Synthetix Weekend Update

Whenever anyone has asked me over the years where I think 80s inspired synth music is 'going' I've always been of the mind the mainstream electronic music markets aren't the place that the music we love will find a new and wider appreciative audience. The market where it's becoming more and more obvious that this music belongs and gains true purpose is in movie, TV and video game soundtracks. I've been hoping that this would become more common place and slowly but surely producers are securing roles in these medium; and I really hope this is long term outlet for the music to be optimally used.

I'd like to take this space to personally congratulate the most recent rockers to get their tunes used in soundtrack work. Congratulations Gost and Lazerhawk for their music that is in the latest Ubisoft blockbuster game Watch Dogs and congratulations to Dynatron for his track that is in the upcoming movie Cold In July. Here's to a lot more of this kind of thing happening in the future!

Put your seats into the take off position as we pull the throttle back to full power for this week's featured AIRBORNE releases!

 Glass Apple Bonzai - Glass Apple Bonzai  We've been a fan of of Glass Apple Bonzai's brand of 80s driven synth pop on Synthetix.FM thoughout 2014 and this past week has witnessed the release of the first Glass Apple Bonzai album. Containing nine  rockin tracks the songs are very thoughtfully presented, leaning towards a morose, early 80s european flavour of synth pop with sparse synthscapes and vocals that brood along nicely indeed. Stand out tracks like  'The Freeze', 'The Fist' and the Numan-esque 'The Girl With The Telephoto Eye' really rock hard and I'm sure you'll find much to enjoy within.

Atrey - Supernova Atrey has been on the Synthetix.FM radar since he blew me away with his Guilty Pleasure track earlier this year. His mix of modern techniques and 80s melodies is sure to excite many fans of the likes of Robots With Rayguns and Starcadian. His new four track EP defies the past, future and present with invigorating mixtures of emotive melodies and crushing arrangements. Atrey explores more ambient pastures too, creating some marvellously constructed atmospheres in 'So Far Away' and 'Naomi'. A great EP that is sure to rock you hard.


Room 8 - Visions Of You After waiting for seemingly aeons the first EP from Room 8 has landed! The announcement of Room 8 in 2012 has finally beared fruit and what delicious tasting morsels they are. I won't go into the history or Room 8 here, but be sure to read their blurb on soundcloud to get up to speed. Containing the title track (plus two remixes) and a second original piece there is a lot of to love about Visions Of You. The title track features 80s synth scene mainstays Electric Youth and is a powerfully delivered gem of 80s synth goodness with poppy hooks and crystalline production. The two remixes provided by none other than Miami Nights 1984 and Plastic Plates provide new avenues for the experience, with the MN1984 version being my pick of the two. 'Geo' is the other original track on this release and it is another beautifully composed and performed slice of sweet 80s synth magic. Here's hoping we get some more Room 8 music soon and that their Transduction album is nearing completion.

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What better way to open up the Weekend Update than with a hot new track from Foreign Blade. This producer's latest piece is full of action and rocks a triumphant atmosphere full of synths, guitars and marching percussions. 'From Duke To Messiah' rocks hard and is currently available for FREE download.

Hello Meteor continues to impress with each new track and 'I'll Come Back For You' is one of his strongest piece yet. The sublimely atmospheric synthscape is accented with crisp elements and then swells into an incredibly rich melodic final act. Although short in length, this is massive in scope.




Delivering a different kind of intensity is the new track from Pyramid Aeon. The energy in this track is undeniable as it's modern synth sounds blend with 80s emotions and climb ever star-ward and the narrative is rich and rewarding from beginning to the exciting conclusion. You can pick up a copy of this track at a name-your-own price point on Bandcamp here.




The Dust Collective were introduced to me by Denovomutans recently, whom I'd like to thank for doing so. 'Ripper' by The Dust Collective is another killer track being used on The Outrunners webcomic and is ride down dangerous streets into a world of violence and disorder. The piece is put together to maximise the tension and intrigue and does so very well. Currently available for FREE download too.




Hot new music from RF Extreme next with his new synthual experience 'Digital Directional'. This track is a magnificent blend of his OutRun and Synth Romance sounds which combine into an amazing new experience. The scope is huge and the story deep and involving as each chapter progresses.




Although it is policy on Synthetix.FM to no cover unfinished demo/WIP/previews etc, I decided to break this rule with the rockin new Ward-IZ track 'Night Mission' as even though it's listed as being a preview it is available for download in this form. And this form it totally rockin to the max! The high energy is kept high and the melodies soar with beautiful 80s nuance. Get on it while you can!




A new rocker for Synthetix.FM is Varier and his kick arse new tune 'Dynamic Processing'. The mix of modern and slightly ChipTune influenced sounds complement a delightfully emotive 80s progressions and lead into some very interesting passages. Varier is just beginning his 80s synth journey and I look forward to experiencing more of it in the future.




The Neon Vandal is smashing up all kinds of action in his great new track 'New Wave Funk'. Channelling just enough Paul Hardcastle the synths rock with a salacious groove that is undeniably infectious. I really love the use of vocals and samples in this piece, totally rockin.




One of Silent Gloves and myself's closest bonds is our deep love for Michael Cassette's Temporarity album from 2010, which is still one of the greatest albums released thus far the bridges vintage and modern sounds in a very individualised way. Silent Gloves taken his homage one step further and released a new two track EP that is directly inspired by this record and given the at Silent Gloves magic touch that we so dearly love. Both tracks are totally kick arse and available to purchase via Bandcamp here.




Alter Sun continues to impress with his atmospheric and emotional synth compositions. 'When The Sun Goes Down' is his latest track and the journey is epic and full of 80s wonder. The progression of the story is executed with much dexterity and the three chapters are beautifully realised.




The talent of Sebastian Gampl continues to impress this week with no less than two incredibly beautiful pieces of classically styled 80s synth work being shared by this exciting producer. 'As Time Goes By' manages to be full of sentiment and emotional investment without becoming strictly synth romance while 'Clara' goes head over heels in love with an intimate aural love letter. You can pick up a copy of 'As Time Goes By' via Bandcamp here.




Unleashing all manner of electrifying synth magic is Pulse 80 with his killer new tune shared this week entitled 'Staunton'. The in-your-face production is just totally rockin and the melodies resonate deeply within the synthscape. A massive track that is also currently available for FREE download.




Riddlis has come up with something rather special in his new piece titled 'Alaska'. Taking a break from the usual synth surrounds of neon lit city streets we take an invigorating journey into the heart of the wilds of Alaska. The synthscape sparkles with natural beauty and conveys a vast open landscape of limitless possibilities. Structures ebb and flow with natural grace and are all encompassing in their brilliance. Top work, Riddlis!




Our final track this week is actually form 1991 but has only just been released. Krzysztof Duda is a Polish artist who has been making synth music since the 80s and continues to produce as well as share his older work that has often times, such as this, remained unreleased. '4 Miles 2 Davis' was written in memoriam of Miles Davis by Duda just before his funeral. The tones and progressions of this piece and stunning to behold, and the mastery of Krzysztof Duda is evident throughout. Twenty three years on, it's still rockin to the max.





Our video feature this week is the official video for Room 8's 'Visions Of You', which takes future romance to all new levels of technological endeavours amid a pastiche of neon colours.



That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back during the week with Kasia for more rockin tunes from the 80s inspired synth scene, but there won't be a Weekend Update next weekend as I'll be taking a break over the long weekend here in Australia.

'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Synthetix Weekend Update

As the year rolls along new producers appear and others fade away, seldom are producers permanent fixtures but such is the way. The circle of life in the 80s inspired synth world ebbs and flows with each week that passes and it is unfortunate that this week we say good bye to Cougar Synth. The duo has removed their presence from all online services and called it a day. The back story to this is unknown to me and in all honesty is unimportant; when anyone makes a decision to end a project we have every right to grieve but no right to demand explanations. We should instead rejoice in the beautiful music Cougar Synth shared with us and appreciate the time they gave us. Synthetix.FM wishes both members a bright future elsewhere on our little blue planet.

In happier news, compilation season continues with a totally rockin new release from Future 80s Records with their Compilation Vol. II . Thirty two tracks provide a smorgasbord of 80s synth delicacies from the rich stable of Future 80s talent including the likes of Absolute Valentine, Niky Nine,  Python Blue, James Baker, Preqwal, Riddlis, Scream & Dive,  Run Vaylor, Tokyo Rider and a whole mess of other Synthetix.FM favourites. You can pick up a copy of this via the Future 80s Bandcamp page here.

Time to  pull back the throttle and take off in the wild blue yonder of 80s inspired synth magic with this week's edition of AIRBORNE!

Orax - After Death Orax is back and rockin with his new EP After Death. The Orax sound is always full of energy and this producer is one to experiment with new sounds that break the mould. His arrangements on this EP have been stepped up dramatically as each of the seven tracks contain well detailed narratives that explore their structures with much care. The use of more acoustically powered instruments in many of the tracks is to be applauded. It's an eclectic EP that journeys through many styles and genres and Orax rocks each one of them in a most rad of manners.


Jeffery Horne - Power Pop Jeffery Horne is a new rocker on the scene that has been signed up to Future 80s Records and his debut EP is a marvellous excursion into late 80s Italo and Europ pop sounds. His melodies are definitely a strong point of his writing, especially in gems like 'There Are Times' and 'Memory' which hook deep with catchy refrains of total 80s wonderment. I'm definitely looking forward to sharing in Jeffery Horne's musical journey in the coming months.



Satori In Bed - Acapulco 1984 This EP came out at the end of March but I only became aware of it this past week. The Satori In Bed experience is a verdantly textured and varied experience in 80s sounds that range from totally incredible pop stylings on 'Black Star' through to the synth funk odyssey of 'La Quebrada'. This record is definitely a mixture of 80s driven feelings but they're all superbly rendered, full of colour, life and delectably written passages. Satori In Bed is definitely one of the most promising new acts in the scene.

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First rocker up on the blocks for this week's Weekend Update is Infinity Cobra with his brand new track 'Fancy Drive 2'. I'm a fan of anything with 'fancy' in the title and this track is no exception. The meandering melodies give the track an easy flowing nature over the staccato percussion making for an interestingly contrasting experience. This available for FREE download via the button in the player.




Analogue Clones are turning the rock up in and kicking much arse in their new track 'Don't Fight The Night'. This sprawling epic is innately fused with the darker aspects of 80s horror synths sounds and evolves from a darkened fearful night in a guitar drenched chase of terror. Marvellously constructed and executed.




 A danger of a different kind comes into play with Foreign Blades new track 'Meeting At Villa Vizcaya' where sparkling seaside melodies lead to a binge of drugs and violence in the Florida sun. The pace is electric and the melodies intimate dangers around every corner as the inevitable conclusion leaves a wake of bloodstained white powder for the authorities to clean up. This track is currently available for FREE download.




Rockin into some smooth night moods with sexy synths and alluring beats is the hot new Synth Funk track from SaiR entitled 'Wonderer'. The production is glass smooth and melodies bounce with inquisitive passages that funk it up to the max. You can pick up a copy of this great track on SaiR's Bandcamp page here.




Keeping things bedroom-oriented is the sensually enticing new piece from Mr Maen appropriately titled 'Slow Love'. This heavenly slice of gorgeous Synth Romance is spectacularly written with uncomplicated passages full of emotional yearning and delicate melodies. Definitely one of Mr Maen's finest releases thus far, you can pick up a FREE copy of this ultimate late night anthem via the download button on the soundcloud page for 'Slow Love'.




Waveshaper's rockin new track, 'Chasing The Clone Of Myself', caught my attention and refused to let go this week. The narrative explored is deep but also very poignantly in a manner that draws the listener in and takes them on a ride full of twists and turns. The opening parts set the perfect scene which is then torn asunder in the proceeding chapters. This is killer track currently available for FREE download too.




I've been a long time fan Magic Sword's brand of 80s soundtrack synth work and the seemingly endless wait for the digital release of their full length album is now very close to over. I have it on authority from Magic Sword themselves that we'll be getting their album within the couple of months, which is totally kick arse. In the meantime we have their hot new track 'Legend Of The Keeper' to rock hard, which is featured on Internet Piracy Records Compilation Vol. 1.




Street Justice is exploring and evolving his craft with each new track and on his new work we're treated to a wonderfully lavish journey into synthual pleasures. 'Your Memories Are Fabrications' takes a slow and calculated approach that allows for all manner of deftly implemented nuances to add layers of intrigue to the experience. Currently available for FREE download, rock it while you can.




Time to get a bit cosmic in this week's Weekend Update courtesy of Falconhoof and his new Space Synth adventure 'Breaking Orbit'. The drama ramps up higher through each act as each synth stab moves in time with the cosmic pulse of outer space. The final conclusion to this piece is sure to have you breaking your earthly bonds and ascending into void above.




The crossover with 80s inspired synth and vaporwave is something I'm very excited about. How these elemental forces will cross over and become something all together new piques my interest greatly. We get to experience shades of this in Wulf new kick arse piece 'Beach Cruisin' 85'. The lion's share of the experience is rife with sunlit energies and bright, energetic percussion while a hazy vapor infused ending completes things. Very nice work indeed.




Glass Apple Bonzai has returned with a rad new song 'My Alliance To Science'. This ode to man's investigative knowledge is spectacularly articulate and the song writing is right on point for classic mid 80s pop rockin. This producer really does create terrific 80s homages and that he's included an extended 12" mix of the track as the B side endears me even more to his work. You can pick this up via the player at a name-your-own-price point on Bandcamp and I encourage everyone to dig deep and support the Glass Apple Bonzai project.



Mullet Records continues to fly the 80s flag with their latest sing from Joeblack featuring Robin S called 'Show Me Love'. The production is slick and lusciously 80s with funky synths and imploringly soulful vocals. The late 80s funk synth pop soul burns bright and strong in this great song and you can pick up a copy exclusively via Juno Download here.




KFDDA is rockin a delightfully lush atmosphere in his latest piece 'ゾラドメイン (Zola Domein)'. The uncluttered approach to the layers of synths allow for rolling melodies to flow gently through rivers of melody in buoyant seas that crest and fall with natural power. It's a captivating experience from beginning to end and is also available for FREE download via the track's soundcloud page.




The atmospheric tones are also strong in the latest track from Kick Puncher. This rocker really creates a full and exciting experience in his new track 'Third Sun'. The drama is ever present while he elucidates finer details in the snappy lead melodies. A rich narrative drives the track into refined set pieces that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.




Our video feature for this week's Weekend Update is a superb work of editing by Jean-Pierre Van Damme that fuses the electrified rock energy of Jon Of The Shred and the Australian classic Mad Max 2. The final stages of Mad Max 2 are perfectly cut with Jon Of The Shred's 'The Chase Begins', maling for a high impact rock and roll extravaganza of violence and mayhem!


Jon of the Shred - The Chase Begins from Jean-Pierre Van Damme on Vimeo.


That does us for this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back during the week with more hot tunes from the 80s inspired synth scene. 'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Synthetix Weekend Update

Another week full of hot action in the 80s inspired synth scene has rolled around and I've got a bunch of kick arse new tunes to cover in this week's Weekend Update. A couple of things before we get to the tunes, there are currently two t-shirt competitions going on that are big opportunities for those with a penchant for 80s design to partake in.

Drive Radio are running their competition from the 19th of February until the 2nd of March so you still have a few weeks to get your designs rockin. The full details and specifications are available on their page here.

The second competition is hosted by Lazerhawk himself. He's hunting high and low for a kick arse t-shirt design via his Facebook page. The terms and conditions are all listed on Lazerhawk's Facebook page here and this is again a great opportunity to get your artwork out to a larger audience, via one of the true pioneers of the of 80s inspired synth scene.

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how both of these competitions develops as the plans for the official Synthetix.FM t-shirt are happening concurrently also.

Let's get down to business now with the latest rockin tunes from the scene in the new Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!

An artist that's been on the Synthetix.FM radar over the last few months has been Trevor Something. His music has always been just on the verge of something special and with 'Something About You' I believe he's made some real magic happen. Quality melodies and the vocals work exceptionally well. His laid back, cool vocal style is well suited to the 80s music genres and I think this track is a pivotal one in his development.




I first thought the new Waveshaper track was a direct homage to the Mitch Murder synthscapes but then it's narrative deviates into something else that is totally rockin and full of great ideas. 'Surveillance' is rich in it's melodic exploration and keeps rockin hard from beginning to end.




Paris76 is back with a killer new piece titled 'Mind Games'. The swirling, ethereal presence of this experience is entrancing and leads to some great dramatic passages. The dreamlike nature of the airy melodies adds an extra layer of beauty to the ambience while the energetic drum fills pulse with a life force all their own.




A new rocker on the 80s inspired synth scene is Kid Quasar. His latest track 'We Are The Future' bounces along with an energetic elegance and combines some great 70s and 80s influences. Modern elements also come into play through the back section as the ideas evolve. Definitely looking forward to hearing more music from Kid Quasar in the future.




A dreamy new track from scene legend Palm Highway Chase next. '2014//high/wave/haze' takes the PHC style into the swirling vortex of synthospheric illusions, rising and falling with cushioned volition that drifts in and out of consciousness. Definitely one of this producers more experimental and experiential pieces and currently available for FREE download.



Taking a trip back to a much more pop-centric reality is the new Synth Pop act Glass Apple Bonzai and his new single 'The Freeze'. Synthscapes are a wonderful homage to early 80s styles and the melodies and vocals are orchestrated to perfection. 'The Freeze' is backed by the also rock hard 'I Can't Stop Running' both of which are are available at a name-your-own-price point via the link in the player.


There's absolutely no stopping Epoch with with his totally kick arse new track 'Zeta'. This driving piece of high energy OutRun is rockin to the max with dangerous curves, high speed straight aways and pedal to the metal drama. Pick up this k-rad rocker for FREE via the link in the player.




The next tune from Adrien Aubrun & Thomas Trichet has landed as their retro 80s odyssey continues. This track is a direct sequel the astounding F40 1987 track and takes the emotive high energy melodies from the first chapter and dapples them in a sun drenched sunset palette of golden tones. The result is much more laid back and contemplative, working as a future memory to F40 1987's original experience.




Shklovsky is another new producer to Synthetix.FM and his new track 'Never Hurt' is something I found very engaging. The music is a wavering and delicate pastiche of sounds that are at breaking point  much of the time, threatening to distort into oblivion. The piece evolves in a very ethereal manner, and the haunting vocals complement the atmosphere splendidly. You can buy this track through his Bandcamp page here also.




Navigateur has been a Synthetix.FM favourite for a long time now and his latest track provides much excitement indeed. Taking the Navigateur synthscapes into some decidedly Vapourwave dimensions has given 'Elevator Music' a wonderful new spin on his already individualised synthscapes. Grab a copy of this track for FREE while you can via the link in the player.




This is definitely a red-letter day for me on Synthetix.FM as I finally get the chance to share one of my favourite vintage synth composer's new music! Krzysztof Duda has been making exceptionally beautiful synth music since the early 80s and much of the library music compositions he's done for Polish TV and radio are my absolute personal favourites. If you're ever in the Synthetix.FM Plug.DJ room while I'm in there you'll never be too far away from one of my favourite Krzysztof Duda synth pop gems from the 80s either. Duda's latest piece, 'Out To Out' is a return to classic 80s sounds for this artist and conjures up some incredible uplifting melodic passages arranged with craftsmanship of the highest calibre. Absolutely k-rad to the max and also available for FREE download currently.




Rockin the 80s styles for the first time in their musical journey is Germany's Blokkmonsta with his atmospheric new track 'Into The Unknown'. This hip-hop artist has ventured into this new territory very nicely indeed with melodies allowed to ebb and flow with much presence and exploring these possibilities with much passion. This is HUGE departure from his previous music but is something I hope he continues producing.




Super Vox is back weaving Italo Disco Synth gold with Snob Disco Project this time around with the totally killer 'Never Let You Go'. Everything about this track is 80s Italo perfection from the dramatic romantic melodies to the spectacular vocal track. Definitely one of my favourite Super Vox experiences to date.




Fantastisizer has been a Synthetix.FM favourite for while now and we finally have the chance to pick up this great producer's recent work in the just released Last Call EP. Featuring a slew of tracks I've covered in previous Weekend Updates you can now add these gems to your music library and rock them good and proper. The EP is available on Fantastisizer's Bandcamp page here at a name-your-own-price point, so dig deep and give this rockin producer some well earned appreciation.




With the Kung Fury Kickstarter only finishing hours ago, bringing in a spectacular $630,019 it's the perfect time to celebrate with a marvellous new Mitch Murder track, which I may be correctly or incorrectly assuming is from the soundtrack: 'Enter The Fury'. Opting for a more low-fi atmosphere (on the Mitch Murder scale, at least) this pulsating action anthem is full of drama, power and the fight for good over evil. Congratulations to Laser Unicorns for achieving their Kickstarter goals and I'll be sure be covering further developments in the Kung Fury project on Synthetix.FM.



That does us for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, it's been a wild ride of new producers and some classic favourites and I hope you've enjoyed these rockin tunes as much as I have.

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