Synthetix Weekend Update

Halloween Epilogue

It should be no surprise to anyone that I didn't get to cover all the music I wanted to over the Halloween period. To make some slight amends to this I wanted to quickly mention a few releases you'd do well to pick up in the post-Halloween aftermath. It's getting hard to prioritise releases I want to review on Synthetix.FM at certain times, like now, when there's a huge influx. I figure if I can't write in depth about them then the least I can do is link to them from here for your own further investigations.

A release I wanted to cover but never got the chance is the great new concept record from Protector 101. His soundtrack to Black Friday 2: Blood Money (The Uncut Version) is marvellous example of this producer's creativity that gets set ablaze by small sparks and then roar into a spectacular inferno. Beautifully realised soundtrack synth that will capture your imagination.

Taking a trip into darkly experimental areas we find Make Up And Vanity Set's new EP Manifold. The synthscape is dark and twisted and challenging to fully take in in some places but the MAVS synth soul seems to always be there to take the music back into less threatening passages.  Many contrasting emotions are explored and detailed and the bleakness of the opening pieces is given hopeful differentiation towards the EP's end chapters.

More rockin soundtrack oriented synth from Python Blue came out recently. His Cyborg album displays much understanding of descriptive passages and how to detail superbly implemented narrative sequences once again. Drama and anger can reach incredible highs while his introspective pieces add even more weight to the experience. The emotional investment in each track is clearly audible, making for an inspiring journey.

Another release that I couldn't possibly live with myself for not sharing is the new Droid Bishop EP: The Irrelevance Of Space & Time. This five track affair is rocking to the max with a noticeable exploration of his melodies that pumps even more galactic energies into his pieces. The EP displays an evolution in the Droid Bishop sound and a step up in production too. It's a fantastic experience in quality 80s inspired synth sounds with that futuristic space-themed edge that Droid Bishop does so very well.

I also wanted to make sure no one misses out on Vector Hold's full length album that he's released on Bandcamp called Classics. This eighteen track behemoth is a compilation of all of his recent singles, many of which I've been covering on Synthetix.FM throughout the year, but in this huge format it becomes a force of renewed vigour and power. It's a diverse album that covers a tonne of genres, but Vector Hold rocks them all and the album serves as a wonderful document of Vector Hold's musical journeys in 2013.

Right on,  now let's get into the the nitty gritty of this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!


Bobby Outro's new track 'Smash Groove' is exactly what you'd expect of a track titled Smash Groove. The hook in this piece is totally kick arse and the excitement he extracts from it is purely brilliant. The percussion is full of classic presence while every synth elements is implemented for maximum pleasure.

Injecting dangerously high doses of funk into your weekend is Les Chic Voltage with his new track 'Club Malibu'. Theres a definite avant-gard angle to the synthscape but the music is solidly set in 80s moods. The progression of the track is jazzy and experimental in nature with a whole lot of funk rockin being the priority.




Cobra Copter keeps on matching his high work rate with high quality as this last week has again seen two tracks surface; both delivering rad 80s synth sounds. 'Eternia Knights' is a slow burning epic that builds with a marching reverence that introduces beautifully accented guitars through the adventure. Conversely on 'Murphy, It's You' we're treated to high energy electro breakin' boombox ammunition of a super high calibre.




Incorporating his recent Funk You EP Alpha Boy's just unleashed a new LP entitled For You. The familiar Alpha Boy sounds are taken into some interesting new contexts on For You as his playful Italo inspired melodies are allowed to take broader strides and intimate more varied narratives. Tracks like 'Superstar 911' and 'Flamingo' have instantly become some of my favourite Alpha Boy jams, be sure to check out the full release for the full experience of Alpha Boy's latest creation.



Something new from Riddlis now that I found very enlightening to listen to. 'Stories' is a very engaging track as it's melodies and arrangements are very interestingly put together. The combination of modern and vintage sounds are entrancing, with dancing melodies that layers like soft veils of electric light. It's a wonderfully positive vibe from beginning to end.




New from Bluezz Vylez is a hot rockin track called 'Craters And Lovers'. This piece marks a triumphant return for this producer after an absence of nearly four months and what a triumphant return it is. The quirky nature of this producer's music is evident once again as melodies are driven in exciting directions and the action is exciting through each of the track's passages.




Babylon 86 turned the rock levels up to maximum on his new track 'The Vice'. The Jan Hammer/Miami Vice inspiration is prevalent throughout as the action is densely packed in with guitars and synths trading blows in glorious vivid colours. This is a killer track, and is currently available for FREE download through the link in the player.




Nickee B has been one of my favourite proponents of quality synth funk for more than a year now, and whenever a new experience of his surfaces it's always a red letter day. In 'Can't Get Enough Of Your Love' the Nickee B synth funk machine is running hot classic 80s sounds arranged with an ear for more  modern styles but the story in this piece transcends all space and time, with a stunning final chapter that is completely spellbinding.




JEJE80 HomeProduction (or Spacious Sweep, to his close friends and admirers) just release a great new track called 'Defence Of The Ancients'. The drama is very apparent in the lead melodies and horrific samples that lace the atmosphere, while a driving bassline gives the experience a vital impetus.




In one of the dream team ups of 2013 we find Patrick Baker and Televisor joining neon forces to create a romping synth pop gem in 'Can't Get Enough'. The pure pop brilliance of both of these artists are apparent from the outset and the rockin just doesn't stop. 80s soul and a modern edge give this a magical aura that is unmistakably Televisor, add in Mr Baker's golden tones for bubblegum pop refined and re-engineered for a new age.




NightStop's been busy this week with two great tracks shared. It was a bit hard to choose between the two, but 'Aerobics' offers a majestic Winwood/Rain Sword-esque lead melody I simply couldn't resist. The music is light and energetic and full of 80s love, while his other piece 'Drive-By Stalking' takes his sounds into much darker moods with a penchant for nocturnal violence. Both tracks rock hard in wonderfully different ways.




A new rocker for Synthetix.FM! I'm very pleased to introduce KFDDA to everyone and his gorgeous new piece of melting synth romance 'Flammamor'. The intimate melodies are beautifully crafted with intimacy and longing, the entire piece is one protracted, warm embrace the emits golden allure throughout.




More arse kicking synth from Python Blue! He's just released 'Eclipse' as a FREE download track and it's a hot rockin affair full of pounding drums, electric synths and high tension. Python Blue's gift for arrangements is wonderfully realised in this piece as each element is introduced and evolved with  pin-point precision. Refined to perfection and performed for pure exhilaration.




Timecop1983 is back with new emotional piece entitled 'Childhood Memories'. The synthscape is mellow and sparse with each element phased in and out time and space, adding a hugely nostalgic flavour to the experience. It's haunting and uplifting at the same time and quickly becomes very easy to get lost in. Be sure to check Timecop1983's 'Space Jam' track which he also shared this week, which is also a FREE download.




Our final piece for this week's Weekend Update is a rockin track from another new artist on the scene: Le Roix. Fusing dramatic and powerful percussion with smoothly angelic melodies, 'Goodbye' is a wondrous adventure in synth romance. Many thanks to Sam Haggblad for enlightening me to Le Roix!





One final note before I finish of this Weekend Update, I've received a few emails regarding some music tracks being out of wack with my writing, or pointing to an entirely different song. If you see this occur, please let me know through the contact form with the details of what needs fixing and I'll get onto it. I need to know what needs fixing exactly though. I'm not sure if it's a browser issue or just my ineptitude, so please bear with me and let me know if somethings amiss. I do realise, when looking back through posts, that some tracks are no longer on soundcloud, I can't do much about that and I won't be going back and adjusting them all however, if a producer wishes to remove a track that is their prerogative.

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

Synthetix Weekend Update

All the planets must be in alignment this past week as a whole ensemble of 80s synth heavy hitters have shared brand new music in an onslaught of pink neon explosiveness. September is going to be a big month for EP and album releases, so keep your internet dial tuned to Synthetix.FM for all the radness a rocker can bear.

One of the great things currently happening in the 80s inspired synth scene is people stepping up and doing their thing to spread the word. As I mentioned in the Protector 101post I did this week Andy Synth is doing a fantastic new shows called Beyond Synth. Andy's already done interviews with Who Ha, Ogre Sound and Vincenzo Salvia, as well as the aforementioned session with Protector 101. The interviews as informal and relaxed and make for very entertaining listening.

Also stepping up is 80s synth scene mainstay BenniMushu and his new show on KFAI radio, Synth Waves. Anyone who's been active in the scene over the last few years will recognise BenniMushu as one of the most ardent and loyal fans of 80s inspired synth music on soundcloud. Now that he has his own radio show he's doing interviews and playing the hottest rockin tunes.

These two rockers will hopefully fill the void for quality interviews with all the great producers in the scene. I had intended for Synthetix.FM to do more interviews, as I've done in the past, but the workload on here has meant I've not been able to devote nearly enough time to doing them to a standard I'm happy with. I always hoped that other rockers would stand up and take on that role and now with at least two sites doing podcast style interviews this should provide a huge amount of good times and great rock'n'roll for those fans, like myself, who want to know more about the scene's raddest talent.

Let's get down to business with some solid gold tunes that are sure to make your days brighter and your nights hotter with the new Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!


First up is another great track from Pumping Body with 'Young Untouchable'. This Polish producer is really weaving some great 80s magic in his music and this latest track is no exception. Upbeat melodies and punchy percussion set moods to exciting, with a chance of romance. Currently available for FREE download too.




Even though Dance With The Dead pushed their full length album release back to sometime this month they're still making sure we know what we're going to be in for and that, most importantly, it'll be well worth the wait. In their latest demo, 'Xenon', the duo once again combine the danceability of high energy OutRun with the darker sides of Giallo Disco. As always the arrangements create an incredibly deep narrative that thrills and chills it's way into your soul.




It's always going to be a red letter day when theres new Photosynthesi music around and this new track certainly reinforces this. 'Out Of The Blue' is full of cascading melodies and azure vistas full of cresting waves and breezy synths; you'll need to put your sunglasses on for maximum effect. This track is also and exclusive to the new episode KFAI's Synth Waves show.




It's great to see Les Chic Voltage is back and rockin the scene more frequently of late. His latest work is a slow burning synth adventure  called 'Fresh Dub 82'. Containing some massive drums and dub elements he ties it all together with some totally tubular 80s melodies that make the entire experience a magical affair. Currently available for FREE download too.




80s Stallone dropped not one but two super cool tracks this week. Both are inspiring and full of 80s love and passion and I found myself in quite a quandary as to which one I enjoyed the most. I think 'Heavyweight' has a slightly richer story but 'Comeback' has a charm that is undeniable. The solution? Heres 'Heavyweight' and heres 'Comeback' so rock em both loud and proud!




Moustache Machine unleashed the spectacular 'Mission Control' this week ans I'm still feeling the aftershocks. The build on this track is totally kick arse and the nods to OutRun and Italo sounds throughout the adventure is as rockin as it is riveting. Also available currently for FREE download.




In what promises to be one hell of a synthscapade through many dimensions is the new full length record form Shio-Z. The preview he has posted covers a massive amount of territory and each track definitely piques my interest and makes me hunger for more. We don't have to wait long for this album's release though as it's released date is only a few days away on the 10th of September, but you can start getting excited right now!




The big hits just keep on coming and they don't get much bigger than STARFORCE's new single. 'Alpine Glow Part II' is a sequel to one of the most popular tracks off their last album Ominiversal Oscillations and it continues the ideas and emotions forged in the original to wondrous new evolutions.
It's an awe inspiring experience with a grandeur and class that is irrepressible. This epic is currently available for FREE download too, so get it rockin ASAP!




I honestly find it hard to put into words just how much I love Sternrekorder's music. Every time I get to post a new track by this amazing producer I seem to find it that little bit harder to convey just how hard his music rocks. In his latest track 'Duesenjaeger' we have yet another glorious ride into a fanciful wonderland of shimmering brilliance and beautiful synthscapes. Magnificent!




Funk synth rockers Jupiter Gang are back with a kickin new tune called 'The Escape'. I find this act one of the most exciting in this field of 80s synth as there seems to be a completely lucid understanding of the genre in their music. I can just see Morris Day & The Time marching up and down the stage to this with synths in hand and bad intentions on their minds. Also available for FREE download!




Another massive release in the offing is a new album from scene legend FM Attack. This exciting new  release promises a huge amount of glowing 80s love done with that touch of modernity. There are currently five preview tracks available for your early indulgence on FM Attack's soundcloud here but I couldn't resist sharing 'Magic' featuring the inimitable premier chanteuse of the 80s inspired synth scene Kristine on vocals. We don't have wait too long for the album as De Ja Vu is due to be released next week on the 12th of September.




Next up is the brand new track from Dr Pecco which blew me the first time I heard it. In 'Scubamask' Dr Pecco creates just the right level of drama and intrigue while lacing the synthscape with a wonderfully catchy lead melody. This instantly became one of my favourite tracks by the good Doctor, plus it's also available for FREE download currently!




Something that's becoming a fantastic new trend in the scene is the amount of producers getting work doing soundtracks for movies, games and digital comics. These avenues are the perfect way to broaden the audience and fan base that is possible. Foreign Blade has become the most recent producer to explore these new pastures with his new track 'Wiped Out' which will feature in the online comic OutRunners. It's a great track with a darkened mood and a thirst for danger and I hope this leads to more work for Foreign Blade on this production. 'Wiped Out' is available for FREE download too.




