AIRBORNE

Mathusalem - Profondo Rosso

By Jazzi Marzcat

The moon is full, casting shadows everywhere. Something is lurking in the dark, and in the next moment, deep red blood flows out to the ground. Music that can create such vivid images like that, can all be found on the 3rd, and latest release by Mathusalem, his EP Profondo Rosso. Mathieu "Mathusalem" Thomas, a synthwave producer from Paris, France who has been on the scene for quite some time now, has stated about his music that, "I love to change the world and atmosphere in it, (and) to produce many different styles." Mathusalem succeeds with this EP in doing exaclty that. Inspired by horror, and film soundtracks of the Italian Giallo age, this EP takes a detour from his previous work that is more upbeat in style, and instead takes a listener on a darker journey, with killer dance beats, and gorgeously layered synth melodies. Each track tells it's own story, and with Mathusalem's genius production, vividly so!

Starting with the first track, you should get your silver bullets ready, because 'Wolf' is going to smack you right in the face on play's first impact with the sounds of wolves howling. Just before you can take cover, BOOM! The synths kick in, and with an infectous bass line, and a groovy beat, these wolves are going to go all "Were" on you in the most funkiest of ways!! This song seriously does for werewolves, what Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' did for zombies. From beginning to end, there are so many delicious twists and turns in this song, it will get you begging for more! I guarantee, this is going to be a favorite to be played at Halloween parties!

If 'Wolf' was too seductive to pull away from the allure of animal yearnings, 'The Slayer' is going to whip you in to shape! This track is very unique, as it mixes a heavy rock'n'roll edge with sexy disco beats. It starts off with harsh synth chords, followed by a heavy lead guitar, but then brings in a heart pounding cool beat that will keep you on your slayer toes. I literally could not sit still listening to this song!! It will get you to not only bang your head, but boogie down as well. Just a really awesome track that satisfies all needs!

However if you're not careful with your dance moves, red blood will begin to flow in the next track, a cover of 'Profondo Rosso'. This is well known by horror fans as one of the most delectable tracks created by the legendary progressive band Goblin, for the film of the same name directed by the master of horror himself Dario Argento, in the mid 1970s. Mathusalem takes on the title track of the Argento's film Profondo Rosso with integrity and grooviness! Right from the start is the familiar melody of 'Profondo Rosso', and I'm in love!  I can't get enough of this mix of innocence and creepiness to a melody. It is slightly slowed down from the original, but it helps to savor each note. A little disappointment is the toning down of the bass line from the original track, but the the mix of synth effects and the cool dance beat make up for this. With the melody carefully preserved, it's an excellent way to bring more horror and screams to the dance floor!  (Just make sure to clean up all the blood afterwards).

Rounding out this really awesome EP is the remix to Justice's song 'Phantom Part 1.5'. Originally more of a EDM track, with a sample of Vangelis' 'Aquatic Dance', Mathusalem brings an Italian Giallo vibe to it, making it fit perfectly with the other songs.  Although the beat is a little slower than a dance beat, and more methodical, the harsh synth chords that create a lot of tension, and the delicate, yet chilling melody, are fast enough to land this track into outrun territory. A really rocking track!!

This EP is so excellent, you may be able to outrun the werewolves, the slayer, and the thirst for blood, but will you will not be able to outrun the addiction of listening to this EP on repeat!! I know I haven't!! Plus with the Halloween season approaching,  and for any, and all fans of horror, this EP is just too good to pass up!!! Check it out now from 30th Floor Records, available for download at "Name your own price" for a limited time here.  

Mulperi - Unicorn Express

By Jerry Herrera





Mulperi’s Unicorn Express EP is an impressive collection of synthwave bliss.  While there may not be anything particularly game changing, it’s clear that Mulperi is a talented artist that is worth keeping an eye on.  There are some really gorgeous melodies and progressions working in every track and some thoughtful instrumentation that effectively create visions of far off landscapes and undiscovered worlds in the mind’s eye.

Pay particular attention to the title track.  It’s a slow paced journey through the clouds of an alien world, both comforting and simultaneously creating a sense of wonder.  Following that is Fading Memories which is a beautiful musical meditation that is reminiscent of Vangelis’ film compositions.  My favorite track would have to be The Power of One for its outrun flavors and haunting vocoded snippets.  I think Mulperi is on track to be a solid and consistent producer who has a good instinct for spaced out sci fi outrun.

Mulperi's Unicorn Express EP is available here for FREE download on soundcloud and it is highly recommended listening.

Digital Native Dance - Los Canarreos

By Rick Shithouse

Digital Native Dance is back with a brand new tropically themed EP which is channelling new strata of the 80s for this well loved artist. In Los Canarreos DND sets moods to chill and the temperature to sweltering with four tracks of pineapple dappled, sunset fresh synth magic.

