Mar 4 2016

[Audio] Let Em Riot’s ‘Programme’ EP

Do I need a disclaimer at the beginning of an article about Let Em Riot? I mean, he has graced electronic rumors records with his SlashWave EP way back when and Alan is considered electronic rumors fam around these parts; so yeah, there may be bias. But look at it this way, I sunk my own hard earned cash and personal reputation (although that second one is pretty worthless!) into Let Em Riot, I was that convinced of how awesome they were. When did you last invest in an artist ‘cos you were so excited by them, huh? Exactly. So shut up and let me write.

And why did I invest in Let Em Riot? Well it’s simply because Alan Oakes is the single most talented singer/songwriter working in the SynthWave/RetroWave scene. Hands Down. In fact, he’s one of the most talented singer/songwriters working on ElectroPop or Indie-Electro, as a whole, today. Big words maybe, but just listen to one of his EPs, c’mon! I can’t even.

Speaking of EPs, Today sees the release of Let Em Riot’s latest EP on his Bandcamp page. The Programme EP is Let Em Riot’s fourth and, like the rest of his catalogue, see Alan exploring topics of love and loss to a soundtrack of sumptuous nostalgic synths. Dig in!

The EP kicks off with In Between. The thing with Let EM Riot songs is, no matter how melancholic they might be, they are always quite cheery and upbeat. You feel like even the tales of heartbreak have a happy ending somewhere. In Between dishes out the longing in spades between stabbing synth riffs and heavy duty drums (the drums are beefed up for this EP).

What sets Alan apart from some of his contemporaries is that, although he is making pure SynthPop, his songwriting and vocal style draws more from Indie and Alt-Rock than classic electronic music; and that’s a sweet combination. Rich synthesizer music and deeply emotional croon fit together perfectly. Saying that, though, I Don’t Want To Fake It is pure retro Pop. This tune could have easily charted in the mid-80s with it’s sparkling keys and fist-pumping earnest chorus. Kept fresh with just the tiniest injection of a Tropical groove. It.s even got some distant “Whoa-oh”s giving it a Nik Kershaw-goes-Tropical vibe.

Stranger Places’ Depeche Mode-esque post-Industrial rhythmic hammerfalls pin down this sweeping instrumental. It’s Sci-Fi soundscape ripe for cinematic visuals; Stranger Places is more nuanced and intricate than many of it’s peers, drawing as much from Jarre and the aforementioned Mode as it does from period soundtracks to delivers it’s melodic but tense package.

Want some unadulterated Let Em Riot? Upbeat beats, digital bass, heartfelt verses and big chant-a-long choruses, a nostalgic sheen? Well, Waiting For You has everything you need right here. This tune is the euphoric apex of the EP with relatable lyrics and some truly special synth riffing, this one’ll put a spring in your step.

The EP closes on Home Again, a beautiful, optimistic, heartfelt slice of ElectroPop. It’s raid fire bassline driving the track but never overtaking the considered delivery of the vocals, which seem to reign the machine gun synths in. Home Again brings to EP to it’s end but leaves a good taste in your ears.

See! That’s wasn’t to bias was it? Seriously though, if you like the three E’s, Electronics, Energy and Emotion in your music then you need to be at the very least investing Let Em Riot and you could do worst that starting with the Programme EP.

♫ Let Em Riot – I Don’t Want To Fake It

♫ Let Em Riot – Waiting For You

♫ Let Em Riot – Home Again

Let Em Riot’s Programme EP is out today via his Bandcamp page.

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Sep 24 2015

[Audio] Jordan F’s ‘Mesmerised’

There are a few artists who have been with us since the beginning. Starting out not long after electronic rumours was born and we’ve follow their careers as they have progressed. Some flee by the wayside, never to be heard of again, and some went from strength to strength. Australia’s Jordan F is one of these artists we’ve been with since day one, and he’s definitely one of the strength to strength-ers. Starting out at the beginning of the second wave of Dreamwave artists (the scene have just come off MySpace) Jordan quickly rose through the ranks; showing himself as a producer enhanced musicality and a knack for retro flair without the constructions of genre.

He was quickly picked up by the elite best-of-the-best of the Dreamwave seen, Rosso Corsa Records (home to Mitch Murder and Miami Nights 1984) and, after flexing his musical muscles on numerous EPs, his début album Slipstream was finally released last year.

It’s a surprise, then, to learn that he’s following up with a sophomore long player so soon afterwards having recently announced that the sequel he’s coming soon. The announcement came with the Album’s premier single, Mesmerised.

Mesmerised comes equipped with vocal stylings of Canadian SynthWave scene hired gun Dana Jean Phoenix, a singer whose look and sound delivers an authentic 80s pop sheen to the tracks she collaborates on. Mesmerised might just be her finest appearance to date as she and Jordan tread the lilting, laid back, hazy nostalgia path laid by the likes of Electric Youth.

These two are a match made in vintage heaven as Jordan’s restrained and mature soundtrack of tight digital bass, understated drums and a sea of lush pads is prefect for Dana to weave a delicious and gentle 80s Pop ditty throughout. As with many of Jordan’s tunes his soaring solos steal the show infusing Mesmerised with the fluid excitement that plays with Donna’s vocals like a call-and-response. It looks like, with his new album, Jordan F be taking them to school once again.

♫ Jordan F (Feat. Dana Jean Phoenix) – Mesmerised

Jordan F’s Mesmerised is out now.

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Sep 2 2015

[Audio] AIMES’ ‘Dirtbox’

Brooklyn’s finest is back with another slice of thoughtful, robotic House music. AIMES has been a firm fixture on electronic rumors since he made his début. Sometimes an artist comes along with something about them that makes them stand out from the crowd to us; with AIMES there was both a musicality beyond his contemporaries and a crisp, synthetic, analog sound to his tunes, whether turning his attention to Disco, House or SynthWave his tunes were just that bit more electronic (which obviously appeals to us!).

AIMES has dipped his music toe into a number of genres in his career; but whether Chillwave, Nu-Disco or Indie-Electro his tunes are generally pretty recognisable as he gives the styles his own unique spin. Right about now he’s teamed up with Mexican label Trafico and gone a bit left-field for his latest single. It’s out now, called Dirtbox, and comes loaded with it’s B-side, Prophet Jam, and reMixes from Mexico’s Juan Soto and NYC’s Tunnel Signs.

AIMES keeps things on just the right side of weird on Dirtbox. Hypnotic and undulating, Dirtbox introduces you to the hook early on, amid a sea of hammerfall piano. The hook persists throughout the track, weaving in and out of a symphony of pads, strings and vocal snatches in a tapestry of mysteries dancefloor sounds. Jumping in with some good squelchy Acid riffs is just the icing on the cake. Dirtbox is a track that will draw you in and command you to dance, and even when it’s over it will be ringing round your head and leaving it’s shadow on your feet.

AIMEs is one of a small group of artists who manage to make records that are both full-on funky Disco and House, and yet are quite experimental and intricate in their use of sounds and arrangement. It’s a hard feat to pull off, but AIMEs does it with style.

♫ AIMES – Dirtbox

AIMES’ Dirtbox is out now.

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Sep 1 2015

[Audio] Le Matos & PAWWS’ ‘No Tomorrow’

We do love it when two acts that we dig work together. Especially when we had no idea they were connected, in this pairing’s case, at all. Montréal based SynthWavers Le Matos have been cropping up on these pages off and on since way back in 2009. They’re one of a rare breed of SynthWave producers who have managed to keep their tracks consistently top quality and avoid getting repetitive. They’ve also not let himself become to insular on the SynthWave scene, having worked with and reMixed some diverse electronic artists such as We Have Band and Johan Agebjörn & Ercola. Le Matos don’t release new material with the crazy high frequency the SynthWave scene fosters, so when they so it’s something special to pay attention too.

And who have they teamed up with for this new track? Well, it’s none other than Pawws. This North Londoner has also been known to grace these pages on more than one occasion. Lucy Taylor made her way into all our hearts with one of last summer’s best vinyl released, her Sugar EP and we’ve been eagerly awaiting the follow up ever since.

That’s two fine artists right there, opposite sides of the Atlantic, who have both been teasing this collaboration for a while now and have had us itching to hear the results. They’ve brought together to release No Tomorrow, a track taken from form the soundtrack to forthcoming post-apocalyptic BMX flick Turbo Kid. From what we can gather about Turbo Kid it was set to be a retro fuelled thrill ride even before the soundtrack was full of awesomeness. No Tomorrow is out now accompanied by a blue heavyweight vinyl 7” release by Death Waltz, who will be releasing the full Turbo Kid soundtrack later this year.

You know we’re massive fans of Electric Youth here. Bear that in mind when we say No Tomorrow sounds a bit like Electric Youth…but better. Le Matos keep the production light and airy on this one; it’s lead line a raindrop pitter-patter of bright keys flowing gently over a spiky arpeggiated bassline and a wonderfully thick and robust vintage beat. Adding to the tracks breathiness is Lucy’s hushed and lilting vocals with a slightly more typical 80s arrangement than you’d hear on her own Pawws records. The combination of Le Matos’ dreamy, nostalgic sounds and Lucy’s optimistic tone makes for a classic sounding slice of synthesizer euphoria. Effortlessly uplifting and hopeful, No Tomorrow is a ray of musical sunshine with just the right amount of cinematic rhapsody to perfectly soundtrack some kind of beaten-the-odds scene in a movie, which we are presuming it does.

♫ Le Matos (Feat. Pawws) – No Tomorrow

Le Matos’ No Tomorrow is out now.

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Jul 7 2015

[Audio] Mindscramble reMixes Belleville’s ‘Capture’

Coming together in November of last year Belleville are recently formed indie electro act. Comprising of Maria Christofi and Richard Baldwin, of indie outfit kites, the duo launched the new endeavour with the single Capture. Eight months later the single is given a new lease of life by Manchester Synthwaver Mindscramble who has served up some soaring synths for your listening pleasure. Check it out.

Bubbling basslines kick off this remix as Mindscramble drops rumbling arpeggios to back an array of swelling synths. Not before too long he introduces a solid italo beat and pinprick leads to counter the low smoky vocals provided by the original. Mindscramble’s productions appear to have come on in leaps and bounds with a clean mix and well balanced sound. Give this slick reMix of Capture a listen.

♫ Belleville – Capture (Mindscramble reMix)

Belleville’s Capture is out now

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Jun 23 2015

[Audio] Ryan Riot & Ay Wing’s ‘Broken Doll’ (+ Punks Jump Up reMix)

One of Switzerland’s finest Nu-Disco and House export, Ryan Riot, is set to release his newest single next month via Y Este Finde Qué’s imprint. The release sees him teaming up with Ay Wing for Broken Doll which is due out at the end of July. Not only is it a smooth as hell slice of warm House but it comes backed with a killer reMix from London’s Punks Jump Up to boot!

Deftly integrating vintage Disco mirrorball shimmer into a big Piano House track, Ryan Riot and Ay Wing serve up a soft focus floorfiller. Ryan pulls out his whole arsenal here, from the Warehouse beats to the Topical keys everything is placed for the maximum dancefloor potential. The big hooks and big, yet slightly quirky, diva vocals are present and correct here and keep the track’s energy levels high. For their reMix, Punks Jump Up strip back the groove and morph it into a late-night Acid-ish jam that is vintage sounding Chicago gold, practically a strobe light made audio. Check out those deep, warbling synths; love it!

♫ Ryan Riot & Ay Wing – Broken Doll

♫ Ryan Riot & Ay Wing – Broken Doll (Punks Jump Up reMix)

Ryan Riot & Ay Wing’s Broken Doll is released 23th July.

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Jun 23 2015

[Video] Pyramid’s ‘Film Noir’

One of the most interesting producers coming out of France right now, and in the past half-decade, is Pyramid. Film Noir, (a collaboration with Holy Oysters) is out now on Kitsuné Music as part of the Night Tales EP, alongside this official video.

Rodrigue Huart directed this turbulent tale of band in-fighting.

Pyramid’s Night Tales EP is out now.

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Jun 1 2015

[Audio] Russ Chimes reMixes Public Service Broadcasting’s ‘Go!’

Earlier this month we featured Nu-Disco groover Louis La Roché’s reMix of Go! from one of our favourite live acts of the past year, Public Service Broadcasting. Now it’s the turn of one of our favourite producers of all the years, Russ Chimes, to have a crack at the tune. It’s taken from the Go! single, released last week, which also sees Errors contributing a version alongside Russ and Louis. Chimes whips up a hypnotic and euphoric House cavalcade with this one. Give it a listen.

Clocking in at just under nine minutes, this truly is an intergalactic oddessy. Chimes lays out his track like the thematic space mission; gradually building from it’s launch point, layering synths and chugging bass over a solid beat until the track breaks into full-on Balearic euphoria. A timeless and classic-sounding slice of sunrise dance music, Russ takes all the majesty of the originals subject matter and works that into a, soundtrack-esque at times, uplifting journey. You can get so lost in this track.

♫ Public Service Broadcasting – Go! (Russ Chimes reMix)

Public Service Broadcasting’s Go! is out now.

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May 27 2015

[Audio] Jules Schimmer’s ‘Soar’

Brixton based Nu-Disco collective Nude Disco are gearing up for the release of their second label compilation. Nude Disco Selections Vol. 2 is set for release at the start of next month and will be a tasty snapshot of the kind of Italo Disco goodness we’ve come to expect from the label and it’s Brixton nightclub home. Sitting loud and proud on this storming collection is this little gem from long time friend of electronic rumors Jules Schimmer. It’s his first new tune in quite a while, it’s called Soar, and you can grab your exclusive first listen below.

Mr. Schimmer serves up as emotional and heartfelt electronic as we’ve ever heard with Soar. It’s a fitting title as the tune is warm and uplifting with comfortable retro Italo and House grooves playing out inspiring chord progressions. Like a mid-90s euphoric Trance tune played by a late-80s House producer, Soar is pleasingly nostalgic with a sunrise rush. That lead hook worms it’s way into your brain and stats with you four hours after you’ve finished listening, and with a hook like that, that’s no bad thing. There’s nothing not to like about this one.

♫ Jules Schimmer – Soar

Nude Disco Selections Vol. 2 is released 1st June

Check out more from Jules Schimmer on SoundCloud.

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May 7 2015

[Audio] Johan Agebjörn and Mikael Ögren reMix Tommy ’86’s ‘Aurora’

One of our favourite French producers, SynthWave genius Tommy ‘86, is set to drop his new EP this week. It’s called Aurora, a track that he débuted a while ago but is now getting a proper release with a couple of reMixes to boot. One of those reMixes comes from our Scandinavian friend Johan Agebjörn. He’s partnered with Mikael Ögren for the reMix, which we can première for you right here.

These two get their serious synth on right here. A mystical synth excursion for fans of Jean Michelle-Jarre, this reMix is a mid-tempo piece that envelopes you in it’s electronic magic as it pours out of the speaks. Using reverb heavy drums and sparkling arpeggios to craft an enigmatic mood, thee guys build up an exotic atmosphere before launching into some of the most captivating synth solos you’ll have heard in a while. Sit back and sink into this evocative and intoxicating track. It’s even got a little Sally Shapiro vocal sampling going on.

♫ Tommy ‘86 – Aurora (Johan Agebjörn and Mikael Ôgren reMix)

Johan has also currently got a reMix competition on the go for his track The Leftovers where you can win a Numark NS7, which is a pretty good prize for a reMix comp really!

Tommy ‘86’s Aurora is released this week.

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