Browsing Tag

Synth Pop

Lose your head and your heartbreak on the dancefloor with Sam Macdonald’s nu-disco hit, I Wanted More

Posted on 2 June 2024

80s synth pop vicariously lives and breathes through Sam Macdonald’s latest nu-disco hit, I Wanted More, which is a testament to the artist and producer’s cultivated talent, honed while studying music production at Leeds Conservatoire.

Hit play and be force-fed ear candy through the synthesis of the rhythmically compulsive disco grooves and the 80s Madonna-esque vocals that don’t stop at soaring above the production; the passion within them wraps around the track like an incandescent aura you will want to bask in time and time again.

The euphoria within the fiery neon-lit tour de force, which finds a vindicating way to address the dejection of not being able to meet unrealistic romantic expectations ensures that anyone who has been burnt by that particular old flame before will be able to lose their head and heartbreak on the dancefloor with this flawless hit.

I Wanted More was officially released on May 10th and is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Starleen alchemised the key to self-liberty in their electronic alt-pop salve for the soul, Let Me Go

Posted on 23 May 2024
Starleen

Starleen’s latest single, Let Me Go, marks a must-read chapter in the San Antonio duo’s career, showcasing a transcendent synthesis of alt-electronica, trip-hop, soul, and pop, which elevates the listener into a state of auditory bliss and liberty.

From the outset, the track envelopes you in a cocoon of lush dream pop, slowly intertwining with elements of serene yet visceral avant-garde trip-hop to deliver a fusionist sound that is as revolutionary as it is ethereally beguiling. Once the single reaches its full rhythmic momentum, the backbone of Let Me Go becomes its robust and fiery backbeat, which propels the track forward, complemented by layers of sonorous synths that build a crescendo of sound, mimicking the uplifting process of self-liberation.

The masterful production sets the stage for the vocal mettle of Starleen Holmes, whose voice shifts effortlessly between crystalline harmonies and powerful outpours of emotion, matching the sonic complexity crafted by Zachary Holmes, whose production skills shine luminously throughout the track. Each note and beat in Let Me Go is skilfully placed, leaving the listener wide open to the message of the sanctity of freedom; especially when that freedom is by your own hand.

The official music video accompanying the sanctifying ritual of a release mirrors the song’s themes of freedom and self-discovery and is likely to add another accolade to Starleen’s collection of music video awards.

Stream Let Me Go on all major platforms, including Spotify, from May 23rd.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nadine Finsterbusch Reclaimed Her Story & Embraced the Defiance of Youth in Her Alt Electro-Pop Debut LP, ‘My Space’

Posted on 21 May 2024

Nadine Finsterbusch’s debut LP, “My Space,” marks a fearless foray into alt-electro-pop territory, reflecting her determination to carve out her own niche. This album defies societal expectations for women her age, presenting an impetuous embrace of youth and raw emotion. At 44, the Berlin-based artist confronts the challenges that have defined her adulthood—early menopause, breaches of trust, and failed friendships—with a fresh, optimistic outlook reminiscent of youthful defiance.

The album’s 11 tracks are a rich synthesis of indietronica, pop, and rock, juxtaposing bitter realities with lush, harmonious tones. Finsterbusch’s voice, with its innocent yet vehement timbre, evokes the early influence of Björk This influence is unmistakable in the way her vocals weave through the album, combining playful innocence with a resolute sense of self.

“My Space” is a deeply personal narrative; Finsterbusch’s collaboration with producer Ramin Bijan provides the perfect backdrop for her introspective lyrics. The album was mastered by Dave Cooley, whose credentials include working with Tame Impala and Animal Collective, ensuring a polished yet authentic sound.

The lead single, “Why So Serious”, encapsulates the album’s ethos, inviting listeners to embrace their emotions without irony, much like teenagers do. Finsterbusch’s journey to this realisation—spurred by listening to Agust D’s “People”—adds ample to her work, underpinning her desire to enjoy the creative process and share that joy with her audience.

In “My Space,” Finsterbusch successfully balances sweetness without naivety and agony without ennui, creating a lyrically nuanced and emotionally resonant album. This work stands as a testament to her untainted dignity and her ability to transform personal adversity into compellingly relatable art. “My Space” is a triumph of self-expression, inviting listeners to reclaim their own spaces of joy and reflection.

Stream the album on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Elizabeth Metcalfe prescribed synth-pop serenity with her latest single, Falling

Posted on 20 May 2024

New Zealand singer-songwriter, Elizabeth Metcalfe’s career reached its zenith following the launch of her latest single, Falling. The dreamy synth-pop melodies rival the ethereal pastel hues within Swift’s Tortured Poet’s Society album as Metcalfe transcends the soul delivered in the hyped-to-the-nth-degree LP.

If you’ve been sleeping on Metcalfe since she made her debut in 2019, there’s no better way to awaken your senses to her ability to push future-forward synth-pop into unchartered spiritual territory with the force of her arcane vocal register.

While some love songs only scratch the surface of the light love can bring to our lives and how it casts away the shadows of the past, Elizabeth Metcalfe delivered a love story that is arguably more fully rounded than the Notebook. It’s a panoramic Blockbuster encased in a 3-minute pop production that leaves you hanging on the outro lyric “What if give you my heart and you break it” which juxtaposes the soulful lyrical serenity and Enya-esque beguile that drifted through the chorus and verses.

If you can’t get enough of Metcalfe’s discography, you won’t have long to wait until she unveils her debut EP later this year.

Falling cascaded onto the airwaves on April 19; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slender Dan dawned an electro-pop awakening with ‘Every Morning the World is Created’

Posted on 10 May 2024

In their latest single, Every Morning the World is Created, Slender Dan captured the essence of electro-pop while infusing it with a soul-stirring spiritual motif. From Nashville’s avant-garde scene, the duo channels their fascination with the psychedelic facets of life into this track.

It’s a tribute not just to personal transformations such as motherhood and rebirth, as Heather of Slender Dan shares, but also to the musical forebears who have sculpted the landscape of synth-pop.

The autotuned vocals climb ceaselessly, crafting an ethereal canopy above the dense, moody beats. This striking contrast grounds the listener, even as the melody seeks to lift them into a transcendental state. Slender Dan adeptly navigates through the shadows of Radiohead and the luminescent arcs of Electric Light Orchestra, with nods to the digital heartbeats of The Human League and the introspective harmonies of Boygenius.

As we approach Mother’s Day, this single serves as a reflective medium on the cyclical nature of life and the continuous giving of our planet. Hit play, and let Slender Dan guide you through a musical exploration that encourages appreciation of our ever-giving world.

Stream Every Morning the World is Created via Spotify when it reaches the airwaves on May 10th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Policy Orchestrated the Ultimate Shadowed Symphony of Alt-Electronica with Lunella in ‘Lights Out’

Posted on 7 May 2024
Policy

With his latest single, Lights Out, the award-winning producer, multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer, Policy, exhibited how his three decades in the industry have culminated through his heart-wrenching cinematic soundscape which paralyses with power from the first ominously reverberant synth stroke.

The dark and stormy instrumentals feed delicious disquietness until the dawn of the single breaks with Euro House nostalgic euphoria. Through it all, Lunella’s vocals keep an even heart-breaking keel, channelling ephemeral grace in the same vein as Bjork. Her voice, steady yet heartrending, navigates the complexities of quasi-heartbreak with a finesse that mirrors the track’s richly layered instrumentals. The refrain, “You only love me with the lights out,” acts as a raw nerve, exposing the pain of love that lingers in the shadows, never fully revealed.

