Browsing Tag

Ambient Synthwave

Escape into the retro-futurism of tad valente’s synthwave world, take it away

Posted on 12 December 2022

Torrance, California-hailing independent songwriter and producer tad valente, took his listeners on a retro-futuristic sonic trip with his latest escapism-aiding release, take it away.

The playfully ambient melodies chime with purpose as they lead you through the experimental synth wave progressions, which fuse video game-esque aesthetics with an innovative twist on pop. The symphonic synths amalgamated with the chiptune textures and glitchy trip-hop motifs create an affably-sweet atmosphere that is impossibly easy to melt into and vibe with.

Clearly, valente is no stranger to taking control of his listener’s rhythmic pulses to lull them into a state of arrested appreciation of his intrinsically unique sonic signature.

take it away was officially released on December 2nd; stream & purchase it on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Elanor Idlewood sends us back to the golden era of synthpop with ‘Akito’s Madness’.

Posted on 2 June 2021

Bordeaux-based queer, feminist electronic music producer Elanor Idlewood has released her latest single, Akito’s Madness. Hit play to escape the 21st-century and immerse yourself in the golden era of synthpop.

Akito’s Madness provides 5:47-minutes of unadulterated, reverb-swathed synth lines that eclipse the 80s synthpop sound while boasting a sense of cinematic futurism which is prevalent in Idlewood’s distinctive yet immediately accessible production style.

Music became more than just a hobby in 2019 when Elanor Idlewood established herself as an independent artist. If Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Depeche Mode, Orbit, and Kraftwerk are on your playlists, Akito’s Madness should be too.

Akito’s Madness is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cub\cub has captured the alienating chaos of lockdown in their feat of Ambient Electronica “False Spring”

Posted on 4 August 2020

https://soundcloud.com/user-12064490-607493505/false-spring

Leeds, UK Artist and producer Cub\cub took a unique approach with their COVID-19-inspired latest release “False Spring”. The ambient soundscape captures the chaos and alienation with poignant precision.

With the hazy vocal whispers ethereally floating above the stylishly dreamy synths which carve quiescently consoling melodies, finding resolve in False Spring is all too easy.

As a fellow nihilist, I have to applaud Cub\cub’s tendency to orchestrate mixes containing optimism and hope while never leaving out the relatable dread and fear which resonates in their atmospheric sound.

You can indulge in the smooth ambience of False Spring yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Immerse yourselves in Enlightenment Saloon’s latest ambient synthwave single “Driving on Instinct”

Posted on 30 June 2020

Immerse yourselves in Enlightenment Saloon’s latest single “Driving on Instinct” and prepare for the nuancedly crafted catharsis.

Ambient Synthwave with absorbing guitar licks in a futuristically captivating soundscape was always going to be a potently transfixing combination. But the stylistic maturity in Driving on Instinct surpasses expectation and leads to transcendence.

Enlightenment Saloon may send you a few 80s postcards while Driving on Instinct progresses. Yet, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more authentic and captivating drive-home track if you turned on the radio.

After being introduced to the artist’s mesmerising approach to production, I will definitely be returning to their music for repeat doses of synth-led ambience. The blazing guitar solos are practically addictive.

You can check out Enlightenment Saloon’s new Synthwave soundscape for yourselves via Soundcloud

Review by Amelia Vandergast