Browsing Tag

synthwave

FRNDS AS CMPNY has made their debut with the Indie Synth Wave single “White Flag”

Posted on 22 March 2020

Authentic Indie may be harder to find than a needle in a haystack, but we’ve struck gold with the debut single “White Flag” from FRNDS AS CMPNY.

The synth-led soundscape is as captivating as it is sensuous, as you can imagine, that’s quite the alchemic aural combination. White Flag may borrow an element or two from 80s Synthwave and Darkwave Electronica. Yet, with their distinctive production style, you can fall in love with the transfixing synthesised tones once more.

Any fans of Depeche Mode, New Order, and Kraftwerk will definitely see the appeal in White Flag. There’s a nuanced pinch of moody dark atmospherics, but the shimmering atmospheric production gives White Flag a transcendently rapturous feel which you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

You can check out FRNDS AS CMPNY’s debut single for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ReveLever – Play with the Fire: A Synthpop Minefield of Melodic Hooks

Posted on 12 March 2020

I’m fairly convinced that old school 80s analogue synths will never lose their mesmeric appeal. Even more so after hearing the latest single “Play with the Fire” from Netherlands-based artist ReveLever.

The striking synthesised notes create the perfect platform for the female vocals to sit neatly above as they exude hypnotic levels of magnetism. As usual, the lyrics have been left light. Yet they still efficaciously draw you deeper into the mix which is an aural minefield of melodic hooks.

Play with the Fire may not be the most innovative or bold soundscape. Instead, it’s a captivating revival of the 80s Synthwave sound. ReveLever has found the perfect balance between dark and light in Play with Fire. There may be some moody tones found in the mix, yet, there’s also sensual warmth and effervescent charm.

You can check out ReveLever’s single which was released on February 14th for yourselves via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Thrv – Deaths of Despair: Eclectically Progressive Rock-Infused EDM Synth Pop

Posted on 9 February 2020

As you’d expect from an electronica track titled “Deaths of Despair”, there’s quite the serving of immersive aural despondency within the instrumental mix from up and coming artist Thrv.

Yet, as the mix progresses, you’ll hear the full tonal palette explored as the six-minute soundscape takes you through a journey of happy Synth Pop, snappy Funk-driven Disco, and heavy riff-laden Rock riffs thrown in for good measure.

With the Synthpop and soaring riffs combined, Deaths of Despair feeds you all of the best parts of the 80s simultaneously. Which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we certainly appreciate the all too palpable ingenuity in Deaths of Despair.

You can check out Deaths of Despair for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

So So Sun – Paradise: Progressively Smooth Synthwave Indie

Posted on 5 February 2020

Instead of jumping on an existing trend with their third single “Paradise”, Indie Dance Pop act So So Sun established one of their very own by merging atmospheric Jangle Pop Indie with smoothly danceable EDM.

It’s a sticky sweet genre mash which should go down a treat for any fans of The Midnight and similar artists leading the vanguard of contemporary Synthwave pioneers.

Expect funky acoustic basslines, shimmering nuances of euphoria to spill from the synths, and a plethora of futurism as a courtesy of the digital effects, and of course, the jangly Indie Pop progressions. With vocals which are just as soulful and progressive as the instrumentals, Paradise comes incredibly highly recommended. Especially if you like to have your finger on the pulse of exceptionally distinctive up and coming artists.

You can check out So So Sun’s single Paradise for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Yahn – Coming Home: Shimmering Spacey Synthwave Pop

Posted on 6 January 2020

Up and coming artist and producer Yahn ended 2019 by dropping their fourth single “Coming Home”. In doing so they gave us one more reason to get excited about their analogue approach to catharsis.

Expect shimmering, spacey Synthwave which flirts with elements of futurism. But the true essence of the single lies in the nostalgia of those 80s inspired soaring synth notes which carve out quintessentially captivating melodies.

Coming Home may be an instrumental score, but there’s no discernible lack of emotion or feeling thanks to the veracity of the effervescent energy which pours from the soundscape.

You can check out Yahn’s latest single Coming Home for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Izzy Spint – The Power of God and Anime: Rap Meets Pop Meets Experimental Synthwave

Posted on 6 January 2020
https://izzyspint.bandcamp.com/track/the-power-of-god-and-anime

Atari Teenage Riot fans are going to want to check out Izzy Spint’s insanely fresh Synthwave single “The Power of God and Anime”.

The delectable mash of Pop, Hip Hop, Rap, and experimental Electronica is more than a perennial earworm. It’s a thunderously infectious progressive hit which constantly throws dizzying aural curveballs your way.

The harmonically melodic Pop choruses amongst the harsh discordant chaos are quite frankly ingenious. The Power of God and Anime isn’t just a track which you can get on board with. It’s one that you can quite easily get obsessed with. Izzy Spint is definitely an artist to watch.

You can start your love affair with Izzy Spint’s experimentalism by heading over to Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Neverkid has made their debut with the darkly retro Indie Pop hit “When it Comes to You”

Posted on 15 December 2019

Melbourne-based Indie Pop artist Neverkid has made their debut with the retro darkwave hit “When it Comes to You”. If you could imagine what the Midnight would sound like with a darker tonality, you’ll get a good idea of the alchemy which lingers between the deftly paced notes in When it Comes to You. But the true arrestive tendencies within Neverkid’s debut lie in the distinctive contrast between her poised and personable lyrics and the cold feel to the instrumentals.

Neverkid’s sound may be heavily influenced by 80s Synthwave artists, yet, it practically drips with contemporary appeal. Debut singles don’t come much more exciting than this. There aren’t many artists with the ability to put out radio-ready hits right from their inception, but perceptibly, Neverkid isn’t your average newcomer.

You can check out Neverkid’s debut for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

Posted on 29 November 2019

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

Synthwave Artist Neon Exdeath Makes Their Debut with the Resonantly Captivating Album “Escape”

Posted on 18 October 2019

“Escape” is just one of the standout tracks found on up and coming Synthwave artist Neon Exdeath’s debut album of the same name.

Even though there’s a fair amount of dark synth-led Electronica already out there on the airwaves, Neon Exdeath sets themselves apart by not failing to spill emotivity through their soundscapes without allowing it to resonate as saccharine.

There may be plenty of reverb on their vocals, but you’d need to be soulfully challenged to not be touched by this sweetly mesmeric single which makes the dark electronica genre a little friendlier.

With choruses you could melt into and Neon Exdeath’s delicately distinctive approach to orchestrating electronic soundscapes, it’s hard to imagine that their unmissable debut is the last we’ll hear of them.

You can check out Neon Exdeath’s debut album Escape for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aidan Maizels releases their sonically ethereal Art Rock single “Nuages Cœur”

Posted on 9 October 2019
https://aidanmaizels.bandcamp.com/track/nuages-c-ur?fbclid=IwAR0ytwHhDFnS8XDlxh5WaWGruzXn_M8AqZk567PoSie-8JSnj56ZLwLkE18

Aidan Maizels released their latest artfully indulgent single “Nuages Cœur” on September 20th, sharing with the airwaves a unique smorgasbord of sounds which pull together in sonically lucid concordance.

The single may kick off with some slightly ominous synth keys, yet, the progressions of the single reveal plenty of elements of psychedelic ambience – that’s when the melody behind Nuages Cœur truly grips you. There’s an incredible amount of catharsis to be found in Nuages Cœur, and it’s safe to say that it should be plenty of appeal to any fans of bands such as Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, and Ride.

Considering that I’m fairly aurally jaded and Nuages Cœur still managed to give me chills, that’s a fairly undeniable testament to Aidan Maizels ability as a songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist.

If the alchemic contortions of sound don’t leave you enamoured, the fact that the Melbourne-based artist wrote it about falling in love with a cloud definitely should do it.

You can stream and download Nuages Cœur by heading over to Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast