Browsing Tag

80s

Anirban Jee is soul searching in the lush landscape of his RnB Pop earworm, Looking for Something

Posted on 23 September 2024

Anirban Jee serenaded his staunch fan base once again with his soulfully smooth tribute to 80s RnB and Soul, Looking for Something.

Passion permeates every progression in the lush landscape of pop hooks, funky guitar chops and reverb-radiating synth lines which carry the Australian singer-songwriter’s honeyed timbres right into your soul as he narrates the emotions which rush to the surface when you’re yearning for something far beyond the superficial without knowing exactly what you’re looking for.

The award-winning artist has done so much more than found the perfect RnB pop formula; he’s found the key to connection and it is opening all the right doors in the industry with his profoundly sophisticated and magnetised sonic signature which listeners the world over have fallen head over heels for.

Looking for Something is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ARCTISKY – My Relief: Romance & Raw Alt-Rock Ingenuity

Posted on 11 September 2024

With his latest single, My Relief, the soul conduit ARCTISKY orchestrated an alt-rock single that resonates with the romantic intensity of the 80s while pulsating with contemporary vitality and standing as a testament to his worthiness of the highest industry accolades.

From the Maldives to Melbourne, ARCTISKY channelled a voice so warm it could thaw the coldest souls into a sonic landscape which weaves swoon-worthy melodies that suspend in the air and pirouette through the world-class production.

My Relief is a flawless fusion, serenading listeners with vocals reminiscent of Bryan Adams, and orchestral crescendos that ensure your heartstrings are inseparably combined with each progression. To subvert the arcane accordance, a surprising shift comes with the middle eight; gruff, voicemail-esque tones akin to Tom Waits introduce a jarring yet brilliantly conceived contrast, showcasing ARCTISKY’s determination to boldly assert his sonic identity.

Safe to say, the track is one of 2024’s most emotionally impactful releases. If you want the burdens stripped for your soul, sink in.

My Relief debuted and salved the airwaves on September 6th; stream the single on SoundCloud and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Urban Café Crew cruised through 80s nostalgia and became sonic heartthrobs in their latest single, Movin’ Down I39

Posted on 24 July 2024

It’s all gas and no brakes in Urban Café Crew’s latest single, ‘Movin’ Down I39’, which exudes a striking blend of 80s Hollywood glamour and heart-throb vocals that make the driving anthem impossible not to groove with.

With the opening sounds of engines revving against strident piano chords that are augmented by Blockbuster nostalgia, you’re instantly susceptible to the lyrics that compel you to seize the moment while the rhythmically magnetic progressions seize your pulses and evoke panoramic images of a guy driving to get the girl. The propulsion of the pulsating beats transcends auditory ingenuity to craft a visual masterpiece that you’ll never get tired of revisiting.

We didn’t need any more evidence of the Australian-based collective’s cultivated songwriting stripes after hearing their Christmas earworm and the eternally endearing single, Hey There Boomer, It’s Not OK. Yet, now that Movin’ Down I39 is here, it only cements their ability to produce hits that sweep you up in their infectiously soulful intensity; it’s the most syncable single I’ve heard this year.

Movin’ Down I39 was officially released on July 17; stream the single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

80s euphoria grooved back around through Electraverb’s debut LP, NEON

Posted on 23 July 2024

In their debut LP, NEON, the synthpop duo, Electraverb, crafted a euphoric gateway to the 80s dancefloors. I Feel the Music, the standout single, ensnares through delicious grooves, neon-dripping chords, and sensuously magnetic vocal lines; each element ties together not just to revisit an aural era but to fuel it with contemporary fervour.

From the ashes of their previous project, Stoneblue, the founding members, Chris and Mazdak, seamlessly transitioned their synergy, catchy melodies and intricate guitar work which resounded through London’s synthpop scene in the 90s into their new project which marks their maturity as earworm architects.

The addition of esteemed backing vocalists Jo Garland and Shirley Lewis, known for their work with icons like George Michael and Elton John, is a testament to Electraverb’s determination to push their sound to the heights celebrated by their influences.

If you envisioned an aural love child of The Human League, Kraftwerk and George Michael, you’d conjure a reflection of the scintillating soul which oscillates through I Feel the Music which delivers hypnotic rhythms as the harsh snares pierce the lush reverb under the harmonised to the nines vocals.

NEON was officially released on June 14th; stream the LP in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bask in the euphoric rays of Ami Leigh’s 80s synth pop allegory of love, You Give Me Such a Feeling

Posted on 22 June 2024

Trying to predict Ami Leigh’s next move is as futile as mapping out a dreamscape; the County Durham-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s perpetually fluid sonic signature is always in flux. Her latest single, You Give Me Such a Feeling, captures the chameleonic songstress at her most unflinchingly amorous.

While her discography may already be an arsenal of hits that play with light and shade, with some tracks that linger in the darkness before locking into the warmth of heartfelt sentiment, You Give Me Such a Feeling swims in ethereal dream pop bliss, leaving you under no illusion of the sincerity of the release.

The Cure’s influence echoes in the opening guitar lines, before the lush with 80s synth-pop nostalgia melodies ebb and flow beneath Ami Leigh’s tender-to-the-heartstrings harmonies. As soon as you slip into the serene escapism of You Give Me Such a Feeling, it will be hard to know where your emotions end and Ami Leigh’s start.

Instead of relying on the British weather to bring sun-soaked serotonin, make this single a playlist staple and get your fill of iridescent euphoria.

You Give Me Such a Feeling was officially released on June 14; stream the single on Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pearl Poet – At the End of the World: Apocaloptimist Electro Pop

Posted on 1 June 2024
At the End Of the World by Pearl Poet

If the end of the world is nigh, we may as well follow the human proclivity to romanticise tragedy; there’s no better track to look at the apocalypse through an affectionate lens than the latest single, At the End of the World, by the Floridian producer duo, Pearl Poet. The pangs of euphoria as soon as you immerse yourself in the nu-disco landscape of melody, sincerity and harmony could turn up the heat in the bitterest soul.

As the lyrics and effect-imbued vocals euphonise on a thin line between existentialism and exuberance, the thematic duality of At the End of the World will take the reigns of your rhythmic and emotional impulses; relinquish control and you’ll find yourself in the safe hands of a gifted duo of apocaloptimist electro-pop producers.

The 80s pop aesthetic may continuously be revisited in 2024, but few artists are better placed to modernise the lush neon-lit synthetics as Pearl Poet. Wherever their creative journey takes them next, we want to be there for it.

At the End of the World will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 31. Stream and purchase the single now on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Roubix & Ollie King painted the night in neon euphoria with their definitively 80s synthpop track, In Your Head

Posted on 11 April 2024

Roubix & Ollie King’s latest collaboration, ‘In Your Head’, is a vibrant homage to the golden era of 80s synthpop, masterfully blending our collective appetite for nostalgia with contemporary production. Following the viral success of ‘Atlantis‘, this dynamic duo continues to captivate the European disco scene, and ‘In Your Head’ is poised to be their next chart-topper.

The track is a kaleidoscope of upbeat, synth-carved rhythms that instantly transport listeners back to the neon-lit dancefloors of the 80s. Fans of Erasure, Gary Numan, and The Human League will find themselves in familiar territory, yet there’s a freshness to Roubix & Ollie King’s approach that prevents the song from being a mere pastiche.

The way the duo embrace their pop roots is completely unapologetic. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the single unadulteratedly nods to the 80s era of pop as it professes to be head over heels under the reflections of a disco ball. The harmonies are sticky-sweet, the lyricism impassioned, and the instrumentals perfectly calibrated to evoke both memory and emotion. This isn’t just an earworm; it’s a track that transcends time, offering an exhilarating escape into a world of neon euphoria.

With Spotify already confirming its inclusion in one of their official playlists and an impressive line-up of gigs across Europe, Roubix & Ollie King are poised to reign synthpop supreme throughout 2024.

