May 23 2011

Toque’s ‘Xtro’

Coming up next on the awesome Girlfriend Records is a three track EP from Toque, a side project from HR.

With just the right combination of ElectroPop, Disco and Electro-Funk, Toque’s ‘Xtro’ is dark of content but funky of beats. Like ‘Thriller’, ‘Xtro’ is quality, retro, DancePop with a horror movie theme. The juxtaposition between the get-up-and-dance music and the dark, though I expect tounge-in-cheek, lyrics is actually pretty fun. The thing I like most about this track though, is the prefect combination of 80’s sounding SynthPop and B-boy Electro, two of my greatest loves. One the one hand you’ve got the 808 claps, orchestral hits, Moog-esq funk synths, and some dark, heavily effected, MCing, and on the other shimmering lead lines and sweet as hell vocals. Definatly looking forward to this EP.

♫ Toque – Xtro

The ‘Xtro’ EP is out next Friday on Girlfriend Records, HR is also working hard on her second EP under that moniker.

Also incoming this summer is a Girlfriend Records compilation that they say is their ‘biggest project yet’ which should feature the whole Girlfriend family and some new faces. Defiantly something to be looking forward to!

May 23 2011

Expo

Oh, this track is defiantly going to get a lot of play ‘round here!

Belgian newcomers Expo are apparently “part of a rather well-known Belgian DJ-formation.”, I’m not sure what a DJ formation actually is, maybe in Belgium they have, like, DJ cheerleader teams making pyramids and stuff. Whatever, the track is awesome. Slick summery SynthPop with enough Disco in it’s DNA to be hip and enough European SynthPop to be quite nostalgic. The prefect combination.

♫ Expo – I Don’t Mind

Expect more from Expo soon!

May 23 2011

The Vanity Clause’s new track

Southend-On-Sea’s premiere ElectroPop outfit The Vanity Clause are back with a new track this month after months in the studio, a string of successful shows in the South-East and a major line-up change (not reflected in pic).

‘The Scream’ sees The Vanity Clause showing more of their New York Disco influenced side, helped as usual in no small part by Louisa Strachan powerful, soulful voice which, in the wrong hands, could be wasted but Russell Harris skilful melding of ElectroPop styles gives the backing enough groove to sit well with the vocals without straying too far from the SynthPop path. If this track is any indication of what to expect from The Vanity Clause’s next release then we could be in for something special.

♫ The Vanity Clause – The Scream

You’ll be able to get yourself a download of ‘The Scream’ by signing up to The Vanity Clause’s newsletter.

Buy The Vanity Clause’s music from:

The Vanity Clause’s new track

May 19 2011

Marsheaux’s new track

Greek SynthPop duo Marsheaux have unleashed a new track on the world.

‘Can You Stop Me?’ is nosier than you’d expect from Marsheaux, with a chainsaw lead line riding the SynthPop goodness. Still, the track is tempered by the girls sultry, breathy vocals that bring the song back from the brink of aggression making a nice juxtaposition of sound. If this is an indication of the sound of their forthcoming new album, due out in November, then we await it with interest.

♫ Marsheaux – Can You Stop Me?

‘Can You Stop Me’?’ will be released as a limited edition double A-side and CD EP in June.

Buy Marsheaux’s music from:

May 11 2011

Depeche Mode’s Stargate reMix video

The Stargate reMix of Depeche Mode’s ‘Personal Jesus’, the lead track on the ‘Personal Jesus 2011’ single (that includes the awesome Alex Metric reMix) now has an official video.

Taken from the ‘reMixes 2: 81-11’ album the track’s video, directed by Andrew Faber, is a dark tale in a witchfinder general style.

‘reMixes 2: 81-11’ is released 6th June on MuteReprise.

Buy Depeche Mode’s music from:

May 11 2011

Heaven 17 take ‘The Luxury Gap’ live

British SynthPop legends Heaven 17 have announced a two day special event at the Roundhouse in Camden, London on 14th-15th October 2011. Day one will see the band following on from their ‘Penthouse and Pavement 30th Anniversary Tour’ (which was awesome!) and performing their 1983 album ‘The Luxury Gap’ in it’s entirety including the singles ‘Let Me Go’, ‘Temptation’, ‘Come Live With Me’, and ‘Crushed By The Wheels of Industry’.

Day two will consist of the first ever live performance by Martyn Ware’s British Electric Foundation (B.E.F.) featuring tracks form ‘Music Of Quality & Distinction Vol. 1 & 2’ and a whole host of guest stars including Elly Jackson (La Roux), Boy George (Culture Club), Green Gartside (Scritti Politti), Sandie Shaw, Kim Wilde, Andy Bell (Erasure), Shingai Shoniwa (Noisettes), Midge Ure (Ultravox), Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17) and Polly Scattergood.

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.

Buy Heaven 17’s music from:

May 4 2011

Risk Risk

Risk Risk is a mysterious German producer who wants to let his music “speak for itself”, he shuns the internet in favour of being known only by his analog SynthPop sounds. I don’t know about you, but mystery artists who “let the music speak for itself” are getting pretty tired now, it’s not interesting, it’s been done, what’s the matter with you? It’s irritating for the press and it’s irritating for the fans.

Risk Risk’s music, however, is very cool. Stripped down SynthPop with a cold early 80’s feel without going down Minimal Synth territory. Musically quite early Ultravox or Gary Numan but with harsher Germanic tone to the vocals and just a hint of a modern dance music groove. This is neon drenched Sci-Fi stuff that the early Futurists would be proud of. We all miss the early 80’s at some point (I’m assuming if you’re reading this) and Risk Risk can fill that little hole in your life.

♫ Risk Risk – Are We On Air?

Risk Risk’s ‘This Is 1983’ is out now on Astro-Chicken.

Buy Risk Risk’s music from:

May 2 2011

Jules Schimmer’s May Mix

Jules Schimmer – May Mix = A mash-up of huge Electro tracks and some 80’s surprises.

♫ Jules Schimmer – May Mix

May 2 2011

Conzoom release electropop 6

German SynthPop label Conzoom Records have just released the sixth entry in their ‘electropop’ compilation series.

Featuring the likes of Mooger, Northern Mars, Parralox, Vile Electrodes and more it’s an fine example of where the Modern SynthPop scene is heading these days and a great introduction to some of the bands making it happen, If you like your electronic music retro but have been bereft of new music to listen to then Conzoom’s stable of modern takes on the classic SynthPop sound might just be for you. the tracks on this album range for upbeat club tunes to dark ballads.

Bispatial’s ‘We just Got It Wrong’ is one of the standout tracks on the album, setting itself apart from the majority of 80’s influenced acts on the compilation with a big (and pretty hip right now) 90’s sound. Heavy 909 beats and House piano rock this track.

♫ Bispatial (Feat. Vista) – We Just Got It Wrong (Electropop reMix)

You can pick up electropop 6 in the stores of from Conzoom’s web store.

May 2 2011

Howard Jones reMix project

Following the release of his “12” Album/Action Replay” box set SynthPop legend Howard Jones is now embarking on a project to open up the stems to many of his classic track to the public.

Starting with ‘Automaton’ from 1985’s ‘Dream Into Action’ album the Rework Howard Jones website will be offering the audio parts to a succession of Howard’s hits for any-one to reMix. If it takes your fancy you can reMix the tracks for your own usage or submit them for inclusion on a forthcoming Howard Jones reMix album.

Could you out synth-Fuck ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ though?