Midweek Triple EP Meltdown!

To mark the release of such a killer bunch of EPs this week I bring you the first (and probably not the last!) Midweek Meltdown. An overdose of totally rad music to blast your hump-day woes into oblivion and keep the energy rockin copious amounts of 80s love.

Strap yourself in and get ready for adventure!

Greetings Program - Self Titled EP

First up is the debut self-titled EP from the ever rockin Greetings Program. This American producer has been honing and refining his sounds over this past year and has seen fit to release this year's accomplishments in one five track EP. I've been a fan of his covers and original work as it's been released over the 2012 but to get these tunes arranged in this format makes everything all brand new and well worthy of your attention.



Greetings Program's sounds skip between numerous synth genres, dabbling in synth romance, electro sounds and some emotive soundtracks style works, but they always come across as comepletely authentic. His studying of classic 80s TV show themes and understanding of classic arrangements shines through on every track of this EP. The elements have a great minimalist nature to them, even with lots of layers going on, the sounds remain bright and uncomplicated, which is another great hallmark of 80s production homage.

Each part of the EP feels like a complete chapter in it's delivery and content. The seeds of the ideas are sewn and then are allowed to grow, and eventually bloom as individuals. For a new producer, I feel his grasp on all the classic genres is strong and passionate, the depth of this can be felt in his track MX16923. This is a glorious piece of existential soundtrack work that sparkles with an ambient beauty that evolves before our very eyes.

These more dramatic emotions are continued through Reindeer Flotilla which is a powerhouse of action, containing an amazing refrain that continues to dazzle throughout the piece. Working through the track are sumptuous layers of synth sounds that elevate this main melody even further resulting in a stunningly triumphant experience. Sea Of Simulation finishes the EP out in a smooth style that brings to mind glittering mediterranean coastlines, awash with luxury yachts, flowing champagne and all the other enticing accoutrements that let one's imagination drift into an 80s haze.

This excellent EP is packed with beautiful 80s synth sounds and is available now for FREE download on Greetings Program's soundcloud through the player above.

Vincenzo Salvia​ - ​Nostalgia EP

The new leader of the 80s inspired synth scene in Italy has released a brand new three track EP appropriately entitled Nostalgia. Vincenzo Salvia goes from strength to strength with each new release and his latest EP explores new destinations for this exciting producer and expands his musical horizons a great deal.



Opening up with As The Raindrops Fall it becomes apparent that Vincenzo has foregone his usual italo disco inspired affairs and ventured into a new realm of deeper and more dramatic climes. Sounds are multidimensional, but remaining wistful and delicate. The emotions are melodically caressed with a gentle touch that runs very deep. There's a hint of melancholy throughout this piece, but there is also a reverance and reflective brilliance to each part. Beautiful, moving music is the end result.

Detouring even further from his comfort zone is Night Signs. This direction is even more exciting as off time percussion emphasises the jubilant synth melodies. The overall sounds takes on a wonderful new colour that bounces and rises with determination and an air of magical victory. As Night Signs completes it's winning ways the final track rises like a new moon in the night sky.

Eyes In The Mirror feels like the final part of this, experience, almost as it this EP was written as one track and then divided by the hand of the composer. This track recounts and revisits the moods of the previous two chapters absolutely flawlessly. It's like the final movement of a classical suite that completes the intended story with a veritable conclusion. The music soars through previous elements while adding it's own flavour to the proceedings and is the perfect finish to a wonderfully entertaining EP.

The Nostalgia EP is presented by Future City Records on their Bandcamp site here for the bargain basement price of $2.99.

Plaisance - Optimist EP

To complete the trio of EP's in this inaugral Midweek Meltdown we have another stellar excursion from Plaisance with his Optimist EP. This is the final part of his oceanic themed releases and he uses these three tracks to take the listener out into the deep blue one last time.