In Your Head will be available to stream on all major platforms from April 11; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mario Vayne – Electric: A High-Voltage Homage to 80s Rock

Posted on 26 March 2024

It may have been almost a year since we got hooked on Mario Vayne’s earworm, Baby, but there was no forgetting the rock virtuoso’s infectiously euphoric energy and charisma, which is just as visceral in his latest single, Electric.

After a tenderly melodic and choked-with-sunset-strip-atmospherics prelude, Electric riffs its way into a vibrant homage to the 80s, boldly asserting that the future of classic rock is charged with an exhilarating, new energy.

Following the success of his debut single which captivated over 200K Spotify listeners, ‘Electric’ is poised to ignite the airwaves in a similar vein. Vayne’s journey, from a shy child crafting songs at eleven to a dynamic frontman in the UK and Australia, culminates in this release. His hiatus during the grunge era only seems to have honed his craft, leading to this moment of resurgence.

‘Electric’ is a testament to Vayne’s belief in following his rock-licked heart. The track is a fusion of adrenalizing riffs and memorable hooks, all set against the backdrop of 80s iconography. Yet, it’s the sheer zeal and fervour that Vayne pours into his music that truly defines the song. The lyrics, more than just words, are mantras for living, weaving through the music and urging listeners to embrace a vibrant lust for life.

In an era where optimism can feel scarce, ‘Electric’ offers a potent reminder of rock’s unifying power. Mario Vayne’s name might have been synonymous with the rock legends of yesteryear had this track been released in their time. Today, it stands as a signal that the spirit of classic rock not only endures but evolves.

Electric was officially released on March 8th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Go down the rabbit hole with TaQuan MonChez’s ode to 80s soul, Wonderland

Posted on 20 March 2024

Start your 80s RnB love story by slipping into TaQuan MonChez’s latest single, ‘Wonderland’, which pours the essence of gospel into the heart of RnB. After honing his skills in a 20-year tenure as a church musician and a self-taught pianist, Wonderland showcases TaQuan’s journey and his ability to construct auditory embraces, capable of enveloping listeners in lush, hazy tones.

The ode to an ethereal kind of love, one that allows the material world to dissolve into insignificance, ensures this emotional theme resounds through each element – especially through his velvety magnetic vocals as they effortlessly ascend into a higher vocal register.

The guitar lines in ‘Wonderland’ are also a standout feature, dancing through the track with a pop and groove that’s infectious, intricate, and definitively 80s. These melodies underpin TaQuan’s vocal prowess, creating a layered and immersive soundscape.

Moreover, ‘Wonderland’ is a showcase of TaQuan MonChez’s exceptional songwriting ability. Each musical element is meticulously woven to create a tapestry that visually and sonically represents the sanctity of transcendent love. The song is a testament to TaQuan’s belief in music that resonates with integrity and decency.

Wonderland was officially released on February 16; stream the single on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robert Stone croons through the cosmic veil in this funked-up alt-rock rendezvous, Kissing Glass

Posted on 17 January 2024

Navigating through the cosmic corridors of sound, Robert Stone’s latest single, ‘Kissing Glass’, is a celestial journey, taken via the route of a harmonious blend of spacey funk and alternative rock, laced with a synth-infused new wave vibe that boldly steps beyond the shadows of Bowie-esque influences, showcasing Stone’s unique musical identity.

Stone, known for his early start in the music scene with Oblivion Grin and his intriguing hiatus, has returned not just to the studio but to the very essence of musical innovation. ‘Kissing Glass’ is a testament to this voyage, a fusion of his seasoned artistry with a fresh, modern sensibility. The track resonates with echoes of the interstellar bliss found in Inspiral Carpets’ ‘Saturn 5’ and the dark, experimental tones of Magazine’s ‘Real Life’, yet it stands firmly on its own artistic ground.

The song’s structure is a labyrinth of auditory pleasure, where each turn reveals a new layer of musical gravitas as Robert Stone’s crooning vocal performance is a revelation in itself. The charm and dedication to being a conduit of space pop-soul is an alchemic pairing which won’t fail to endear you to his experimentalism. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Stream Kissing Glass on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast