Synthetix Weekend Update

Welcome to another rockin Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. Firstly I'd like to apologise for the lack of updates during the week. I managed to develop an inner ear issue last week that made attentively listening to music incredibly frustrating to the point of distraction. It's nearly all cleared up now, thankfully, but for the last week I've had to rely on the Synthetix.FM Plug.DJ room to provide some background music to keep my sanity from disappearing entirely.

One other thing I'd like to get out in the open is that MPM/Multipac has officially disappeared again, possibly for good this time. The news of this started getting around in late January when his presence started disappearing from the internet. I normally wouldn't make a point of writing about this kind of thing on Synthetix.FM as I don't want to be one to start rumor mongering or sensationalising things but this is not the first time MPM has done this, but it might be the last. For many of us, MPM's music has been some of the most wondrous 80s homages ever made but he was always his own hardest critic and never seemed satisfied with anything he made.

Whatever the case, I wish MPM much happiness and fulfilment in his future endeavours, wherever and whatever they may be. The 80s inspired synth scene is richer and more beautiful thanks to his music and that legacy is something we can all respect. Keep on rockin, MPM.

Let's look to the skies now and get ready for take off with this week's AIRBORNE releases!


AIRBORNE This Week

Cluster Buster - They Call Her One Eye - Cluster Buster knows how to rock the 80s with a hard edge of pulsating synth energies and his latest record focuses that energy and refines the Cluster Buster experience even further. Using the classic exploitation flick as direct inspiration the synthscapes are drawn from a rockin videogame-esque palette that makes the action blazingly intense. I can help but think of numerous bullet hell shooters and high speed futuristic racing games when listening to this record, which is no bad thing at all!


Jupiter 8 - Vice Squad - Jupiter 8 has been on the Synthetix.FM radar for a month or so and he's been releasing a number of EP's that have caught my interest but with his new Vice Squad (and don't forget Vice Squad Part II) he's taken his sounds to another level. The arrangements are vibrant and full of 80s colours and his melodies have taken on a lustre of neon 80s wonder too. These two soundtrack oriented releases are right on point for a night time stake out in sultry midsummer Miami.


AloneWolf - The Way Of The Wolf - AloneWolf has returned to the scene with a new sound and a new five track EP to mark his territory. The pieces on this record have a much more introspective nature to them as atmospheric synthscapes illustrate contemplative ideas; with a tendency towards the vast unknowns. Definitely a new phase for the AloneWolf experience and one that is very worthy of your attention.



Babylon 86 - Only At Night  - That latest EP from Babylon 86 entitled Only At Night boasts five tracks of 80s themed retro sounds. Cut from a similar cloth to early Futurecop! sounds there is distinct modern aspect to the tone of many of the pieces that are then lit by glorious 80s aural neon. The stand out track for me is definitely 'Vision' with Josie Malone providing a superb vocal performance.

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No better place to start the Weekend Update than with rockin new track from Phaserland: 'Jack Burton's Way'. Big Trouble In Little China will always provide much inspiration for modern day producers and Phaserland has created a stellar homage to this classic exponent of 80s auteur cinema, complete with powerful piano passages and kick arse guitars rockin the scene in equal measure. This track is available on Phaserland's Bandcamp page here at a name-your-own-price point.




Waveshaper's new track is certainly knows how to build some serious intensity. 'Mission Failed' contain an ominous atmosphere that evolves into a fiery spectacular. The melodies are slow and elegant but are betrayed by the underlying panic just waiting to explode beneath the surface.




And speaking of synths on the verge of combustion we have a totally kick arse new high energy track from KFDDA up next. 'Chrome Beach' speeds along with a devil may care attitude that ignites in full OutRun glory. The lead melody is as catchy as it is streamlined for maximum performance.





What Compilerbau describes as an 'production test' I view as a work of wondrous beauty. With his new track 'Fabienne' we're treated to some exciting new sounds, particularly in the bass work that really ties the experience together  in a luxuriously 80s manner. Totally rockin and currently available for FREE download.




