By Rick Shithouse
There is sometimes a veil over music produced in the 80s inspired synth scene. A veil that obscures reality and gives an impression that distorts it. The veil that can convince one that they are actually listening to actual music created in 80s is like the uncanny valley of synthwave and Professor Zonic Zynth is fabricating this veil by the yard in his new album Cybernetics.
Unlike the uncanny valley of CGI the synthwave equivalent isn't unsettling or repulsive but is instead glorious and creates a parallel universe of musical possibilities. The Professor has been ardently pursuing the recreation of the truest 80s forms in relation to synth based 80s soundtrack music and in Cybernetics I think he's cracked the alchemic code; spilling nostalgia in smoke filled neon waves of refined aural gold.
I can't really give this record a track-by-track review as I'm oft to do on Synthetix.FM. I think that compartmentalising the tracks does them a disservice as they really create the most magic as one complete experience. This isn't just creating soundtrack oriented music; this is properly written scoring. Scoring for vision that doesn't technically exist yet surely inspires visions worthy of a great late 80s action sci fi blockbuster.
Right from the beginning though, from the Professor's own studio ID, we're taken into a world of action, love, lust, danger and deception. The tight control exacted over Zynth's tools of the trade becomes evident immediately. The tone of the opening tracks are absolutely refined to a crisp brilliance. The power and drama of 'New Los Angeles' is utterly dominating. The scene is detailed within an inch of you actually seeing it and to add even more to the experience the guitar tracks sing like a vocalist; heartfelt lyrics in chords and notes wail over that desolate concrete jungle backdrop.
The opening chapters of Cybernetics bridge the old and the new that typified this era of late 80s soundtrack with mirror like homage. The electronic elements from contemporary music mixing with the dramatic cues of synth based scores then layered with cool, jazzy guitars makes for an all encompassing feast of flavours that are smooth and languid when they need to be and also fiercely energetic when required also. The construction of pieces like 'Urban Mayhem' are so smooth flowing and organic they breathe with life amid the bustling street level humidity.
The Professor knows exactly how to make tense drama a tactile musical experience, using the bassline to fake left as the percussion lands peppering blows and synths pace menacingly in the background. His use of hugely varied toms add tribal fury to the synthscape and guitars that once whispered sweet nothings can be turned into vicious weapons and then reduced to a weeping aftermath.
For all the intensity of tracks like 'Neon City Lights' and the stunning 'Air Strike' I find the most rewarding music on this album to be the more spaced out experiences. Zynth has a free-form approach to his pieces that gives them life and colour, jamming seemingly innocuously only to then bring moments into tight focused set pieces. The instruments used can vary greatly from track to track but everything is always in-decade, you just have to bear witness to the jazzy late 80s R&B sounds of the delightfully titled 'Boobie-Trapped' to get that 88 groove running deep and cool.
This is where the real genius of Zynth begins to become apparent. You are presented with so many varied scenes of genuine 80s sounds that are engineered to vintage perfection and beautifully convey both the familiar and the brand new in that glorious uncanny synthwave valley. 'Grand Elevation' really sets this off like a time bomb as given more time to coalesce and gel its elements together creates a power of immense synth splendour.
The back end of Cybernetics allows the Professor to tie the musical plot lines of the previous chapters into a penultimate climax. Instruments are used like characters, taken advantage of, double crossed, out for revenge and then yearning for justice. The final scenes are just so rockin to the max that you'll want to hit rewind on your VCR and enjoy it all over again. The veil now somehow becomes completely transparent and all the matters is just how much fun you've had along the wild ride into Cybernetics.
Professor Zonic Zynth presents his Cybernetics album on his Bandcamp page here in the usual array of downloadable formats. Cybernetics is another fantastic record from this massively talented artist, one that expands his skill set even further. I can't help but wish this entire soundtrack was cut to existing vision to complete the whole experience, but on the other hand, the way this record inspires and ignites one's imagination is a more than enough of action filled roller coaster ride and comes very, very highly recommended from Synthetix.FM.
Showing posts with label Professor Zonic Zynth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Professor Zonic Zynth. Show all posts
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Visiting Galaxy Z With Prof. Zonic Zynth
By Chris Day
I love synthwave, but I love it even more when it sounds different or creates a new style of experience. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat rare for me to be able to single out one producer over another when it comes to style. Add to the equation that I love soundtracks as well, particularly electronic scores ridden with a science fiction atmosphere. Both points being stated, I was quick to get hooked onto Prof. Zonic Zynth’s Galaxy Z album.
The spacious atmosphere to this project by the unsigned producer is worth it for any interplanetary fans out there, and the producer evidently doesn’t seem to mind having different rhythm choices than the typical 4x4 kick drum beat, a definite plus in my book for the sake of variety.
Each track begins with a number, explained in the first track, '00 Intro;, which dictates the underlying story to this concept album. Several ambient drones and effects lie in the background as a female computer voice explains the deteriorating state of Earth and the listener’s choice of where else to live. Though not the strongest opening track I ever heard to an album, and personally never being that big on spoken word songs it did set the scene and provide a little bit of an explanation for the title choices.
'01 Mercury' is the first full-length track in the album, and, correspondingly, the first choice to migrate to. Borderline-suite in sound, it does not stay on a fixed key or time signature, reminding me vaguely of the ideas expressed not only in Frank Zappa’s 'Jazz from Hell', but also in the messenger god the planet was named after, in light of all of his various duties in Roman mythology.
Evidently, the choices of planets we know of in our own time are out of order for this album, so instead of the theme for Venus, we continue with '02 Jupiter'. The guitars are a nice touch to the track, adding some variety to the ambient effects and chords, and the use of the TR-808 certainly breathes new life to the drum machine by using it in a genre other than rap or hip hop.
'03 Mars' begins with another spoken word sample, but this time I enjoyed its implementation more. The Prophet VS choir kicks off the melody with an eerie tone alongside seventh-based rhythm notes. The glittering sound to the track is terrific, as is a synth guitar lead toward the middle of the track, though I question its relevance to the named planet, which was considered a threat to early xenophobes to the point that it was named after the Roman god of war. Not to say it’s bad music at all, however.
'04 Venus' is among my favourite tracks on the album. I love the choice of digital synth bass in this electro track, and the synthesized string ensembles and bells give a nice passionate feel, which fits with the planet named after the god of love.
I recently started listening to some authentic 80s electro, and '05 Uranus' was quick to remind me of that genre. While the snare drum isn’t that punchy, the gated reverb clearly applied to it makes up for it in sounding authentic 80s, and the orchestral hits, vocal samples , and brass only further add to this pleasant illusion, as well as a synth vibe reminding me of Sylvester’s classic 'Rock the Box'.
'06 Neptune' is a little more nu-disco in sound, but still retains the electro sound that defines this album as a whole. The filter sweeps easily give an impression of dripping water, which fits with the planet well not only because of its blue color, but also because of the god of water whose name was given to it.
'07 Pluto' is among the fastest tracks in the album. Listening to the beginning, it didn’t sound that desolate to me, what with this arguable planet being the furthest from the sun, and then I heard the bell synth lead and echoing synth brass. A great surprise within the track, and even ignoring that, it’s great theme music.
Having skipped Saturn for some reason, we now move onto worlds beyond our own solar system. '08 Dark Moon' is the first choice of these. It’s pleasant to hear another user of a certain Synclavier sound beyond Michael Jackson in his hit 'Beat It', and sure enough, its sound is very spacious and therefore fitting for this album. The flanging tom fills and dark melody blend in very well for the name as well.
'09 Nova Star' is dominated with bright DX7 electric piano chords. While not what I expected for such a literally stellar name, it works very well. He also effectively points out how bell-like the tines can sound in higher notes once the beat kicks in.
'09 Nova Star' is dominated with bright DX7 electric piano chords. While not what I expected for such a literally stellar name, it works very well. He also effectively points out how bell-like the tines can sound in higher notes once the beat kicks in.
'10 Phobos', the final choice for migration and therefore the closing track for the album. The delayed synth sequences over pads sound very desolate, as if to say that we’ve made our decision where to go, at the cost of leaving our old Earth for good.
In general, this is album is a very pleasant and entertaining experience for fans of outer space oriented synth sounds. It is a stellar collection of tracks, both thematically and metaphorically. Prof. Zonic Zynth presents Galaxy Z from his Bandcamp page here as a digital download and is very highly recommended from Synthetix.FM!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Professor Zonic Zynth's New York Vibes
The last time we visited with the good Professor was August last year with his totally rockin Nostalgic Fantasy EP and betwixt then and now Zonic has released three full albums. For some reason entirely unknown to me Zonic Zynth is a producer that never seems to get a lot of love; which he richly deserves. The last couple of releases came out at times that didn't fit with the Synthetix.FM schedule unfortunately, but it pleases me greatly to be able to give some quality time to his latest album New York Vibes which in my eyes is his most accomplished work yet.
