“REACH THE STARS” By Alex Wellkers

“Reach The Stars.” The experience is nothing less than an experience to remember, an emotional roller-coaster with an intricate blend of cinematic rock, Classical music, powerful and sensitive pop, and Wellkers’ arsenal of emotive vocals. The authenticity of rock has remained unparalleled compared to the authentic pop music and manufactured pop, and is often recklessly discredited and pushed to the sidelines. The album “Reach The Stars” is enduring proof to the world. It is now available to the world on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and other global streaming platforms.

Every journey has a beginning. From a figure of speech, the journey of “Reach The Stars” indeed begins with a beginning and an emotional sunrise. However, Wellkers does more than scratch the surface with his deep, resonant voice. “We Knew It All” is a deeply melancholic and heart-wrenching ballad painted with a brush of bittersweet optimism and introspection. The well-placed piano and gentle strings cradle deep lyrics speaking about the bittersweet worlds of uncertainty and well-realized acceptance. The opening ballad does more than scratch the surface and is a quiet emotional awakening that propels the listener to want more.

The energy shifts once again with “Give Me The Keys.” The composition as a whole takes a more rebellious tone. Gritty guitars and dominating percussion propel the track. At the same time, orchestral strings maintain the graceful energy that is present throughout the album. The lyrics depict a personal manifesto about unlocking doors that were previously barred and relinquishing control. Wellkers’ delivery is impassioned and raspy, which, alongside the lyrics, creates sharp electric tension.

The tempo yet again slows for “See Me There.” This short but potent piece is characterized by the stark intimacy of a solo piano and voice. The composition is a representation of the yearning to be truly seen; it brings to mind the image of one walking alone at dusk, hoping to catch a glimpse of a silhouette. The combination of these images creates a fragile beauty, which is then replaced by “Desert Island.” This is one of the album’s most expansive tracks. Here, delicate harp, rumbling strings, and a carefully crafted orchestral build describe chosen solitude as well as inner truth, creating an almost sacred image. This piece stands as a true cinematic high point of the album.

“There Is Cars” marks a Sutured Interface prioritising a mosaic style of urban surrealism. Following this, ‘alles nicht so schlimm’ while letting loose, delivers irony in spades. ‘alles nicht so schlimm’ hints at emotional unrest, resting deeper under the surface, while harmonising flitting piano lines, subtly creaking strings, and a vocal tone balanced between resignation and tension.

Once “Tu Es Ici” transitions to the tender French love song that it is, the harp arpeggios paired with violins create an atmosphere of presence felt even in absence. With “She Will Say,” we see an increase in playfulness and intimacy that proves to carry a more upbeat, rock-driven style while lightening the mood without losing thematic cohesion. Bursting with upbeat rhythm and tension hides the waiting for words that are longed for, yet feared all at once.

Introspection returns for the listener in the track “The Key,” featuring stripped-down piano and production that allow the audience to feel the unhealed scars and untaken paths the lyrics hint at. This mood of contemplation is heightened further in “Mystic Saint,” a track that brings to mind transcendence thanks to its lofty singers, ethereal harmonies, and a sweeping orchestral surge. Here, Wellkers sings not of religion but of a deeper, more lovely faith.

The final section of the album feels like a gentle, yet heavy, reflection. “What Are You Searching For” poses a question that is impossible to answer, over emaciated instrumentation, serving more as a reflective surface for one’s mind rather than a song in the traditional sense. “Now the Pages Been Turned” is short but haunting, with a whispering vocal line accompanied by sparse piano, hinting at a lingering sense of unfulfilled closure. “Au Revoir” is a bold conclusion, closing the album with a sweeping emotional recap of the motifs in a bittersweet French farewell. Orchestration is rich, and the delivery is quietly majestic.

With "Reach The Stars," Alex Wellkers demonstrates that he is not only a songwriter but a storyteller with a rare emotional clarity. Each track is crafted with experience, and the blend of languages, genres, and orchestral textures makes the album stay with you long after the last note fades. This is a body of work that not only aims for your attention, but more importantly, captures it. Once that grip is established, it is unrelenting.

Written by Manuel