An entirely new soundscape greets the listener at 'Sunrise' with a live spatial atmosphere full of analogue sounds. Bass and guitars move glacially in and out of focus through the heat haze, setting a launching pad for the opening title track. In what came as quite a shock DND brings to life some amazingly authentic Duran Duran sounding ensembles; complete with John Taylor styled rocktastic basslines and the synths and guitars working magic amid the tropical percussion. This track could easily be an extra instrumental piece off Rio, a greater compliment I can't give.

Opting for even sultrier, laid back qualities DND gets some more guitar driven moods sweating and gyrating in 'Ocean Drive Through'. If the vibe were any chiller you'd need a jacket, scarf and mittens. Party time kicks in with the funky brass and groovy rhythms of 'After Dark' as DND finds love amongst the flickering torches at the beachside soiree. Superbly written and full of instrumental nuance this track is rife with DND's alluring songwriting hallmarks that make the moon sparkle off the ocean in a completely entrancing manner.

DND's Los Canarreos EP is available on iTunes here and is the perfect companion piece to those warm summer days and nights, and if the weather isn't as fair as you'd like; Digital Native Dance is sure to raise the temperatures with these four sizzling tracks.

Synthetix Weekend Update

Time again for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM! There's something new coming to Synthetix.FM, something I hope you enjoy. For the first time I'll be having a new contributor to the site, and it will be a new regular feature on a weekly basis. I've had numerous people ask to contribute over the years and I've never taken any on as basically the content would be the same as what I already offer but from a different author. I was very aware that any person I was ever going to get to contribute to Synthetix.FM would need to offer something new, something different to what I do and something that is still in keeping with the Synthetix.FM theme and aesthetic.

With these lofty criteria I really didn't think I'd get anybody else to create content on here, not that I didn't want people to contribute, but more that it had to be something that met these things specifically so that it was a complementary aspect to the Synthetix.FM experience. Luckily all the planets got into alignment recently and I'm very pleased to announce their first post will happen on here midweek, between my two usual reviews. I want to keep it a surprise until it happens, and I hope all you Synthetix.FM rockers out there find this new addition entertaining and enlightening. So tune in Wednesday to Synthetix.FM for all the hot new action!

Right now let's pull back the throttle and launch into synthual realms of azure brilliance and aural majesty with this week's AIRBORNE feature releases!

Mathusalem - Panorama  A producer bridging many vintage and modern aspects in his music is Mathusalem and his latest EP presented by Future City Records is a four track affair entitled Panorama. The style of the music is arranged with many modern flavours and the sounds blend vintage 80s glows with contemporary colour but it is the melodies that draw a rather wonderful retro pastiche from these ingredients. This release is definitely right on the borderline of being relevant to Synthetix.FM but is definitely something worthy of your listening time. Some great ideas surface throughout the tracks that are fresh and rockin with 'Panorama' and the opening piece 'Alpha Centauri' being my favourites for creating hypnotically designed 80s inspired experiences.




Omega Danzer - Play The Future Another producer who's combining many old and new inspiration is Omega Danzer. His latest EP titled Play The Future is presented for your enjoyment by Computer Love Records and delivers thrilling mixes of 80s synth and Italo sounds in a French Touch ambiance that brings to mind a great deal of the original 80s revival producers from the late 2000s. The sounds are heavily beat-driven with a dancefloor energy powering the synthscape but Omega Danzer keeps the 80s rockin via soothing and electrifying melodies. Electro rock breakin' action is one of the EP's highlights on the title track but his OutRun themed 'Galaxia Danze' is also a high point.


Nitelight - Kepler-186F A brand new team of rockers out on the loose and ready to relive the 80s dream is the three piece act Nitelight from Italy who've just completed their debut EP Kepler-186F. The Nitelight experience is about creating atmospheres of synthual passages that blend soundtrack aspects with energetic synthwave hooks. The music itself is arranged with great care and maximises the beauty of the elements with the percussion ensuring a focus is retained and the rockin doesn't stop. Emotional canvases vary immensely, through the panic and drama of the title track and into the smooth undulations of 'Countach' then into the night time action thrills of 'Pleasure 2008'. Nitelight keep passions running high throughout this EP and it bodes very well for their future in classic 80s sounds.

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Quick! Get onto this as quick as you can before Trevor Something makes it disappear! I've had very little luck posting his music of late as by the time I'm ready to post it he's pulled it down off soundcloud. With his new track available on iTunes here I'm assuming this one might be up for the duration, with any luck. The dreamy synth pop gold of Trevor Something continues to glow and smoulder throughout 'Summer Love' and his vocals are, once again, some of the most suave you're going to hear outside of a Roxy Music record.




Treading with fear in the dark woods, late at night is the latest work from Zombie Hyperdrive: 'Red Eyes'. The threat of danger looms through every stanza and the guitar tear shreds of flesh from bone with roaring solos of complete entrancement. 'Red Eyes' is certainly a track Goblin would be proud of and Zombie Hyperdrive should be too as this rocks from beginning to end.




Swapping out the terror for some amorous advances is Destroyah with his latest work 'Girl In A Varsity Jacket'. Although the sounds are geared towards the romance of the 80s this is a very interesting take on synth romance sounds and moves with a graceful and ethereal presence while the female vocal work provides a wonderful counter play to the smoothly implemented sax.




Paris76 has been continuing his journey into vintage sounds and experimenting with some new ideas and in 'Neo Noir (re-edit)' he's come up with something rockin indeed. The structures of this track, especially the percussion are off kilter and enhance the dreamy nature of the melodies. The result is very engaging and full of homage to vintage sounds.




Venturing further into avant garde territory is the latest creation from Jowie Schulner called 'Era Of Adventure'. Once again it is the non-traditional percussion that really skews the angles and presence of the melodies into exquisite new surrounds. The hypnotic arrangements are irresistible and breathtaking.




Brutal Pony Riders is rockin up some kick arse grooves in his latest work B.P.R FM. The chintz is turned up into gloriously raucous levels with cowbell magic riding at full gallop throughout. This hot track is currently available for FREE download via the player.




Hello Meteor's been rocking the 80s inspired synth magic for a while now but I do believe this is the first time I've covered his music on Synthetix.FM. His latest track is 'Justifying The Intrusion' and it's one kick arse piece of synth gold. Sounds are marauding and subtle, keeping the ambiance balanced on tenter hooks. This is the perfect blend of night moods and hidden emotions. Beautiful music.




Taking off from earthly nights into the eternal night of space is another deeply atmospheric work of synthual delights courtesy of Kid Quasar and his track 'Phase Night'. The airy nature of the melodies are hung together by a totally kick arse bassline that really ties all the elements together into a magical experience.




Time Trvlr is rockin some quality Italo this week with his latest work 'Ciab Bella-Italo'. The elements come together in wonderfully traditional fashion and the arrangements on here really would take off to all new levels with a vocal track from a classically styled Italo chanteuse.  I wonder what Evelyn Barry or Lian Ross are up to these days?  This track is currently available for FREE download.




We've not visited the jungles of danger and unknown mythical powers for quite some time on Synthetix.FM but Robot Outro is ready to give us a guided tour of forgotten cultures and mystical magic courtesy of his rockin new tune 'The Outsider Tribe'. The percussion is wonderfully implemented and each element alludes to even more intrigue amidst the sprawling tropical forests. This track is also available for FREE download currently.




The terror of the night returns with violence and brutality in Grochoski's sinister new track 'Wild Night'.  After a horrific scene is set in the introduction the synths take over and carve out passages of menace with a couple of contemporary accents added that really give the track a surprising and unpredictable edge that I found hugely entertaining. You can pick up a copy of this track on Grochoski's Bandcamp page here at a name-your-own price point.




Mitch Murder's celebrating 10,000+ fans on his Facebook page with a wonderful new track for FREE download! 'Ocean Avenue' provides a much more airy and sparsely populated synthscape than we're usually accustomed to with Mitch Murder's work and in doing so allows for the sunny ambiance of the melodies to shine with a gloriously warm flow. Congratulations, Mitch rocker, and thanks for all the magical tunes!




Next up is another minimalist synthscape from Frank Dagger this time. 'Girls Best Friend' is going to be featured as the soundtrack to a short film by director Marcos Cidade. I'm unfamiliar with this director's work but I hope we get to see the full production as this rockin tune is certainly engineered for some intriguing visuals. This track is currently available for FREE download too.





Our final track for this week's Weekend Update is the aptly titled 'Until The Sun Goes Down' from Synthetix.FM favourite Tommy. The magic of this producer emanates deeply from within this song yet it contains a bright, happy vibe that is often a road less travelled for this producer who's more prone to travel the more introspectively deep musical paths. Tommy's music is always uplifting in its melodic structures and this is definitely the case with this gorgeous track, which is also currently available for FREE download.




Our video feature this week, once again, comes from 80s inspired synth scene official video maker par excellence Neros77 with his totally rockin mix of Garth Knight's epic 'Dance With Me' and visuals from everyone's favourite Hasselhoff extravaganza Knight Rider. Neros77 kills it once again!





That does us for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I hope you've found some hot new tunes to make your weekend the right shades of 80s neon. I'll be back during the week with more hot rockin tunes from the 80s inspired synth scene and don't forget the new weekly feature launching here midweek. 'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.