Browsing Tag

Synthpop

MOTIV – ‘Don’t Let Yourself Down’  

Posted on 14 November 2020
MOTIV

In a world of manufactured angsty alt-rock and generic R&B and trap-based pop-dance, it’s always refreshing when an artist does something different; with this track, MOTIV produces something close to eighties synth-pop – think Pet Shop Boys, Nik Kershaw, or Howard Jones – but with a modern, updated twist.

It’s ridiculously catchy, too. The ‘Don’t Let Yourself Down’ hook of the track’s title squirms its way into your head and refuses to leave for hours after the track has finished. Yet, it perseveres with an almost-ambient set of eighties-style production values – heavy reverb, old-school sequenced and gated drum beats, and a synth melody which mimics the vocal line, all whirling and writhing around that lyrical hook. ‘Don’t Let Yourself Down’ is a perfect slice of danceable, singable pop that’s a beautiful antidote to 2020’s lockdown blues.

Follow MOTIV on Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

MASSIVESAD – Re: Builds: A Melancholically Mesmeric Playlist Essential

Posted on 13 October 2020

It’s been a while since a new track literally gave me goosebumps. Yet, the chill crept across me before the first verse hit in MASSIVESAD’s melancholically mesmeric Alt-Indie single “Re: Builds”.

The Floridian artist and songwriter found the perfect balance of smoky, sludgy atmospherics and striking soul in Re: Builds’. The track starts as a melodic and almost Neo-Classic Electronica score before the soundscape gains momentum and starts to offer electrifyingly static aural turbulence. The evolution in the track perfectly captures the feeling of losing control after starting out with poise, grace and good intent.

You can waste your time attempting to pigeonhole each beguiling component in Re: Builds. Or you can simply let the alchemy unfold in this truly pioneering single which doesn’t ostentatiously throw aural futurism in your face. Instead, there’s a real sense that MASSIVESAD through themselves completely into the candid and evocatively transfixing release. And in the process, they created one of the aptest tracks for our dystopic and dark times. 

You can check out Re: Builds for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Positronic brings ‘80s influence to 2020 to this upbeat electronic track

Posted on 23 September 2020

Created by Michael L. McDannold, Positronic brings ‘80s influence to 2020 adding an explosion of synthpop to this upbeat electronic track that certainly has no plans of falling down. Professing that he’ll “be there for you”, in the lyrics of the track, Positronic spreads love and positivity with the release of this song, “When You Fall Down”.

Positronic has been making music since 1988, so it is not surprising he is inspired by the likes of the Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, and Erasure, which can definitely be heard within this track. Uplifting, inspiring, and elevating, Positronic sure knows how to deliver with this one.

Click here to listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/0q8Tjm77tF0P98FM2PF0Ci?si=1OgFc5erSLeR1DJ_-l97CQ

Martin – the haunting acoustic ballad “Depth Over Distance”

Posted on 21 August 2020

Starting off with crystal clear fingerpicked chords, ‘Depth Over Distance’ is the second single from London singer-songwriter Martin, the follow-up to debut ‘Summer Haze’. Where ‘Summer Haze’, though, was synth-driven alt-pop, ‘Depth Over Distance’ pits Martin’s soulful falsetto over nothing more than a haunting solo acoustic guitar.

It’s a tough thing to do, the sparse instrumentation leaving no space for a performer to hide, but here the result is powerful and touching, a very personal break-up ballad filled with the heartbreak of a relationship which has died. Sure, there’s an easy James Blunt comparison, or maybe in this instance the early Ed Sheeran of ‘The A-Team’, but in reality, Martin’s voice is reminiscent of Annie Lennox on ‘Walking On Broken Glass’ or ‘Why’ mixed with, maybe, a touch of Justin Vernon – a plaintive falsetto, questioning and heartfelt without being cloying, and it matches the song perfectly.

Martin’s debut EP ‘Home’ is out later this summer; you can keep up with him, and listen to ‘Depth Over Distance’, here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Camp Cosmos invite you to succumb to the slick synthy Indie catharsis in latest track “Minnow”

Posted on 20 August 2020

If you’re looking for slick, synthy Indie aural goodness, hit play on the latest single “Minnow” by up and coming Indie artist Camp Cosmos.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re swimming against the tides recently, Minnow acts as 3 minutes of pure cathartic escapism on offer.  Minnow convincingly invites you to float along with the synth-carved stylistic rhythms which simply ooze those frequently sought good vibes. The playful eccentricity and personality in the vocals combined with the indulgent up-vibes melodies offer all of the organic feel-good vibes you could ask for.

All things considered, it’s the perfect mellow Summer Synth Pop track. Impress your friends, add the hazy delight to your playlists now.

