Browsing Tag

synths

Philip Pendleton has unveiled his chilling synth score, Welcome to Orange County

Posted on 5 October 2022

Videogame composer, instrumentalist and songwriter Philip Pendleton has released his latest instrumental synth score, Welcome to Orange County. The subversively chilly soundscape detracts from the warm LA warmth to introduce you to a darker side of the metropolis.

The ornate synths carry orchestral undertones in their glassily spacey timbre, bringing with them a beguiling sense of dystopia while you immerse yourself in the UK-born, USA-residing composer’s depiction of the region.

Being the son of the founder of the 60s pop group, Pretty Things could have easily left Pendleton in the shadow of his father’s supremacy; on the basis of his accoladed career and the cinematic distinction in Welcome to Orange County, he notably stepped into his own limelight.

Welcome to Orange County officially released on September 21st. Check it out on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Broken System orchestrated a vintage synth sanctum in his debut album, An Escape.

Posted on 3 December 2021

Amidst the swathes of ambient tones to hit the airwaves this year was the elevated nature-entwining work of the eclectically-inspired music producer, A Broken System. His music is a submersion into a sublime mix of synth-rock, hip hop, electronica and ambient, but his dreamy work is no ordinary sonic palette mashup. The Minnesota-hailing, Atlanta-based artist is fresh from the release of his debut album, An Escape, which was officially released on December 3rd, 2021.

The eight minimalist tracks take nuances of aural dystopia and transfuse them into downtempo, deep house tracks and smooth acid house soundscapes so sultry that they practically become an aphrodisiac. The standout concluding single, Liquid, is almost neo-classic in form. It traverses through haunting reverb and follows synth melodies that become the anchor in the otherwise gravity-defyingly transcendent release.

In short, an Escape is a synthesised sanctuary for anyone who feels at home in vintage electronic tones. The eight tracks pull together as an immersive, explorative sensory experience that you can’t help getting absorbed by. There’s an underlying darkness to An Escape, but the mix of light and dark tones created a multifaceted efficacious reflection of the world as we know it today.

In his own words, here is how A Broken System introduced his debut album:

“An Escape is an amalgamation of influence from many different films, film scores, and video games. It is escapism in the internet age; urban spaces, nature and the environments I have moved between.”

An Escape is now available to stream on Spotify.

Freedom Shapes have given Synthpop an Avant-Garde Twist with “You and Me”

Posted on 23 August 2020

Synthpop doesn’t come much more off-the-cuff than Freedom’ Shapes latest endearingly Avant-Garde single You and Me which dropped on July 4th. The LA-based artist embarked on their solo career after they were awarded 700 loop pedals through a lawsuit with Guitar Center. If that isn’t enough to give you pedal envy, I don’t know what is. Freedom Shapes found the perfect use for all 700 pedals by connecting them to the flute and using it in the insanely electric track You and Me.

As for what You and Me means, Freedom Shapes left it open to interpretation and allows the listener to find their own meaning. It’s part love song, part psychological thriller, so let your mind run as wild.

Stylistically, their eccentric amalgamation of Surf Pop Rock and Synthpop gives the sound of Dick Dale and the Beach Boys a brand-new analog sound. With the vocals switching between deadpan ominous versing and Psych Pop harmonies, Freedom Shapes created a track that even the Residents would approve of. We can’t get enough of it either. Hit play and delve into the indulgent absurdity which awaits.

You can check out the official video to Freedom Shapes’ latest single for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

 

Cub\cub has captured the alienating chaos of lockdown in their feat of Ambient Electronica “False Spring”

Posted on 4 August 2020
https://soundcloud.com/user-12064490-607493505/false-spring

Leeds, UK Artist and producer Cub\cub took a unique approach with their COVID-19-inspired latest release “False Spring”. The ambient soundscape captures the chaos and alienation with poignant precision.

With the hazy vocal whispers ethereally floating above the stylishly dreamy synths which carve quiescently consoling melodies, finding resolve in False Spring is all too easy.

As a fellow nihilist, I have to applaud Cub\cub’s tendency to orchestrate mixes containing optimism and hope while never leaving out the relatable dread and fear which resonates in their atmospheric sound.

You can indulge in the smooth ambience of False Spring yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Surrender your senses to Darth Athena’s high-energy Trance mix Polyzap

Posted on 26 July 2020

Atlanta-based EDM artist and producer Darth Athena has recently dropped their most entrancing track to date, Polyzap.

It wasn’t long before the high-energy futuristic mix quickly garnered plenty of acclaim from Techno, Tech House and Trance fans alike. Even without clubs to hit, the galvanising track became a playlist staple for anyone looking for a rhythmically hypnotic track to sink into.

The style, structure and execution of the extended-length are typical from what you can expect from Darth Athena, but with Polyzap, they created their most distinctive and daring track yet. Between the euphoric build-ups and the all to satisfying breakdowns, you’ll find doom-laden sonic synths amongst a myriad of other effects and sci-fi vibes which combine to ensure that listening to Polyzap is a full-body experience.

You can check out Polyzap for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Komputer Kid – Summer Again: Infectiously Euphoric 80s-Inspired Synth Pop

Posted on 10 July 2020

Embrace the nostalgias of summers past with up and coming artist Komputer Kid’s synthy glitchy 80s Synth Pop hit “Summer Again”.

The infectious melodies will leave you a pretty stubborn perennial earworm and plenty imagery of 80s dancefloors where big hair and dayglo spandex reigned supreme. It may be lyrically light, but that just leaves your mind with more room to explore the transcendent track which pulls in nuanced infusions of Chiptune.

The Alt-Pop euphoric danceable hit may not be everyone’s cup of tea with their retro take, but anyone who appreciates an old school analog vibe in a modernistic high-vibe production will definitely appreciate the sound which Komputer Kid distinctively offers.

You can check out Komputer Kid’s single Summer Again for yourselves via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast