Sep 16 2013

[Audio] Sunglasses Kid’s ‘Unpredictable’ EP

London SynthWave producer Sunglasses Kid released a new EP this past weekend. He’s released some really cool tunes, over the past few months, that have seen him push himself to the front of the SynthWave pack. With a real grasp on authentic 80s Pop sounds, and a good handle on arrangement too, he’s done nothing but impress. The new EP, Unpredictable, is a slick six tracks of classic ElectroPop collaborations.

The highlight of the EP has to be a team-up with Leon Monroe and Highway Superstar titled, Summer Nights. Summer Nights is an easy going slice of summertime Pop with an almost Tropical groove. Monroe’s breezy vocal and Highway Superstar’s sax work really set the tune apart, the sax particularly capturing the mid-80s beach party mood of the tune and drawing you into it. The track show’s off Sunglasses Kids deftness with 80s SynthPop, never heavy-handed or pastiche with it, the Kid just seems to ‘get’ how 80s Pop worked. Greek retro Power Pop vocalist Kristine put in an appearance on Time In Time, an exotic track that layers it’s enigmatic atmosphere with some nice orchestral hits and a Boogie laden beat. The Boy & Sister Alma’s turn at the mic sees them taking part in a moody soundtrack piece, full off evocative chords and a racing beat ripe for a montage.

Elsewhere on the EP your find contributions from the likes of D/A/D and Bret Grace. It’s a confident release that shows off Sunglasses Kid as a true talent on the scene, and one that effortlessly moves beyond the confines of the genre. Well worth checking out.

♫ Sunglasses Kid (Feat. Leon Monroe & Highway Superstar) – Summer Nights

♫ Sunglasses Kid (Feat. Kristine) – Time In Time

♫ Sunglasses Kid (Feat. The Boy & Sister Alma) – Come Back To Me

Sunglasses Kid’s Unpredictable EP is out now.

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Sep 13 2013

[Audio] FM Attack’s ‘Deja Vu’ album

This week, SynthWave innovator and one of the most underrated producers around, Vancouver’s FM Attack, released his long awaited new album. As one of the producers on-board with the Dreamwave sound in it’s infancy, FM Attack has been a constant staple of the scene who’s releases are always looked forward to with anticipation. Clocking up some pretty high profile reMixes in-between albums just goes to show the regard Shawn Ward is held in amongst dance music producers. This new records, Deja Vu, sees FM Attack lean more in a traditional song direction, and the results are well worth your attention.

From the opening beats of With You Tonight, you know you’re in for an Italo infused SynthPop treat. It;s a breezy, romantic tune, full of musical nostalgia and human vocals, and sets the scene for Deja Vu. The Greek voice of retro Pop Kristine makes her first of two appearances on the album on Magic which, like it’s counterpart Runaway, is a emotionally charged slick of authentic 80s Pop laden with icy synths played against a warm bassline and Kristine’s powerful Pop-Rock vocal style. It’s a classic Pop tune, as opposed to Runaway’s more infectious Electro Boogie stylings. Elsewhere on the album you’ll fine the compelling Robo Disco of Corazon, otherworldly and machine-like rub shoulders with the finger snapping, soulful Italo groove of Activate, a vocoder fuelled android’s lament. Tears Don’t Lie and Lost Angeles bring something a little more traditionally SynthWave to the table, showing of their 80s soundtrack music DNA in two very different ways, energetic & Poppy and pensive & resonant. In the middle of the release sits the Julian Sanza featuring Fade Away, an unusual excursion into Balearic Italo with 90s euphoric Trance leads. Deja Vu definitely lives up to what we hope for with a new FM Attack release. Shawn has outdone himself again, we suggest you check it out.

♫ FM Attack (Feat. Kristine) – Magic

♫ FM Attack – Activate

♫ FM Attack (Feat. Kristine) – Runaway

♫ FM Attack – With You Tonight

FM Attack’s Deja Vu is out now.

Buy FM Attack’s music from:

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Sep 13 2013

[Mixtape] Jules Schimmer’s September mix

Jules Schimmer – Mix September 2013 = A whole hour of upfront Electro, ElectroPop and Nu-Disco right here in the form of Manchester DJ Jules Schimmer’s latest mixtape. This should set you up for the weekend!

♫ Jules Schimmer – Mix September 2013

The tracklist:
01. Low Tide Theory – We All Fall Down
02. Pyramid – Wolf
03. Rayko – I Can’t Stand The Rain
04. Kido Yoji – Call A Romance (Cosmonaut Grechco reMix)
05. Stars – I Don’t Want Your Body (She’s The Queen reMix)
06. Keith Masters – Garey Busey (Life Is Good) (Robots With Rayguns reMix)
07. Gigamesh – All My Life
08. Theophilius London – Why Even Try (RAC reMix)
09. Poolside – Only Everything
10. Matt & Kim – Block After Block (Echoes reMix)
11. The New Division – Devotion (The Sanfernando Sound reMix)
12. Betty Who – High Society
13. Alex Metric – Scandalism
14. Yelle – Ce Jeu (reMix)
15. Passion Pit – Take A Walk (The M Machine reMix)
16. Escort – Starlight (Max Essa reMix)
17. Charli XCX – You (Ha Ha Ha) (Goldroom reMix)
18. The Other Tribe – We Should Be Dancing
19. Jenna F – We Will Be Stars
20. Munk – Misterio (Club Mix)
21. Plastic Plates – More Than Love
22. Buffetlibre (Feat. We Have Band) – El Nino (Buffetlibre reMix)

Check out more from Jules Schimmer on SoundCloud.

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Sep 13 2013

[Audio] Shelby Grey’s ‘Electric Illusions’ EP

Released today, a fitting Friday 13th, is Spanish Nu-Disco and Dreamwave producer Shelby Grey’s new EP, Electric Illusions. Fitting as the new release sees Grey take a voyage into the worlds of 80’s synth Horror Soundtracks and moody Italo, all wrapped up in the man’s quirky Disco beats. Interesting stuff, and an anathema to the tidal waves of summery party Disco now the night are getting longer…and darker.

The release’s title track is a marching creepshow of synthetic basslines and spooky nightmare melodies, juxtaposed with a space-age Cosmic Disco groove. A Disco tune to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, Electric Illusions brings dread to the dancefloor. Possession continues the mood, but adds in some shuffling percussive breakbeats to the mix before the release plays out on Baroque Electrique. This final track is a pumping Italo/SynthWave soundtrack piece loaded with Disco flourishes. A rolling arpeggiated bassline drives the track ever onward with all manner of tense synth chords play out over the top, this one brings the strongest vibe to the EP whilst keeping up the mysterious theme running through. A good concept EP from Shelby, and a nice break from the norm.

♫ Shelby Grey – Baroque Electrique

♫ Shelby Grey – Electric Illusions

Shelby Grey’s Electric Illusions is out today via ‘The ever-awesome Holographic People’

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Sep 12 2013

[Movie] Rage

Right, are you sitting down? There’s a lot of information to take-in in this post so pay attention. We’re going multi-media crazy and a worthy cause is gonna’ need your help. Pay attention. Our good friend and top SynthWaver Arcade High is not only one of the most original retro-synth producers around, he’s also a talented filmmaker. Currently in his final year at film school, Ryan is attempting to put together a short movie, written and directed by himself and highly influenced by the 80s flicks he loves. The film is called Rage, about a man who returns from the dead and embarks on a bloody quest to rescue his girlfriend. The film will expand upon a blood soaked test scene filmed earlier this year. Check it out.

So, here’s where things get really interesting, not only are the looking to fans and enthusiasts to fund the movie over on IndieGoGo for special perks, but they are also already selling the soundtrack. Out on Telefuture, the album is a thirteen track compilation featuring tracks from some of the best and brightest in the SynthWave scene, including, but not limited to, Silenx, Arcade High himself, Betamaxx, Tommy, Final DJs and Protector 101. The soundtrack costs $10, with all of the cash going toward the films budget. It’s a great funding strategy, and everybody wins. Check out some of the tracks, the release is loaded with top quality, ominous, pounding and pulsating synthesizer soundtrack music and relentless Italo beats. The soundtrack is on Bandcamp right now, and you can find out more about Rage and the crew involved in making it, along with donation options on their IndieGoGo page. Get involved!

♫ Tommy – Kurt’s Revenge

♫ Silenx – Rogue Vindicator

♫ Arcade High – Rise From Your Grave

♫ Betamaxx – Retaliation

♫ Protector 101 – Empty Shells

The Rage soundtrack is out now, all proceeds go towards the movies production budget. Get it here.

Buy the Rage soundtrack from:

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Sep 10 2013

[Audio] Goldroom’s ‘Embrace’

Here it is! The new one from Dreamwave O.G., Beach party starter, and Disco sailor Goldroom. As usual this is a reason to prick up your ears as it’s always interesting to see what new styles Josh is going to pull from his bag of tricks. So in the interests of begging interesting, we’re going to briefly talk about this new record and we promise not to mention any kind of weather, not once!

Ariela Jacobs is the voice you will hear on Embrace, she’s a new name to us but the Australian songstress wins us over almost immediately with a warm, impassioned performance. Goldroom brings us a comforting symphony of stabbing synths, smokey pads and a House hook that does it’s job well (i.e. hooks you in). Peppering with synth zaps and drum rolls that seems to pull you with them, Josh, more than many of his contemporaries, really uses the array of electronic sounds at his disposal to create a truly emotional mood. True synthesizer artistry. Also, summer. Damnit!

♫ Goldroom (Feat. Ariela Jacobs) – Embrace

Goldroom’s Embrace EP is out now.

Buy Goldroom’s music from:

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Sep 4 2013

[Audio] Quixotic’s ‘Palms’

The Hungarian producer of SynthWave and Disco Quixotic has impressed us a few times in the last couple of years, so it was with interest we slapped on his new single, Palms, released by Future City Records this week. The release come packed to the gills, containing the title track, two B-sides and a host of reMixes from the likes of Amazing Police, Kid Flash, Who Ha and a stormer from Mr. Mæn.

Palms itself serves up a laid back Italo Disco sound, combining a pulsating Italo bassline with piercing snyths and wicked Disco licks. It’s a six minute epic, but never overstays it’s welcome. Hypnotizing you with it’s relentless machine groove, attention spiking with chopped up vocal snatches and rolling toms, Palms carries you along in an intense, dancefloor, flow, rising and falling along the way. B-side number one, Elan, is a driving SynthWave with many faces, reminding of Kavinsky at times, Jarre at others and, weirdly, Euphoric Trace in places. It’s followed by an older tune, Apology, a fidgety SynthWave tune with Karftwerkian synths, plucked guitar and emotive vocoding riding over a old school beat. It’s this track that gets the reMix treatment, including Mr. Mæn’s modulated workout. Mæn twists the track into a factory-floor Italo Disco stomper. Melding jackhammer beats with smooth, emotional synths, Mæn creates something set for late night dancefloors. Check out the whole release, it’s worth you time.

♫ Quixotic – Palms

♫ Quixotic – Apology

♫ Quixotic – Apology (Mr. Mæn reMix)

Quixotic’s Palms is out today.

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Sep 3 2013

[MP3] Moustache Machine’s ‘Mission Control’

Moustache Machine is a man who normally likes to keep thing firmly in the French Touch territory. With Disco on his mind he deliver a particular brand of Parisian sounds. On his new tune, Mission Control, though, he busts out of this mould and dives into the seas of SynthWave and Italo and when he finally comes up for air, he’s bringing with him a manic hybrid of all of it.

On repeated listens, Mission Control is a really stunning piece of work. There’s so much going on with it that it could have so easily sounded muddled, but Moustache Machine keeps things fluid and flowing so everything sound neat and tidy together. At it’s core the track is Italo influenced SynthWave, in a Kavinsky vein. vintage arpeggios and those big, heavy, synth chords over a driving beat. But the flourishes Moustache Machine papers the track with draw from all over. 80’s Orchestral stabs, wicked Disco licks, SynthPop chimes, big Sci-Fi Trance solos all add up to create a futuristic Disco monster that’s slightly addictive.

♫ Moustache Machine – Mission Control

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Sep 3 2013

[Audio] Pilotpriest’s ‘Drunk Dial’

It’s been a little while since we heard from Canadian soundtrack Electro master Pilotpriest, but this week he quietly let slip otu a brand new track on his SoundCloud page. Featuring fellow Torontonian YongeBlood, who’s turned-in a couple of reMixes for Pilotpriest in the past, Drunk Dial is a new endeavour for Pilotpriest, a swirling, dare we say it, Chillwavey, ElectroPop tune that demands repeated listens.

Putting his core soundtrack talents to good use, Pilotpriest keeps things epic and emotional with big orchestrated synths and layers and layers of texture while ghostly vocals float in and out of focus around the track. Powered by a solid House beat the track mixes groove with atmosphere and the end result is pretty compelling. We’re not sure if this is a new direction for Pilotpriest, or just a stretching of his musical muscles, either way, he’s done a top job here.

♫ Pilotpriest (Feat. YongeBlood) – Drunk Dial

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Sep 3 2013

[Audio] Sunglasses Kid & Dana Jean Phoenix

London based SynthWaver Sunglasses Kid has once again teamed-up with Canadian songstress Dana Jean Phoenix to deliver another wonderful slice of retro Pop. Having previously caught our attention with their tune 1980s Summer Breakup their next record, You’re Not Alone, cements this partnership’s reputation for classic sounding ElectroPop goodness.

What we’ve got here is five minutes of proper, optimistic, uplifting, 80s Pop. You’re Not Alone is a neon soaked symphony of sparking synths and brisk beats. The track’s got an airy quality to it, both the music and vocals are light and forgiving, and you can’t help but be in a good mood after giving You’re not Alone a listen. Dana Jean Phoenix’s truly authentic 80s Power Pop vocal style doesn’t hurt either as she charges her way through an anthem of self-belief.. Worthy of the best 80’s teen movie soundtracks, Sunglasses Kid & Dana Jean Phoenix have knocked out another corking tune.