Synthetix Weekend Update

First off I'd like to apologise for the lack of posts at the end of this past week, my internet was down for  most of Friday and Saturday which made it impossible for me to do anything on here. The music I was planning on covering will be taken care of next week though.

It's been yet another big week in releases and quite a few kick arse new artists are surfacing with new sounds and ideas that are very exciting. It's the diversity of sounds that will keep the 80s synth scene engaging and relevant, I believe. There are still many, many untapped 80s experiences for the modern producers to discover and reinvent, which always gives me faith that the scene will grow, evolve and cement itself for the duration.

 2013 is already huge for a new releases and artists barely two months in, so lets get rockin with some of the brightest stars lighting up the 80s sky in this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM.


Going directly for the jugular is the enigmatically named Dot with the solid gold rockin hit Chupame Señora(pero no mames). This duo have been producing for about a year and have a tight grasp on how to make 80s pop magic happen. Be sure to check out their wonderful track Chaffinch on their soundcloud too.




Andy Fink's back and rockin with his latest single release Vice Love available now through Future City Records. This experience takes some delicately intimate synth work and contrasts it with a sinister bass line and dramatic percussion. The end result is quite unlike anything else as the senses are pulled in different directions all at once.




Lost Years has tantalised us with another new demo, this time of Red Horizon, which is already up to Version 2. This powerhouse track is direct in it's delivery and raucous in it's presence  but the delightful synth melodies combine the elements into something even more huge. Marvellous work, once again, from one of the most consistently rockin producers in the scene.




Turning up the funk and moving towards a more modern flavour is Peter "PH Groove" Hecher's new experience The Breakdown. This track really combines many influences from different decades but the bass line is just so catchy and the synths deliver so much joy that I'd be remiss not to include it in this Weekend Update. The vibrant melange of sounds are invigorating and by the time the sax hits I'm sure you'll agree.




New Arcades are back with an awesome new teaser track from the upcoming EP. 'Dreamers' is full of deeply emotive synth romance that intimates beautifully with a brightness and warmth of pure 80s love. The new EP promises six tracks of New Arcade magic, which I'll be sure to fully investigate on Synthetix.FM as soon as possible.




French producer Run Vaylor has been plying his craft for nearly a year on soundcloud with lots of diverse synth based music. His latest track, End Game, is definitely his strongest thus far. An air of moroseness is blended with hopeful synth melodies that swirl and flow through the soundscape. It's a very engaging experience with beautifully arranged movements throughout the journey.




Definitely one of the most exciting things to happen in the scene this week was the new preview for Embryonik's new Night Flight release. This producer explores many varied territories of electronic music but it looks like he's found himself in a decidedly 80s frame of mind for this new venture. Each track is sounding absolutely stunning thus far and it's looking to be an exceptionally rockin experience.




Two of my favourite producers have combined their talents for an epic new experience. Flash Arnold and Perturbator have taken the energy right down low to a slow a pulse and added smoothly evil synth sounds to melancholy guitar and called it Los Angeles. Superbly arranged and vast in scope this yet another kick arse tune from both producers.




Python Blue certainly isn't one to rest on his laurels. After the just released the Change of Clothes album (to be reviewed next week on Synthetix.FM) he has released a stellar new jam in Reminders. This piece has a marvellously visceral energy about it and the guitar track adds even more depth. Totally rockin.




Chaconne resurfaced this week with another stunning example of his incredible music with Heart To Heart. I can't think of many producers in the scene at all who come close to the sound Chaconne conjures  up. There seems to always be a massive amount of energy, mood and groove that is always identifiable as being a Chaconne experience. I really hope he has an EP or album release in the pipeline for 2013 as this producer deserves a much larger audience than he currently has.




Cougar Synth keeps on rockin with the best of them and his new track, Aeromotive, really shows some incredible progression and refinement in his sounds. This smooth as glass synthscape is punctuated with inventive percussion and melodies that entrance the listener. Beautiful in every respect, and also currently available for FREE download. Many thanks to Alex Karampas for the heads up on this one.




Hungarian synthficionado Quixotic has returned with an emotionally resplendent piece in Dust To Dust. This massively atmospheric journey is poignantly arranged with delicate synths that are contrasted with totally shredding guitars. I've often said that the producers who really incorporate other instruments, like guitars, into their sounds are going to be the one who set themselves apart and Quixotic has done this exact thing in Dust To Dust.




Keeping right on Q we have the final track for this week's Weekend Update which is an absolutely kick arse new tune from Quasars. With the best song title ever, Rockers, Quasars have elevated their sounds to stratospheric new levels. The opening build arrangements are massive, filling the soundscape with their trademark monster drum sounds which then leads into crescendo of synths and guitars that rock to the absolute max. Majestic in every respect and also currently available for FREE download too!




That does us for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I hope you found some rockin new tunes to enhance your weekend with 80s love. I'll be back next week for more k-rad tunes, so remember to stay 80s and keep on rockin!

Weekend Update Blockbuster Part 2

Here we go with the second part of the Weekend Update Blockbuster! This will bring Synthetix reasonably up to date with the happenings in the 80s inspired synth scene over the holiday period, there are a few releases I've not yet explored on Synthetix that will be coming up over the next couple of weeks too.

Crank up the volume and set your energy levels to maximum rocking as we blast into the synthosphere!

First up is a spectacular new adventure from Betamaxx. Over the course of 2012 Betamxx released some superb music and as he rocks in to 2013 it looks like he's kicking things up a notch. This first cut of East Coast Summers is a thrill ride of high energy synth melodies and driving drums sure to send your soul yearning for summer days and neon nights.



Evanton's fast becoming a mainstay of Synthetix with every new release being an affair to remember. Their latest EP LA Story is even more beautifully conceived synth funk and comes highly recommeneded. The second track off LA Story, Run!, is yet more solid musical gold from Evanton.




Taking off into new galactic dimensions is Starforce's new composition Cosmic Voyage. I think this is the first time I've has a father and son made track on Synthetix and I hope it's not the last. This is beautifully written soundtrack space synth music that makes me long for the full length Starforce album. Omniversal Oscillations is due out soon on Aphasia Records and I'll be sure to give it deserving attention on Synthetix upon it's release.




Andy Fink's shared an exciting new preview track on his soundcloud called Dynasty. The bassline in this track is totally rockin and the piece has a bent/off kilter mood that is very engaging. As the track evolves I hope it keeps this personality and takes things even further into the unknown.




It's time for some quality space italo now with Spacious Sweeps new track, Black Ops. This has to be the most ambient italo I've ever heard. The melodies and arrangements are totally rockin the pure italo vibe, but in this context of being slowed down and given huge spatial qualities makes for a wonderful soundscape.




While we're sailing in the italo galaxy we should stop in Flashback Records new release from the aptly named Italove in Follow Me To Mexico. Due out on January 18 this is a monstrously authentic italo styled song of the 1987-88 vintage that is full of energy and passion. Even this short preview is totally kick arse, I'll be sure to follow up on this EP upon it's impending release.




Photosynthesi continues to make positive impressions  with each new track this Italian producer releases. The emotional depth of his track White is fathomless and the funk bass break down adds yet another dimension to an already rivetting experience. This track is featured on Side B of the latest  Synthetix Mixtape and is a true celebration of the wonder and magic of 80s inspired synth music.




To finish up this second half of the Weekend Update Blockbuster we have the powerful new track from Synthaesthete. The deliberate pace of this juggernaut of synthual energies is magnificent to behold. The drum track in this is exceptionally done, exhibiting raw power and a dynamic that is masterfully executed.




That does us for the two part Weekend Blockbuster on Synthetix, but I'll be returning tomorrow with a super hard rockin 20/80s and covering a some supremely high calibre releases throughout the week so stay 80s and keep on rockin!

Synthetix Weekend Update

A slightly early Weekend Update this week as I'm getting away for a few days down the coast chasing waterfalls during my vacation. Regularly scheduled programming on Synthetix will return on Thursday the 4th of October. Til then, keep on rockin hard and enjoy the cream of the crop from this week in the 80s inspired synth scene.

First up we have a new track from a new talent on the scene. Russian producer Ezavskih's track Night Of The Comet is a moody piece of dark synth with 80s personality out the ying yang. Style after the classic 80s movie this brings to mind lots of apocalyptic visions as the sirens scream the death knell for humanity. I'm looking forward to hearing more from Ezavskih in the post apocalyptic future!




Although verging the borders of ChipTune material the new two track EP from Arcade Metropolis is most definitely 80s through and through and the arrangements and orchestrations throughout both tracks are superb. Theres a dark edge to both pieces, but the energy as is a neon lit as it gets and both have a presence that is totally irrepressible.
.


Jaypeau's turning up the heat with his new composition of scifi themed drama: Fire In The Sky. This producer's upping the ante with each new track and is getting a lovely glossy polish to his sound. Theres a spatial nature to all of Jaypeau's tracks and this one is amping it up to epic proportions.




Fanateek One's unleashed more electrofunk 80s rockin with Night Drive. I really love this track, the bass line and percussion are absolutely stunning. Fanateek One is getting his sounds so perfectly refined and in the process finding his own musical voice. This is surely a sign of an impending EP or LP release in the near future with any luck.




In last week's Weekend Update I shared the Greetings Program remix of Warrior by Kimbra/A-Trak and Mark Foster. This week we have Silent Gloves reimagining of this song and again it brings forth much 80s love. It's a toss up for me which one I prefer, but I do prefer Greetings Program's work through the chorus to Silent Gloves. That said, this remix has extra dimensions through the break down.
You can't go wrong either way, so please vote for both!




A new untitled demo from Andy Fink really caught my attention this week. Although obviously still in a very early and formative stage I can't help but be hypnotised by the majestic percussion track. The effects on the drums compliment the bent keyboard melodies flawlessly. I can only dream about what this will evolve into!




One of the absolute highlights in album releases this year has been Pilotpriests Orginal Motion Picture Soundtrack (click here for the full Synthetix review of this wonderful album). Pilotpriest has unearthed another track intended for the album but it didn't make the cut. Nighthawks isn't what I'd call traditional 80s synth by any means, but the mix of early 90s sounds, modern sounds and lots of magic 80s synth-fluence make for a very interesting experience.




