Synth-Pop
Track: Twin Graves – Strife
Despite having a name that screams ‘death metal’ at you (well, it did at me anyway) Twin Graves, aka Irish/Blackpool duo Jeremy Aris Polychronopoulos (vocals/guitar) Zarah Lawless (vocals/bass/synth) actually make the most engaging and catchy synth pop this side of Kim Wilde and ABC. Seriously. If you don’t immediately fall for new single Strife then …
See: Red Sleeping Beauty release video for If you Want Affection
Ahead of their first album for 20 years – Kristina, due out on Labrador on June 17th, and their first ever UK show at Indietracks Festival in Derbyshire (29-31 July), Swedish C86/Indie-pop veterans Red Sleeping Beauty complete another first – their first video ever, for the single If you want Affection. The quartet first got …
See: PLGRMS release new video for ‘Fools And Their Gold’
Speaking of their new single, Jonathan Bowden, one half of Sydney duo PLGRMS, says “Fools And Their Gold speaks of someone denying the inevitable end of a relationship. They can’t – or won’t – let go, despite knowing that it’s not good for them.” The track has that sense of melancholy, despite its sweetness, as …
Track: Erik Blood – Quiet
Taken from his recent ‘Lost in slow Motion’ album, Seattle producer and multi-instrumentalist Erik Blood has shared ‘Quiet’. He may be a new name to you (and us!), but he’s worked with the likes of Shabazz Palaces, Tacocat and THEESatisfaction, and is already a couple of albums and a film score into his career. Quiet …
Tracks: Tourists – Quiet Room
If you caught previous single Cut and Run, you’ll probably be on high alert for new music from Torquay five piece Tourists. Worry not, because with new single Quiet Room, they’ve hit gold again. Already catching the ears of Radio 1, they’ve just played The Academy as part of the build up to the BBC …
EP: CJ Mirra – Young Macaw
London-based musician and composer CJ Mirra released his second solo EP Young Macaw via his own imprint Colour8. Just under 10 minutes in length, the EP includes 2 energetic tracks, title-track Young Macaw full of wavy synths and pounding rhythms, and Primary Cascade, a bass- and beat-driven dance anthem. While very different, they tell a …
See: Elliott Vincent Jones releases ‘Dawawine’ video + London dates
If you’re looking for something to get you moving you could do worse than watch the weird, but endearing, video for ‘Dawawine’ – the latest track from electro-pop artist Elliott Vincent Jones. The 80s influenced track, reminiscent of Human League at their addictive best, is perfectly complemented by Fucked Up’s Ben Cook impersonating Jones in …
Track: Mattress – Fuck the Future
“You know, maybe the sun won’t come up tomorrow. Let’s say that’s the case. This is it. Let’s make a great mess while we can my friends.” So says Portland, Oregon’s Rex Marshall, aka Mattress. And with his new track ‘Fuck the Future’, he’s done exactly that. Right from its opening there’s a anxiety about …
Track: Vogue Dots – If you stay
Out this week is the new single from Canadian Synth pop duo Vogue Dots. In keeping with at least my image of snow capped, windswept Canada, its full of these melancholy but breezy melodies and icy synth lines. Its as though you’re transported to a place where solitude is the norm, rather than the exception, …
Trackc: Lucian – Forever (feat. Remmi)
New York producer Lucian has just released the title track from his upcoming EP, Forever. He’s turned once again to Nashville singer Remmi to collaborate on the track, and it’s a real synth-dance-pop winner. Right from the off, Lucian drops these huge synth chords, often off-kilter and off-beat, and almost always embellished with little tumbling …