I've previously mentioned how this producer in particular has a gift for creating true 80s spaces in music and as he's progressed over the last year or thereabouts, even more kick arse sounds have become part of the Zonic experience. Zonic Zynth is a producer's producer in that his craftsmanship and style seems to be appreciated by other producers, but doesn't seem to garner a similar excitement from the scene's fans. This is something that I hope changes with New York Vibes as it is a magical experience in 80s synth sounds.
The twelve tracks of this album are soundtrack oriented synth that get delicious new flavours with Zonic's wonderfully imaginative vision. The opening pieces are rife with tension and initiate the listener into the Zonic version of New York and its multicultural background. There are many, many bold moves taken in this album that I can but applaud as the Professor brings in a cacophony of varied instruments and makes them all work so beautifully well. The steel drums completing 'Eclipse' are merely a taster of things to come but certainly begin to open and unlock one's mind to rockin new possibilities.
I've previously mentioned how this producer in particular has a gift for creating true 80s spaces in music and as he's progressed over the last year or thereabouts, even more kick arse sounds have become part of the Zonic experience. Zonic Zynth is a producer's producer in that his craftsmanship and style seems to be appreciated by other producers, but doesn't seem to garner a similar excitement from the scene's fans. This is something that I hope changes with New York Vibes as it is a magical experience in 80s synth sounds.
The twelve tracks of this album are soundtrack oriented synth that get delicious new flavours with Zonic's wonderfully imaginative vision. The opening pieces are rife with tension and initiate the listener into the Zonic version of New York and its multicultural background. There are many, many bold moves taken in this album that I can but applaud as the Professor brings in a cacophony of varied instruments and makes them all work so beautifully well. The steel drums completing 'Eclipse' are merely a taster of things to come but certainly begin to open and unlock one's mind to rockin new possibilities.
Zonic's refined a lot of his techniques in this record but one area that this is hugely pronounced is in the percussion. He gambles and wins often rolling highly aggressive beats against serene melodies and firing machine gun rounds of fills into the mix with the precision of a veteran sniper. The album's tone retains much of the playfully authentic melodies Zonic is highly proficient in but now adds jazzier aspects that take the soundtrack's multicultural nature into account. The positively asiatic atmosphere of 'Summer Posse' stands out, with some progressions Yellow Magic Orchestra would be proud of. Energetic drums syncopate surreptitiously in the steamy back alleys of Chinatown, where gangs jostle for dominance and eastern mysticism permeates through the night.
One of the absolute stand out tracks on New York Vibes is 'Ferrari Lot'. The incredibly vibrant drums clash and rock with a golden swagger while synth melodies sweep in from behind; exuding expensive class and unattainable beauty. This track really feels like three or four people creating the music live and jamming along to the groove, making the different textures and tones presented in the instruments stunningly vivid.
A continental atmosphere is introduced in 'Cossack Queens' as an Italo vibe is given an Eastern European strength and force and the Russian Quarter of New York begins to rock and roll. Zonic's fascination with orchestral stabs has become one of the strongest weapons in his arsenal and in this track in particular he makes them work in an integral part of the piece's narrative and not just as an accented detail. Marvellous work.
The album has an over arching cop-movie storyline that crops up as set pieces between the albums more ethnically oriented parts. 'Cops By-The-Book' arrives on the scene at the record's midpoint with the melodrama of the crime wave hitting home and taking no prisoners. This track is followed by another one of the album's highlights: 'Manhattan Docks'. Things slow down as the investigations move into unfamiliar territory and pierce the shrouded moors with floodlights of synthual beauty. The plot becomes dangerous and foreboding with huge percussive cues signalling more sinister forces at play but one can not help but be utterly entranced by the resplendent synth refrain.
Edge of your seat thrills climax with velocity and explosiveness as the back end of the record brings the loose ends together and the pieces fall into place. The energetic inquiries surrounding 'Alley Of Fate' are set alight in the follow up 'Forbidden Formula MK-II'. Frenetic synths and drums meet with a definitively bluesy guitar track that echoes the dangers of this new street drug. The astronomical highs drop down to subterranean lows and Zonic's descriptive passages leave nothing to the imagination.