I must say, I'm a really big fan of the Plaisance sound. It's something that I instantly fell in love with and the Optimist EP continues this. The italo disco naivete of early releases returns in earnest with an unbridled positivity. The beats pound away to light and uplifting melodies that virtually burst into fireworks of incandescent beauty. The opening track, Opti, personifies the Plaisance attitude and sound perfectly, making the listener smile instantly and feel the warmth of the sun with the seabreeze throughout every second.

Things wind down to a slow cruise in the second piece: Mist. The golden tones of saxophonic sultriness wash over the scene with a languidly graceful gait, instantly taking our night boat ride through the sea mists, where the smooth swell of the waves beneath us cause our minds and emotions to sway like aquatic entities in the star lit bay. This is definitely Plaisance's sexiest experience yet, and is a style I hope he revisits in his upcoming musical adventures . The final piece of Optimist is Des Jeunes Dans Le Vent, which takes us back out into the ocean on a bright sun filled day in our pleasure cruiser with action and romance on our minds once again. The energy is somewhat restrained but is no less invigorating with a dancing xylophone melody and the always welcome return of Plaisance's rockin saxophone.

With the oceanic adventures now completed I can but wonder where Plaisance will take us next, but it's sure to be exciting and I'll be fondly remembering our times we've had out in the seas of excitement and tranquility in 2012. The Optimist EP is available for free download on Plaisance's Bandcamp page here and be sure to pick up his other nautically themed releases while you're there if you haven't already.

Synthetix Weekend Update

Another exceptional week in the world of 80s inspired synth has elapsed, here are some of the major highlights in this week's Weekend Update.

Busting out the big guns right up front is the exceptional new track from Le Matos. This Canadian producer blew me away a few years ago with his stellar Quiet Earth and he's back with avengeance with his amazing new experience Sarah. The power, action and emotion of the 80s done to perfection.




Evanton's really becoming an act to be reckoned with in the field of 80s italo funk. This is now his thrid hit in a row on Synthetix: Flash! Another piece of disco funk brilliance that builds marvellously. Flash! will be released on the Magnetron EP soon, expect full coverage on Synthetix upon it's release.




DreamWave Dave is back with another 80s experiment in synth/guitar disco with Heatwave L.A.. This composition rocks a more indie pop synth angle, especially with it's bassline. The main thing is that it rocks and this is something it most certainly does do in spades. Available for FREE download too!




Silenx brought more 80s outrun action synth love into the world with his killer new single The Chase. This producer's sounds are always beautifully refined and the layer of gloss on this piece is no exception. I'm a HUGE sucker for key changes and this track has one of the most perfectly executed ones I've had the pleasure of experiencing in recent times.




Keeping the energy level at fever pitch is a new demo for Arc Neon's new piece No Going Back. The action enhances an inquisitive air that probes in many directions. I love the journey this takes the listener on and am greatly looking forward to it's further evolution.




Another exciting release to look forward to is Hot Hot Hawk and Patrick Baker's new venture Electric Touch. I get a bit too excited about anything Patrick Baker gets involved in, he seems to bring out my inner 80s teenage girl and every time I hear his music I want to put Patrick Baker posters up on my bedroom wall and go down the mall to talk to my friends about how dreamy he is. But I must digress as this piece promises Baker but is currently Baker-less, however even in this Baker-less form it's a gorgeous high energy synth pop experience and even truncated to a forty five second teaser is  massively promising.




Garth Knight's expanding his horizon's with a modern electro take on an electro funk 80s vibe that runs through his Transformer's inspired new single Galvatron. The bass slaps you in the face and the synths stab with robotic precision. Superb work.




Keeping with the 80s cartoon theme, Greetings Program released a scintillating rendition of the ending theme from Voltron. Epic and triumphant, just like the original and certainly full of that Greetings Program magic.




Ensuring that everything is 'right' with the world is the release of another beautiful synthsperience from LA Dreams. Glowing melodies and flawless arrangements are becoming standard fare with LA Dreams and Coast is no exception. Totally engaging synth romance of the highest calibre.




A new artist has surfaced through the Synthetix community on Facebook under the monicker 1985. Smooth disco synth sounds are what 1985 is all about and this producer has all the right moves. The track is available to buy on Bandcamp, I'm hoping this is the first of many new experiences from 1985.



Our final piece of synthtacular 80s magnifcence comes from another killer collaboration between Starforce and Dynatron. These guys work so well together I think they should seriously consider making a supergroup together. This new work cements this further as Celestial Time Lapse is a mirage of a million dimensions that defies the laws of space and time. The stella carresses of every moment of this track are sublime. If there ever becomes a fulltime DynaForce or StarTron I'll be first in line for a lifetime membership.




And that's us done for another huge week of 80s inspired synth music on Synthetix. I hope you've found some new favourites and rekindled some old memories, I'll be back again with more rockin action next week.

Synthetix Weekend Update

The releases keep on rockin for quality 80s inspired synth music and this week's been no exception so without further delay lets get into this week's Weekend Update.

Russia's Quasar's new demo cut for Shocking Facts feels like a great place to start this Weekend Update. A totally 80s synthstravaganza with some killer samples and some scintillating cow bell and hi-hat work. For demo this feels very complete, the final cut should prove a worldwide number 1 hit.




Arcade High is keeping his work rate up with a new synth romance track entitled Only In July. This another work of beauty from this producer, well up to the standard of the excellent Beauty Queen EP recently released You Said Forever single . The depth of feeling is beautifully intimate and the orchestrations are a wonder to behold.




A preview teaser for Vincenzo Salvia's next EP called The Chase has got me very excited. This Italian synth maestro is one of the brightest new stars in the scene and from the sounds of this short preview it looks like we're in for an action packed affair indeed.




LA Dreams also has an impending release in the coming weeks but he's spoiled us yet again with another piece of quality 80s synth gold with Love Lessons 101. Few producers have the talent for totally authentic 80s sounds and arrangements in the scene and this proves my theory further. Also be on the look out for the Synthetix LA Dreams interview which will be coinciding with the release of his new record.




Theres been a few great remixes released this week that I'd like to share, although not 100% 80s synth sounding they've definitely got the sould of the 80s deep within them. First off is a great remix from Final DJs. Their reenvisioning of Emeron & Fox's Nightmares is an 80s dream with soaring synths that really work well with the vocal track.




Greetings Program has worked his magic remix on Mark Foster, A-Trak & Kimbra's Warrior song. There's something about Kimbra's voice that seems lend itself perfectly to an 80s sound and Greetings Program has really breathed some neon 80s life into this song, definitely for it's betterment.




Our final remix is from Mindscramble and his work on Kites' Jumped Up Boy In Livery song is totally rockin in supreme 80s radness. This is a monster remix that I fell instantly in love with. Masses of energy and unmistakably 80s arrangements make this remix one of my favourites this year.




Getting back to original tracks released this week 80s Stallone's been kicking up his disco shoes with a new epic called Out Of The Blue. The driving bassline and energised percussion combined with the plentiful breakdowns make this a huge synth disco odyssey.




Our final track this weekend is from an artist new to me called Spacious Sweep. His new track, Blade of Love, is beatiful mix of italo and atmospheric synth creating a winning combination of sounds. This artist will be someone I'll be paying close attention to in the future and I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of him on Synthetix.




That wraps up another big week in the 80s inspired synth scene. There is so much quality music being produced currently that it's a bit hard to cover everything, but I'll always endeavour to make sure that Synthetix is your one-stop-destination for all the most rockin music flavoured with that 80s magic we love.

Synthetix Weekend Update

It's been a massive week in the 80s inspired synth scene, so many quality releases and new artists cropping up too. The scene is always exciting, but this week's produced a bumper crop of rockin 80s action.

Peturbator's been blowing minds for a few months now and his latest work is providing even more excitement for his upcoming album. Welcome To Nocturne City is a piece of pure full throttle synth drama, unrelenting and massively atmospheric. His new album can't arrive soon enough!

 


Another artist upping the ante with each new track is DreamWave Dave. I love this producer's style and his synth pop style has developed even further with his new song Free Dreamer. This has a got a killer vocal track that is pure early 80s, the melody and arrangements all come together in one very rockin track.

 


A new work from Greetings Program always piques my interest and the demo released this week entitled To Memory 0222A is one hell of a killer track. Even in demo form it is packed with action, super catchy melodies and some scintillating synth solos.

 


This week I had the pleasure of being introduced to Antoni Maiovvi and am instantly a fan of this producer's work. His newest release, Prisoner Nightdrive is a menacing symphony of total giallo disco. Hypnotising melodies and an atmosphere of macabre malevolence make for one magnificent experience.

 


It wouldn't be a proper Weekend Update on Synthetix without something new from Lost Years to talk about. His recent forays into italo synth have now given way to some absolutely amazing electro synth funk. The teaser for The Funk is such a great piece, I can hear Lost Years stylistic accents throughout it and am champing at the bit to hear more.

 


Keeping in the poppin and lockin mood one of my new favourite producers SelloRekT/LA Dreams put up a total breakdance anthem entitled Breakin' The Electric Streets. A beautifully bouncey bassline and high energy melodies make this the must have song to have in your boombox on every city street corner this week.

 


Lastly this week I wanted make mention of synth pop producer Collins' new Bandcamp page. His classic Secret Admirer EP is up on there as well as some other gems including is awesome Loverboy song. Make sure you pay Collins a visit on this new home for his music by clicking here.




I hope you enjoyed this week's Weekend Update as much as I did and I look forward to sharing more future memories from the most exciting new producers of 80s synth music next week!

Synthetix Weekend Update

It's time to rock the Weekend Update on Synthetix. Let's get down to business!!

First up we have the new Engarde song. These guys are one of my favourite acts for doing French Touch that is drenched in 80s loving. Firebird is another bouncy piece disco that builds exceptionally well and has hooks the run super deep.




Keeping on a disco feeling the new piece from Dizkopolis entitled Class of 91 (part 2) is more sweet synthy loving with a bit of a 16bit mood thrown in for good measure. This is so catchy and perfectly engineered, just beautiful. A really great example of the disco/French Touch/80s synth genre mixture.




Greetings Program shared a new untitled demo this week and it's a totally rockin work of electro synth breakdance gold. Even in this demo form the music is right on point and the sounds used bring together the 1985 vibe perfectly.




Let's ramp up the drama now with AKAHandsDown's new synthscapade: Death Chase. This new producer is building up a great repertoire of tracks on his soundcloud and this latest one is definitely the most rockin. I'm hoping for a full length mix of this to turn up soon!




Hard New Wave raconteurs extraordinaire Monster Domino are kicking into high gear on their new work Lamborghini Countach. Rockin a super rad melody over driving guitars and drums makes for a high powered rocket fuelled odyssey!




It must be the return of summer to the northern hemisphere or something as it seems the warmer weather is stepping up the production rate with some of our favourite producers. 80s Stallone shared another quality piece of new material with Super Pursuit Mode this week, yet again we have another beauiful experience of sublime melodious and delectable sounds.




The last stop off on this week's Weekend Update is a totally kick arse mix from Italy's Vommino. This plays like a year end highlight reel from the Rosso Corsa record lable, A very high quality mix of some of the best the 80s genres have to offer is included in this experience.




That's us done for another Weekend Update, I look forward to sharing more classically style synth experiences with you over the coming week.

Greetings Program Escapes To New York

Greetings Program has been getting rapturous applause (and deservedly so) for his excellent remix of Beyoncé's End of Time, but his recent cover of the seminal theme to John Carpenter's Excape From New York deserves even more kudos!

This re-envisaging of one of the most memorable themes of the 80s is pure love.



On his soundcloud there is a bunch of entertaining remixes and covers but please give his original work your attention. They are truly beautiful compositions and are a sure sign of Greetings Program having all the love and talent you need to create superlative 80s synth music.



Greetings Program's future looks bright enough to warrant buying shares in Ray Ban, so please show your appreciation for his fine work on his Facebook page.