Street Justice is taking off to battle the robotic hordes with his latest piece 'Mechwarrior'. Synths sparkle and dazzle with melodies climbing and diving with fantastic dexterity and the percussion track provides   dangerous flurries of lead and lasers amidst the chaotic battlefield.




Robert Parker's synthscapes seem to have a refinement all their own as his melodic structures contain such delicate nuances while remaining so true to 80s emotions. In 'Jet Set' we take off to high adventure  in a spectacularly drawn out piece that is paced to perfection. Four minutes in heaven right here.





Taking the trip from heaven to hell is Dan Terminus's hot new slab of Slash Electro violence 'Restless Destroyer'. Intensifying melodies burn hot and without mercy while powerhouse percussion marches into oblivion. Dan Terminus keep just enough 80s moods in this piece to keep it from exploding entirely and there's even a decidedly 70s progressive influenced passage slotted in to add even more radness to the experience.




Mild Peril's rockin some fantastic inspirations on new three track EP 'Excalibur'. The space motif brings in cosmic synths of celestial powers that combine with  more earthly tones. The three tracks in the EP (available on Bandcamp here at a name-your-own-price point) are full of great ideas that travers vast amounts of time and space with 80s and 70s elements given extra dimensional powers from beings beyond our comprehension.




This week finds John Sparxx getting all romantic with his new glossy love theme aptly titled 'Love'. Slow and sensuous melodies intimate deep affection and rise and fall with deep breaths of passion. It's pure Synth Romance with a bright enthusiastic presence. You can pick up a copy of this track on John Sparxx Bandcamp page here at a name-your-own-price point.




Expanding even more on this theme is Timecop1983 with his beautiful new track 'Looking Back'. Swirling, passionate synths caress while the heart beat of the drums resonates deeply within. Timecop1983 really is one of the true artists in this genre of 80s inspired synth, he allows every nuance to be divulged and understood and makes music that is truly magical. This gorgeous track is available for FREE download currently too.




It's been said of late that vaporwave is dead, in a truly post-modernist manner some would say it died the day it had a name. All such theories aside, vaporwave continues to keep on rockin and has begun taking on new evolutionary forms. The new track from HOME- gives some vivid new colours to the vaporwave aesthetic which I find very engaging. If this kind of music piques your interest, perhaps a tranquility calibration is in order?




More stunning aural beauty from Manolis next up! For those out there wondering why Manolis hasn't been picked up by a label yet it's because he wants to remain independent and release his music for free for all to enjoy. This producer wins my hear for not only his incredibly moving music but also for his public spirited nature. 'Vintage Erotica' find Manolis moving into some salacious Synth Erotica zones and totally rockin it all the way. As with all Manolis's work, this available for FREE download.




Destroyah is channelling all manner of dark arts in his new track 'Dead Wrong'. A glacial juggernaut of melodies drifts into view amid some kick arse voice 'samples' of his own glorious creation. The soundtrack to the trailer to the movie of a nightmare yet to be experienced! You can pick this up for FREE download currently too.




A new one for Kille & Citizen next titled '((1985))'. The nostalgia is turned up to maximum in this track  which brings to mind many great experiences from the 2009/10 era of 80s inspired synth sounds. The modern elements are just rockin enough to keep the energy levels high but it's the dreamy 80s lead melodies that make all the magic happen.




The Pure Secks experience draws in many interesting and divergent themes (as it should!) and in Sins Of The Past we get to rock some of the most vital of these with much fervour and reward. Melodies pool and mix like colourful liquids and then charge up with incandescent glowing colours of both 80s and modern sounds. Beyond all definitions, this track just plain kick arse and is also available for FREE download currently.




Chrome Brulee's Kiss The Huss Volume 2 is almost upon us and they've released another amazing promo video to hype it up even further. Totally rockin to the max, these guys are the masters of making video teasers that hit all the right 80s notes. Head on over too chromebrulee.com and join the countdown to the launch of this most rad of releases.

That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, I hope you've found some great new music to make your weekend rock that 80s love just a little bit more. I'll be back during the week with more exciting music from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Synthetix Weekend Update

It's the first Weekend Update for March on Synthetix.FM! Two months of the year are already gone and we've already seen a huge amount of quality music come out from the 80s inspired synth scene. This week we've got hot rockin tracks from both new and established producers so strap yourself in and get ready for take off! Time to get airborne!

AIRBORNE This Week

Apollo Zapp - Laser Tits - Apollo Zapp's new EP is rockin up some sexxxy Italo vibes courtesy of Future City Records. Great vibes on this EP as the hooks come as fast and powerful as the suavely performed vocals. Five kick arse original tracks and three remixes of the title track by Shio-Z, Botnit and Vincenzo Salvia make this a must-have release.

Alpha Boy - Robert Abel - Alpha Boy's back with a very impressive new release inspired by work of creative visionary Robert Abel. The sounds are some of Alpha Boys most experimental yet and the atmospheric and ambiant pieces are magically engrossing, especially 'Quasar',  'Black Hole' and the Kubrick-esque 'Can You Hear That'.


Ian Deaton - Atlanta Crime Wave - In this album Ian Deaton has crafted an incredibly deep and rewarding listening experience in quality Soundtrack Synth music. The compositions make up detailed set pieces and are all tied together by the overriding concept of his own vision of the classic 80s cop action movie. Some really incredible pieces on here, with '90 Down Moreland' and 'Buford Hwy 2am' being my favourites.


LA Dreams - Mirrors - The modern day master of emotionally driven 80s synth sounds is back with another album packed with gorgeous melodies and synthillating soundscapes. The LA Dreams sound expands into even more ideas on this record and tracks like 'Ready To Rumble', 'Silk Stalking' and 'Let's Party' really convey that beautifully vibrant LA Dreams Magic oh so delightfully well.

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Lets open up the Weekend Update with some some smooth space synth from FLIGHTWAVE and his cosmic new piece 'Jade Rabbit 86'. This homage to the beleaguered moon explorer is the perfect blend of asian mysticisms in the melodies and expansive lunar synthscapes. Currently available for FREE download.

MegaDrive keeps the Eastern thematic rockin with his new track 'The Street Fighter'. The music pounds with intensity as samples from the martial arts classic The Street Fighter punctuate each chapter of synth violence. A wonderful homage indeed and currently available for FREE download.




Zonic Zynth is experimenting with all kinds of killer sounds in his new piece 'Dreamarized', 90s elements work through the percussion but the Zonic funk synth keeps the 80s feelings rockin. The overall atmosphere is hazy and full of echoing reverberations and entrancing as it bounces along. Make sure you check out Zonic's kick arse Hollywood Synthphonies album from last year too as it certainly slipped under my radar, it's full of rockin Zonic Zynth action that is sure to get your pulse racing.




Back this week with another killer tune is Kruiser and his high energy thrill ride 'Anger'. The structure of this piece is amazingly well crafted as each suite alludes to different emotional spaces. I simply adore the back end to this track which has a powerful afterglow that contrasts the early intensified chapters beautifully. This track is currently available for FREE download currently too.




Although not strictly 80s in the most pure of senses, the new Robots With Rayguns track is positively bursting with quality 80s elements and repackaged into a modern explosion of energetic action. 'Rhythm Test' is a great mix of the old, the new and the timelessly rockin. This track is available for purchase on RWR's Bandcamp page here.




Moving at high speed into the dark horizon we find Danger Mode kicking up dust and leaving a wake of death in his path with his new piece 'Killers'. This slow-motion OutRun adventure is fraught with menace and suspense and thoroughly enthralling from beginning to end.




Taking away the panic and allowing for some smooth synthual caresses is the superb new jam from Babylon 86 titled 'Sunset'. Slowly building to an energetic, funky atmosphere the music is a magical blend of both subtle and more forthright instrumentations. Emotionally uplifting in every way.




Another great track from She Said (Judge Dredd) cropped up this week in 'Sex And Data'. Strong melodies escalate the mood into sensual realms full of lusting technologies and futuristic delights. The layers of instruments rise and fall in time with heaving bodies doused in electrified ecstasy.




A new producer to Synthetix.FM is Apex 86 and I've instantly become a devotee of his kick arse sounds. In 'Climax' we're taken into salacious midnight rendezvous with pumping basslines allowing the provocative synth melodies to take flight. Apex 86 also shared another great track in 'Hot Nights', both tracks you can pick up on his Bandcamp page here. Many thanks to scene legend Jarred Hageman for enlightening me to Apex 86.




I recently decided that Manolis is the most underrated and under appreciated artist in the 80s inspired synth scene. His sounds are incredibly well written and each track contains such beautifully individual nuances. It baffles me entirely that he hasn't been picked up by a label yet as Manolis promises to be one of the future leaders of the 80s inspired synth scene. You only need to experience his latest tack 'Datacorder' to feel the Manolis Magic, and it's also currently available for FREE download.




Future Holotape are back with a killer new synth pop tune titled 'Replicant'. This duo are really perfecting their craft in each new track and the songwriting and 80s influences are stepped up even further in this new song. There's a lot to love, from the impassioned vocals to the lead synth melodies, the rockin just doesn't stop.




Resting on their laurels is apparently not a part of the Compilerbau work ethic as after just releasing the spectacular Tachyon album Rudolf has now gone out and invented a phenomenal new genre that I hope develops further. This new take on classical music done with 80s sounds and styles is absolutely rockin to the max and I'm sure will spark new inspirations and synthscapes in the future. This homage is the perfect evolution of similar 70s and early 80s revisions of classical sounds and 'Fragments Of Back 1' proves there is still much fertile ground to grow new and imaginative sounds from.




This week's Electro Breakin anthem is brought to you by Neon Vandal with his body poppin sex anthem 'L.A Nights'. Channelling all the right influences from Afrika Bambataa to Paul Hardcastle this track is just pure electric energy served with a side of sensuality.




It brings me immense pleasure to bring Myrone into the Synthetix.FM universe. Very, very few producers in the scene have fully utilised 80s guitars in the sounds to their fullest potential but in 'Victory Theme (They Said Our Love Couldn't Be Done)' Myrone does this with aplomb and attitude. The rockin is taken to astronomically awesome levels as each riff and solo pulses with 80s inspiration and emotional power. Easily one of my favourite tracks of the year thus far and I can't wait for Myrone to rock my world again. This work of absolute magic is available for FREE download currently and make sure you check out the kick arse video for this track here too.




Chrome Brulee set off all kinds of buzz last year when they came out of nowhere with one of the best promo videos ever that set the 80s inspired synth scene on fire. Their limited release of Kiss The Hiss Volume 1 with only small numbers of cassettes available for purchase and no digital download meant that a lot of people missed out on their rockin tunes though. With Kiss The Hiss Volume 2 coming out at some stage this year they've released a short little teaser alluding to some radical Italo Synth vibes. Synthetix.FM will be following the next phase of the Chrome Brulee experience very closely!




Our final piece for this week's Weekend Update is the marvellous new video Dark Souls II: Rogue Warrior featuring the music of Protector 101 and Zero Call. This gives the 80s Saturday Morning Cartoon treatment to the extremely masochistic Dark Souls II video game from the creative talents of animator extraordinaire Veselekov.  Totally rockin.



That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, I hope you've found some great new music to make your weekend rock that 80s love just a little bit more.

I'll be back during the week with more exciting music from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Synthetix Weekend Update

This Weekend Update is also the 150th post on Synthetix. It's a bit of a milestone, and the success I've had on here is something I'm very grateful for. The entire point of Synthetix was to give a home for modern 80s inpsired synth music, I was at the point where I was getting a bit tired of going through tens of blogs every week in the hope of finding one or two killer 80s sounding tracks and really just wanted to make a place on the internet where this was all that was being covered.