You can check out Minnow for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Evadaze Ft. Lachlan Andrews – ‘Are We Still Good?’: Perfect summer lockdown electropop

Posted on 15 August 2020
https://soundcloud.com/user-731520196/are-we-still-good-feat-lachlan-andrews/s-MLaLzc17dfc

‘Are We Still Good?’ could be the story of 1,000,000 fledgeling lock-down romances, soon-to-be couples forced into isolation and unsure what, if anything, comes next. Catchy, bouncy, electronic pop perfectly backs singer Evadaze’s breathy delivery, guest vocalist Lachlan Andrews delivering a spicy counterpoint in this two-way conversation about love, life, and what might be.

It’s catchy and well-produced, the piano-led melody leaving plenty of space around Shortt’s vocals; the hook finds its way into your head, ear-worm like, and stays put around Lachlan and Shortt’s vocal interplay on the final chorus. A perfect summer antidote to lockdown blues.

You can check out Are We Still Good for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

To keep up with the artist’s new releases, head over to Evadaze Facebook page here

Review by Alex Holmes

US Indie Pop artist Help Society has released their debut album “Gettin’ Low & Lettin’ Go”

Posted on 4 August 2020

From the first few sonically-charged synth notes in US-based artists Help Society’s latest single Better, we were hooked.

Better is just one of the immersive and connectable tracks from Help Society’s album Gettin’ Low & Lettin’ Go. Each Darkwave track tackles a different facet of grief. And each track has plenty of organic and sincere resolving energy poured into it.

Largely, grief goes unspoken about. People tend not to like broaching the subject, but Help Society definitely wasn’t shy about laying down warm and compassionate sentiments over the shimmering synth-carved soundscape in Better.

If any track has the power to unite the goths and the Indie kids, it’s Better. There’s a gritty dark allure under the high-vibe tones giving Better a full-rounded feel which mirrors the complexity of grief-stricken emotion. It’s a constant battle to feel fragments of euphoria when experiencing grief, Help Society will help you get there.

You can check out Better along with the rest of the album for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The China Blue has unleashed their latest Synthpop Earworm Always on My Mind

Posted on 27 July 2020
https://soundcloud.com/thechinablue/always-on-my-mind

US artist and producer The China Blue has recently dropped their most evocatively hypnotic Synthpop single yet with Always on My Mind.

With the euphoric vibe, the hazy yet intricate production and the level of atmosphere weaved into the Pop hit, don’t be surprised if the perennial Pop earworm worms its way onto your contemporary Synthpop playlists after the first hit.

The up and coming artist may have borrowed an element or two from 80s Synthpop with the retro synth lines, but Always on My Mind doesn’t just hit the contemporary mark, it glides right past it thanks to the tangible ingenuity which The China Blue used to orchestrate this sweetly amorous soul-steeped single.

You can check out Always on My Mind for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

HARBOUR – All You Can Be: Cinematically Captivating Electronica

Posted on 14 July 2020

Las Vegas artist and producer HARBOUR has proven with their former releases that they know how to cook up a cinematically evocative electronic storm. With their new album “Mend”, they offered the ultimate testament to their talents when it comes to creating powerfully atmospheric music.

Each single was poignantly orchestrated to hit hard and tackle a different facet of what it means to be human. The perfect introduction to HARBOUR’s captivating sound is “All You Can Be”.

For anyone that’s feeling a little lost right now, All You Can Be offers as much guidance as it does resonance. The sentimental soul of the single is amplified by the colossal yet succinct and deftly crafted build-ups. It’s so much more than a soundscape which simply speaks to you. It mirrors the fluctuation of emotions which course through you as you battle against your own mental storms which tempt you to put aside ambition, hope and optimism.

You can check out All You Can Be for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Fonzarelii is set to make their debut with the Indie Synth Pop single “Reflections”

Posted on 16 March 2020
Fonzarelii

There’s no shortage of Synth-Pop artists, yet, up and coming Manchester-based producer Fonzarelii has proven that when accordant ingenuity is at the heart of the mix, there’s always room for more synthy futuristic tones on the airwaves.

Fonzarelii is set to release their debut single “Reflections” featuring gently ensnaring vocals from Ronan Harding which find perfect synergy with the dreamy melodic electronic instrumentals.

Reflections isn’t just a polished mix, emotion seeps from each aural pore in the soundscape making it a transfixing listen from start to finish.

Evidently, Manchester has bred yet another exceptional artist. When sentiment and emotion resonate like they do in Reflections, it’s practically impossible to find a flaw in the track.

You’ll have to wait until April 6th, 2020 to check out Reflections which will be available to stream via all major streaming platforms including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast