The Fourth Annual Synthetix.FM Synthstravaganza!

2015 is nearly all but a memory and it's been another huge year for the 80s inspired synth music scene. The progress seen throughout the year has been something that has genuinely amazed me. Instead of writing soundtrack style music producers are now writing soundtracks for actual products. Games, movies, TV and more media are looking to the 80s to provide the musical accompaniment for their vision as an almost commonplace occurrence. Massive projects like Kung Fury and Turbo Kid shone as hugely succesful examples of implementing 80s inspired synth music in the perfect manner. What I've seen this do is establish the music as something valid as opposed to it being a 'novelty' style of music in the eyes of many new listeners. The music evolves as does its audience and 2015 had some great music that will always mark out this year in particular, stylistically.

This year was the year that producers more regularly began digging deeper for 80s inspirations. If 2014 was the year Italo came back, 2015 was definitely the year 80s Library music came back. So many producers explored the obscure gems of 80s library and stock music and took those influences into their own sounds. The end result has been some of the most kick arse music I've heard the scene produce since the early days. Fresh sounds, full of excitement and energy. Sounds that bring new possibilities to 80s music in a modern context.

The exploration didn't stop there though. Deeper explorations of existing 80s styles occurred through so many genres throughout the year. Vocals developed massively through 2015 as producers literally found their own voices and also enlisted new voices into our beloved 80s soundscape. This year has easily been the most prolific thus far for 80s synth pop sounds with so many incredibly written and performed pop gems included on many albums. The diversity is always what breeds creativity and this past year has been rockin to the max for new and established producers to be inventive and break out in bold new examinations of 80s sounds.

For all the positives, there have also been some negatives this year. We've lost numerous parts of the scene in 2015, some that some would say were integral; other would say their loss was inconsequential. The loss of Maniac Synth's YouTube channel was one of the hardest for many as his channel provided marvellous exposure for many producers and had a huge following. A related huge negative impact on the scene throughout the year; (and one that will only continue to worsen through 2016 in my opinion, unfortunately) is that of perceived copyright infringements used by services such a soundcloud and YouTube. Throughout the year I've seen far too many cries from anguished producers having their music taken down, or accounts frozen due to automatic (and mostly incorrect) flagging of copyright breaches. Our own Neros77 wasn't untouched by this and nearly had his YouTube account closed during the year. And even yours truly is serving 'one strike' against his soundcloud account for some entirely unknown breach of copyright that I had no recourse whatsoever to even get the details of what the infringement was.

As the internet becomes more and more monetised and controlled by larger interests it closes tighter and tighter around those of us who use other people's music or imagery to promote it. Who knows where it will end, but it's definitely only just beginning as more and more automated routines scan and rescan everyone's content for possible copyright breaches. I fear the days of anyone being able to post fanmade content to popular services are behind us, but hopefully other avenues will appear as losing these people who do so much wonderful and entertaining work to promote the music we love hurts all of us.

Back to the positives of 2015 and another big change that happened this year and has had a huge snowball effect is the amount of producers and groups now playing live; and doing so regularly. So many great gigs have happened all around the world this year with cards of completely 80s inspired synth acts performing to audiences of old and new fans. For all the great work the internet can do for music promotion I'm still a very firm believer in the old school tried and tested grassroots fan base for the music and playing live is an important way to grow the music's fanbase. I've witnessed this first hand myself and really hope that more fans of 80s inspired synth music 'vote with their feet' and get out to local shows to experience the live magic of seeing producers you love in their true element.

So, what's up for 2016? Well, I have no idea what's in store for the 80s inspired synth scene but I'll be right there with you sharing the love for all the music that I think matters. This year we formed  a core of half a dozen regular writers who'll (hopefully!) all be rockin with you on here next year too, whom I thank deeply for donating their time and energy in creating content for the site. Also next year, as I mentioned in the most recent Synthetix Sundays, I'll be expanding Synthetix.FM's content beyond just music in 2016. I was originally going to start a new umbrella site that Synthetix.FM would be a part of but I think the best idea is to keep things as one on here and add new types of content under the Synthetix banner.

I've had many, many ideas of things I'd like to cover and write about online from the 80s fascinations I have but I always kept them 'on the backburner' as I figured they'd need to exist in a separate space to this site. I then realised doing new sites just fractures things further and further. The content I plan on sharing on here that is not music related will essentially be 80s design oriented. Products, design pieces, art, photography and consumer items that I find essential to the 80s aesthetic. I'll be introducing these new sections after the site's fourth birthday in February, I hope it will be content you find interesting and entertaining. It will not effect the amount of music coverage on Synthetix.FM, the new content will be in addition to the regular music reviews and Synthetix Sundays episodes. I'm really looking forward to sharing many more of my 80s passions with you throughout 2016, it's gonna be rockin to the max!

I'd also like to thank Marko Maric for all he has done for the music in 2015. The Synthetix Sundays shows are a spectacular showcase for the best of the scene and offers so many opportunities for producers to share their stories and music. The endless hours that go into producing the show is something Marko does purely for love, and I greatly look forward to working with him throughout 2016. Many thanks to Jazzi, Paul, Dallas, Micky, Larry and the other regular contributors to the show. It's a phenomonal success that I hope keeps on rockin and it's an honour to have a spot on the show as well as it being a part of the Synthetix family.

Compiling this year's favourite music was an interesting, as always, experience in really focusing on what music I loved the most over the past 12 months. I must, as always, preface these Top Tens as being solely my own opinion. They're not based on sales or listens or anyone elses opinion but my own. One of the absolute hardest categories to do this year was the Top Ten Albums. So, so many great albums came out in 2015, so many wonderful experiences that thrilled from beginning to end that it was exceedingly hard to get it down to 10 only but the labouring I've had over the order of all these Top Tens over the last couple of weeks has got me to a point where I'm confident they reflect my musical loves and passions for the year. So, let's get rockin with the Top Tens of 2015 on Synthetix.FM

Top 10 Soundtrack Synth

1, Blood Ninja - City Project
2, Transport Beauty - Phaserland
3, Tequila Sunrise - Le Matos
4, Towards The Island Universe - Dynatron
5, Ninja Eliminator 4: The French Connection - Thomas Barrandon
6, A New Market - Chuck Shumann & Trevor Bennett
7, Mooginizer - Interstellar Travel
8, Story - Cobra Copter
9, Viracocha - Like Mowrey
10, News Report - Alpha Boy

Top 10 Electro Funk Synth

1, Quantum Flux - Damokles
2, Don't Stop - McKlain
3, Do The Math - Slanger
4, Tergiversation - Satori In Bed
5, Maverick - Fanateek One with Rach B
6, We Just Wanna Dance - Beat Ratio
7, On The Streets - Garth Knight
8, Shopotheosis - USA Gold
9, Negotiations - Robert Parker
10, Break Dancer - AlphaRISC

Top 10 OutRun Synth

1, Guided By Moonlight - Betamaxx
2, Feed To Kill - Thomas Barrandon
3, Felony Evading - Streetcleaner
4, Tony Chaw Is Dead - Volkor X
5, Ride All Night - September 87
6, Endurance - Destryur
7, Highway Lovers - VHS Dreams
8, Chase On Brickell - Bart Graft
9, Does He Look Like A Bitch - Occams Laser
10, Reality Time - Unitra

