Browsing Tag

George Michael

80s euphoria grooved back around through Electraverb’s debut LP, NEON

Posted on 23 July 2024

In their debut LP, NEON, the synthpop duo, Electraverb, crafted a euphoric gateway to the 80s dancefloors. I Feel the Music, the standout single, ensnares through delicious grooves, neon-dripping chords, and sensuously magnetic vocal lines; each element ties together not just to revisit an aural era but to fuel it with contemporary fervour.

From the ashes of their previous project, Stoneblue, the founding members, Chris and Mazdak, seamlessly transitioned their synergy, catchy melodies and intricate guitar work which resounded through London’s synthpop scene in the 90s into their new project which marks their maturity as earworm architects.

The addition of esteemed backing vocalists Jo Garland and Shirley Lewis, known for their work with icons like George Michael and Elton John, is a testament to Electraverb’s determination to push their sound to the heights celebrated by their influences.

If you envisioned an aural love child of The Human League, Kraftwerk and George Michael, you’d conjure a reflection of the scintillating soul which oscillates through I Feel the Music which delivers hypnotic rhythms as the harsh snares pierce the lush reverb under the harmonised to the nines vocals.

NEON was officially released on June 14^th; stream the LP in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dylan Galvin painted a disparaging sign of the sonic times while firing shots at plastic pop acts in ‘How to Write a Pop Song’

Posted on 20 January 2024

Is there any better feeling than hitting play on a track and being greeted by lyrical depictions of the frustrations that keep you scathed? If you’re inclined to say no, you’re going to want to tune into Dylan Galvin’s latest hit, How to Write a Pop Song, where there are countless lyrical shots fired at the artists and producers cheapening the pop industry with every new ‘perennial pop earworm’.

The efficacious new wave synthpop hooks are buried under a myriad of lyrical layers which subversively make the single a revelationary exposition of how pop music has been plasticised and commercialised beyond recognition. With echoes of 80s greats in the same vein as George Michael reminding you of what pop used to be in its golden era fused with a modern synth aesthetic reminiscent of John Mayer, How to Write a Pop Song is a disparaging sign of the sonic times that will exhilarate you through the vindication you extrapolate.

With acerbic wit in no short supply, the track is a satirical triumph, especially with the inclusion of “choruses have got to big, thoughts have to be small”, and “just sing about your ex and how things used to be”. It was a bold move to be so damning of a genre he is contributing to, but Dylan Galvin more than pulled it off. While taunting the artists whose songs will be quickly be lost to history, he became unequivocally unforgettable.

How to Write a Pop Song will hit the airwaves on January 19; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Misty Drinx reinvented 80s nostalgia with his soul and funk-wrapped RnB pop hit, You’re So Cool

Posted on 1 November 2023

After bearing witness to a Toto show in LA, the up-and-coming singer-songwriter and pop icon-in-the-making Misty Drinx Americanised his infectious perception of pop and lavished his sophomore single, You’re So Cool, with layers of soul and funk-wrapped RnB that radiate reinvented 80s nostalgia.

With lustfully intoxicated exoticism oozing from the pores of the sax lines and synth-driven melodies, Drinx brought swathes of colour to UK shores with You’re So Cool. Fans of George Michael and Boy George will undoubtedly want to savour every drop of the delicious aural cocktail which envelopes you in the hazy hues that transform the mind’s colour palette when you’re lucky enough to be ensnared by someone.

With the eclecticism Drinx has already exhibited in his sound, we’re stoked to hear what will follow.

You’re So Cool was officially released on October 20; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

His Number: Proud London based LGBTQ+ artist Lewie Fox is tired of the excuses on ‘THRU UR PHONE’

Posted on 30 June 2021

As he looked inside deeply to see what was really going on, Lewie Foxx knows that his partner is playing away from where he should with the passionate new single called ‘THRU UR PHONE‘.

Lewie Foxx is a London-based queer indie pop/dance artist. He makes that passionate music that is loud and proud, as he sings about issues that are tough to face in this harsh world.

”Lewie’s musical influences are eclectic to say the least, but one artist in particular inspired him like no other: the incomparable George Michael. After hearing ‘Spinning The Wheel’ back in ‘96, Lewie finally found a musical idol he could follow and relate to more and more as he grew older.” – Lewie Foxx

With a knowing tone, you feel his heart-beating vibration emanating from your curious speakers. He has such a pure voice and the exposing-the-lies lyrics open up the naked curtains to show who is for real, and who really isn’t.

‘THRU UR PHONE‘ from London-based indie pop/dance artist Lewie Foxx, is a screenshot of his life as he sings with so much zest and vigor. He looks for the exit as grew disillusioned with the games and mistrust that grew over time, as he just wants to be happy and be with someone who is truly caring. This is a spark-filled single that will have you pondering whether your lover is truly there for you, or being sneaky, and getting their attention elsewhere.

Stream this new sensual single on Spotify and see more via his IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Antonio Didiano pays ode to 80s pop with his RnB single, ‘I Want You Baby’,

Posted on 22 May 2021

RnB meets 80s Pop in Canadian-born artist Antonio Didiano’s latest single, I Want You Baby, which pays ode to the lyrical, vocal and production styles of Antonio Didiano’s biggest influence, George Michael.

The sonic reminiscences may be plentiful in the synth-driven track but Antonio Didiano still manages to put his signature sound into the mix with the entrancing deep house beats that groove along with the infectiously amorous melodies. As much as we appreciated the serious talent on display in I Want You, Baby, we would still like to hear Didiano finding a more even balance between his own sound and his icon’s.

I Want You Baby is due for release on May 28th; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to Antonio Didiano’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast