and dynamic contrast. The Orphaned Bee brings that signature “wall of synths” aesthetic evident throughout their debut EP Thinking Without Language, layering 80s-inspired synth lines with vocoder elements that shimmer like distant starlight.
What elevates “18oh4” beyond typical genre exercises is Solkyri’s masterful contribution. Drawing from their nearly two-decade catalog—from the raw emotion of Sad Boys Club to the sophisticated architectures of Mount Pleasant—they inject the track with those quintessential post-rock dynamics: the patient builds, the crushing crescendos, and most importantly, that profound sense of narrative progression. There’s a Mogwai-esque quality to how the intensity swells and recedes, though filtered through a distinctly Australian lens that recalls their Bird’s Robe Records labelmates like sleepmakeswaves.
Mixed by Ron Pollard, the production is immaculate. Every element occupies its perfect space—the synths glisten without overwhelming, the guitars cut through with precision, and the rhythmic foundation drives forward with prog-rock complexity.
“18oh4” feels like a transmission from some alternate 1984 where post-rock and synthwave evolved together rather than decades apart. It captures The Orphaned Bee’s cinematic ambitions—that sci-fi storytelling evident in tracks like “Ascendance”—while honoring Solkyri’s gift for blending “intense vulnerability with pure power.” The track moves through distinct emotional phases, from contemplative ambience to triumphant release, taking listeners on that philosophical journey both projects excel at crafting.
For fans seeking music that transcends simple genre classification, “18oh4” delivers brilliantly. It’s progressive without being pretentious, heavy without being overwhelming, and electronic without feeling cold. This is exactly the kind of innovative cross-pollination the instrumental music scene needs—two projects at the peak of their creative powers, each bringing their unique strengths to create something that honors both their legacies while pointing toward exciting new possibilities.
Whether you’re a synthwave devotee chasing that next Carpenter Brut-style adrenaline rush or a post-rock purist seeking the next evolution beyond 65daysofstatic’s electronic experiments, “18oh4” demands your attention. It’s a stunning preview of what modern instrumental music can achieve when artists dare to blur boundaries and trust their creative instincts.
Rating: 9/10
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