Magdi Aboul-Kheir’s Yesterday’s Future Is A Retro-Futuristic Synthwave Adventure
A lot of us have dreamed of things we were promised, sometimes even our aspirations and all the stuffs. But one thing is, have you ever wondered what happened to the beautiful future we were promised back in the 1980s? If you look around, you begin to ask some questions like where are the flying cars?. Where are even the talking supercars like KITT from Knight Rider? Why are we staring at boring spreadsheet screens instead of driving through glowing neon streets in a shiny silver DeLorean?
A lot of us probably miss that bright, hopeful vision of tomorrow, and we would love to have a feel of it. Well composer Magdi Aboul-Kheir has great news for you. His album, “Yesterday’s Future“, is a high-speed joyride straight back to the future we dreamed about yesterday. This is a nine track album, that mixes vintage synthesizer tones, punchy drum machines, soaring electric guitar solos, and sweeping string arrangements. I love how energetic, upbeat, and absurdly fun it is from the start to finish.
Magdi did something here that makes this album really unique and different. A lot of the time many try to copy an old 80s cassette tape with muffled audio, but in here the production is super clean, bright, and punchy. It takes the best sounds from classic synth-pop and updates them with modern elements. You get crisp drum machine patterns that slap hard on every downbeat. You get thick, bubbling synth basslines that make your car speakers rattle. On top of that electronic base, Magdi adds soaring electric guitars and real classical string pads that give the music a huge, cinematic feel. It feels like the soundtrack to an amazing sci-fi action movie that was never filmed.
The “Past Is Calling” welcome listeners to the future we haven’t had with it catchy ring that sounds like an old digital phone tapping into a time machine. A pulsing synth rhythm starts driving forward, accompanied by bright keyboard chords and a steady 80s kick drum. As the track builds, a crisp guitar line cuts through the center to lift the main melody. It’s really simple, stop taking the present so seriously for a second and let nostalgia remind you how to have fun.
“Machines’ Gym” carries this hilarious, energetic, and completely unstoppable vibe about it. Picture a group of heavy metallic robots putting on sweatbands and hitting the bench press at five in the morning. Yes, that’s what this track gives you, the drum beat hits with heavy, mechanical precision while aggressive synth riffs bounce back and forth. The energy here is crazy and has a fast workout rhythm that pushes you to move your feet. It’s all about moving forward and always putting on a good attitude and smile.
“Endorphine Wave” slides in and probably becomes one of the biggest highlights on the album. This piece drops you straight into a sunny, summer ocean scene with glowing neon tides. I like the way those warm keyboard chords wash over a smooth French house drum beat, creating an instant rush of good mood. Glitchy synth vocal chops and soaring lead melodies spark an instant feeling of pure joy. And sometimes that’s all we need, hit a reset and enjoy nature, for its the pure form of happiness.
“Through the Neonrain” brings things down a bit and ushers us into a cinematic vibe with soft synth pads mimicking the sound of rain falling on glowing city streets, while a deep, rolling bassline drives the tempo underneath. Then you get this slick electric guitar riffs that glides across the song, giving it the late-night feeling of a heroic detective cruising through a midnight metropolis. It’s all about persistence, and reminding us to keep moving forward even when the weather gets stormy. “Pulsraum” kicks the tension up again. It relies on rapid, thumping bass pulses and fast-paced arpeggios that build up steady suspense. Yet we get gentle string chords floating in to balance out the sharp electronic edges, giving the tune a balanced, futuristic atmosphere. The song explores focus and inner energy, showing how staying steady inside helps you deal with high-speed chaos on the outside.
Then the title track “Yesterday’s Future” comes in short, sweet, and straight to the point. At just over three minutes, it acts as the emotional heart of the entire album. A soaring synth melody leads the way, supported by big drum fills and triumphant string stabs. It captures that pure, childlike optimism about what tomorrow could be. The track urges us not to lose our sense of wonder about where the world is going. And every good sci-fi adventure needs a moment of danger, and this track “Abyss of Shadows” brings it. Low, heavy synth rumbles and minor key piano melodies create a dark, mysterious space. Electric guitar notes cry out over the deep bass tones, creating a tense showdown between light and darkness. It asks us to face our fears and step directly through dark moments instead of running away.
We always need a bright day/spark after a dark moment and I love the way this track “Sunburst” explodes like a bright morning sun cutting through the clouds. You feel this bright synth brass, upbeat drum patterns, and cheerful guitar leads turn the energy up and creates an atmosphere that feels like crossing the finish line of a long race. The song is a celebration of hope, and letting you know that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, so never give up and keep going. Things comes to a beautiful end with “Life’s Journey“. This track gets it done, it unites the whole album and says life is long, unpredictable and crazy, so enjoy every mile with some great songs and let it wash over you. Tune yourself to nature’s flow and stop worrying too much too. It’s a great way to end the album and I can say this is more than a song.
Indeed “Yesterday’s Future” is more than just a trip down memory lane. The album is great reminder that music should be fun, exciting and sometimes filled with emotions too. When you take a look at our world, you can feel how it’s filled with stress and bad news, but Magdi Aboul-Kheir gives us a bright, energetic escape with this album. Showing us that the hope, wonder, and excitement we used to feel about the future can still exist inside us today if we choose to embrace it. So if you want to enjoy some bright melodies, heavy retro synthesizers, cool guitars, and beats that make you want to dance, this album is a must-listen for you. So just go grab your favorite sunglasses, hit play, and let the retro vibes take over you.
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