May 1 2014

[Audio] Monarchy’s ‘Living Without You’

It’s been a while since we had new material from London SynthPop duo Monarchy, over a year (not including their collaboration with MiGHty mOUse), but the boys are back in town with a brand new single. Ushering in a larger, and perhaps more mature, sound is Living Without You.

The inclusion of grinding chainsaw synths might seem out of place for Monarchy at first glace, but by the end of the track the cinematic lift of the track brings it all together in a way that makes sense. Andrew and Ra go full throttle with this one, with both huge, anthemic, vocals and enough sonic power to push this squarely into Big Room territory. Unsurprisingly the new single is released via Ultra Records, purveyors of largely mainstream Dance tracks, whether they can shoehorn Monarchy into the big Progressive House market will remain to be seen, but we’ll enjoy the fruits of the effort.

♫ Monarchy – Living Without You

Monarchy’s Living Without You is out now.

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May 1 2014

[Audio] Blank Paper’s ‘Step Into My Office’

We featured new music from Brooklyn SynthPoppers Blank Paper earlier this month with the lead track form their forthcoming new EP, Ambien. Here’s the second tune taken from the release. It’s called Step Into My Office and paints a business like metaphor for getting closer to a special someone; wich feels odd to us, we’ve always knows asking someone to “step into your office” as a metaphor for dumping someone. Oh, how the Atlantic separates us.

As with Ambien, Step Into My Office is a lush and woozy slice of very 80s ElectroPop. A churning synth bassline stagers the track forward like a drunken robot, dragging with it rich vintage synths and spacious melodies. Marie Kim’s vocals are pure 80s joy, a decade which loved an awkward metaphor, flowing over the track with an upbeat optimism that hides a slight air of menace. Another awesome tune from Blank Paper, we’re very much looking forward to the EP.

♫ Blank Paper – Step Into My Office

Blank Paper’s new EP is out this summer.

Check out more from Blank Paper on SoundCloud.

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Apr 28 2014

[Download] The Penelopes’ ‘Time To Shine’

Massive. That’s the best word to describe the new single from London based French ElectroPop duo The Penelopes. Time To Shine has been released as a free download and is their first original release since their 2012 album Never Live Another Yesterday. In many ways it marks a district departure from the summery (and quite ‘of the time’) Indie-ElectroPop of their previous work as they morph into something more mature and rich.

The contrast here of the growling and moody sonic pallet and the euphoric, upbeat nature of the track is what really lets this track shine. Like The Sisters Of Mercy gone shiny ElectroPop, Time To Shine is brooding 80s power Rock preformed on shimmering synthesizers, with all the requisite pomp and circumstance. Chugging bass, gritty synths and Axel’s croon backed up with some huge, Morrison-esque female vox and squealing leads, this is stadium SynthPop at it’s finest.

♫ The Penelopes – Time To Shine

The Penelopes’ Time To Shine is out now. The reMix package is out soon and will feature work from Ronika and Is Tropical.

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Apr 23 2014

[Audio] Xeno & Oaklander’s ‘Interface’

New York Minimal Synth duo Xeno & Oaklander signed up with Ghostly International late last year, which strikes up as a fitting pairing. They’ve just announced their first release for the label, their new album Par Avion, due out in June. The record was inspired by synaesthesia, and you can hear the opening tune below.

Interface feels like a more focused Xeno & Oaklander than ever. It’s a spacious SynthPop tune that flutters in and out of a early New Order-y vibe and washes it was a distinct Shoegaze sound. Imagine Horrorhead era Curve and Joy Division collaborating on a track produced by Kraftwerk and you’re somewhere in the right ballpark. Blissful to listen to, this definitely has us interested to see what direction the new album takes.

♫ Xeno & Oaklander – Interface

Xeno & Oaklander’s Par Avion is released 24th June.

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Apr 22 2014

[Video] Marnie’s ‘Hearts On Fire’

The track Hearts On Fire is the subject of the new video from Ladytron’s Helen Marnie. It’s from her album Crystal World, one of our favourite records of last year and the Ladytron album we’d been waiting for.

The clip is directed by James Slater, who tempers the tracks epic scope with a simple, but effective, visual style.

Marnie’s Crystal World is out now.

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Apr 9 2014

[Audio] Bright Light Bright Light’s ‘She Carves Her Desire’

Out this week is the I Wish I Were Leaving single from Bright Light Bright Light. The title track sees BLx2 performing his critically acclaimed duet with Sir Elton John, but it’s also packed with a couple of B-sides, one of the being the expansive She Carves Her Desire. A mesmerizing SynthPop tune that is epic in both scope and sound. Have a listen.

She Carves Her Desire is a sprawling ElectroPop opus. Backed by shuffling mid-tempo beats, Rod’s voice rises and falls with the string’s swelling, while haunting piano and burbling synths craft out the tracks atmosphere. From Rod belting out the chorus the the piercing synth lead, this is goosebump inducing stuff.

♫ Bright Light Bright Light – She Carves Her Desire

Bright Light Bright Light’s I Wish I Were Leaving is out now

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Apr 8 2014

[Video] Mirror Kisses’ ‘Genius’

The track Genius is the subject of the new video from ElectroPoppers Mirror Kisses. A driving retro Synth Pop monster that taken from the outfit’s free album, Heartbeats.

The video was put together by George Clanton (Mirror Kisses), Adrain Harris, Brendon Hall and Robb Payne and features the contacting footage of a monochrome mural and Mirror Kisses Technicolor performance.

Mirror Kisses’ Heartbeats is out now.

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Apr 4 2014

[Audio] Moderns’ ‘Sub Urban’

Moderns is the new project from out very own Let Em Riot. Alan isn’t alone in this venture, some Dude called Chris is along for the ride too; and between the two of them they are making some sweet, evocative SynthPop. The journey begins with Sub Urban, and a staggeringly impressive début it is too.

Sub Urban is a big cinematic slice of ElectroPop, but not one that eschews emotion for pomposity, this track has soul in truckloads. There’s an obvious comparison to Let Em Riot, with an added cleanness and sparkle.With a punchy bassline to power the track along, Sub Urban is loaded with starlight snyths and playful purcussion, tempered only by the occasional electronic growl. Alan’s vocals and as passionate and emotive as ever and nicely tie the tune together. We’re very excited to see where this is going.

♫ Moderns – Sub Urban

Check out more from Moderns on SoundCloud.

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Apr 4 2014

[Audio] André Obin’s ‘Loaded Soul’

Boston based producer André Obin made some ripples last year worth the release of his The Arsonist album. He returns in the first half of this year with another collection of eclectic electronic tunes called Ways Of Escape; the first track form which is Loaded Soul, and EBM lite Germanic opus that should have him nervous that Goths might like him, ‘cos then his career will be over.

A lot of people are throwing around the word ‘Darkwave’, and whilst those word throwers have probably never heard of Black Tape For A Blue Girl, Project Pitchfork or Das Ich they do have a point. The simplistic, growling synth bassline and whispered vocals are loaded with Teutonic, mascara fuelled, connotations. There’s a little House flavour in there too, and a surprising funk, amidst the synthesizer swirls and Loaded Soul turns-in a confident and engrossing SynthPop soundtrack.

♫ André Obin – Loaded Soul

André Obin’s Ways Of Escape is released 29th April.

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Apr 3 2014

[Video] Labyrinth Ear’s ‘Urchin’

It’s another new video from London based ElectroPop duo Labyrinth Ear, hot on the heels of their new single Crescent Moon. This one’s called Urchin, slightly more abstract but backed with a pulsating ethereal Italo groove you may remember from last year.

Sébastien Rippon directs the clip, set against gorgeous Parisian architecture and chilly winter.