Browsing Tag

80’s Pop

Scotty Otten urges peace with each other on new single ”Earthstrong”

https://soundcloud.com/scottyotten/earthstrong/s-K7rs8YoEhPh

An artist who has just been transported from the early 80’s into our ears at precisely the right time. Most importantly, he has the right message of peace and unity.

Earthstrong” is taken off the debut album from Seattle native Scotty Otten. A singer with flair and imagination.

Scotty Otten is new on the scene and sparkles brightly with this 80’s influenced pop song for the ages. He saunters in with a scream to announce his arrival and from there, you will be dancing around your room. The sound is pure and with a deep sense of meaning. Everything around you falls away for just a few minutes while listening to ”Earthstrong”. This is a song about unity and just plain ol’ hope. Scotty also has a sense of humor with the strong message which is usually the best way to go about it. This song took me back down memory lane and if this is a taste of what’s to come- the rest of ”Puzzle Pieces” will be a marvel to listen to.

Stream this 80’s inspired artist with a big future on his new SoundCloud channel and get those dancing shoes ready for action.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Grant McLeod – Decay: A Debut of Uniquely Uplifting Alt Pop

Singer-songwriter Grant McLeod has released their debut Indie Alt Pop single “Decay”, despite the seemingly bleak title, Decay is a uniquely uplifting single.

There’s a slight hint of the 80s Synth Pop sound behind Decay, but it’s quite safe to say that you’ve never heard anything quite like Decay before.

Some of the progressions may not have been the smoothest and in part Decay felt slightly glitchy. Yet with the resounding emotion which was poured into the incredibly distinctive soundscape, anyone who appreciates tracks which allow the artist’s souls to be bared will definitely appreciate Decay.

You can check out Grant McLeod’s single Decay for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

To keep up to date with the artist’s latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hermosa Pier releases single Doing Fine: Infusing Pop and a whole load of Rock and Roll

‘Doing Fine’ the single released by Hermosa Pier, which comes from their upcoming EP ‘Words To Myself’ which will be released on the 27th April. Doing Fine infuses many Pop elements but also adds a bit of Rock and Roll, making this a perfect combination.

It’s a very slow pace track, to begin with, keeping that pace kind of drawn out for a good half of the song, having that acoustic guitar play a big part through the instrumentation.

When in the middle you’re taken by surprise as the volume begins to get louder and the riffs on the guitar are a lot noisier and crazy, as the piece carries on it intertwines with a slow pace and low vocals to more manic and high-pitched vocal ranges and it’s pretty incredible. Of course, having to mention the absolutely insane electric riff on the guitar that goes on for a few seconds that really brings that Rock element to it as the killer shreds take over.

It’s safe to say that the vocal ranges that come from this piece have power pulsing through them, not only that but a lot of pure energy that comes through the voice singing in a rather melodic way, always hitting the high-notes on key and having this rather mesmerising tone to the voice which hooks you in.

Definitely check out this one by Hermosa Pier, you won’t regret it!

Listen to Hermosa Pier Doing Fine by heading over to Spotify now.

 

Review by Karley Myall

Elle Exxe – Rose Gold: Punchy Synth-Led AntiPop

https://soundcloud.com/elleexxe/elle-exxe-rose-gold/s-0dv4g

If you’re looking for an aural pick me up, look no further than up and coming artist Elle Exxe’s energetically enamouring AntiPop track “Rose Gold”.

The authentically creative synth-led soundscape pulls in influence from a myriad of different genres to ensure that you’ve never heard a track quite like this before. With a nuanced infusion of Pop Punk in the synthy mix which should also appeal to fans of 80s Synth Pop, it’s safe to say that Elle Exxe created a hit with Rose Gold.

If you could imagine what it would sound like if Panic at the Disco, Taylor Swift, and the Human League collaborated on a record together, you might be able to get an idea of the kind of refreshingly high-energy mesmerism awaits you in Rose Gold.

You can check out Elle Exxe’s single Rose Gold for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Constant Comas brings friendly Funk to Synthwave with the single “Get It”  

Brooklyn-based solo artist Constant Comas has proven that Funk, primal percussion, and friendly synths go hand in hand with their debut EP “C”. The best introduction to their sound is the rapturously nostalgic 80s New Wave Synth Pop single “Get It”

Get It comes together as an alchemic merging of elements of past and future in a sublime fusion of analogue soul. The Indie approach to production has made Synthwave more personable and accessible than ever. Any fans of Soft Cell, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the Pet Shop Boys are sure to appreciate the instantaneous hook behind Get It which pulls you into the euphoric mix which comes complete with catchy lyrics, and vocals which definitely aren’t without charm.

You can check out Get It for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Antonio – Someone Just Like You: Funk-Infused Feel-Good Pop

Remember when Pop was actually effective in feeding you feel-good euphoria? From the first note in up and coming Pop artist Antonio’s single “Someone Just Like You” you’re immersed in a Funk-soaked punchy EDM Pop hit which carries plenty of reminiscences to artists such as George Michael. But there’s no denying that Antonio brought that infectiously happy aural ecstasy to the 21st century with Someone Just Like You.

Around the slaps of the bass you’ll get to hear jangling guitar progressions in the heady mix of high-octane Pop which creates the perfect platform for Antonio’s playfully salacious vocals and lyrics.

Feel-good music quite frequently has the exact opposite effect on me, but Antonio seems to have the magic touch which makes it all too impossible to resist slipping into the rhythmically indulgent radio-ready mix.

You can check out Antonio’s single Someone Just Like You for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nir Kay Revives 80s Synth Pop with Their Latest Pioneering Hit “I Saw It Coming”

With up and coming Alt Pop artist Nir Kay’s latest single “I Saw It Coming” there’s a sweet juxtaposition of Pop styles which allows Pop to undergo a brand-new evolution while immersing you in familiar vintage tones.

The instantly accessible single offers punchy modern Jangle Pop melodies alongside the nostalgia of 80s Power Pop ballads. Nir Kay teamed up with Nicole Swiecka to borrow her deft vocals, and they proved to be the perfect fit for the soulful instrumentals which served up plenty of Funk and groove in the Synth Pop hit. I Saw It Coming carries some reminiscences to 80s icons such as Madonna, but Nir Kay’s sound is well and truly their own.

You can check out Nir Kay’s single I Saw It Coming which was released on September 6th for yourselves by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Osmunda Music – Love Will Overcome: Transfixingly Resonant 80s Inspired Electronica

Fans of the Human League are sure to appreciate the second soulfully spacy Electronic Synth Pop album from up and coming artist Osmunda Music “Love Will Overcome”.

There’s no better introduction to Osmunda Music’s approach to 80s infused Pop than the title track which, as you can imagine from the title, spills plenty of inspiring lyricism. But instead of simply feeding you powerful lyrics, Osmunda Music has allowed the sentiment to resonate around the transfixing rhythms as the chorus almost becomes a mantra.

Even though the 80s influence on the track remains palpable throughout, the mellifluous melodies found in Love Will Overcome are still the perfect fit in your contemporary ambient electronica playlists.

You can check out Love Will Overcome along with the rest of Osmunda Music’s album for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

FISCHER-Z – Big Wide World; A Special Kind Of Classic Song

Fischer-Z, the band of John Watts – who has had a career spanning 41 years – boasts 20 albums and over 3000 shows spanning the globe with Fischer-Z, their latest EP – F01 – released on April 6th will be available in a truly unique way; the F-Card – effectively a USB credit card.

This is a song that exudes the perfect aura of an 80s classic hot record in its pure form. For those who haven’t heard of the name ‘Fischer-Z’ before now, this is the perfect introduction you need to get accustomed to the awesome beat of John Watts’ band.

Fischer-Z’s glamorous career has many highlights, having performed alongside some of the biggest names in music: James Brown in East Berlin, touring with the likes of Dire Straits and The Police and making an appearance on stage on the late Bob Marley’s final tour.

There are four cards set to be released, each boasting unique add-ons from live clips, exclusive offers to a selection of songs. F01, the first to be released contains three songs, Big Wide World, No Bohemia and Vitriol Skies.

And the album first start kicked off with ‘Big Wide World’. An interesting song that started with the baritone that’s meshed in a sonorous melody. The singer recollects  his past life experience and how much he missed some part of his younger self.

“Take me home mama, I’ll do what I am told”….Yeah we are do have those “I need a break” teen moments, here in this song, the artist’s reminiscence of his own teen moment is what inspired the song with a hook as soothing like this one.

Not to forget in a hurry, the backup singer whose vocals splashed on the hook of the song did a fantastic work as well. If you enjoy classic or probably a song that sound like an 80’s pop classic, then this song is the best Easter gift you should give yourself now.

Live Shows

1st May – Glasgow – 02 ABC 2

2nd May – Newcastle – 02 Academy 2

3rd May – Birmingham – 02 Academy 3

5th May – London – 02 Academy Islington