Our final track this week is from none other than LA Dreams. It's yet another beautiful piece of rapturous 80s synth love with his piece FutureEarth Contact. Using some classic NASA samples and and a thumping rhythm section brings an element of drama to the track, but it still keeps those velvet smooth LA Dreams synth melodies at the forefront. If you missed my interview with LA Dreams this week please click here to learn a bit more about this gifted producer of quality 80s experiences.




That does us for September 2012 on Synthetix, as I said I'll be back in action and rockin hard from Thursday the 4th of October. Until then thanks for spending some of your valuable weekend on Synthetix, stay true and stay 80s.

Synthetix Weekend Update

Back with lots of hot rockin action on Synthetix for this week's Weekend Update! Time to get your neon lit and your hight tops on for some of the highlights from the 80s inspired synth scene.

There's a bit of a trend towrds the more esoteric and atmospheric side of 80s synth in this Weekend Update and setting the tone right from the outset is Garth Knight's powerfully emotive new piece of sexxxy synth work called Solid State. This is a slowed down and sensual bass line driven work of searing possibilities and midnight rendezvous, smoooth.




Keeping the mood mellowed and bringing in some more of the late night synth action is LA Dreams' new track Westbound Late Train. Chill vibes and moonlit melodies are the romantic core of this experience.The darkness is obscured by the passion when the solo hits and the night explodes into a crescendo of after hours 80s ellicitations.




Andy Fink cranks up the synth drama in the demo of his new track 2912. This is looking like being a huge track, with blockbuster synth leads and a star studded cast of classic 80s sounds. Even at this early stage I think this going to be super special, the mood and builds are already very special.




While we're on exciting promises of things to come a short teaser for a new Jupiter Gang track surfaced recently that definitely lights my fire. The track is Starz and it's a gloriously funky adventure into 80s electro synth. Jupiter Gang does this style so perfectly, every new track is another text book in this style. Total brilliance.




Betamaxx has been getting a lot of my attention of late and his track Liquid Skies is testament to this. This is a superb piece of supremely spatial 80s synth love. The uplifting melodies and the crisp rimshot echo lead to an explosion of inspirational beauty. This track is up for FREE download too, so get on it!




Lazerhawk's shared a new odyssey in ethereal and haunting synth with his track Limit City. As a soundtrack to your most foreboding nightmare this track will push you over the edge. The wraith-like melodies are distilled terror and when the panic is elevated to fever pitch your only option is to succumb to the madness.




To finish up this week's Weekend Update we have a new video from Arcade High. This is very special in that it's not only the first official video for an Arcade High song, but also the first with a vocal track. This is a great piece of 80s synth romance, and I defy this not to give you a warm glow this weekend.




I hope you enjoyed this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix and I hope it brought some more 80s magic into your weekend. I look forward to bringing you more rockin tunes from the world of 80s synth music next week.

Synthetix Weekend Update

As Easter washes it's chocolaty goodness over all of us lets up rock it to some of the musical highlights released this past week.

Let's begin with a truly atmospheric and cinematic piece from famed synth produced Pyramid. A-Void Me is a slowly evolving and expanding galaxy of sound, the sparseness of the spatial echoes and almost organic melodies are a joy to behold.




Ukraine's Andy Fink is getting some seriously kick arse music in his repertoire and his latest teaser for his new EP is a wild 80s style synthphony of vibrant sounds. This EP is going to be something special indeed.




Synthetix favourite Horror Machine put out the beautifully sinister Desire this week. A darkdisco synth piece that is a great example of making a melody work throughout the whole song and thus make every other sound introduced make all the difference without sacrificing the mood. Wonderful.




Nickee B's been at it again with another instant synth classic. This man's talents in creating perfect 80s style music know no bounds. Testarossa is yet another brilliantly written and produced slice of synth laden goodness. A perfect example, yet again from Nickee B, of what this music is all about.




Another one of my favourite artists; Flash Arnold, has created another work of supreme majesty in his latest outing City Limits. The pitch bending accents on the melodies are truly inspiring and the guitars add an extra layer of totally kick arse sound to the proceedings. Flash Arnold once again gets everything perfect.




I'd like to preface this last part of this week's Weekend Update by stating I really love Futurecop!. These guys were instrumental in my discovering of new 80s style music and their early EP's are still some of my most listened to and favourite music of the last 5 years or so. However, their seminal piece Starworshipper was reworked on the 2010 release It's Forever, Kids with two vocal tracks that I personally didn't enjoy in any way at all. Futurecop! have now released Starworshipper as a single along with it having their first music video. The real highlight is that two of my favourite 80s synth scene producers Mitch Murder and Jowie Schulner have had their remixes included as well as ones by Lenno and Out There.

The magic spun by both Mitch and Jowie on their remixes is definitely worth revisting Starworshipper once again as they definitely provide some more dimension to the new song's sound.




That does it for another Weekend Update, make sure you tune in to Synthetix next week for coverage of the exciting new Alpha Boy album, the brilliant new EP from 7he Myriads EP and a bunch of other hot rockin action!