Browsing Tag

Synthpop

Passing Me By: Dutch Experts wonders why a heart couldn’t understand better on Bound by This

Posted on 14 March 2023

With a classic sounding aura as so many listen closely inside by the cosy campfire, Dutch Experts flame up our emotions and bring us a majestically honest release caressed inside a bow of sounds you just have to hear called Bound by This.

Dutch Experts is a Hannah Hoffman-created indie pop dark synthpop band who are from the beautiful hills of Vermont and create music many will get lost within.

”Faced with long-Covid symptoms and the crumbling of societal infrastructure, singer/songwriter Hannah Hoffman turned one of her lowest and most challenging points into a revisitation of her approach to sound. Experimenting with layering synths and electronic drum beats in Garageband, Hoffman created a sonic landscape that bore the fruits of Dutch Experts.” ~ Hannah Hoffman

Formerly of Dune Hunter, Hannah Hoffman leads Dutch Experts to project a deep feeling in such a wonderfully relatable manner on Bound by This and this is a must-listen for still-healing humankind. Toned with a feel to the best possible version of the past and sounding refreshed at the same time, this is a rather extraordinary effort.

”Written during the middle of the Covid Pandemic lockdown, lyrics imbued with a sense of somber self-reflection contrasted by glittering synthesizers and danceable drum beats. “Bound by This” is a ‘journey through the darkness to find the light.” ~ Hannah Hoffman

Bound by This from the Vermont-born indie pop dark synthpop act Dutch Experts is possibly one of the most cinematic soundscapes possible in our lifetime. This is an ear-filling track which will take all minds into a rather illuminating space that shall shake all cores into a much better place.

When you know when to break free, the next step will present itself.

Hear this new single on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The Last Clouds epitaphed society in their debut LP, Illuminism

Posted on 20 January 2023
The Last Clouds

After a string of emotionally wrenching singles, The Last Clouds’ first album, Illuminism, has finally arrived. Bringing with it proclamative liberation from the idea that alienation makes you an outlier in 2023.

Short of being prescribed a trip to the seaside with a bottle of laudanum. I couldn’t think of a better way to find sanctity as our era is epitomised by the descent of truth, meaning, refuge, and connection.

With poetically forlorn lyrics that push the chill of modernity through light and dark malleable elements to reflect our increasingly arduous associations with our disunited society, the LP kicks off to a phenomenal start with track 1, Becoming.

Track 2, Origin, is instrumentally reminiscent of the latest LP offering from Editors. While Matt Schott endeavours with his harbingering vocal lines that effortlessly gel with the turbulently distorted bass around the scintillatingly futuristic synths.

Track 3, Empty Room, starts with a cinematically cavernous ambience to set a tone of Lynchian isolation before the interstellar lyricism drifts across the detachment-reflective instrumentals that are pushed far enough back in the mix to conceptualise the titular allusion.

Track 4, Earth’s Light, starts with an arcane neo-classic electronica score before bursting into a fervid outpour of future pop; the ardent backbeat rails through the reverb as the vocals and lyrics run through in a similar visceral vain to Nova by VNV Nation.

In the same way War of the Worlds is an apocalyptic narration of the end of the world, track 5, Turnpike, chronicles the uncertainty that perturbs even the most resilient minds as we anticipate the future after the everyday disasters we have numbed ourselves to through over-exposure.

Track 6, Another Way to Fall, is a ruminative masterpiece. Rich with romanticism and abjection in equal measure. Definitively proving that few things are true in this world without bitter-sweet duality.

The previously released single, Damage, is by far one of the most poetic accounts of the repercussions of living in a post-truth era I will probably ever hear. The Covenant-ESQUE synths give way to an exposition of how far the mainstream media is willing to let us sink under divisive propaganda.

The concluding single, Fog of Lies, is another sonically disassociated depiction of where we collectively lie in a society that is as glitchy as the artfully jarring orchestration. It’s the perfect continuation from Damage, which will undoubtedly be the most poignant aural memento of how we came to disaffectedly be.

Considering that protests are now effectively banned, this is as close was we are going to get to objection. The fear-encompassing LP is a boldly vulnerable dissent against the forces that are working together in perfect design to welcome us to our worse than Orwellian future. For your own sake, get your resonance fill from it.

Illuminism will officially release on January 20th. Hear it on all major platforms via this link.

Follow The Last Clouds on Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

80s icon, Rocketball 007 has made a spacey comeback with his single, I Can’t Look at You Enough

Posted on 10 November 2022

Originally formed in the 80s and with multiple 7” records on the Punk Collector’s List, we’re stoked to have Rocketball 007’s latest single, I Can’t Look at You Enough, in our ears.

With a sound frequently assimilated yet rarely authenticated, the synth-driven, spacey-with-romanticism single would be right at home on the Wild at Heart soundtrack. Through the crooning into the reverb vocals and the scintillating retro analog synths, which stab right into the beating heart of the atmospheric release, it imparts ample neon synaesthesia. Any true 80s pop fans will want to jump on I Can’t Look at You Enough like cats on catnip. It isn’t every day that you get to revel in the real visceral deal.

I Can’t Look at You Enough is now on Spotify, and Rocketball 007’s entire discography is available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ivar Kangur – Crossing Oceans: an 80s soundtrack to synaesthesia

Posted on 22 September 2022

In one of the most cinematic synthpop scores you could ever hope to immerse yourself within, Crossing Oceans, taken from Ivan Kangur’s 2022 album, Anno Domini, is an 80s soundtrack to synaesthesia.

After taking up classical piano at the age of 14 at the Royal Conservatory of music and working his way through his grades, he discovered his passion for composition, which ultimately saw him joining a new wave band in the 80s and film scoring. His third album, Anno Domini, is a continuation of his love of pop and sonic cinematics; from the first hammer of the analog synth, Crossing Oceans, keeps true to its titular nomination; the strident progressions break borders in the universality of their appeal. Delve right in; the water is lovely.

Crossing Oceans is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

AURASHADE has made his emotionally enveloping indie synthpop debut with the single Circles

Posted on 8 July 2022

AURASHADE is the new project of singer-songwriter Timothy Hoad, who has recently moved away from his acoustic roots to embrace a more synthesised sound with grittier electric guitar tones. His debut single, Circles, more than reflects his 20 years of experience as a songwriter. You just can’t help but succumb to the evocative power as AURASHADE forces you to question your relationship with your autonomy through clever vocal effect layering over the synthy heartbeat of the single.

Clearly, on the basis of the compassionately deep lyricism, the up-and-coming artist is leading by example in terms of self-awareness. Rarely does electronica so full of soul and substance surface on the airwaves. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

AURASHADE’s debut single is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Revel in the lovesick euphoria in Analog Beach’s synthpop-meets-indie-rock single, See You Tonight

Posted on 12 March 2022

80s synthpop grooves against angular indie-rock in the NJ-based up-and-coming duo, Analog Beach’s latest convergence of the past and future, See You Tonight. The vocal lines in the chorus easily become the sharpest of hooks, and that’s before you even get to the instrumentals that put white-hot guitar solos against colourful retro synths.

Fans of The Midnight, Wolf Club, and FM-84 will easily make a playlist staple out of this sweet affectionate hit, which doesn’t sugar coat affection. Instead, Analog Beach thrives while narrating just how emotionally crippling infatuation can be. Not all artists succeed in combining reality and romanticism, yet notably, Analog beach is anything but your average artist experimenting with tones and coming up with catchy lyrics. There’s substance by the smorgasbord in this euphorically bright hit that is sure to see the duo go far in 2022 and beyond.

The radio edit of See You Tonight is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Berlin’s Close to Monday impresses yet again with the incredible new single, ‘Together’

Posted on 6 February 2022

After a huge breakthrough year where they entered multiple charts and gained the traction they were looking for, Close to Monday show us their fresh direction and start off 2022 with a hypo-progressive synthpop style with their new single, ‘Together‘.

Close to Monday is a highly entertaining Berlin, Germany-based electro-synthpop duo who formulate a riveting blend of stunning music that warms the heart.

”2021 was a very productive and bright year for “Close to Monday”. Their album “Interference” almost immediately entered the TOP10 of the German Alternative Charts and was there for 8 weeks in a row.” ~ Close to Monday

With a super effort that might be one of their finest releases to date, Close to Monday gravitate towards the top and show us into a world that has you in an honest state as you reflect on what you really need from your partner during this wild journey called life.

‘Together‘ from Berlin, Germany-based electro-synthpop duo Close to Monday, is the superbly-projected single of waiting for that special person to join you – and hoping that you can keep things simple – while holding hands and looking into the sky as one. With an always-evolving beat that makes you appreciate their progression, this is a scintillating single which bound to be put on loud when you let it simmer sweetly into your hungry soul.

Being together with someone who is ready to elevate you, will certainly have you feeling that this life is all worth it.

Listen to this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Hiding Inside: Berlin’s Close to Monday tells us the story of the ‘Blue-Eyed Boy’

Posted on 24 December 2021

After uncovering that much-needed exit from their thrilling last single named ‘Split‘, Close to Monday return with an honest story about that mysterious ‘Blue-Eyed Boy‘.

Close to Monday is a Berlin, Germany-based synthpop duo who performs with a dance edge that gets you off your feet and onto that sweaty party floor again.

”2021 was a very productive and bright year for “Close to Monday”. Their album “Interference” almost immediately entered the TOP10 of the German Alternative Charts and was there for 8 weeks in a row.” ~ Close to Monday

On a dazzling soundscape that seems to have you automatically locked into their visually advanced track, Close to Monday show us why they have been so successful this year with another ear-popping delight. There is much to delve into here, with a vocalist who only seems to become more self-enlightened lyrically after each release.

‘Blue-Eyed Boy‘ from the exhilarating Berlin, Germany-based synthpop/electronic duo Close to Monday, is the final release from 2021 by this fast-rising outfit. They perform with such an exuberant ambience that comprises a bass-dropping beat refilled with enthralling melodies, that includes a dazzling singer who shines so brightly. This is an attention-catching single filled with the story, of that boy who went out on stage and no matter if he spoke the truth or not, the crowd didn’t really seem to care.

Listen to this tremendous new single via Spotify and follow their travels on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I’m Like A Ghost: Close to Monday looks for the much-needed exit on the spectacular ‘Split’

Posted on 28 November 2021

After the extensive success of their latest electrifying album called ‘Interference‘, Close to Monday return to hypnotise our entire consciousness with the thoroughly excellent ‘Split‘.

Close to Monday is a sensational Berlin, Germany-based synthpop duo that encompasses our invigorated ears with rasping electronica that is beyond what our brittle minds can perceive.

”Everyone will feel this song in their own way. someone will find it very strange. someone will see in it a reflection
of the crazy running of the modern world. and someone will be able to turn to himself, see something important
and become a little happier.” ~ Close To Monday

Close to Monday shows us what all the hype is about yet again with a truly scintillating single of the highest order, that might send shivers down your naked spine. The eloquently-projected story of looking for that sneaky escape exit rings true when one just needs to be free and explore the world to find for yourself who you really want to be.

‘Split‘ from the impressive European synthpop/electronic duo Close to Monday, is one of the more delightfully ear-warming singles around right now. With lusciously mysterious vocals and steaming production that seem to smoke out your heat-filled speakers, you can’t help but admire this fantastic track. With a true story about getting out of the maze of life that can mystify even the smartest out there, this is a release that is best with the volume on real loud.

Hear this sizzling new single on Spotify and find out more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The Past Ends: Berlin’s Close to Monday know that this is their ‘Time’ (Dirty Doering Remix)

Posted on 18 October 2021

Bringing us a bass-thudding remix from the world famous German techno house wizard, Close to Monday lifts up all clocks nearby and skillfully floats them into a new dimension altogether with ‘Time’ (Dirty Doering Remix).

Close to Monday is an exciting Indietronica-fusion duo who are based within the live music mecca of Berlin, Germany.

”Heavily influenced by such huge bands like Depeche Mode and Muse, Close to Monday initially thought their sound would be tagged under the Synthpop and Electronic genres, but after much feedback they released that to limit their music to these alone was too restrictive, it has many, many more levels to it including those of Nu Disco, Indie Dance and Indietronica.” ~ Close to Monday

Featuring scintillating vocal ability that seems to gently bite on your shaking hand without leaving a mark, she takes us on a daydream of ultimate reflection with a simply stunning performance. You feel so engrossed into the marvelous production which has been given an extra boost – that was already rather excellent – to give off a tasty aura that bumps the speakers into the night, in such an effective manner.

‘Time‘ (Dirty Doering Remix) from the Berlin, Germany-based Indietronica-fusion duo Close to Monday, shows us that we definitely can’t turn the maze-filled experiences of the past into our corner, no matter what supposed superpowers we possess. Each moment we are alive counts to wholeheartedly love and be totally free, in this wild world which can have you changing in a moments notice if you aren’t too careful.

Keeping your eyes on that all-important time without letting it control you too much, is the cunning key to pure enlightenment.

Hear this terrific new single on Spotify and check out their IG music page for more music news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen