Synthetix Weekend Update

Another big week in the dimension where the 80s never ended has come to pass and with it came a superb range of quality hard rockin tunes to give you those warm, neon synth magic feelings.

Compilation season keeps on rockin and a huge new release from Playmaker should be number one on your hit list this week for maximum rockin action. 2014 Big Apple Crime Force is host to fourteen high impact anthems to clean up the streets and bring justice where there is chaos. White hot synth drama from the likes of 80s Stallone, Dan Terminus, Who Ha, Absolute Valentine, Palm Highway Chase, WARD-IZ and Playmaker's own Discoballistic and Twilight Racing are amongst a battalion of high calibre 80s synth munitions experts ready for a war on crime. Sporting some of the most kick arse artwork I've seen this year courtesy Basil Murad, this release is available in digital formats as well as super hard rockin cassette and poster pack via Playmaker's Bandcamp page here.




Let's get ready to take off on a wild adventure beyond the clouds and into the stratosphere with this week's AIRBORNE features!

Miami Beach Force - The Revenge A soundtrack to dire consequences from steamy deceit is exposed and described via Miami Beach Force on their new EP. The duo has gone for a complete concept release that has been arranged as a narrative driven soundtrack and opted for a great deal more atmosphere than their previous work. The synths are heavier and darker with a cool, calculated energy that squeezes and chokes the tension out of every track. Even the Italo coloured title track is full of uncertainty, tension and danger and the fast paced 'Moving Target' continues to sweat bullets in the face of danger. The Revenge is a wild ride full of double crosses and dark forces you'll be left breathless by.


Dream Force Universe - Turbo Times Dream Force Universe takes the condensed approach to his music on his latest release as the track lengths are kept low, but the action is kept high. Tubo Times consists of five succinctly engineered pieces of retro synth action that get in, deliver their payload and get out. The arrangements are well constructed and Dream Forces Universe's understanding of 80s melodies and giving them a modern gloss is a skill he's definitely refining. Highlights include the dark and ominous 'Cyborg Manufactury' and the gloriously chintzy 'Hoverboard Highway'.


Dana's Vision - Out-Thrashin' Opting for a soundtrack thematic of a different kind we have Dana's Vision with the beat 'em up videogame inspired Out-Thrashin'. By combining 80s soundtrack arrangements with an inspirational palette of videogame sounds Dana's Vision has made an action packed adventure that crosses over between straight up 80s inspired synth and classic game soundtracks. The minimalism of the synthscapes also brings in some rockin 70s atmosphere to the more ambient tracks but the music rocks the hardest on pieces like 'The Hardest Hits', the title track and the climactic final boss confrontation 'The Street Brawl Relish [Hitachi II's Nightvision]'. The ideal soundtrack for when you're out beating up street thugs on a quest of vengeance, picking up pipes and roasts along the way.

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First rocker of the block for this week's Weekend Update is a new producer to Synthetix.FM going by the name of Evergreen PM with his new powerhouse 'Sunset Mission'. The haunting refrain and superbly programmed percussion really help make this piece blend old and new ideas exceedingly well. Many thanks to Keira Saffron Jones for enlightening me to this producer.




Laurence McFunk is one hell of a rocker of the classic 80s sounds and his new track 'SECAM' adds a new layer of intrigue to the McFunk experience. The tension builds with the melody as the groove cuts deep and smooth. The structures run into futuristic visions of synthual delights and tell a wonderfully rich story. This killer track is currently available for FREE download via the player too.




A track that's been getting a lot of love in the Synthetix.FM Plug.DJ this week is the high powered dark synth monolith fabricated by VHS Glitch: 'Meet The Cure'. The synths rock harder than a melonfarmer and energies run as high and fast as the action with dark synth styles merging delectable well with 70s soundtrack work. Totally rockin and sure to get thirsting for justice. You can pick up a copy of this track on VHS Glitch's Bandcamp page here.




Rolling with the punches and trading blow for blow is the new one from Kick Puncher. 'Roadhouse Takedown' gets all Swayzied up as the synths strike with power and menace in an all out brawl of digital violence. The pace is deliberate and forceful, keeping the focus on the sharply exacted melodies while exploring their facets with much dexterity.




Another new rocker to Synthetix.FM that's been getting much love on soundcloud and Project Friday this week is the eloquently named S U N G with his extreme velocity OutRun track 'Way Farer'. The sheer presence of the production is rockin all over and the action refuses to abate with the chase picking up speed amongst a crescendo of synths and guitars. Totally rad and available for purchase on S U N G's Bandcamp page here.




Staying out on the streets but this time on the sidewalk with boombox in hand and cardboard on the concrete is She Said (SYNTH IS DEAD!) with 'Break That Beat'. The amalgamation of electro breakin' percussion and rhythms with an eclectic and intriguing lead melody creates something very kick arse indeed.




RWR takes a trip into more ethereal dimensions in his latest track 'Dopamine (The Power Of Love)' and creates a whole new universe of possibilities in the process. The slower approach to the RWR hallmarks is intoxicatingly fresh and emotionally rich in its make up. Beautiful music that is currently available for FREE download via the player.




MUSCLE's back and rockin with his latest work of synth elegance in 'Steamrollin'' which captures that flextacular MUSCLE energy we here at Synthetix.FM just can't get enough of. MUSCLE's also announced his second EP will be due out this year, which after the totally kick arse experience that was the first EP certainly has me foaming at the mouth in anticipation. For now we can rock his great new 'Steamrollin'' track which is currently FREE to download, so get pumpin and crank it hard.




Time for some hot new synth pop action on Synthetix.FM and this past week I was hugely enamoured with the new track from Coska called 'Benjamin'. The synths soar with pure 80s pop drama that channels the perfect vintage inspirations and fashions them into something totally rad. 'Benjamin' officially out on the 23rd of May on Solina Records, so get tuned into Solina Records here and get it rockin!




It's been a while since we've had the pleasure of Neon Vandal's company on Synthetix.FM as his recent creations haven't really fit the styles I like to cover on here. This is has changed entirely thanks to his amazing new track 'NIGHTDRIVE'. This is some seriously brilliant atmospheric synth magic with a wonderful and richly explored synthscape that is thoroughly immersive. A stunning experience.




Regular readers of Synthetix.FM will already be well aware of my love affair with Sternrekorder's music and he's managed to take my heart even more with his absolutely gorgeous new track 'Erwin'. The atmosphere is flawless and the melodies are completely entrancing. Sternrekorder also shared another stellar track this week in 'Horizont' which I encourage everyone to experience too.




While we're on the subject of some of my favourite producers, scene legend Mitch Murder released another wonderful piece of kick arse 80s synth with 'From The Future'. There are few producers around with Mitch Murder's understanding of 80s melody creation and the structures he makes them come alive in and this is yet another example of his prowess and craftsmanship.




Palm Highway Chase has once again shown why he's such a valuable producer in the 80s inspired synth scene with his latest work 'Rainy Countach Drive'. Melodies are dreamy and magical with a glowing presence that is bewitching and hypnotising. The tone of this track is completely perfect and gives a refined elegance to the piece.




New from Kiile is another great new track called 'Universe VII'. The Jeff Spicoli samples during the introductory passage then take off into the cosmos where the questions of our roles as humans and what we need to make us happy becomes more introspective. But sometimes tasty waves and a cool buzz is really what life is all about. Keep on rockin, Kiile!




2014 has been a spectacular year thus far for Alpha Boy. In the last five months this producer has explored so much new and exciting territory with each release that it's hard to keep up. In 'Tropical Passion' he creates an incredibly lush atmosphere that really conveys tropical sights and sounds beautifully. You can buy your own copy of 'Tropical Passion' via the player.





This week's video feature is from the official 80s synth scene auteur par excellence and part time Daniel Craig stand-in Neros77 with his winning combination of Cobra Copter's 'End Of An Era' and 'Cold Empire' against the backdrop of 1989's video blockbuster Cyborg. Sit back, relax and get rockin!



That does us for another monster sized Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back during the week with more hot rockin tunes to keep your 80s colours strong and vibrant.

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

Palm Highway Chase On The ARPNET

I may have mentioned this in a review or two previously on Synthetix.FM but being able to review new music from my favourite pioneers of the initial 80s synth revival of the late 00's is thrilling for me, to say the least. One of my biggest dreams when I began Synthetix was being able to finally give some love and support to the artists that made a difference to me nearly five years ago. Palm Highway Chase (PHC) is one of those artists. I fell in love with his Streethawk track off MOTU2 V.2 instantly and his Escape From New York album (available still on vinyl!!) is still one of the greatest album releases the 80s inspired synth scene has produced. The album still sounds as fresh, vital and individual as it did in 2009 and it's inspirational that PHC's new album retains the artists stylistic hallmarks while also forging new ideas.

Of course, this isn't to say it's been such a long time in between drinks for PHC, there have been a smattering of small releases in between these two albums (not least of which is this recent gem) but it's ARPNET that marks this artist's 'next level' so to speak. This reclusive producer, even by the scene's standards, appears to have constructed his own world that he exists in; creating his own music to his own rhythms and beats and when done transports it into our dimension. These visions of another plane of existence are a large part of the PHC mystique and on ARPNET we get the most intimate view yet.



The PHC style itself is one of the most avant garde in the scene, and has been since day one. Compositions are rarely over three minutes long and synthscape takes 80s Library Music into a parallel universe of technological wonderment and experimentation. This producer densely packs his ideas into paragraphs of intensely detailed aural poems in a manner that is highly invigorating. Like 'dark matter' in musical form the depth of the ideas and synthscapes have texture and presence that transcend the human constructed limitations of time.

Take the opening piece for example, classically titled 'Outrun'. Stereo panning basslines wind in and out dangerous turns and synth melodies falling like a downpour descend onto the road, choking the engines sounds, opening new spectrums while closing others. The layers cut and weave in and out perception before disappearing entirely. Left breathless, the silence returns briefly upon which the title track powers into view. A behemoth of machine gun percussion and bright synths evolves into stabbing refrains of cascading synth brilliance. The speed and intensity is blinding in g-force pulling rush of pure magic.

PHC's experimental synthscapes are often his most alluring, as evidenced 'LA Darkzone'. Cold winds of melodies are bracing and piercing while drum tracks create discordant echoes, pounding with life but jaggedly in disarray. Synths climb above the turbulent atmosphere with grace but below the world churns in obscured, ravenous darkness. Rising into a much more idyllic and peaceful dimension is the wonderfully uplifting 'Dream Level'. Arpeggiated flights of fancy become swirling lights of golden warmth, barely able to hold their physical forms, drifting in and out of coherence and vision.

In 'Future Shock' PHC conveys huge amounts of atmosphere within seconds of it's beginning. Thudding and machine like but taking on organic elements that are compacted and merged to magnify the weight and power of the music. The movements become lighter and broader brush strokes are given to melodic parts that then take on their own new forms of existence. These forms are evolved into even more incredible ideas in 'Shoreline Outrun' which dizzies in it's tremendous build until the elementsal forms coalesce into a euphorically moving refrain that is easily one of the cresting high points of the album.

Taking back some of the musical intensity, only slightly, and instead concentrating on the radiance of the melodies, the sweetly beautiful 'Invisible ARP' is intimate and joyous with it's light embodied presence, glowing with unadorned exquisiteness. Future violence returns with 'Street Temple' crushing its way through. The intensity in each facet of the music is teetering on breaking point and as the war machine gains momentum new and powerful visions are cast in a shroud of temporal distortions.

Continuing the back and forth zigzagging journey from light to dark PHC gets dreamy and wistful in his own version of Synth Romance with 'High School'. Love drunk passages eddy and sway with giddy affection, electrifying moments with freeze framed instances of endearing naiveté. 'Arena' swaggers in after 'High School' as a massively catchy piece of pure Library gold. The triumphant melodies are full of the winning spirit and drive for perfection, focused on positivity and delivering the musical equivalent of the clenched fist of success.

'Atari Prime' allows for some very avant gard arrangements to meander and create their own destinies in a free forming synthscape with undulating waves giving buoyancy and verve to the stylised, robotlike melodies. It serves as the perfect link to the final track, 'End Of Drive' which offers an air of calmness as muted instruments and star filled vistas pulse with emotion. Our journey through PHC's ARPNET dimension is complete and as we return to our own familiar time and space our surrounds take on new lustres and magical colours, touched by spells weaved by this artist, giving us a glimpse at the domain in which he exists.

ARPNET as an album creates worlds and allows us to be involved in them first hand. The twelve tracks are all individual highlights that are in themselves then fabricated of incredibly wonderful moments. This album feels like it finally captures what PHC is all about as an artist, with each distilled vision being stunningly crafted with exacting precision while keeping an organic and free-flowing ambiance.

Rosso Corsa Records presents Palm Highway Chase's ARPNET album on their Bandcamp page here. As a long time fan of this artist I can barely contain my elation over how satisfying this record is, for those new to the PHC experience you're in for a huge treat unlike anything else you've heard before. The sounds created here as an enthralling as they are individual, distinguishing PHC's synthscapes from every other producer in the scene. More than anything else this record is art of a uniquely refined character, it is truly a Synthetix Reference Experience and is an album everyone with a love for 80s inspired synth music needs to have in their music library as well as their imaginations.

Synthetix Weekend Update

Another week full of rockin action rolls around and it's time for another big Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM.

The more astute readers of the site may notice a new addition to the left hand side bar on the page. This new addition is a PayPal Donate button I've added to the site. Over the last couple of years numerous people have said they'd like to support Synthetix.FM more and would like to help out with the costs. There are very few costs associated with Synthetix.FM besides my own time but I wanted to give people the opportunity to help out with the hosting/domain costs if they'd like to. I'm not begging for money, nor does the future of the site depend on donations, I just thought it'd be an option for those of you out there who'd like to take your support of this site further.

Next week marks Valentines Day's on Friday the 14th and Synthetix.FM is getting into the spirit of this most emotional and passionate holiday with special celebration. It's all being kept under wraps in a heart shaped box, tied up with big satin ribbons right now but come Thursday next week there'll be something special on here to ensure no one misses out on feeling the love this Valentine's Day.

On to this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!

Let's open up with the hot new EP from Arc Neon: Technicolor Workout. This much anticipated releases from one of my favourite UK purveyors of quality 80s sounds has arrived and is surprising, refreshing and most importantly, rockin to the max! The six tracks (including an intro piece and instrumental version of 'Heat Of The Night') takes much of what we've grown to know and love about the Arc Neon sound and expands it out into all new dimensions.

Technicolor Workout opens with 'Heat Of The Night' which to me feels like an evolutionary next step and also homage to Arc Neon's classic 'Night Heat' track. The vocals from Dana Jean Phoenix are performed with a sultry longing that compliments the mood of the track perfectly and the inclusions of guitar and sax through the different stages really add a huge amount of presence to the Arc Neon sound. Definitely one of the group's most developed and complete experiences.

'Aerobicide' takes a different approach with rocks more guitars and some totally killer 'plinky plonky' synth melodies to take your workout into dangerous levels of exertion. This track is a great exploration of the melodies while make sure the energies are frenetic and vital. Conversely, the next track, titled 'Forbidden Dance' winds things back to a slower pace that allows the guitars to soar instead of shred and the more soundtrack oriented Arc Neon elements to come into focus. Once again, the sax in the final act of this composition elevates it beautifully.

The title track is another collaborative work, this time with Abbey Bretts performing the vocals. Melodically this adds an Italo Disco flavour to Arc Neon's sound and the repeated vocal refrain adds just enough modernity to the atmosphere. The songwriting of Arc Neon has most definitely been refined and the structures keep the hooks rockin and the moods intimate. The final piece of the EP is an inclusion of 'Heat Of The Night' as an instrumental, I personally prefer the vocal version, but this affords the listener to fully realise the the lustrous synthscapes.

Technicolor Workout displays a marked growth in all facets of the Arc Neon experience and Synthetix.FM very highly recommends this release. You can pick up a copy via their Bandcamp page here.


Let's keep the rockin rollin with great new piece from ForeignBlade. Although made last year, he's just released this gem while still working on a new EP. 'Extraordinary Circumstances' is a marvellously structured soundtrack styled affair that enthrals from beginning to end. This is currently available for FREE download too.




New Spacious Sweep next with his latest 'Backtrack'. The mood of this track is laid back and mellow yet the melodic layers add beautiful Italo flavoured details. Haunting elements through the midsection complete the experience. This is intended to be included on his upcoming new EP.




Pyramid Aeon is a new rocker on the 80s inspired synth scene and his latest track really grabbed my attention. 'Stay' contains a wonderfully vivid vitality that drives the lead melody and is backed by dreamy haze delightful 80s nuance. Though he's still finding his sound, Pyramid Aeon is definitely a producer to watch for, be sure you grab a copy of 'Stay' while it's up for FREE download. Many thanks to John Littlefield for enlightening me to this producer's existence.




Cut from a similar cloth to some of my favourite work by Starcadian is the rockin new retro styled funk jam from Atrey: 'Guilty Pleasure'. The horns and vocals create a spectacular 80s homage to the modern chopped up melodies while the mid point breakdown provides some stellar expositions between passages. You can pick up a copy of 'Guilty Pleasure' via Atrey's Bandcamp page here, I hope that you do and rock this track loud and often!




Germany's Blokkmonsta continues to explore his 80s passions, this time featuring Italy's favourite synthsation Vincenzo Salvia. 'Human Destiny' is yet another wonderfully realised soundtrack piece that summons all kinds of wonderful visions and possibilities. Also of note, on Blokkmonsta's soundcloud bio it mentions he has the record for being Germany's Rapper & Producer with the highest count of banned CD's nationwide. After witnessing such beauty and sensitivity in his recent pieces I can't wait to see what he comes up with when he really lets fly!




Manolis continues to be one of my favourite new producers in the 80s inspired synth scene and his melodies and productions always have an air of perfect 80s understanding. His 'Escape Vacations' piece ventures into a bit of Library territory with its catchy hooks and explosive percussion. He also released another great track this week in 'My Future Girlfriend' which is a sumptuously smooth track that builds to an absolutely stunning melodic adventure. Both are available for FREE download so please give this producer some love and appreciation.




Speaking of sumptuous synth, 'The Seven Sunset Ride' by Olivier P.G. via The Music Is Vast is an incredibly authentic soundtrack love theme that does everything absolutely right. The languid pace, the heartfelt melodies, the synths, the guitars, the sax, it's all here and it's all 100% magical. Stunning work. Thanks to Sunglasses Kid for letting me know of this totally rockin producer.




Mitch Murder's really ramping up the releases of late and his new track shared this week is one of his most exciting in recent times in my opinion. 'The Final Stretch' is built on a selection of melodies that are both triumphant and catchy as hell. Mitch Murder works magical elements into his trademark styles as more of a secondary concern this time around so that melodic power always retains it's focus. Solid gold rockin and rich in all my favourite aspects that make this artist so very, very rad.




Our next piece is one I review with a heavy heart, but still with hope for the future. The Azure Crime project is unfortunately over before it really began. Citing major health issues this producer has taken his leave of music production after releasing a handful of tracks that are truly kick arse. For now though, we have to wish Azure Crime all the best and a speedy recovery so he can keep on rockin. His farewell release, The End Of Crime is four previously unreleased tracks that span many 80s inspirations and are full of emotional investment and much musical prowess.

Opening up with 'Particles' we're greeted by an expanding vista of city lights and slow burning melodies introduced like clouded phantoms into the mix. The spectral melodies rise and fall in the night sky and each new chapter carries them higher and further. 'Polvo De Angel' then turn the scene into more passionate arrangements, energised with pounding drums and dramatic chords. Azure Crime verges on OutRun in this piece with it's twists and turns, but he retains an intimacy through the synthscape that prevents the high speed chase from going off the rails. By the time the guitars crunch into view the path ahead becomes a minefield of dangerous curves and high risk maneuvers.

The redlining melodies are exchanged for a romantic interlude in the home room affair 'Highschool Love'. Aurally delicate feelings create much electricity and lead to heart racing moments of sax filled delirium. Guitars swoon and fall under the romantic spell of the piano melodies, completing the warm, impassioned embrace. Harpsichords of eternal damnation usher the fourth chapter of the EP as blackened skies burst and a rain that doesn't cleanse begins to fall. 'Nightmare' is onyx black dark synth, with a threatening bassline and chilling melodies. Choked passages from which there is no escape ensure your nightmare will last long after the dawn.

It's a testament to Azure Crime's talent that all four tracks are hugely different yet all display a great understanding of what makes these genres rock. I do hope we get to hear more from Azure Crime at some stage, but for now we must bid adieu to Azure Crime. Be sure to pick up these totally rockin tracks on his Bandcamp page here and though it's a name-your-own-price point please dig deep to show your appreciation. Our hearts go with you, Azure Crime, you'll never be alone. Keep on rockin, brother!



Robot Outro has been sharing his take on 80s sounds for the last year and his new track, 'The Lost Tape' is a marvellous homage to early 80s euro synth pop. The mechanically discordant intro leads into a pulsing refrain that harkens back to the glory days when these musical vistas were still brand new. I keep expecting to hear a terse female vocal doing some spoken word in German over the top of this track. Great work from Robot Outro!





Palm Highway Chase has been one of my favourite producers in 80s styled synth music since I first discovered it and it gives me great excitement to see a full new album from this visionary producer is due out very soon on Rosso Corsa Records! The teaser for this record is packed with incredible diverse sounds and imaginative compositions, I can't wait for the full experience. And that won't be long with the release date being the 10th of February, which is tomorrow!




The smooth and ambient soundtrack synth music has been really prolific this week, and the latest track from Bluezz Vylez continues the theme. 'Secret Feeling' is ethereally composed with glacially beautiful progressions that are accented by serenely implemented sax magic. This track is currently available for FREE download too. For more Bluezz Vylez rockin check out his hot Flash Over Craters EP that was released last year while Synthetix.FM was on vacation. It's full of atmospheric synth jams that take the Bluezz Vylez sounds into more experimental directions.




Our final piece to start getting you in the mood for Valentine's Day is a great video from Parlous for his track 'Softcore'. Featuring some salaciously sexy synth work and a huge amount of equally arousing video clips this is sure to get your pulse racing. A warning/recommendation: theres lots of nudity!


Softcore from Parlous on Vimeo.


That does us for another 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

I think 2013 will be remembered for a couple of things particularly in the 80s inspired synth scene. First, for the completely rockin return of copious amounts of Italo Synth and second for the amount of amazing compilations released. The next of these is the epic Volume IVfrom Future City Records.

Once again FCR have packed their compilation to bursting point with a stellar range of producers and styles to really display the diversity of the label. Lots of scene favourite as well as new rockers round out the roster with twenty five cuts of golden 80s loving.

Grab your copy of Volume IV from FCR's Bandcamp page here and experience a celebration in the diversity and passion of the 80s inspired synth scene.

OK! Let's get rockin with second last Synthetix Weekend Update for 2013!


First up it's my pleasure to be able to share the triumphant return to music production for Discoballistic AKA Twilight Racing AKA Vaillante AKA Playmaker's Playground AKA 80s inspired synth scene legend Jurgen Desmet. This rocker's been rockin around the scene before it even was a scene and in his new track, 'Dickinson's Misery' we get to hear the darker side of Jurgen's inspirations realised as  a thumping dark synth juggernaut.




Continuing the nightmare is the new dark synth opus from 'Dan Terminus' entitled 'Shoggoths Stampede'. The narrative is bold and intense while the instrumentations are coloured with vibrancy and clarity. Dan Terminus's debut release is due out in Spring 2014 and is certainly promising to be the goods at this early stage.




Electric Dissection's new moniker is Strike Force 88 and in his latest piece we're presented with a wonderfully rich atmospheric piece that is stunningly realised. 'Anita' is beautiful in melody and emotion, with each passage expanding further on the refrain; exploring the elements with gentleness and then moving into a dramatic final act. Superb work from Strike Force 88.




Some more gorgeous melodies, this time from Midnight Driver and his new piece 'Cosmic Reflections'. A brightly fashioned melody drives a layered build up of synthtacular spaces and times. There's a great alien nature to this piece, it feels like a story from distant galaxies and the journey between our worlds is vast and awe inspiring.




Another new rocker for Synthetix.FM is Andrioux with his hot new track 'The Road To Santa Mira'. The first thing that hits you is the presence of the sound, this has a big, robust synthscape that really packs a mighty wallop. The piece is full of exploration of 80s motifs and keeps itself rockin at an easy cruising speed that allows the instruments to get into super solid grooves.




Upping the brutality is Vector Hold with his new experience in nightmare fuelled OutRun called 'Cobalt 60'. Action and drama are conveyed intensely with an unrelenting pace and a thunderous percussive track. The energy is frenetic, intense and totally k-rad to the max. You can currently pick up a copy of this for FREE via the download link in the player.




One of my personal favourite aspects of 2013 has been the return of Palm Highway Chase to the scene. Each track he's shared has been really special and his defining of his own sound has been a journey I'm very pleased to have witnessed thus far. In 'Saturday Night' we get to experience a loving dose of Synth Romance injected into the PHC experience. It's beautiful and rockin to the max. Be sure to check out the other track he shared this week too, 'White Tower', for more 80s romance vibes.




Speaking of triumphant returns, how about a totally kick arse new Act Razer track? I know, it took me by massive surprise too, but Christmas time is the season of surprises and miracles. Act Razer is the 'other side' of Miami Nights 1984, which is generally for the darker aspects of his music production. In 'The Return' we have a new role for Act Razer it would seem as more experimental synthscapes begin to form and evolve. There are shadowy elements at play too, but one can't help but be energised and inspired by the melodies and builds. The piano track has to get a special mention too. Totally rockin.




One of my favourite acts of 2013 has been Cougar Synth and this duo continue to impress me massively with their 80s synthsperiences. In their new piece we're treated to a more atmospheric exposition with beautiful cascading melodies that flow and rise and fall throughout the composition. 'Ricky Business' is currently available for FREE download also.




One track I can't possibly get enough of this week is RF Extreme new rocker 'You Win'. The lead melody is so completely infectious that it's impossible not to submit to it's magical embrace. This is then crafted into an intriguing story, full of twists and turns and finishing on the perfect high note. Wonderful work once again from RF Extreme.




Kicking the speed up and setting a course for interplanetary horizons is Android Automatic and his latest tune 'Starset'. The lightness and energy of this piece is a great deal of it's charm as the uplifting bassline and gentle melodies create a buoyant and charming journey into the cosmic 'Starset'. You can pick up a copy of this on iTunes through the link in the player.




The Farfletched experience is always one I'm champing at the bit to get a piece of. You really never know where each new piece he releases will take you and on his new track the journey is vivid and exciting from beginning to end. 'Etherneck' builds with dramatic passages with intriguing elements and sublime melodies before putting the pedal to the metal in all out high speed chase through the second act. The third act ups the ante on the action and leads to a fantastic conclusion. A really marvellous exponent of absolute perfection in crafting arrangements.




Injecting some funk into this week's Weekend Update is Shiro Schwarz with their totally rockin new synth jam 'Cotton Candy'. There are also hints of Library Synth in some passages as the authenticity is really kept as the focus throughout. The melodies are so full of 80s imagination and wonder it becomes entrancing in it's beauty. You can pick up a copy of this great track on iTunes through the link in the player.




I've been surprised by the lack of collaborations between producers in general in 2013 as opposed to 2012. I'm not sure if this is a truth or my perception but there appears to be a lot less of them on the whole this year. Breaking that rule is hot new track from KFDDA featuring Dress-2-Kill called 'Time, the Illusionary'. Their joined forces have conjured up a cinematic narrative that is full of 80s wonder and draws you in to it's magical synth vistas.




 Next up is a fantastic new video for Alessandro Parisi's 'Athanor'. The EP is up for pre-order on Bandcamp here and promises to be another epic Giallo Disco experience in the darker and more bizarre dimensions of 80s inspires synth music. The promo video for 'Athanor' certainly does a stupendous job of setting the scene of uneasiness with visuals from 'The Holy Mountain' blending unnerving well with the synthesized demons summoned by Parisi. Get your pre-order in for one of the physical releases of this EP now!!




A final note for this week's Weekend Update is to check out the hot new game project Sferro is involved in. Master Spy is a 'stealth based precision platform game' due out next year but the demo is available to play in your browser right now. The art and sound are fused into a spectacular homage to classic 80s dystopian sci-fi with a Blade Runner-esque feel. Needless to say, Sferro's music is the perfect fit for this experience. I'm definitely looking forward to the full version when it hits in 2014.


That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. Next week's Weekend Update will be the final traditional one for 2013,  the following weekend I'll be posting the second annual Synthetix Year End Synthstravaganza in which I'll be going through all my favourite records from the year before I take a vacation for a few weeks.

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

Synthetix Weekend Update

I must apologise for the lack of a second review on Thursday these past two weeks. Sometimes plans just don't work out how you expect them to. Coming into December we have a bunch of hot rockin new releases coming up, so things will be back to normal before Synthetix.FM finishes up for 2013.

One thing that is special, which has cropped up out of nowhere is a new release from Palm Highway Chase. This is not his next massive blockbuster but is instead a subsidiary exploration of some less structured ideas which he so aptly described to me as a 'sketch book'.



Fantasy Recordings is released through Beer On The Rug and if there's enough interest in the album it'll get a physical cassette release, which would rock in a spectacular fashion. The album is full of 80s love and experimental synthscape that are still refined with Palm Highway Chase's own brand of magic.

I highly recommend all Synthetix.FM readers get behind this album and give this legend of the scene the love he deserves! You can pick up a copy through the 'buy' button on the player, and also be aware that only seven of the seventeen pieces are playable through the site preview.


Hot off the digital music forges is the hot new track from Scream & Dive. These rockers from Serbia always manage to make massively enthralling and exciting music and 'Runnin Through The Vicious Streets' is no exception. The action and drama are redlining from beginning to end, which comes all too soon unfortunately. It's their first track in nearly a year, but we can only hope more tunes are on the horizon.




By vast comparison, Viks Lander managed to share no less than three compositions in the last couple of days, albeit after a seven month absence! I was hard pressed to choose my favourite of the three but Andromeda won my heart with it's Library inspired parts and a truly 80s naive aesthetic. Check out his other rockin tunes through his soundcloud page for more golden tones.




I've probably said it before, but it bears repeating; Cobra Copter is one producer I'd love to see an album release from as soon as possible. The synthscapes created by this artist are as wondrous as they are varied. So much 80s love is displayed through his singles that an album package would be totally rockin. In his new track, 'Skyline',  he explore more ambient and spacious sounds, punctuated with funky synths and delivered in a chilled glass for your complete satisfaction.




A new epic from Grooveworthy next which I believe has it's tongue firmly planted in cheek but still rocks in a most radical way. 'Hot Unicorn Forest' is a deep and rich tale of global warming set against the neon realms of 80s fantasy with a slight hint of equinophilia thrown in for extra bonus points. The synths are full of energy and unfettered exuberance while the percussion canters along at a seductively smooth pace.




Cranking the 'epic' off the scale is the incredibly beautiful new piece from Dynatron. Even the title 'Fluorescence Of The Cepheids' is vast but it's the music that reaches previously untapped inspirations from celestial bodies, light years from home. The deliberately restrained pace adds a heavy and purposeful atmosphere to the piece, loading up more and more G-Forces with every progression. A superb return track for Dynatron gives us a glimpse at whats to come on their second album.




A hot new rocker on the scene is Robert Parker, coming straight out of Sweden with his new kick arse tune 'Parket's Theme'. The synthscape is full of beautiful 80s emotions and sounds that layer and build with a smooth gracefulness. The vibe is laden with positivity and wonder as the joyous refrain transforms into a more dramatic second half. Many thanks to David Grant for enlightening me to the Robert Parker experience.




Pilotpriest is back with a spectacular new work of atmospheric soundtrack synth from his Darknet Original Soundtrack project. 'Wounded Bird' is a haunting work that builds with a sombre melody deeply rooted in late 70s space synth sounds. The piece is enthralling and divulges an intimate narrative with it's hypnotising refrains and immense presence.




I can't believe the Versus series on Werkstatt Recordings is already up to Volume 7! While I've not covered a lot of the more EBM oriented releases the 7th edition contains a thrilling bout between Right Nider and Beatbox Machinery that adds some more 80s vibrancy to the battle. Right Nider's track, 'Into The Voight' is exploratory and intense with layers of synths gathering on the horizon in a storm of electronic magic. The melodies are of a delicate nature but then contrasted by a brutal percussion and rhythm section that is sure to result in a knock out blow. Beatbox Machinery offers up a forthright offensive with 'Shining City Tank' that crunches bare steel against bare steel as it darts and weaves in and out of electronic realities, culminating with a huge swing from the rafters late in the second round.



A celestially divined collaboration between Femmepop and Timecop1983 has resulted in a totally kick arse experience in 80s fuelled Synth Pop called 'Timescapes'. Femmepop's sweetly delicate vocals are the perfect accompaniment to Timecop1983's undulating synthscape, the combined forces create warm and intimate moments while always retaining a glassy, polished ambiance.




An artist I sure don't give nearly enough love to on Synthetix.FM is Tokyo Rose. This Japanese producer's brand of high energy OutRun is always as riveting as it is powerful and his new track 'Zender Vision 3' redlines the rad levels throughout. The monstrous percussion and climbing melodies make for the perfect high speed thrill ride into the neon streets Tokyo Rose owns.




It definitely is the time of year for many artist's who've been hibernating away for the year, toiling away on their synths, to finally come out into the light with hot new tracks. We can add Daroc to this list as his new piece is the first we've heard from him in many months but it's certainly been worth the wait. 'Volute Club' is a languid exposition of dreamy synhscapes and magical possibilities told in a majestic narrative. This track is on the Le Burgundy Paris compilation available on iTunes here.




Spacious Sweep has graciously shared not only a kick arse new Italo Disco track in 'Double Edge' but also given us an early Christmas present with a free EP linked within the soundcloud track description. The EP contains many hits singles from Spacious Sweep shared throughout the year on soundcloud and is full of vibrant, 80s coloured experiences that are now available to you as a complete package in their final versions. Spacious Sweep also shared two new tracks in 'Call Of The Wild' and 'Storm Hammer'; both absolutely rockin the classic Italo sounds and well worthy of your attention. Check them out on his soundcloud page linked in the player.




Technomancer or Zone Tripper, perhaps, is another hot new rocker to Synthetix.FM and his latest track Zone Tripper is a high energy blast of late 80s Italo the shines brightly and burns with a searing brilliance. The late 80s/early 90s Italo Disco/Techno crossover is prevalent throughout this piece and it's something I hope Technomancer/Zone Tripper explores more in the future. This track is currently available for FREE download through the player. Many thanks to Werkstatt Recording for enlightening me to Technomancer.




Keeping the energy levels in the danger zone is the first track off the next Vector Hold experience aptly titled 'Supercharger'. The sheer grandiose nature of the instrumentations and the atomic weight of the melodies make for an experience that'll leave you breathless. Vector Hold is planning to release the new album in early January, so we can expect a few more teasers from it between now and then.




Hot new rockin action next from Supervo courtesy of Super Magic Records and the track 'Next Time'. This Italo piece is a tad more restrained than the usual Italo fare, but is no less brimming over with quality 80s sounds and incredibly hooky melodies. I'm still unsure as to whether this is actually new music or old music that Super Magic Records shares on soundcloud, as they recently shared this amazing track which is from 2011 by M@rgo. I guess it doesn't really matter one way or the other, the music is totally kick arse and rockin to the max and that's what matters.




As a special treat I've got two hot videos to finish of this week's Weekend Update with. The first being an absolutely rockin fake video trailer by Silvermania called 'Paperboy 3: The Hard Way' which features much action, violence and stellar oneliners and the music of Protector 101 to add a genuine 80s atmosphere to the wonderful visual exploitation.




The other video I'd like to share is a hot new music video of the combined talents of Countess M and Denovomutans for their brooding Dark Synth single 'Mother Night'. The unsettling tones and haunting melodies are complemented by a fantastic and visually hypnotising video that is well in keeping with the music's tone.





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

Synthetix Weekend Update

The Halloween Festivities continue on Synthetix.FM into an unprecedented second week! Yes, theres just too much music for the season around to move on. When will it end? Well, I'd say the upcoming review of Dance With The Dead's debut album should bookend things nicely. 'Til then, we're still rockin the darkness with candy coursing through our veins and Jack-o'-lantern vestiges still glowing bright!

One of the true highlights of Halloween 2013 is the phenomenal compilation released by Playmaker. The Miami Cannibal Massacre is deep laceration after laceration of sharpened synth slashes, boasting a cast of serial superstars thirsting for blood and vengeance. It's a staggering display of talent from the scene on show here, with the devil's share of tracks being exclusively available in this compilation.



Even more rockin is the upcoming physical release of this on cassette with a poster of the cover art. Click through the player to the Bandcamp page for more information on this rockin limited edition.


Let's keep the volume turned all the way up to rad with the new Synthetix Weekend Update!


The Glow Racing project from Montana Games keeps on rockin as more musical talent signs on. Apollo Zapp is the latest addition to the stable and his new track 'Glow Racing Theme' adds a very smooth and sophisticated air to the proceedings. Not a fast paced, frenetic OutRun affair, but instead creating an undulating synthscape that flows effortlessly.




Evanton are celebrating their first year anniversary with a kickin new track available for FREE download. 'Living In The 80s' brings the Evanton sound out of it's Italo roots and into some different territory as the melodies are given a new personality, complete with synth strings filling in the background. It's not what I'd call their most 80s sounding track, but it certainly rocks!




Time to take the Halloween sounds into the realms of synth pop with the new track from Kid Indiglo titled 'Wolf At The Door'. The subject matter is dark, but the melodic structure provides much beauty with a fantastic narrative in both the lyrics and music. To celebrate Halloween this song is currently available for FREE download, so get on it and rock it.




Something new now from Timecop1983. This producer has been searching for his sound if his soundcloud is anything to go bu and I think he's found it in 'Into The Night'. Luxurious OutRun elements are brought together with much homage to the leaders of the scene. The flow is unmistakable, and hopefully this leads to Timecop1983 developing his craft further.




Someone who's spent most of 2013 developing their craft is the ever-rockin Foreign Blade. I've loved so much of this producer's music throughout the year and continue to be wowed by his work and '1 Kilo And 486 Miles' is no exception. You want rich, emotive melodies? You got 'em. You want an exciting narrative that will take you on an epic journey? That's here too. This track is spectacularly well crafted and as a wonderful bonus is currently available for FREE download.




Next up is the hot new debut EP from Polymatrix. This self-titled three track affair from this new Polish producer introduces us to his music with rockin results. Style wise the three tracks on offer are cut from the more epic fabrics of space and time and there are some superb nods to 70s prog synths sounds as well as 80s emotions.


The opening track serves as a great introduction as 'Nightrider' takes a really kick arse later 70s sounding melody and weaves it's story through ages and stages of evolutionary development that explodes in the final chapter with ferocious neon incandescence. 'Heart Of The City' is a tad more obtuse in it's delivery as the introduction builds from numerous directions into synth soundtrack themed piece. The sweeping synths layer in beauty over the chaos before the main synth melody rocks onto the scene and switches the entire piece into amazing new dimensions. The third track, '2087' is easily the most sci-fi feeling piece on the EP and shows once again that Polymatrix has a deft touch for developing his musical ideas into deeply rich stories.

This is a fantastic debut release from this artist and I'll be greatly looking forward to hearing more form Polymatrix in the future. For now you can pick up this great EP on his Bandcamp page here, at a name-your-own-price point.


Let's get back to some funkier stuff now with some hot new PH Groove. 'Rocket Power' is another adventure into the funkified future synth of PH Groove and continues his trend of making sure every avenue of a track is explored before it's finish. The six minute plus track length of PH Groove's more  releases are something I thoroughly applaud as it gives the listener the opportunity be fully ensconced in the music. 'Rocket Power' exemplifies this with it's totally kick arse synth melodies allowed to rock all over the universe; and you can let it rock all over yours too as it's currently available for FREE download!




Hot on the heels of his fantastic new album Scan Lines (which I endeavour to review on Synthetix.FM soon) is an unreleased track from LA Dreams entitled 'Am I Dreaming'. I find this piece most interesting as to me, as long time LA Dreams fan, it sounds like it was made a while back as it has a different air about it, production wise, although I wouldn't be surprised if I'm entirely wrong. Either way this is full of that gorgeous LA Dreams magic that is always so wonderful to experience.




A hot new collaboration from Stellar Dreams and Who Ha has surfaced and it's totally k-rad to the max.  A spooky synth  Halloween motif accented with Who Ha's inimitable comedic brilliance. The music is a great introduction to Stellar Dreams new dark experiments and I defy you to not have the 'Spooky Stellar, Spooky Who Ha' refrain looping in your head long after the song has ended. This is an absolute gem, so rock it hard and often.




And speaking of Stellar Dreams, the rockers themselves had a hot new EP out in time for the Halloween Season entitled Audiolove. This release marks a bit of a change in the Stellar Dreams soundscape, as evidenced above in their collaboration with Who Ha, which finds the duo digging into darker textures and ideas, abandoning much of their previous production styles in favour of a much more grisly slash electro flavour.


It should be no surprise to anyone that this works exceptionally well as the combination of their beautifully crafted melodies are now contrasted by a raw and violent energy. There are elements of the Carpenter Brut and Perturbator school of slash electro present throughout the EP and these darker energies are explosive and intense throughout,  however on  'Dance For Yesterday' Stellar Dreams allow their 80s soul to glow with much more loving colours but this is much more of a stop off than a destination on Audiolove.

It's provides for a very interesting synthscape, the balls-out synth violence of pieces like 'Haste' and 'Sound Of Blood' are riveting and full of instant gratification, whereas the final piece, 'The Vow' offers a combination of both peace and violence as the grand melodies are carved out with an aggressive instrumentation. The experiment comes off with much success and Audiolove shows that the Stellar Dreams experience is still going through developments to find it's true form.

Grab your copy of Audiolove on Stellar Dreams' Bandcamp page here, it's a wild ride into the darker creative energies of Stellar Dreams, tempered by their innate 80s love and most importantly it rocks from beginning to end.


2013 has certainly been a great year if your a fan of Cougar Synth. This duo has released some of the most lusciously luxurious 80s inspired synth adventures over the year and continue to impress with each new track. On their latest work, 'Visions' we find absolutely glorious synth melodies caressing a wonderful bass line in an embrace of rapturous passion. This is Cougar Synth doing what they do best, and it's totally magical to experience. You can add this to your music collection courtesy of the FREE download button in the player too.




This leads us perfectly into the new vision from Palm Highway Chase. Palm Highway Chase has been around since the beginning of the 80s inspired synth scene and his importance and relevance is explained to perfection in this new preview for his upcoming cassette release through Beer On The Rug. This track is the epitome of what emotive soundtrack synth is all about. The structure, the elements, the progressions, they're all perfectly moulded into an incredibly deep experience. To find out more about the mysterious producer known only as Palm Highway Chase to his many fans tune into KFAI's live stream today (Sunday) at 10AM CST for a live interview with him by scene icon Noah Kaufman as part of his Synth Waves show.




To finish off this week's Weekend Update we have the triumphant return of Project Friday to announce. The show's been on hiatus for the last few months, but Steve 'Silent Gloves' Gillson is back and ready to rock this Friday, the 8th of November. Get onto the Project Friday's website here and Facebook page here for more information!




As a final word for this week's Weekend Update I had the pleasure of joining Noah Kaufman, LA Dreams and RF Extreme on the Across The Board show on KFAI this past Friday. The live broadcast was a hell of a lof of fun and is something I'll be hopefully much more involved in in the future, you can listen to the stream or download the show here under the 11/01/2013 show under Recent Playlists.

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

Synthetix Weekend Update

Things are getting hot and heavy in the worlds of evolved 80s sounds as big releases keep on dropping like synth laden H-Bombs. There is also a great new compilation available for your listening pleasure, brought to you by the creative visionary Mike 'Who Ha' Mendoza. Flying under the banner of Retro Promenade, Vox Populi is a compilation devoted to some of the most rockin pop synth available.

 

This is spans the length and breadth of classically styled 80s sounds that are vocally oriented and many of the most rockin artists in the scene are present and accounted for. I'm a huge champion for the use of vocals in 80s inspired synth music and when such a fantastic selection of songs is presented in one place it makes for a vastly entertaining package.

In Who Ha's infinite wisdom he's also included links to all the respective artist's soundcloud and Facebook pages, so make sure you follow and like all your favourite artists.

Now, let's get down to business with all the most rockin action this past week in the new Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM.

First up is a totally kick arse new track from Garth Knight that contains much avant garde experimentalism. The chopped up presentation overrides some very funky 80s groove and theres
even a bit of classic hip hop thrown into the mix too. I love this track, it just plain rocks.




The new song from Vestron Vulture this week was another sparkling gem. 'Together' features delightfully effected vocals and a richly emotive instrumental track. The timing of the lyrics and the music is absolutely entrancing and makes for an experience that is definitely one of my favourites from Vestron Vulture.




Niky Nine introduced me to a hot new italo flavoured venture going by the name Absolute Valentine and his new track 'Disco Lover'. Definitely arranged with a modern character but also with much of the character around the melodies drawn from late 70s-early 80s disco synth. The result is definitely rockin to the max.




Dance With The Dead just can't contain their high velocity firepower as this week saw the duo unleash two killer new tracks. 'Robeast' is the dictionary definition of what the Dance With The Dead experience is all about: vastly epic melodies, energised smashing drama and the terror of the night lurking in every passage. The guitar tracks in this experience are absolutely exemplary and bring out great details in the narrative. Be sure to check out the other Dance With The Dead track shared this week called 'Battle' here.




Palm Highway Chase share some very experimental pieces this week, each of which provided some insight into this artists creative process. The most complete ideas of these was definitely the totally rad
'Palm Dreams'. I'm assuming this has been given a heavily filtered treatment by the title but the overall presentation is lucid and vital beneath it's imaginatively distorted visage.




Another artist working through some experiments is the always rockin Paul For You. He released a dearth of 'Final Demo' tracks that I'm hoping will go into a fully fledged release sometimes soon. 'Chuka' finds the immensely catchy Paul For You aesthetic taken to jazzier climes while retaining his trademark hooks. Be sure to check out the rest of his releases this week on his soundcloud here.




LA Dreams was back in sterling form this week with his amazing new experience 'Cocktails In The Lounge'. This artist once again proves why he's one the brightest stars in the 80s synth galaxy with this glittering gem of synth funk brilliance. The LA Dreams experience just keeps on rockin and I for one am eternally grateful for each track he shares.




The synth brothers going by the name of Bourgeoisie are back with a vengeance with a killer new single 'The Carcinus Project'. Drama levels are set to huge levels of intensity as the melodies introduce layers of hope and humanity to the desolate dystopian vision. The narrative is deep and vibrant, ushering in a spectacular return to the scene for Bourgeoisie.




The new record from 80s synth scene mainstays Casio Social Club is definitely sounding totally kick arse. The Life In 3D album is set to launch worldwide on the 7th of October and contains some of their familiar classics and a whole mess of new electro funk breakin gold. This will be one to watch for, but you can check it out in it's entirety in the soundcloud player.




A new cosmic interlude from Aysyne next with his new interstellar experience 'Sparkle'. The melodies are haunting and full of presence with a percussive track that is full of spatial energies and cosmic propulsion. The breakdown and rebuild in 'Sparkle' is totally epic and makes the story richly detailled.




Clusterbuster is an artist new to Synthetix.FM and I can him getting a lot more love on here in the future. This producer is aiming to the darker side of OutRun with some soundtrack elements and arrangements along with a preponderance for classic movie samples. His latest track 'Crime Is The Disease And I Am The Cure' is a high speed chase at night that is full of twists and turns and moments of violence.




Fantastisizer took a night drive into more introspective spheres of creativity with his haunting new track 'The Exchange'. The presentation is subdued and laid back with melodies allowed to create their own paths amid the pulsing bassline. The length of this track allows for full and concise appreciation of it's beauty. This is a side of Fantastisizer I hope I get to see more often.




One of the most rockin surprises this week was the totally k-rad to the max new track from Diana Gitallog called 'The Quest' and featuring Dark Energy Discoveries. This is a magnificently authentic slice of dramatic pop synth with some nods to italo in the finer details. I love the dark ambiance of this song and the vocals and structure add megatons of presence to it. Stunning from beginning to end.




Another collaborative effort up next with Denovomutans and NFD Music combining their talents to create one of the moodiest pieces of the week in 'Femme Fatale'. The minimalist nature of the experience leads to much exploration of the echoing melodies and leads to powerful final act. This awesome exponent of classic 80s soundtrack synth is also available for FREE download in the player.




Lightening the mood now with some kick arse new pop synth from Miranda Carey and her debut song 'Piece Of Paper'. This is a pitch perfect piece of quality 80s bubblegum pop that really kills with its catchy hooks and a chorus that rocks with total synth magic. Miranda Carey's Fast Forward EP is due out soon and I'll be greatly looking forward to rocking these gorgeous synth pop sensations on Synthetix.FM in the future. Many thanks to Sunglasses Kid for enlightening me to this very promising new artists in the scene.




Finally this week we have the kick arse new video from scene legend Neros77 and his visualisation of Stratos (Mitch Murder) Zero's track Rush. Once again Neros77 captures the magic of the music with clips from The Running Man and Deathsport combined to make a deliciously deadly roller coaster ride into games of courage, stamina, glory and vengeance!




That does us for another jam packed Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back during the week with more gems from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Synthetix Weekend Update

I do believe 2013 will be remembered in the 80s inspired synth scene as the Year Of The Compilation. In the mid 90s I became a devotee of jungle music and the real 'gateway' releases for me where compilations such as the Jungle Massive and Jungle Tekno releases of the time. Each new volume would introduce me to kick arse new artists and provide for exciting new developments in sounds and styles. Back then, of course, the internet wasn't the go-to resource it is these days, which I think a lof of us today take for granted.

The compilation releases, in most music scenes, serve as an introduction for those just finding their way into the music, offering diversity in sounds and artists. Indeed, my first real introduction to the wealth of talent in the 80s synth genres were the MOTU2 and Valeries compilations,  that are both now regarded as being instrumental in initialising the scene we have today.

Each new compilation that is released gives another opportunity for producers to expand their fanbases and hopefully gain exposure through other avenues. This is why every compilation that comes is permanently linked on the right hand column on here. I like to think that people just getting interested in the music can then experience a smorgasbord of what is on offer in the scene, as this is what I wished I could've had access to when I was first discovering 80s inspired synth music.

On to the latest compilation for 2013 which is a monster release from Future City Records. Compilation Vol. III contains twenty five tracks from some of the most rockin producers in the scene. The diversity of styles is a spectacular cross section of all the 80s synth sub genres from soundtrack, to pop synth, to italo and electro and everything in between. There are some huge tracks on this release, and more than a few tracks are sure to be included in the next Synthetix Mixtape.



Congratulations to Future City Records on this magnificent cross section of what is on offer in the scene in 2013, it's a great time to be a devotee of 80s styles and without labels like FCR we the fans would be finding it a great deal more difficult to find the music we love. Keep on rockin, FCR!!


Now the mood has been set and the rad meter is peaking into the red zone, lets get this Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM kicked into high gear!


First up is a hot new rocker coming out of Ireland going by the name of Aysyne. I believe this is his first foray into the golden realms of 80s sounds but he sure as hell hit it out of the park with 'Out Of Time'. The melodies and sounds intimate a deep story and the supporting cast of orchestral stabs and pounding rhythms make for a hugely exciting adventure. Synthetix.FM will be keeping a close eye on this new producer and I hope you do too, so please give him some love on his soundcloud here.



For some reason, unknown to me, there has a been a huge amount of italo disco releases in the scene, which is totally kick arse. I think this is one of the most under represented styles in the scene, so it's great to get so many rockin italo track in one week. The first one,  although it did come out a couple of weeks ago is a killer new tune from Spacious Sweep. 'Shadow Moon' adds some eastern elements but pumps with a heart of pure italo as grooving basslines and nifty handclaps are expounded en masse.




Developing his own self confessed brand of ninja italo is Henrique Kuba Kubinski with his latest track 'Katana'. I really applaude the aesthetic he's going for in combining ninja synth magic and italo gold as the results are totally rock hard. I hope Henrique is working towards as full length release of this denomination as it's a totally killer combination.




Launching into the cosmos with some italo space disco is Hyboid with his new epic 'Utopia'. The build on this experience is more akin to something much more soundtrack based and it adds a new layer to the synthscape before the disco sets the cosmic void ablaze. The hypnotic vocal and sparkling melodies really create a wonderful atmosphere that resonates deeply.




Taking the disco sounds into more modern styles is Hologram with his new track, the beautifully titled 'The Aspens Turning Gold'. More huge builds and dancing synth melodies layer in over a totally rockin bassline while the exploration of exciting soundscapes continues unabated. It's another epic adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.




Sady K has released a totally killer new preview teaser for his next release which is due out on the 9th of September. I'm not sure if this constitutes a full length album or an extended EP, but either way this is some absolutely kick arse music that channels a whole mess of quality 80s inspirations. Many thanks to Vincenzo Salvia for the heads up on this one.




Released on hours ago is the debut EP from Fantastisizer: The Dark Sun. Fantastisizer has been a favourite on Synthetix.FM over the last few months and it's marvellous to be able to experience all four chapters of The Dark Sun story in one complete package. The soundscapes on this EP tend towards the ambient and space synth dimensions with delicately written melodies allowed to gestate and bask in their own cosmic radiance.

The two opening tracks with their vast atmospheres lead into the much more action oriented 'The Chase' which takes the story into much more dangerous zones powered with  panic driven rhythm section while being coloured with fragile synth melodies that waver and oscillate in the alien winds.
The EP closes out with 'Before Dawn', which takes a more pointed and deliberate melodic adventure that remains much more focussed and determined. There is still a majestic ambiance and dream like quality to the synthscapes but with more purpose this time around, making for an exciting conclusion to the EP.

The Dark Sun is a classic example of how to do a four track concept record that engages with a deep narrative without meandering or losing the initial vision. It's a superb EP and one that I encourage everyone to pick up. Fantastisizer's Dark Sun EP is presented by Werkstatt Recordings on their Bandcamp page here.



Palm Highway Chase keeps on rockin and his sounds are still some of the most exciting in the scene. Each new track this producer shares has a new elemental idea behind that always sounds fresh and full of possibilities. In his latest track 'Holy Days' we get to experience beautifully shimmering synth melodies that take on a glorious life all their own. The music is pure synth romance created with the imaginative vision that could only be done by Palm Highway Chase.




Speaking of synth romance we have another totally kick arse track from the modern master of the genre, the irrepressible LA Dreams with 'Lipstick Blush'. Synths are set to maximum crush level throughout this glossy journey into the hearts and minds of every 80s teenager. The production on this piece is so dazzlingly polished you most certainly need to put on a pair sunglasses before pressing the play button. Totally rockin.




Seipa's kicking massive amounts of arse in his new electro rocker 'Florida Weather Report'. Shades of library enter into the soundscape but the truly punishing drum track and a bassline that funks harder than a melonfarmer pushes this track into a class of it's own. The groove is deep and the sizzling synthscape is set to ignite passions state wide.




Taking the electro funk under the cover of darkness after a sun drenched day is the rock hard Pumping Body with his new track 'Don't Touch Me Man'. Scintillating synths keep time with a totally rockin guitar track and join forces to make for an experience sure to make you want to pump your body in all the right ways.




Easing back into more ambiant pastures we find Ed Harbinger using his synth alchemy skills to create a sprawling journey over time and space called 'Logan's Epiphany'. The languid nature of this piece allows a full and detailed exploration of the melodic passages in a timely manner that engages the listener in a transfixed state of wonder. Beautifully sounds are only the beginning of the story, allow Mr Harbinger to take you deep into his creative process via 'Logan's Epiphany'.




A new synth pop force to be reckoned with in the scene is the three piece group going by the name of X Priest X. This very interesting combination of talents has resulted in their first single, to my knowledge, titled 'Samurai'. The sweetly sung vocals add a layer of beauty to the bass driven synth melodies. I can hear a lot of my favourite early 80s UK synth pop based bands in this track,  while the vocal track adds a modern flavour that gives it a more timeless  quality. I'll definitely be looking forward to hearing more from the promising new band and I thank Mike Goosens for enlightening me to their existence.




Our final track this week comes from Russia's PinWizz and his absolutely k-rad to the max track 'FM Synth AM  Station (Secret Password)'. The grooving bassline ushers in lightly coloured synth melodies before the chorus kicks in and takes no prisoners in an explosion of golden 80s magic. Plus, this single has some of the best art I've seen in recent times, hands down! Be sure to follow the PinWizz experience on his soundcloud here, too.



That does us for another rockin Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have and I'll be back next week for more good times and great rock'n'roll.

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