Top 10 Dark Synth

1, Paradise Warfare - Carpenter Brut
2, The Wrath Of Code - Dan Terminus featuring Perturbator
3, Bathory Bitch - GosT
4, Chryslerpés - REZNYCK
5, Operation Munich (Extended Version) - Vercetti Technicolor
6, Pathfinder - Vector Hold
7, Hour Of The Wolf - Oscillian
8, Una Notta Violenta - Nighcrawler
9, On The Verge - 20SIX Hundred
10, Purgatory Theme - Europaweite Aussichten

Top 10 Italo Disco Synth

1, Star Rhythm - Galspace Project
2, Everytime - 23rd Underpass
3, Tear - Lost Years
4, Glory Days - Plaisance
5, Complications - Ben Businovski
6, Glider - Dallas Campbell
7, Playing Space - Interval - Andrey Zhitnev
8, Let's Faux - Map Of The World At Night
9, Planet - TDHDriver
10, Sorceror - Paladin

Top 10 Synth Romance

1, Reminiscence - IamManolis
2, Virtual Sunset - Starbound
3, Roads - Vincenzo Salvia
4, Everything - LA Dreams
5, Drifting Away - Timecop1983
6,  Summer Rain - Myrone
7, Any Given Moment - RF Extreme
8, Last Days Of Sun - Sunglasses Kid with Phaserland
9, Ocean Drive - Sub Morphine
10, Lost With You - First Impressions with Ghost Mall

Top 10 Synthwave

1, The Pump - Flash Arnold
2, Future - Mahoney
3, Jimmy - Pumping Body
4, Running From The Past - Nitelight
5, Long Before Morning - Hello Meteor
6, Look At Me - Damokles
7, Allegiance - Mick Mclane
8, Amped - LA Dreams
9, Crime Ridden Wasteland - Mythical Vigilante
10, Summer Is Coming - Run Vaylor

Top 10 Synth Pop

1, Save You - Highway Superstar with Sebastian Gampl and Miranda Carey
2, Lifeline - Foret De Vin
3, True Survivor - Mitch Murder with David Hasselhoff
4,Julienne  - D U E T T featuring Stuart Lockwood
5, Chasing The Sunset - Miracle Cat
6, Motorcade - Beckett
7, Burning Fever - Kristine
8, Mesmerised - Jordan F featuring Dana Jean Phoenix
9, Nothing To Burn - Freeweights
10, I Don't Mind - Glass Apple Bonzai

Top 10 Electronica

1, Company Regulations - Amazing Police
2, Meta Valley (Extended Mix) - Abelard
3, Videoscape - B o d y l i n e
4, Back To Life - Killstarr
5, Send Him In - Oscillian
6, Body Heat - Robots With Rayguns
7, Meteor Wave - Skript
8, Wrong Number - Tanimura Midnight
9, Seaside - Z A N D A
10, Variations - Raikman

Top 10 EPs of 2015

1, Winner - Sebastian Gampl
2, Ep III - Carpenter Brut
3, Victory Lap - Pengus
4, OST - Thomas Barrandon
5, Mind Game - IamManolis
6, Jai Alai - Plaisance
7, Resemblance In Machine - Phaserland
8, Solar Drifter - Waveshaper
9, Interfaces - Format 440
10,Kosanagi-no-Turugi - Kyoto Dragon

Top 10 Albums of 2015

1, Volume I - TEK
2, Endgame - Highway Superstar
3, Retrograde - Beckett
4, The Wrath Of Code - Dan Terminus
5, Turbo Kid OST - Le Matos
6, CS005 - Maethelvin
7, Kristine - Kristine
8, Borderline - D U E T T
9, The Cold Rise From Sleep - 20SIX Hundred
10, Paper Objects - LA Dreams



And to complete this year's Synthstravaganza festivities we have the Synthetix.FM Ultimix 2015. The top four tracks from each top ten mixed into a two and a half hour plus time capsule of what music rocked me the most over the last 12 months.




Synthetix.FM will be on vacation now until late January 2016 when we'll be back and rockin hard. Many thanks to everyone who's become part of the Synthetix community and who supports the music we all love. Much love from the extended Synthetix.FM family to yours.

Sferro's Ornaments

By Jerry Herrera

Listening to Sferro’s latest album, Ornaments, isn’t like listening to other synthwave releases. Whereas many producers will stay in a particular subgenre or two, and will be the go-to guys and girls for when you’re feeling like OutRun or future synth or horror, there a fewer out there who are willing to experiment and deconstruct or pull from other retro influences. I believe this is purely a matter of choice for the most part; some want to master a particular sound while others just want to see what happens when different influences collide. With Ornaments, Sferro falls into the latter category. It’s challenging to describe the album within the vocabulary of the synthwave genre, so bear with me. The only thing I can promise is that there will be no Christmas puns.



I’ve said before that some producers create from a point of nostalgia. Their music is an homage to a memory. Others put themselves in the decade and say, “What did they have then? What were their creative tools?” In this sense, one artist is a historian (or historical storyteller) and the other is a recreationist (or time traveler). I think that Sferro sat down and gathered up the synths that were available at the time and used them to illustrate his inspiration, rather than trying to make a “retro” record.

If this was the case, then it explains why there are no “OutRun” or “Horror” tracks, indeed there aren’t any tracks that fit well under any category. Each song is deeply nuanced and changes from one mood to another, giving the listener the feeling that threads are being added to a multi-colored rope, as opposed to instruments being introduced as the track progresses.

It could be said that the first track, 'Devant', is OutRun but that would ignore the Kraftwerk influences I felt. It could be said that 'Basic Pleasure Model' is sci fi, but that would ignore the use of filters to create “distance” between the listener and the music, and the purposeful shortness of the track that acts as a punctuation mark in the album, perhaps a poster for an android companion in the subway tunnel. 'I Wanted To See You' is another punctuation mark, a sensual breath over the phone, a picture pulled from a wallet.

Ornaments travels to many places, including the airy heights of some of the best ‘90s EDM (weren’t we still calling it electronica back then?) with tracks like 'Blitz' and 'Blitz II', which serve as bookends to 'The Way Of The Bomb', itself a reminder of Orbital’s first two albums.

Each track has its own distinct charm and engaging qualities that draw the listener inward, but none moreso, for me anyway, than the title track. 'Ornaments' is simply magnificent from an emotional standpoint. It glitters and soothes, each instrument is a light pulsating in the darkness until the darkness itself is burned away and only thousands of brilliant, glowing colors remain.

'A Better Tomorrow' is a the cinematic end to Ornaments that blends intensity, longing, hope and mourning together. Again, these tracks are woven together organically, not programmed or produced.

I believe that Sferro has reached a high point in his creative endeavors and Ornaments demonstrates an emotional maturity as well as a nose for proper musical chemistry. The album doesn’t tell a story so much as it paints scenes that allow our emotions and imaginations to act and play freely in.

2015 was a great year for synthwave because there was a lot of stuff that came out that well, wasn’t so cut and dried “synthwave” and this album is a prime example of that. And I’m going to break my promise about not having any Christmas puns, because Ornaments is Sferro’s gift to us.

Girlfriend Records presents Sferro's Ornaments album on their Bandcamp page here and it comes very, very highly recommended from Synthetix.FM.

Synthetix Sundays

Marko's rockin another massive festive edition of Synthetix Sundays this weekend, only on Radio Pure Gently!

This week Marko has two exclusive tracks to premier from Retro Promenade's always anticipated and highly loved annual Christmas time compilation, this year's titled: Christmas Time, Mr Falcon!

Marko will also be chatting with the super talented Mario Bravo Bulasinski from Nitelight and Freddy & Jason and graphic designer at MABU art. Marko's also having a can't-miss indepth chat with Beckett about his stunning album Retrograde.

All the regular segments with Paul Daly, Synthetix Spotlight and Quality Time With Shithouse are rockin and all the best music from this week and heaps of cheerful Chrstimas synth songs!

Tune in to Synthetix Sundays LIVE on Radio Pure Gently here, at 10pm Perth, Australia time. Please click here to find out when this is in your part of the world. As always the fully downloadable show will be posted here on Monday along with the featured tracks from Quality Time With Shithouse.

Quality Time With Shithouse Feature Tracks

Street Cleaner Shuts Down

By Jerry Herrera


For some time now we’ve been following the adventures of Jack Slade, a one man army better known as Street Cleaner. Fans, admirers of his brand of justice, will be excited to see he’s continuing his quest, and this chapter is entitled Shutdown.


Shutdown begins with 'The Obsolete Man', an imposing intro not unlike something out of Inception, and continues with 'Felony Evading', which is wonderfully urgent outrun tinged with a bit of 80’s racing game flair. Throughout the first two tracks we hear a lot of police chatter on the radio, perhaps the cops are out to bring Street Cleaner to justice in this chapter? 'M.O.T.W.' slows down the tempo and cuts the radio chatter for a grimy descent into the streets. Street Cleaner has shaken the law for now, and there’s still work to be done.

'Guilt and Worthlessness' is a pause in the story, a moment of reflection and a synth vision of a troubled man looking at a troubled city. Why exactly has Slade become the Street Cleaner? Perhaps he lost someone, perhaps he couldn’t save someone…

'Boardwalk' brings a little of that retro game feel back, with an upbeat track that inspires an image of many bad dudes getting roughed up as the hero casually walks down a city street. 'Valley of the Shadow' is another punctuation point in the story. Synths glitter and basses thunder as planes fly overhead. Perhaps the Street Cleaner has found the true villain, perhaps the showdown is nearing.

'Escape Clause' is another OutRun track that has a more liberating, less intense feel to it than 'Felony Evading'. Perhaps Street Cleaner is ready to face his enemy, and knows win or lose, he’ll be free. He just has one more piece of trash to clean up. 'Facing the Beast' changes the mood immediately and is borderline horror synth, complete with ominous laughter. It very much captures the spirit of the final fight scene in a film, or the last boss in a game. 'Never Again' is a pretty big hint that Street Cleaner got his man, and walks away triumphantly, perhaps retiring his fearsome title. It’s a proud track with an introspective string and synth ending. Has Jack Slade found peace? Will his vow stand now that there’s no one left to fight? As he speeds away into the horizon, only one person knows for sure if we’ll see Street Cleaner return.

All the Street Cleaner albums have had a distinctive narrative feel to them and they cease to be albums with each track following a musical style or concept, and more like pulp stories that construct themselves in the mind as one listens. Still, I have to judge the musical content and I will say that it’s a very strong entry into the synthwave zeitgeist. It’s got everything one comes to expect at this point, but with a singular purpose, which has set all of Street Cleaner’s work apart. I wonder where it’ll go from here, and if I may go on a quick tangent, I wish we could expand our beloved genre further. In the case of Street Cleaner, perhaps get some artists to draw some comic book panels to go with the music, sort of like the animated comics that are all over YouTube. But I digress, I’m fascinated with the character of Jack Slade and I hope his vigilante justice continues soon.

Street Cleaner presents Shutdown, which is available for purchase at his Bandcamp here, and comes very highly recommended from Synthetix.FM.

Synthetix Sundays

Synthetix Sundays returns with avengeance tonight on Radio Pure Gently!

Marko's back in full effect with interviews with Fixions, Neon Droid and scene mainstay and all round rocker to the max Noah Kaufman of the Synth Waves radio show on KFAI!

Regular segments of Quality time with Shithouse, Synthetix Spotlight and Paul 'Dress-2-Kill' Daly will be rockin the scene too and Marko has a whole mess of download codes to give away throughout the show including codes for Ex-Machina and Beckett and a free cassette tape to give away on the show for Ex-Machina's Transhuman album.

Tune in to Synthetix Sundays LIVE on Radio Pure Gently here, at 10pm Perth, Australia time. Please click here to find out when this is in your part of the world. As always the fully downloadable show will be posted here on Monday along with the featured tracks from Quality Time With Shithouse.





Quality Time With Shithouse feature tracks:

Beckett Ascends Into Retrograde

By Rick Shithouse


One of my most favourite things in hearing new music is being surprised. Being actually taken by surprise of what a producer has created is something that happens infrequently but when it does it's a very exciting time. Beckett has surprised me immensely with this new album Retrograde. Beckett is no newcomer to the scene and I really enjoyed his Search Of 34 album from 2014 but I was in no way, shape or form prepared for what Beckett was gonna rock with his new album.

The blending of 80s motifs has been a fantastic exercise to witness in 2015, the evolution of styles and taking of disparate vintage elements and combining them into something altogether new and cohesive has been a hallmark of much of the music I've really enjoyed this year. And once again, in this album, it's the 80s Library influence that combines with a well honed pop flavour and all manner of other 80s styles into an album that is absolutely rockin to the max from beginning to end.



It's all well and good taking tonnes of different influences and styles and making specific singular experiences but Beckett has managed to make an entire album that flows from chapter to chapter with grace and ease and blends the elements and ideas in a way that sounds completely natural. The opening track, 'Air Games '84' was the lead-in pre release that came out a few weeks ago and instantly grabbed my attention. The 80s Library sports theme aesthetic is about as true as you're going to get outside of a KPM Music release from 1986. The triumphant melodies and energising guitars make for something very special indeed. The production is rich and clean with a warmth in the synths that goes a long way to complement the superb guitar work. Beckett's understanding of creating a Library piece in such an authentic manner really shines in 'Air Games '84', and it marks for a wonderful opening-ceremony of sorts to the Retrograde experience.

Things move into less energetic but no less exciting climes in the title track which follows. Opting for a much more guitar driven atmosphere, in both bass and lead, Beckett summons brass, synths and even some bongos into the sweetly warm night air and rocks a jam your sure to feel deep.  The dialogue between all the instruments feels so true and natural, genuinely effortless and the high polish of the production just magnifies the experience. 'Retrograde' has a beautifully written narrative that moves from scene to scene in the most rewarding fashion. Chic, romantic, enticing and full of gorgeous 80s colours.

Beckett begins flexing his pop muscles next and transitions into a bright bubblegum gem accompanied by the powerful vocals of Rachael Jones. The melodies of 'Better' are pop perfection, primary colours burst into sonic candy that you'll be unable to resist. The chorus, with its climbing bridges and highly frenetic bassline, just puts that sweet cherry right on top.  The tightness of all the instruments allows Rachael Jones' vocals to break the boundaries of the timings; adding a soulful and human element while retaining perfect 80s phrasing. It's pure pop bliss and you'll have it looping in your mind long after the track's stopped.

Continuing down the pop path, but opting for a distinct AOR flavour instead of bubblegum this time Beckett rocks like there's no tomorrow on 'Talk Talk'. The smoothly dramatic music sits dutifully in the background to the totally kick arse lead vocal performance from Beckett himself.  The yearning vocal is full of grand 80s nuance, sitting somewhere between Corey Hart and Jon Waite and rockin every lyric with a gloriously vintage melodrama. The songwriting throughout the album really shines brightly in every track, but these songs with vocals performances definitely have a lustre all their own.

Sauve night time instrumentals return with 'Hustle' as Beckett jams a groove full of vibrant energy that would do Steve Winwood proud and brings to mind colours and emotions I usually reserve for Rainsword's music. The swagger is unmistakable and Beckett really rides a musical swell that bobs and weaves with ease around the moonlit shoreline. Crisp, clear melodies get worked into jazz aesthetics that increase their potency tenfold.

Speeding off into oblivion rocks 'Motorcade' next. Sharp, decisive, powerful and then the vocals kick in. Once again Beckett's most manly of the manliest vocals turn a high energy synth instrumental into an epic vocally driven experience that goes beyond the danger zone. The female back up vocals add a pop flavour while the guitars bring out the essence of high energy emotions; rockin to the max at every turn and blasting into oncoming traffic without a care for the consequences.

Switching gears entirely Beckett breaks off into the realms of gauzy synth romance as the freneticism abates but the passions bring on a different kind of heat. 'Beach Central' has one of the most uplifting hooks on the entire album in a chorus that is incredibly profound and develops its gorgeous magical essence with each refrain. This is the embodiment of happiness into music and is inescapably wonderful to listen to.

The love-interest scene fades out into a smear of tail lights against a sprawling nocturnal urban landscape and the pace accelerates into adventure. These faster paced tracks really add a lovely element of 'colour commentary' to the Retrograde experience; always high on thrills and bustling with riffs and solos, trading blows in a dangerous asphalt duel. 'Chase 'Em Down' does everything right with this style of 80s inspired synth and it's, once again, the spectacular songwriting and deep narrative that powers the entire affair.

The elements of 80s Library Music are implemented so cleverly throughout the record that it surprises me often as traditionally written 80s inspired synth progressions get a smattering of Library love that really elevates them to new levels. The subtlety in which these flavours are introduced through the synths and guitars in 'Runner' really impresses. The audaciousness of the leads; complete with brass backing them up always feels completely together with the other elements. There isn't a single idea that ever feels tacked on simply for the sake of it and that feeling of purpose is one of the most inspiring aspects of Beckett's music.

Retrograde goes out on a bright, happy note with the delightfully bouncy 'Recall 1983'. The leads drive the music almost exclusively through the opening chapters before moving into a totally rockin bridge and chorus that sing their synth magic to the heavens. It must have been a seriously hard task for Beckett to decide which tracks on Retrograde were to be instrumentals and which ones were to have an accompanying vocal. Each instrumental is so well put together that I often thought I vocal could work on them but especially in tracks like 'Recall 1983' the instruments are given ample voice to fill the soundscape with beautifully formed stories.

That's really what drives the Retrograde album: detailed stories; full of 80s wonder and excitement with equal amounts of bright colours and exploring emotions emblazoned across the synthscape. Beckett has made a very special album in Retrograde and it's definitely one of my favourite experiences of 2015.

Beckett's Retrograde is presented on his Bandcamp here in the usual array of digitally downloadable formats. This album is without any shadow of a doubt a Synthetix Reference Experience.

Phaserland's Resemblance in Machine

By Michael CA L


Phaserland is an artist who has the rare ability to keep exploring new musical territory while at the same time stamping his own unique trademark into each track he produces. His style is unmistakable, and from the opening moments of any of the songs within his growing body of work, the listener accepts that they're heading into the great sonic unknown while at the same time knowing that the experience will invariably be rife with stylish synth melodies, slickly executed chord changes, crisp and complex rhythmic elements, and an overall atmosphere and tone that is distinctly and retro-futuristically urban.

This urban sound I refer to, however, has nothing to do with the latest trends and attitudes of the moment that seem to take shape, magnify, and spread outward beyond the city limits of contemporary culture. On the contrary, this urban sound I'm referencing has much more to do with the look, feel, sound, attitudes and atmospheres found within a metropolitan melting pot that doesn't currently exist and quite possibly never did. It's a sound that formed within a city from an alternate reality or perhaps a city that is exclusively of the mind rather than one that actually exists in today's world. And despite not having a place on maps, in history books or in cultural studies texts, it's a city that I believe many aficionados of synthwave and other 80s-inspired music will recognize as easily as they recognize their own homes. This city is an amalgamation of concepts and ideas whose origins lay in the idealism of the mid-twentieth century and percolated throughout the ensuing decades only to be refined, polished and unleashed en masse in the 1980s. These concepts and ideas included new developments in science fiction film and literature (perhaps most notably, cyberpunk); the high-concept and often futuristic aesthetic found within the art, fashion and architecture of the times; the advancements in science and robotics; as well as the scientific theories, and philosophical questions on post and trans-humanism that took on a more fixed shape in this era.

These concepts and ideas (of which I've named only a few), have been taken by many 80s-influenced music-makers and remembered, re-examined, and reshaped to form new meanings and new interpretations, and Phaserland is an artist who takes this exercise to another level entirely. His work has a precision, a focus and a unique identity that is distinct among artists operating within the 80's-inspired scene, and these elements come together in such an inspired and visionary manner that the final product is not just a collection of perfectly-fitting pieces that contain powerful references to the aforementioned concepts, but complete cities unto themselves. Phaserland's latest city, Resemblance in Machine, is a powerful space to walk within.




Dusty Universe

Upon first entering this off-map metropolis, the tourist/listener is greeted by the atmospheric sounds of the EP's opening track "Dusty Universe." Like the Ident music for a broadcasting corporation or film distribution company from an anachronistic retro-future, the track has a welcoming tone to it that beckons you to put another foot forward and commit more fully to engaging with the new environment you're about to enter. It's a soothing introductory composition, with enticing guitar licks and a sweeping, hydraulic fluidity that is reminiscent of some of the ambient experiments found on Pink Floyd's synth-heavy and beautifully produced 80's albums A Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Division Bell. Those familiar with songs such as "Marooned", "Signs of Life" and "Terminal Frost" from the aforementioned albums will appreciate the combination of smooth guitar coupled with crystalline synthesizer pads. The result is a beautiful merging of the organic and the synthetic, and the result is an irresistible temptation to walk boldly into the cityscape of Resemblance in Machine and see what more it has to offer.


Resemblance in Machine

Whereas the opening track pulls the listener gently through the city gates, the EP's eponymous track is bold in its plan to hold you within its sway and teach you about the new city you find yourself in. With a light step and an up-front swagger, the synth melodies and slick grooves of "Resemblance in Machine" are presented at a steady mid-tempo that implies confidence and reassures the urban tourist. "Although you're very much a stranger in a strange land", the track seems to say, "you're in good hands and will enjoy your stay."

A crisp, closed hi-hat ticks away between kick and snare and the lead synth melody ventures in daring and surprising directions, all the while inspiring thoughts of moving smoothly through darkened streets lined with the soft glow of neon lighting, the curb-side hustlers beckoning the tourist to buy their wares. What these shadowy figures are selling is anybody's guess, but I image it could be everything from black-market neurolink transmitters to high-priced, antique cassette tape decks that went missing from the mansions of the rich in the uptown Delta sector of the city several days before.

There's a segment at two minutes and thirty seconds into the track when the beat breaks itself down and an overdriven guitar bleeds itself into the mix, the two elements converging in a manner that creates something that's both aggressive and imposing and restrained and coolly impartial to the risk, all at the same time. It's a beautiful component in a truly fantastic song, and it leaves a powerful impression on the listener. Beyond this segment, the song plunges headlong back into its slick and melodic groove before switching off the neon lights with an echo that's the sonic equivalent of a strobe light afterimage flickering into non-existence and leaving you dazed.


Escape Route

This third experience in the city is one that contains beautiful, retro-suggestive chord changes that are uncomplicated and yet completely evocative, catchy and memorable melodies (my favourite kind), and a funk bass line that is clear, tuneful and up-front, providing the kind of weight and momentum on which a song can be completely pulled along. It all comes together in a manner that shakes any ominous feelings the tourist might have had when they first entered the city.

The overall tone of the track is one of fun and pleasure-pursuit, in which the sightseer is on the move and driving fast along the streets of the city. As the title of the track implies, there's an feeling of escape within the song, but it's not a feeling of fear or danger. Rather, it's a feeling of escaping the mundane, fearlessly embracing the state of cognitive estrangement they've been in the grip of since entering this brave new world, and allowing oneself to enjoy the hyper-sensory newness of the situation while being enthusiastically watchful for trace elements that the tourist thinks they may have come across in another place and time.


We Go Tonight

With a mood of hopeful optimism and celebration of diversity, this track begins at a gentle rhythmic tempo and has the unusual distinction of being both calm and soothing and intensely engaging and full of a simmering energy all at the same time. The cause of this, I suspect, lies in the contrast between the minimalist rhythmic aspects and the multitude of complex synth melodies that comprise each moment of the song. These two dissimilar elements provide a beautifully appealing juxtaposition, with the down-tempo rhythm and the highly kinetic melodies recognizing and appreciating their disparate attributes yet coming together to form something that truly works.

Whether it's that compelling bass line which provides a low-frequency bounce to the slow-rolling rhythm or the dynamic, staccato synths that ride above street-level, there's an energy and playfulness to this track that is rich in flavour, diverse in elements, and hugely enjoyable to experience. Of course, the world's best cities also contain a similar kind of diversity, where elements from many cultures converge to form a complex, unique, lively and respectful celebration of difference that is incredibly creative and undeniably interesting. This metropolis that Phaserland has built is the sonic equivalent of a multicultural city. The result is a warm, engaging and memorable song that showcases how different elements can coexist in a way that's far more creative, interesting and valuable than what monoculture has to offer.


Room for Love

"Room for Love" is the go-to track on this EP as far as seductive, smouldering mood is concerned. Containing some aspects that bring to mind "Night Talk", a track from Phaserland's first LP Night Talk in Paradise, "Room for Love" initially feels like a kind of spiritual successor to it and contains some of the same sex-laced tone, pacing and atmosphere of urban heat as the aforementioned. Instead of intensifying into an up-tempo homage to the carnal energies that bubble to the surface when the sun goes down (as does "Night Talk"), "Room for Love" remains staunchly down-tempo and is a brief, less a sexually forthright and more tenderly persuasive piece. I'd like to note that "Night Talk" was the very first track I ever heard by Phaserland back in the early months of 2014 and I was immediately captivated by its slick sound, funky synth bass, seductive atmosphere, and complex melodies. To hear a track that is closely aligned in theme and tone but carries different nuances and subtleties is an absolute pleasure to my ears.


Blue Green Dreams

The bass very often takes center stage on this EP, and "Blue Green Dreams" is yet another reminder that Phaserland's ability to compose tight, complex, muscular bass lines that blend beautifully with the synth melodies laid upon them is virtually unparalleled within the realm of 80's-inspired synth music. Similar to "Room for Love", this track has an air of lush sensuality to it, but whereas "Room" establishes its down-tempo nature from the get-go and maintains it throughout its duration, the pace of "Blue Green Dreams" quickens and declines like a coastal scene on the edges of the vast city, with the waves crashing and receding and the tide ebbing and flowing as the tourist soaks up the panorama and reflects on the experiences he or she has had over the course of their brief but remarkable stay. With equal parts gentle stillness and kinetic bounce, it's a striking piece and a fitting end to a journey that contained both of these elements in abundance.


Having completed our tour of Resemblance in Machine, we've walked through the streets of a newly built city and we've been exposed to a retro-futuristic aesthetic that could only come from the mind of Phaserland. To declare that his work is distinct and inimitable is not necessarily an understatement, but it doesn't fully encompass the detail, precision, complexities and clarity-of-vision that is ever-present in his work.

Music reviews try to articulate something about what a release is all about and what the listener might expect. It's been said many a time, though, that "writing about music is like dancing about architecture", and that quote, for obvious reasons, hits the mark especially closely in this particular review. When it comes to Phaserland's work, the task of writing about it is exceptionally difficult due to the sheer expansive nature of the release and the complex interconnectedness of each piece housed within it. They are, you may remember me stating at the onset of this review, complete cities unto themselves, and yet no city can possibly be explored thoroughly in a single (or even several) outings. With so many elements contributing to the whole, it takes ample time to even get the faintest understanding of an urban environment, and Phaserland's releases are much the same. This is what makes cities great, and it's also what makes Resemblance in Machine a powerful space to walk within.

Resemblance in Machine comes very, very highly recommended by Synthetix.FM and is available through Phaserland's Bandcamp page here.

The First Australian Synthwave Meet Up

By Rick Shithouse

Marko Maric and Rick Shithouse rockin in style.

This weekend has been a spectacular one on many levels as this marked the first of hopefully many meet ups for the Australian synthwave scene. Climaxing at Laser Highway at Forgotten Worlds in Collingwood Saturday, myself and Marko Maric headed up to Melbourne for some real quality time catching up with all those that could make it at the The Fox hotel in Collingwood.


The turn out was truly amazing. Present were myself, Marko Maric, Cris Zerotonine, Ben Businovski, Jake AudioblivioN, Jordan F, Gabriele Beat Ratio, Jay Dream Fiend, Johnny Killstarr, Andrew WARD-IZ, Lachi James and Shane Alpharisc. I'm going to call it the first Australian scene meet up as Jordan came down from Sydney, Lachi came from the Gold Coast and Ben came from Perth (as did Marko), so really it was much bigger than just Melbourne.

Cris Zerotonine and Ben Businovski (Starbound at the bar).

And it did feel big. Myself and Marko headed up to Melbourne and met up with Cris before heading up to the Fox Hotel for the pre-show meet up that we had invited everyone to. This was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon, meeting friends, sharing a few drinks and really feeling that spirit of the music and the love for it in everyone.

(L-R) Ben Businovski, Cris Zerotonine, Jordan F, Marko Maric, Lachi James,
Jake Stollery, Zach Smith-Cameron and Jake AudioblivioN

Moving on from The Fox we headed to Forgotten Worlds and the much anticipated Laser Highway event featuring Marko Maric, Busty Coastline, Zerotonine and Jordan F.

Marko Maric rockin some of the best of the scene's tunes

Jordan F and Lachi James exchanging ideas in a
convivial atmosphere

Jordan F rockin it like a melonfarmer.

The magic in full effect.

Lasers at Laser Highway.

Lachi James and Marko Maric and Dream Fiend and Killstarr

Myself in the presence of the great Killstarr and Dream Fiend dream team otherwise known as Starbound

The entire day was full of wonderful people, great conversations and the best music. Experiencing Jordan F live was an amazing ride into this producer's musical journey and, being my first live 80s inspired synthwave show, really displayed how rich it can be. The many individual stories one already knows become combined into an overarching experience that takes you through all those energies, ideas and emotions in a medium that is even more meaningful and purposeful. It's not like a normal band-experience at all, I discovered, and instead makes for a vastly more personal direct contact with the music itself in a shared experience with others as the story unfolds before your very eyes and ears.

Many, many thanks to everyone who attended and all the great people I had the chance to interact with in reality for the first time; it won't be the last that's for sure. Major thanks to Cris Zerotonine to making Laser Highway the incredible experience it has become. Your passion and hospitality were greatly appreciated.

Survival During The Full Eclipse

By James Mann

Some say that music truly does come from the heart of a musician. It's an extension of themselves, with layers of emotive depth, passion, and purpose. Full Eclipse has managed to create one of the most moving, emotional and just all around lovely EPs I have heard in quite some time. Combining downtempo and moody elements reminiscent of some of the best scores from the 80s and even 90s, the nostalgia is big in Survival. As Full Eclipse tells me, there is a drive and purpose behind the stellar release. The EP is a product of an eighties child whose formative experiences during those times and his obsession with its look, feel and atmosphere of unlimited possibility conflict with how he feels it may have shaped today's world and the world of tomorrow.

Visions of Miami Vice character scenes, watching the local forecast on the Weather Channel while those beauteous melodies flowed, Full Eclipse delivers some incredible music full of retro moodiness while adding a vibrant and updated feel. It's evident this artist not only understands the complexities of making good music, but executes them effortlessly and provides pure ear candy and a much needed variety from the synth driven candy that's regularly delivered through presets and Polysix. I can already tell the inspiration runs deep for Full Eclipse, and the 80s provided a majority of it. They were incredibly unique and intensely vivid times in terms of art, aesthetics, styles and sounds, but in a lot of ways they were also very dark and perhaps sick times, which is equally fascinating. A product of the 80s, but a mind sailing into the future with top tunage.



'Totem' kicks off this stunning EP with a rich, roomy vibe full of wonder and thought. Sleek bass and a nice lead merge together for an almost funky arrangement with that paced out 80s finesse combining that classic hi hit/tambourine that I dare say puts the track into a category of Faltermeyer with the detail and care. Layered and subtle arrangements build to keep this track moving towards a place I don't want to steer from. It's absolutely beautiful and I'm already well aware of the crafting and thought put into this track from this emerging artist.

'False Hope (Lament Version)' continues the cinematic, emotional ride from Full Eclipse through another beautiful journey in sound. Paced out and relaxing, a downtempo beat and nice piano lead create an impressive soundscape with some warm synth pads to accent in all of the right places. Almost ambient but far too energetic to call so, the balance in genres is quite interesting. It's enough to satiate the desire for ambience and a mood enhanced piece, but delivers almost a movie like score while staying true to late 80s and early 90s compositions. Class track.

'Survival' (aptly named after this gem of an EP) showcases the guitar rich talents of this artist through a monumental piece, one deserving of a soundtrack bill. Yes, it's that good. Sections of well crafted arrangements build into a moving score that's quite possibly the most powerful piece on this release. The percussion is rich and deep, toms drumming at a deliberate and slowed pace to accompany the triumphant building of instruments. You can feel the depth at which Full Eclipse goes on this one, it's personal and deep to him. My favorite track on Survival without a doubt.

'False Promise' gives a nice glimpse at what this artists can offer from a strong early 90s cinematic score/influence and it's profound. Another composition thought out and well arranged, it's all about instrumentation and use for this artist, allowing the listener to engage in a sea of sound. I might note the roominess of each instrument fills the speakers but allows room for others to fill in, creating a sonic blend of sound. A very nice mixing job and mastering. It fits the mood perfectly.

'Progress' puts me on the sofa in 1992, watching the local forecast on the Weather Channel while killing some Fruit Wrinkles. Smooth, sleeked out vibes fill this arrangement and prove this music could not only be played in the background of a TV program, but also on your speakers at home. Top notch execution and a beautiful closer from an artist I have already learned to respect and thoroughly enjoy.

Full Eclipse released something increasingly rare, a debut EP full of experience, creativity and grade A execution. He is currently working on a compilation and will be releasing an another EP sometime around Christmas. I can't wait to hear more from this talented artist, and expect great things from him in the scene if he isn't snatched up as a soundtrack producer. Though I'm sure he will still make the time for us when he is famous. I'll tempt him with some Fruit Wrinkles.

Survival comes very highly recommended from Synthetix.FM and is available through 30th Floor Records' Bandcamp page here.

Synthetix Sundays

This week Marko presents the first ever Synthetix Sundays New Wave/Post Punk Special only on Radio Pure Gently! A special segment focusing on the very best in modern day New Wave sounds. Marko will be joined in this journey will by his partner in crime, the irrepressibly charming Jazzi Marzcat.

Also this week Marko will be chatting with Rogue Six and also featuring scene legend, Flash Arnold's very first interview!

Plus regular segments with Synthetix Spotlight and Paul Dress '2' Kill Daly but there'll be no Quality Time With Shithouse this week as I recover from a nasty cold.

It's going to be a spectacular show with all the most rockin tracks from the past week's releases including Street Cleaner, Maniac Lover, Highway Superstar and Vectorwolf.

Be sure to join Jazzi and Marko this Sunday as they take you on a New Wave journey you'll never forget!

Tune in to Synthetix Sundays LIVE on Radio Pure Gently here, at 10pm Perth, Australia time. Please click here to find out when this is in your part of the world. As always the fully downloadable show will be posted here on Monday.

HIghway Superstar's Endgame

By Rick Shithouse


I'm not exactly sure at what exact point in time Highway Superstar went from being new rocker on the block to the genuine superstar his monicker describes. Somewhere between his debut in early 2013 and his first full length album at the end of that same year Alex Karlinsky became one of the integral musical cogs of the 80s inspired synth scene featuring heavily in big name releases, collaborations and projects the broke far outside of the scene.

Of course his presence on the Kung Fury soundtrack was something we all applauded and his expansion into other genres throughout 2014 has found the Highway Superstar ready to unleash his second full length album: Endgame. I'll make no bones at all about stating that Highway Superstar is one of my absolute favourite producers of 80s inspired synth music; and one of the main reasons for this is how hard he pushes his own creativity and reinvents himself as he strives for his own 'musical truth' (© JVC,1982). I often talk of the journeys producers take in their music, the places they visit, the experiences they take with them and the destinations they arrive at. Much like the highway in his name, Highway Superstar is a genuine journeyman that travels far and wide of many diverse 80s inspirations. Someone always looking to improve their songwriting, expand their horizons and make everything they do a step above they last thing they created.

So where was Highway Superstar to take us next? What glittering 80s destinations did he have in mind for Endgame? The answer is refined diversity. The Highway Superstar sound has refined itself to a pristine pop edge that takes cues from 80s library influences and eschewed any unnecessary trappings that confused or hindered the storytelling. It's like a concentration of ideas and 80s motifs that sparkle undiluted and bursting with those scrumptious 80s flavours.



The pop side of Highway Superstar has always been one of the scene's strongest examples of classic 80s songwriting that uses vocals and lyrics to drive the music instead of just riding shotgun. The opening piece for Endgame exemplifies this exceedingly well as Dana Jean Phoenix joins forces with the Superstar himself in 'Cast Away'. The gentleness of the synths and the driving beat combines with DJP's voice into something inspirational. Cinematic bridges, chugging guitar riffs and a high class tone makes this song rock damned hard without losing its accessible 80s pop-ability.

2015 will be remembered by myself, and hopefully many others, as the year 80s library music came back and found a modern home to nestle in and flourish. Highway Superstar's definitely embracing this most radical brand of music and launches the dashing 'Deadlock Danger' into the mix to create a smoother mood to groove to. Pinpoint synth acrobatics dazzle against bright guitar details and evocative sax play. The presence of every element is tuned for maximum excitement with Highway Superstar orchestrating incredibly entertaining and death defying sets pieces from beginning to end.

A new voice for the Highway Superstar sound saunters onto the scene in the next track 'Hunters'. Honey Colonna teams up with Highway Superstar numerous times throughout Endgame with a voice that has a soulful and sultry tone with just the right mix of mid to late 80s pop and R&B that befits the music perfectly. The music in this track is highly excitable and explosive while Colonna's voice becomes a soothing and smoothing element that tames the music's energy like a ubiquitous aural honey. Colonna's presence adds a deeper affectation to Highway Superstar's sound and both artists feel like they're genuinely on the same wavelength; something that comes through time and time again throughout Endgame.

The teamwork rocks even harder in the next piece as 'Dream Diary' features both artistes taking up vocal duties in a bold duet that puts a lot on the line and reaps the rewards for taking the risk. Highway Superstar has finally introduced his voice as true dimension to his sound and 'Dream Diary' is a showcase for this. The vocal performance is suave while remaining honest and doesn't try to mimic anyone directly. A definite influence of many vintage Italo singers can be felt in the delivery, which is totally rockin, but this isn't s throw away experiment as the vocal is developed and tuneful, swaggering when it needs to and embracingly warm when it wants to be too. The performance of both vocalists on 'Dream Diary' is wonderful. Truly a high water mark in songwriting and delivery and an experience one can enjoy visually thanks to the fantastic official video for the track available for your perusal here.

Slowing the mood back to a casual saunter and taking in the coolness of the evening air as the sun dips ever lower on the horizon 'Century Club Blues' wends its way through the skyline softly. This bass driven affair brings a sensually jazz inspired tone to the proceedings and relies heavily on the groove of the bassline to hold the accompanying elements in place. The finger snaps dictate the pace as the melodies hang in their air like exhaled smoke in some basement dive bar where no one makes eye contact and the musician off in the corner is existing in an entirely different dimension of existence to the patrons. A somehow warming sense of disassociation runs through this experience that is both tantalising and charming in its own right.

Following on from this little divergence we're back in pop mode, this time with a darker tone that typifies much of the best original 80s pop music. 'Burn This City' marks Highway Superstar's first full vocal performance (although Honey Colonna provides some lovely backing vocals) and really brings himself into the spotlight where he belongs. The raspy tone of Highway Superstar's voice adds a masculine facet to the sound and adds a layer of emotional rawness to the atmosphere. The music is really dialled back on this piece, playing a barely supporting role to Karlinsky's yearning vocals. Definitely one of the strongest tracks on the album, a completely new experience in the scope of Highway Superstar's music and something that he should be applauded fervently for. This takes hard work, passion and balls and Highway Superstar leaves nothing in the tank in the process.

Brighter tones warm things up with the next two complimentary chapters, 'Kasumi's Theme' and 'Kasumi's Journey'. These two pieces really typify the tightness of the music writing on Endgame. The focus is so tight and figure hugging every instrument traces narrow lines around each curve but
never at the risk of becoming regimented or soulless. Highway Superstar revels in this tight knit tapestry of sounds and gives sharp accents when required and makes the narrative turn on dime when he wants to extract as much excitement as possible from the tonal tension. In doing this he also ensures the synthscape remains uncluttered and clean, removing extraneous distractions so you never lose that integral storyline through each exciting set piece.

Following these two excursions comes one of the most incredible pieces of music on the album as Highway Superstar enlists not one, not two but THREE of my favourite artists from the scene to create the absolutely mesmerising epic 'Save You'. Joining the Superstar is Miranda Carey, Sebastian Gampl and Phaserland! Just seeing all these names together is like wet dream of 80s collaborations but the song itself is totally rockin to the max. The album really peaks in these five and a half minutes of dramatic and emotional 80s pop perfection. Miranda Carey takes on a more Kristine-like attitude in her vocal style in this track and the music matches this frame of mind perfectly. The perfect mix of talents for the perfect mix of sounds. Stellar in every respect.

The climax rides out into the post apocalyptic desert wasteland as 'Stalemate Punks' bring in some powerhouse, heavily accented percussion to go blow for blow with the duelling synth melodies. The action is smooth and exchanges brutality for finesse as Highway Superstar gets deeper and deeper into the groove in what plays out like a live jam of synths, steel and fluorescent mohawks. You just can't deny the Library influence that holds this track together though and that is something Highway Superstar has become very, very efficient in employing throughout Endgame's chapters.

Our final piece in the Endgame experience is the bloopy bleepy introduced 'Nebular' which launches into the great unknown with a deliberate count down to build pressure and rocks that tension as hard as possible until we are launched into the chase. The swell of thoughtful synth play strips things back to a zero gravity caress of slow motion set pieces before the tyres hit the asphalt and rev into synth oblivion, screaming with intensity and leaving a trail of burning light to the horizon. The beauty and drama that Highway Superstar can switch between in a nanosecond makes this one damned thrilling ride and closes the album out in the most exciting manner.

Rosso Corsa Records presents Highway Superstar's Endgame album on their Bandcamp page here in the usual array of digitally downloadable formats. This album is of vast importance, in many respects. It marks a huge amount progression, diversity and exploration for Highway Superstar and it makes a case for how important collaborative work is and the benefits achieved. Endgame literally does everything right in homage to classic 80s sounds and giving them relevance in 2015 in an album that is easily one of the most complete and satisfying musical experiences of the year. Highway Superstar's Endgame is most certainly a Synthetix Reference Experience.

Steven Jones & Logan Sky's Polaroids EP

By Andrew B. White

Polaroids is the second EP from the UK’s Steven Jones and Logan Sky. The two met through a mutual friend, the late Steve Strange from 80s synth pop legends Visage, with whom Sky has played keyboards with since 2010.

The new EP follows-on from where there duo’s 2015 debut EP Desire Lines left off but with more of a late-night and darker direction. Jones and Sky’s feet are firmly in the early-80s UK synthpop camp with influences from early Depeche Mode, OMD, Ultravox, Soft Cell and of course Visage. Sky handles the music production, predominantly using vintage hardware, while Jones writes and performs the vocals which are a mix of sung and spoken word.



Title track Polaroids has a half-time, electro-dub feel to it. It is brooding and reflective, with the lyrics “moments burnt in to polaroids” referring to a more glamorous life captured at an earlier point in time. The lo-fi video for the song, shot in London’s Soho, appropriating the atmosphere of the song. Additionally on the EP, Polaroids gets the remix treatment from Daygun and is taken in an uptempo vocal dub direction but still retains the broodiness of the original.

‘Hi-Rise New York’ is based on Jones’ experiences of visiting New York City with a visually-inspired narrative of observing his fast-paced surroundings. “We came here to play the game” Jones recites and it sounds like he’s been dropped into a video game on the “Manhattan Level”. The track is all spoken word which is most suitable for the subject matter. It would certainly make for a good music video.

‘Intersection’ floats along with a reflective mix of spoken and sung vocals. It’s no surprise the lyrics mention train stations as the song’ implies a feeling of being on a train, in both its rhythm and of observing life as it passes by.