Policy’s synthesis of trip-hop, house, and dystopic avant-garde synth-pop will leave you ensnared in the beautifully crafted chaos of heartbreak. Every note and lyric is meticulously woven to explore themes of love, rejection, and the introspective shadows of the human experience. For fans and new listeners alike, Lights Out promises a sonic experience that captivates and haunts in equal measure.

Lights Out will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from May 7th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Etherdene delivered a tenderly interstellar reminder of our place in the universe with ‘We Are in Space’

Posted on 1 May 2024

We’ve made our adoration of Etherdene’s illuminatively authentic dreamy synth-pop signature and her evocatively ethereal vocals no secret. After the release of her latest single, We Are in Space, which serves as a groundingly interstellar reminder of our place in the universe, she’s affirmed her position as one of the most promising artists of her generation.

Following an open sequence of glassy synths that resound as though they could have been conjured by the Weeknd, Etherdene drifts her latest tender tour de force into a shoegazey installation that cuts as deep as Slowdive’s discography. As the instrumentals glide and glisten throughout the impeccably crafted progressions, We Are in Space tears at the heartstrings with a reprise of, “We are in space, I don’t know what’s going on, but I love you, I love you”.

Even though it is all too easy to feel minuscule and inferior when contemplating the vastness of the universe, Etherdene ensured that there was no danger of that through the soulful juxtaposition of her refrain which testifies to the true meaning of life in the chaos of our mostly understood universe. The sticky sweet and synthy brand of romanticism is enough to drive you to the brink of tears before replenishing your soul with euphoria. Someone give the girl a Grammy.

We Are in Space moved into Earth’s orbit on April 24; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Drench Yourself in the Decadence of PeachMotif’s Latest Dream Pop Hit, Don’t Break Your Neck

Posted on 29 April 2024

PeachMotif’s latest single Don’t Break Your Neck sets a high bar for emotional and sonic depth. The Atlanta-based dream pop duo, comprised of Steffi Jo and Corbin Hoats, channelled their rich backgrounds in performance and production into a track that radiates a Yin-Yang effect through the equilibrium of style and soul.

Don’t Break Your Neck is underpinned by glassy synths that glisten with a brightness akin to Warpaint’s coolest moments. The crystalline vocal lines shimmer, weaving through the production with a mesmeric luminosity. Each note is carefully curated, ensuring that the instrumentation not only constructs and deconstructs the musical landscape but also toys with the listener’s emotions—balancing them delicately on a tightrope.

The fusion of solid, syncopated backbeats with cascading drops radiates hypnotic warmth, drawing the listener deeper into PeachMotif’s arcane atmospheric creation. As the track melodically and emotionally progresses, it illustrates PeachMotif’s ability to blend commercial potential with profound narrative depth.

Steffi and Corbin’s chemistry is palpable, reflecting their shared history and deep understanding of each other’s artistic strengths. Originating from their collaborative efforts during a local theatre production, their partnership thrives on a mutual passion for authenticity and emotional resonance in their music.

Don’t Break Your Neck was officially released on April 12th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take a lush leap into etherealism with Etherdene’s indie synth-pop exploration of aftermaths, The End

Posted on 16 April 2024

Singer, songwriter, producer and all-around ephemeral aural icon Etherdene reached the paragon of indie electro-pop perfection with their latest single, The End.

Titularly, the release is definitive as they come; sonically, the single is limitless. The ethereal air, which breathes just as much through the transcending tones of the vocal lines as the scintillating synth lines that pay tribute to the new wave trend, is intoxicating from the first emotionally charged progression.

As the lyrics explore the aftermath of a breakup, proving that the love that once endured never dies but takes another form after the final acts of affection, Etherdene laces the bass, which wraps around the stridently momentous synthesised percussion, with lush heartfelt synergy to achingly compelling effect.

Imagine Taylor Swift simultaneously meeting the styles of Enya and Cigarettes After Sex, and you’ll get an idea of how affectingly cathartic and cutting-edge Etherdene’s tender tour de force is.

The End was officially released on March 20th; stream the single on Spotify.

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