Continuing down the dramatic path of intrigue is the new track from Cobra Copter. 'The Plan' is at it's core a funky piece that is bound by a super catchy lead melody but this has been chopped up and almost glitched about in a very entertaining manner. The simplicity of the synthscape allows for much greater explorations of this melody and creates a very engaging experience.




A wonderful new track came my way this week from the delightfully named Zombie Hyperdrive. This piece called 'Citadel' is vastly majestic and rich in melodic harmonies and it's absolutely jubilant in it's stunning chorus refrain. The story is as epic and full of enrapturing details that are completely spellbinding. Definitely one of my favourites in this week's crop of rockin tunes.




To finish off with we have a new high energy roller coaster ride from the alway rockin LA Dreams.
'The Taste Of Glory' is jam packed with twisting turns and high speed straights and the shredding guitars take the experience to all new levels of adrenalin fuelled excitement. Totally rockin.



That does us for another big Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back during the week with more  rockin good times from the 80s inspired synth scene.

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

Synthetix Weekend Update

The rockin keeps on rollin with another week full of hits and classics in the 80s inspired synth scene. Lots of new tunes, new artists and new experiences to be had, so without further delay lets get down to the raddest business in the universe with this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!

A new Rain Sword track showing up always means a red letter day and his latest piece is no exception. In 'Break Point' we find Rain Sword exploring his inner Steve Winwood with deliciously sumptuous results. Rain Sword really 'gets' the 80s melodic structure and you can feel this passion in each element contained in 'Break Point'.




LA Dreams is an unstoppable natural force of 80s power and demonstrates this to the nth degree in his new track 'Steam'. The atmosphere is electric with passionate feelings and a yearning the spans the decades in seconds. The less is more approach in this track's construction allows the ideas to be beautifully detailed and explored. A wondrous story that is drenched in all of the 80s love one could envisage.




Kubinski's adventures into the mystical realms of ninja synth continues with his shuriken sharp new track 'Yamabushi'. Setting the scene with swirling melodies shrouded in the rising mists. The hypnotic meditations upon eastern prophecy and the powers of earths elements resonate throughout the piece.




Dance With The Dead have delayed their debut album until an undisclosed time in September but still keep teasing new tracks with a regulated precision. The demo for 'Zombie Night' shows, once again, why these guys are just so rockin to the max. Their combination of 80s horror soundtrack elements with modern elements while, most importantly, keep the balance absolutely perfect is just awesome. Especially when you consider how many times they've managed to pull this off over the course of 2013 already.




The Alpha Boy hit machine has been thrust into high gear of late and each new experience from this producer seems to be developing in new and exciting ways. His latest single 'Blinds' is full of smooth synth sax layered over a delightfully bubbly lead melody with super slick production that adds an extra layer of gloss to the soundscape.




Vector Hold has unleashed a rockin new OutRun track that is creating it's own slipstream as it over takes the competition. 'Victory Road' is charged with a high octane fuel that thunders across the asphalt at death defying speeds while a ChipTune influenced lead gives the action a warm video game soundtrack quality. The lead hook is so catchy you'll be reaching top speed in no time.




A new PH Groove track always means funky times are about to rock and this is certainly case with his new italo themed track 'Nighthawk Fever'. The italo basslines lead the way for layers of disco guitars and synths that bend space and time with their cosmic power. This track is currently available for FREE download through the link in the player also.




From out of nowhere SuperVox has just released possibly the most k-rad italo track of 2013 with his incredibly authentic new track 'Victory'. I had to double check to make sure this wasn't actually an original italo track that has been re-released but rest assured this is all new music. The instrumentations, melodies and emotions are absolutely jaw dropping in their authenticity.  The entire production is breathtaking from beginning to end.




It's been more than a year since I've covered Les Chic Voltage's synth delights on Synthetix.FM but I'll rectify that right now with his superb new exploration 'Club Adriatico'. This track tells a wonderfully deep story with it's heavily effected vocals and a synthscape that changes and evolves with great beauty. The seaside experience is tactile and refreshing as the melodies resonate with a deliberate purpose. Currently available for FREE download, so get on it and take a coastal vacation courtesy of Les Chic Voltage as soon as possible.




Taking a similar mood, but with a darker thematic is the new experience from Kenji Run. I'm a huge fan of this producer and his music always grabs my attention and captures my imagination. In 'One Last Chance' Kenji Run explores the dark places of broken romance and pleads for his love to return. There's an air of malevolent desperation about this piece that is both disturbing and intriguing, something I've not experienced so succinctly since Collins' Animal Magnetism record.




Cougar Synth are, without a doubt, one the most rockin 80s inspired synth acts of 2013 and each new track is a new adventure that I just can't wait to experience. In 'Zhax-RX' we find the duo taking a more experimental approach with their unconstrained lead melody creating a dimensional mirage that the other parts of the track attempt to contain. This creates a beautiful synthscape that adds a delightful abstraction to the Cougar Synth experience. Currently available for FREE download, but not for long!



Out now on Future City Records is the hot new EP from Miles Prower: Outatime. The Miles Prower experience is a pastiche of vintage and modern sounds but doesn't particular set himself any stylistic focus based on era and instead creates his own worlds of sound. Throughout this five track EP Miles explores a vast amount of territory but each track retains a glowing 80s soul within. In the opening track we find much more modern instrumentations blended into 80s emotions but this is then taken into a more 90s melange in the second chapter 'Outatime'. This title track features the vocals of Colleen Quinn and the atmosphere reminds me a great deal of Ladytron's work with the harder electronic edge of the synths contrasted by the smoothly flowing vocal track.

'Summer Song 2.1' finds Miles back in the 80s with heavily drawn neon colours and dancing retro melodies. The music is bright and warm with a slight ChipTune air to the atmosphere which serves to make the colours even more vivid. The summer sun disappears by the fourth act 'Devices'. Melodically bright but atmospherically darker this piece walks the contrast of dark and light beautifully. The captivating lead refrain is explored with great dexterity as the piece unfolds with defined reverence.



The final chapter of Outatime is the very engaging 'Data Stream (Into The Ocean)' featuring the vocals of Coralie Kate. This piece takes the delicate female vocal and opposes it with a melange of 90s and ChipTune sounds to create something fresh. The vocal feels frail in the face of the regimented music and this contrast gives the piece a very engaging quality and finishes the EP on an all together new note.

The Outatime EP is presented by Future City Records on their Bandcamp page here. Although not strictly an 80s inspired synth release this EP displays the 'next-level' of the Miles Prower experience and it's one I encourage you to explore as the variations and ideas expressed work together in very exciting ways.


A rockin new italo space odyssey was unleashed by Android Automatic this week under the name of 'Lazer Love'. This cosmic disco adventure is full of catchy melodies and pumping rhythms that are sure to get you moving towards the heavens. The swirling space breakdown midway serves as the perfect launch pad for the final act's interstellar joyride. Currently available for FREE download.




Like Mowrey was found exploring his darker side this past week and the results have proven to be spectacular. 'ZebraA' is an epic adventure into the realms of darkness and horror but not without the infectious synth melodies of Like Mowrey to guide us through the turbulence. The piece is steeped in darker elements but the onyx void is set ablaze by bright and verdant passages of great distinction.




A new rocker on the scene is Thailand's Niky Nine and his latest track 'Road' is a hugely impressive debut. It wasn't until the lead melody kicked in at 1.32 that felt the Niky Nine magic but once this point was reached I was in it it's entrancing grasp for the track's duration. The synthscape is full of drama but but never despairs and proceeds to a level of glorious jubilation. Many thanks to Neros77 for enlightening me to this producer.




Our final piece for this week's Weekend Update signals the triumphant return of Flash Arnold with his guitar synth saga 'Unlimited'. Flash Arnold's preponderance for creating totally kick arse synth with guitars being used as a major player is brought to all new levels of radness in this track. 'Unlimited' by name and unlimited by nature, this is one amazing thrill ride through 80s sounds and emotions and is absolutely k-rad to the max. Get this superb piece from one of the scene's leading producers for FREE while you can.




That does us for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I hope you've had some rockin good times on here and I'll be back with more totally tubular experiences in 80s inspired synth next week.

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

Les Chic Voltage Gets Jumbo In '84

Italy's Les Chic Voltage just released a new track entitled Jumbop 84. It's rare for new artists to recreate the happy/catchy 80s style melody so perfectly but this piece is totally on point for vintage homage and amour. The melody is what drives this piece more than anything else and it's so light and fruity; it dances about like neon nymph in the warm sunlight.



The production is classically worked too with a simple uncomplicated sound that brings to mind many of the early pioneers of 80s synth pop and italo. Everything works together exceedingly well and the overall authenticity brings an air of total 80s rapture. I personally love it when an artist forgoes all temptations of modern sounds in an effort to make their sound as close to their inspirational source as possible, and Jumbo 84 is one of those pieces.

For more rockin Les Chic Voltage action get on his soundcloud here.