‘The Now Crowd (Slow Exposure)’ is a fitting tribute to Visage’s Steve Strange and his legacy. It has an almost a slow-motion sense of feeling to it that helps it to convey the sentiment of the lyrics: “we are the now crowd, loud and in time, dancing endlessly, deep in desire”. It’s obvious Jones and Sky want to continue Strange’s legacy, in the present and into the future.

‘Fake’ starts with a subtle arpeggiation and Jones’ spoken word, decrying the falsity of religion: “You make us fake/your mantra’s money”. It makes heavy use of toms to add to the intimidatory poke at the mundaneness of life from organized religion to money and fame.

Overall, Polaroids gives you the authentic feeling of a cold and grey London in the early 80s with its fashion, taxi headlights reflecting on rainy nighttime streets sweeping by New Romantics en route to the next night club. The songs have a sense of space using minimal instrumentation, omitting what isn’t needed for a more concise sound. The EP emulates the sound of a musical point in time without being cheesy or ironic. Some parts remind me of the darker moments of Yazoo’s album Upstairs at Eric’s (albeit less shiner) and early Ultravox and OMD, or more precisely, that particular point in time.

Polaroids is not what you would call a straight-up “synthwave” album. The synthpop scene has been around for a very long time and while it shares some common ground with synthwave, the two scenes don’t always merge. Fans of synthwave aren’t invariably attracted by synth pop’s sometimes androgynous and sparse sound or its lyrically darker subject matter. At the same time, the two genres are becoming more compatible, with stylish synthpop now influencing a number of synthwave artists, especially when it comes to vocals. The embracing of styles makes for interesting results. With Steven Jones and Logan Sky we see the result of two artists that have a direct connection to one of the originators of synth pop creating new music and extending it out, not merely recreating it.


I had the opportunity to ask Logan Sky a few questions about Polaroids:


ABW: This is your second EP with vocalist Steven Jones. Do you consider yourselves a duo for these projects, as you both release music individually.

LS: We met through our mutual friend, Steve Strange, who suggested we work together on a new mix for his track ‘Burning Desire’. At the time I was really blown away with Steven’s ‘Strange Magic’ track, with its mesmeric melody and seductive video. So I remixed it. Steven and Donna Destri were so impressed that they re-cut the video to suit. We started working together immediately and ‘Falcon of the Dunes’ became our first collaboration that was put out on the [Jones & Destri’s] Strange Magic EP last year.

We were devastated when Steve Strange died in February, but we somehow found positivity to finish our Desire Lines EP and to perform at his funeral. This has formed a bond between us and we now work pro-actively and are always there for each other. We will perform live for the first time as a duo on January 23rd 2016 in Warrington [UK], supporting Heaven 17. We’ll probably put out another cassette EP and then hope to team up with a label that can put out a vinyl and then an album.


ABW: You use a lot of analog synths in your production. Was that the case here and do you think using hardware gives you more of a distinctive or authentic sound?

LS: There’s a distinct difference between, say, the VST Korg Polysix and the real thing which is a lot grittier, but only mono. I’m lucky to have found some great outboard chorus and stereo delays that transform this mono signal into something quite beautiful, with less clarity than VSTs but with more character and the hardware ‘noise’ really does add an atmosphere, a kind of ‘breathing presence’. VSTs may be lush, with fantastic stereo width but they feel too shiny and inherently too ‘plastic’ and dead to me.

Most tracks feature a [Roland] Juno-106 arpeggiation and it also is used for soft pad sounds. I prefer using one of my vintage string machines, such as the Siel Cruise or Crumar Trilogy for harsher string sounds. The title track Polaroids was put together by Steven using loops, many of which I then converted using the Juno-106 and the Yamaha CS20, to add the character we were after.

For further ‘authenticity’ we’ve chosen to release on cassette, which, along with vinyl, would have been the way that music was consumed in the early 80s. I’ve noticed that a few of my favourite synthwave artists, such as Right Knider and OGRE actually sound slightly better on cassette. The levels are more consistent, with less harsh high end, which gives a more rounded listening experience.


ABW: Your music fits the early ‘80s electropop/synthpop mould. Is that a conscious decision? Obviously having played in Steve Strange’s Visage those influences would be right at home.

LS: The sounds that fueled my youth: Japan, Human League, Visage, Ultravox, Depeche Mode and OMD were always on my Hi-Fi and when I started making music and playing in a band we had more of a Duran / A-ha sound with real guitar and drums. Ever since there’s always been a strong spirit of all these electronic pioneers within my sounds because they reside in my soul. I also liked Adam & The Ants and early next year I’ll be receiving some coaching from the drummer, Dave Barbe, so hopefully you’ll see some developments in my beats in 2016!


ABW: Darker, European contemporary vocal synthpop has been popular for sometime. How do you think it fits with newer genres such as synthwave which often focus on instrumental music and American influences. How do you think the genres mix and are you seeing this happening?

LS: The vocals of dark European pop tend to focus on alienation, lost love and the evils of mass media and capitalism. The vocals are generally male and there are often as many women listening to these bands as men. Synthwave, however draws on late 70s horror and 80s low budget straight-to-VHS American movies which, musically and artistically, draws in a predominantly male audience. It’s not all dark though, and vocal synthwave has also resulted in some truly glorious and uplifting music, for example Duett’s 'Borderline' or Sferro’s collaborations.

I think that we are genre-mixing on Polaroids. We have the Polysix basslines of synthwave, haunting synth and string pads, but there is an atmosphere of, say, London or New York in the sounds and the vocals move effortlessly between darkness and positivity. Each track is a mindful meditation on modernity, anchored more within the real world than a fictitious synthwave space.


ABW: I understand you are in the process of a full-length album. Is that project a collaboration with Steven or will it be solo project?

LS: I had planned to finish my solo album, but really wasn’t in the right place emotionally. Instead I have found great comfort in my collaborations including finishing off the last ever VISAGE album. I have also worked with Japanese singer, RIS, to produce a fantastic track called ‘Everything, Endlessly, Everywhere’ and with Robert Pereno (ex SHOCK) on three tracks that we performed in an art gallery in Greenwich and in Soho. Steven Jones & I have some plans for a development in our sound and this is where we will focus our energies into 2016 – the solo album will have to wait!


ABW: If you had the chance to play in another 80s band, who would it be and why?

LS: VISAGE are one of my top 5 bands of all time, so I’m truly honoured for the last 5 years for all of those special memories with Steve Barnacle, Robin Simon (ex-Ultravox), Lauren DuVal and Steve Strange. We travelled all over England and around Sweden, Germany, Slovakia finishing the tour with a performance with the 45 piece Prague Synthosymphonic orchestra! The outdoor performance was on the side of a mountain, minus seven centigrade with snow falling around the stage! Steve and Lauren were only wearing John Galliano evening wear and Lauren’s feet were exposed through her six inch heels. At the end of the performance there were pyrotechnics and fireworks, but Lauren was crying with frostbite that she had to be carried off stage and I think some hunk also lifted Steve over the slush to the taxi!

Then in March 2014, we jetted off to Japan for two sell-out performances in Tokyo! The response from the fans was phenomenal and we made some good friends along the way. Because of these unique memories, I can’t really picture myself in another 80s band, but I’d relish the chance to produce a few tracks for Duran Duran to return the favour.. since Nick Rhodes produced the band I was in, back in 2002!


Steven Jones & Logan Sky's Polaroids comes very highly recommended from Synthetix.FM and you can find it on Chop Chop Records Bandcamp page here, where it is also available on limited edition cassette.