Browsing Tag

Synthpop

Revel in the lovesick euphoria in Analog Beach’s synthpop-meets-indie-rock single, See You Tonight

Posted on 12 March 2022

80s synthpop grooves against angular indie-rock in the NJ-based up-and-coming duo, Analog Beach’s latest convergence of the past and future, See You Tonight. The vocal lines in the chorus easily become the sharpest of hooks, and that’s before you even get to the instrumentals that put white-hot guitar solos against colourful retro synths.

Fans of The Midnight, Wolf Club, and FM-84 will easily make a playlist staple out of this sweet affectionate hit, which doesn’t sugar coat affection. Instead, Analog Beach thrives while narrating just how emotionally crippling infatuation can be. Not all artists succeed in combining reality and romanticism, yet notably, Analog beach is anything but your average artist experimenting with tones and coming up with catchy lyrics. There’s substance by the smorgasbord in this euphorically bright hit that is sure to see the duo go far in 2022 and beyond.

The radio edit of See You Tonight is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Berlin’s Close to Monday impresses yet again with the incredible new single, ‘Together’

Posted on 6 February 2022

After a huge breakthrough year where they entered multiple charts and gained the traction they were looking for, Close to Monday show us their fresh direction and start off 2022 with a hypo-progressive synthpop style with their new single, ‘Together‘.

Close to Monday is a highly entertaining Berlin, Germany-based electro-synthpop duo who formulate a riveting blend of stunning music that warms the heart.

”2021 was a very productive and bright year for “Close to Monday”. Their album “Interference” almost immediately entered the TOP10 of the German Alternative Charts and was there for 8 weeks in a row.” ~ Close to Monday

With a super effort that might be one of their finest releases to date, Close to Monday gravitate towards the top and show us into a world that has you in an honest state as you reflect on what you really need from your partner during this wild journey called life.

‘Together‘ from Berlin, Germany-based electro-synthpop duo Close to Monday, is the superbly-projected single of waiting for that special person to join you – and hoping that you can keep things simple – while holding hands and looking into the sky as one. With an always-evolving beat that makes you appreciate their progression, this is a scintillating single which bound to be put on loud when you let it simmer sweetly into your hungry soul.

Being together with someone who is ready to elevate you, will certainly have you feeling that this life is all worth it.

Listen to this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Hiding Inside: Berlin’s Close to Monday tells us the story of the ‘Blue-Eyed Boy’

Posted on 24 December 2021

After uncovering that much-needed exit from their thrilling last single named ‘Split‘, Close to Monday return with an honest story about that mysterious ‘Blue-Eyed Boy‘.

Close to Monday is a Berlin, Germany-based synthpop duo who performs with a dance edge that gets you off your feet and onto that sweaty party floor again.

”2021 was a very productive and bright year for “Close to Monday”. Their album “Interference” almost immediately entered the TOP10 of the German Alternative Charts and was there for 8 weeks in a row.” ~ Close to Monday

On a dazzling soundscape that seems to have you automatically locked into their visually advanced track, Close to Monday show us why they have been so successful this year with another ear-popping delight. There is much to delve into here, with a vocalist who only seems to become more self-enlightened lyrically after each release.

‘Blue-Eyed Boy‘ from the exhilarating Berlin, Germany-based synthpop/electronic duo Close to Monday, is the final release from 2021 by this fast-rising outfit. They perform with such an exuberant ambience that comprises a bass-dropping beat refilled with enthralling melodies, that includes a dazzling singer who shines so brightly. This is an attention-catching single filled with the story, of that boy who went out on stage and no matter if he spoke the truth or not, the crowd didn’t really seem to care.

Listen to this tremendous new single via Spotify and follow their travels on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I’m Like A Ghost: Close to Monday looks for the much-needed exit on the spectacular ‘Split’

Posted on 28 November 2021

After the extensive success of their latest electrifying album called ‘Interference‘, Close to Monday return to hypnotise our entire consciousness with the thoroughly excellent ‘Split‘.

Close to Monday is a sensational Berlin, Germany-based synthpop duo that encompasses our invigorated ears with rasping electronica that is beyond what our brittle minds can perceive.

”Everyone will feel this song in their own way. someone will find it very strange. someone will see in it a reflection
of the crazy running of the modern world. and someone will be able to turn to himself, see something important
and become a little happier.” ~ Close To Monday

Close to Monday shows us what all the hype is about yet again with a truly scintillating single of the highest order, that might send shivers down your naked spine. The eloquently-projected story of looking for that sneaky escape exit rings true when one just needs to be free and explore the world to find for yourself who you really want to be.

‘Split‘ from the impressive European synthpop/electronic duo Close to Monday, is one of the more delightfully ear-warming singles around right now. With lusciously mysterious vocals and steaming production that seem to smoke out your heat-filled speakers, you can’t help but admire this fantastic track. With a true story about getting out of the maze of life that can mystify even the smartest out there, this is a release that is best with the volume on real loud.

Hear this sizzling new single on Spotify and find out more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The Past Ends: Berlin’s Close to Monday know that this is their ‘Time’ (Dirty Doering Remix)

Posted on 18 October 2021

Bringing us a bass-thudding remix from the world famous German techno house wizard, Close to Monday lifts up all clocks nearby and skillfully floats them into a new dimension altogether with ‘Time’ (Dirty Doering Remix).

Close to Monday is an exciting Indietronica-fusion duo who are based within the live music mecca of Berlin, Germany.

”Heavily influenced by such huge bands like Depeche Mode and Muse, Close to Monday initially thought their sound would be tagged under the Synthpop and Electronic genres, but after much feedback they released that to limit their music to these alone was too restrictive, it has many, many more levels to it including those of Nu Disco, Indie Dance and Indietronica.” ~ Close to Monday

Featuring scintillating vocal ability that seems to gently bite on your shaking hand without leaving a mark, she takes us on a daydream of ultimate reflection with a simply stunning performance. You feel so engrossed into the marvelous production which has been given an extra boost – that was already rather excellent – to give off a tasty aura that bumps the speakers into the night, in such an effective manner.

‘Time‘ (Dirty Doering Remix) from the Berlin, Germany-based Indietronica-fusion duo Close to Monday, shows us that we definitely can’t turn the maze-filled experiences of the past into our corner, no matter what supposed superpowers we possess. Each moment we are alive counts to wholeheartedly love and be totally free, in this wild world which can have you changing in a moments notice if you aren’t too careful.

Keeping your eyes on that all-important time without letting it control you too much, is the cunning key to pure enlightenment.

Hear this terrific new single on Spotify and check out their IG music page for more music news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ism has dropped his iconic cross over single, Grey Matter.

Posted on 24 August 2021

Any fans of John Grant’s deadpan witty drawl, Daft Punk’s danceable grooves and Nile Rodger’s guitars will soon get suckered into the latest electrifying indie synthpop track, Grey Matter, by up and coming artist Ism, featuring the soulful vocals from Roo.

Grey Matter is just one of the infectiously experimental singles found on Ism’s latest album, Blue Artist, that seamlessly entwines disco, funk, hip hop, synthpop and indie – to energizing effect. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Grey Matter is one of the best crossover tracks since RZA and Paul Banks formed Banks & Steelz.

Grey Matter is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Relive your ‘Glory Days’ with Marty Gray’s latest synthpop single

Posted on 8 July 2021

Marty Gray’s latest synthpop album is enough to send you swooning back to the 80s while hanging onto the contemporary components of the mellifluous release that serves nostalgia and futurism side by side.

The single, Glory Days, may run at a slow tempo but the succinctly paced single never gives your mind permission to veer away from the devilishly clever progressions and the constantly evolving vocal timbre. The spatial effect in the synth lines allows you to sink deeper into the dreamy, fiercely passionate single that you’ll want to give plenty of repeat attention.

Glory Days is now available to stream with the rest of Marty Gray’s album via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mak London has released her ensnaringly witchy sophomore single, ‘Cut Ya Clean’.

Posted on 6 July 2021

Dark, witchy, and edgy are just a few of the adjectives that first come to mind when listening to Mak London’s sophomore single, Cut Ya Clean. But it is so much more than your average brooding-pop-princess track, which we’ve heard so many times since Eilish declared herself as ‘the bad guy’.

Cut Ya Clean is an artfully decadent track; full of lavish authenticity that will undoubtedly see the Calgary-based singer-songwriter go far on her path to alt-pop royalty. The starkest reminiscences in the soundscape are the ones that bring Lewis Carroll’s The Queen of Hearts to mind.

Cut Ya Clean officially released on July 2nd; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

For more info, head over to her website. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Annie Elise – glorious technicolour with ‘We Can Pretend’

Posted on 18 June 2021

Synesthesia is one of those conditions that doesn’t get the widespread understanding it should; but imagine ‘seeing’ sounds in colour, different pitches producing different hues across the whole musical/rainbow spectrum. That’s what Annie Elise, originally a classically trained violinist, has going on, taking her neurological condition and using it to create musical compositions that produce the colours that she likes to see.

Taking a break from production duties for Dawn Patrol Music, and eschewing her violin in favour of electronica, ‘We Can Pretend’ is an upbeat dance-biased synth-pop number, sequenced sounds and big beats working alongside Elise’s gentle vocal to deliver an easy, elegant europop track that’s big on catchy hooks and delicately worked melody – think gentler Charlie XCX, Little Boots, or Robyn, with a serious touch of Suzanne Vega’s chilled sing-song delivery and you’re in the right area. The sun’s shining, we’re drinking chilled Belgian beer from little stubby bottles, and ‘We Can Pretend’ is the perfect summery pop ear-candy soundtrack. Aaaaand relax.

Check out Annie Elise here or on YouTube; check out ‘We Can Pretend’ on Spotify or Apple Music.

 

Review by Alex Holmes

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