This place became a reality in no small part thanks to Facebook. Through hooking up on there with producers and fans on there we've made a community that is genuinely something I'm elated to be a part of. It's the sharing of music, ideas and other inspirations that makes the scene grow and develop. New producers crop up with wondrous regularity and established artists are constantly refining and developing their own sounds.

So what about the future? Synthetix is all about looking to the past as far music goes, but I'm looking to push Synthetix into more modern contexts in the future. I've got a lot of cool ideas for regular features and promotions coming up before the year's end which I hope all my readers enjoy. Synythetix has been picked up on Hype Machine too, which is great sign that I'm on the right track. It's an exciting time to be a fan of this music and I want to keep that excitement running as high as possible for as long as possible.

I'd like to thank all the people out there reading Synthetix and all the members of the Synthetix Facebook community who are a huge part of what makes this place as relevant as it is.

Here's to rockin hard for the next 150 posts and without further delay, heres this week's Weekend Update.

First up we have a killer new preview for the upcoming 12" EP release from Flemming Dalum and Kid Machine. These guys have made a powerful sounding brand of dark italo that really resonates. The EP is due out soon on Red Laser Records and will be a  release I'll be sure to cover on here when it's out.




A new artist I've just had the pleasure of experiencing for the first time is Synthaesthete. His second track is The City At Night and this proves to be a very exciting track. Moody, but still vibrant theres a delicate soul to this piece. Everything about this works exceptionally well and his understanding of what makes for quality 80s sounds is marvellous. Definitely someone I'll be keeping a close eye on.




It's always a red letter day when we get new Jordan F music and his latest single, Under The Sun, is no exception. Jordan keeps exploring his craft and refining his sounds in each new track. There's a real warmth, no pun intended, with this artists recent work making it feel light years away from his darker period with the likes of Abandoned Streets. Jordan F's always been one of the leading producers in the scene and this new track reaffirms why this is so.




Another bright star in the sky is, of course, LA Dreams. This rocker just can't stop making amazing music and the highlight from his work this week has been Jamie's Coming Over. More gorgeous synth romance from the genre's master. Spellbinding to the max.




The big guns keep on firing in this Weekend Update with a totally amazing new track from Professor Zonic Zynth. Ashley's Theme finds the Professor leaving his usual electro funk sounds for a bit of strawberry flavoured synth romance. This comes off brilliantly and, once again, his chourus work is absoloutely staggering. With any luck we'll be seeing this producers on soundcloud soon too.




This next song promises to be one of my Top 10 favourites of 2012. The combined talents of Silent Gloves and heart throb extraordinaire Patrick Baker has resulted in pure 80s pop gold with the title So Real. The short preview here is stunning, and after hearing the exclusive full cut on Project Friday (listen LIVE here every Friday night U.S time for more rockin action)  I'm thoroughly convinced this will be massive for both artists. Til the official release though this preview will have to suffice.




Keeping the Jordan F love bubbling over we have a phenomonal remix from Vincenzo Salvia of Jordan's track Aurora. I loved the original version and also love Vincenzo's reenvisioning. The extra sparkling layers of bright synths take Aurora directly into the heavens. I'll be giving Vincenzo Salvia's new EP, The Chase, the full Synthetix treatment next week too.




Our final piece of 80s loving in this 150th post on Synthetix is something special. This collective of artists working under the k-rad monicker of Chrome Brulee have made one of the greatest promo videos I've ever seen. I'm hoping this will result in an album sometime soon, whatever way this project goes  I'll definitely be making sure I closely follow Chrome Brulee in the future.




That's us done for 150 posts on Synthetix, I hope you've had as much fun as I have and I look forward to experiencing more glorious 80s inspired synth music with you soon. Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.