Some of my favourite aspects of Zonic's musical pastiche are his funkier bass-driven jams and in 'Out Tonight' he rides the groove right into the funkosphere and beyond. Cool and sophisticated horn sections bring a whole new level of refinement to the proceedings and the music takes off into outer space powered by its own celestial rhythms. The final chapter of the album takes a decidedly more restrained approach with smooth melodies lingering in the night air as the culmination of months of detective work brings the officers to the 'Moonlit Well' for a final discovery before the credits roll.
Professor Zonic Zynth presents the New York Vibes album on his Bandcamp page here and with no reservation what so ever this album is a Synthetix Reference Experience. The cohesiveness of the tracks given their huge variety of flavours is completely intoxicating. Zonic creates his own vision of New York and its diversity in a celebration of cultural differences that unite in superbly orchestrated synthphonies. This is easily one of the most complete soundtrack synth albums I've heard and you'd be doing yourself a monstrous disservice in not picking up a copy as soon as possible.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Synthetix Weekend Update
It's the first Weekend Update for March on Synthetix.FM! Two months of the year are already gone and we've already seen a huge amount of quality music come out from the 80s inspired synth scene. This week we've got hot rockin tracks from both new and established producers so strap yourself in and get ready for take off! Time to get airborne!
AIRBORNE This Week
Apollo Zapp - Laser Tits - Apollo Zapp's new EP is rockin up some sexxxy Italo vibes courtesy of Future City Records. Great vibes on this EP as the hooks come as fast and powerful as the suavely performed vocals. Five kick arse original tracks and three remixes of the title track by Shio-Z, Botnit and Vincenzo Salvia make this a must-have release.
Alpha Boy - Robert Abel - Alpha Boy's back with a very impressive new release inspired by work of creative visionary Robert Abel. The sounds are some of Alpha Boys most experimental yet and the atmospheric and ambiant pieces are magically engrossing, especially 'Quasar', 'Black Hole' and the Kubrick-esque 'Can You Hear That'.
Ian Deaton - Atlanta Crime Wave - In this album Ian Deaton has crafted an incredibly deep and rewarding listening experience in quality Soundtrack Synth music. The compositions make up detailed set pieces and are all tied together by the overriding concept of his own vision of the classic 80s cop action movie. Some really incredible pieces on here, with '90 Down Moreland' and 'Buford Hwy 2am' being my favourites.
LA Dreams - Mirrors - The modern day master of emotionally driven 80s synth sounds is back with another album packed with gorgeous melodies and synthillating soundscapes. The LA Dreams sound expands into even more ideas on this record and tracks like 'Ready To Rumble', 'Silk Stalking' and 'Let's Party' really convey that beautifully vibrant LA Dreams Magic oh so delightfully well.
MegaDrive keeps the Eastern thematic rockin with his new track 'The Street Fighter'. The music pounds with intensity as samples from the martial arts classic The Street Fighter punctuate each chapter of synth violence. A wonderful homage indeed and currently available for FREE download.
Zonic Zynth is experimenting with all kinds of killer sounds in his new piece 'Dreamarized', 90s elements work through the percussion but the Zonic funk synth keeps the 80s feelings rockin. The overall atmosphere is hazy and full of echoing reverberations and entrancing as it bounces along. Make sure you check out Zonic's kick arse Hollywood Synthphonies album from last year too as it certainly slipped under my radar, it's full of rockin Zonic Zynth action that is sure to get your pulse racing.
Back this week with another killer tune is Kruiser and his high energy thrill ride 'Anger'. The structure of this piece is amazingly well crafted as each suite alludes to different emotional spaces. I simply adore the back end to this track which has a powerful afterglow that contrasts the early intensified chapters beautifully. This track is currently available for FREE download currently too.
Although not strictly 80s in the most pure of senses, the new Robots With Rayguns track is positively bursting with quality 80s elements and repackaged into a modern explosion of energetic action. 'Rhythm Test' is a great mix of the old, the new and the timelessly rockin. This track is available for purchase on RWR's Bandcamp page here.
Moving at high speed into the dark horizon we find Danger Mode kicking up dust and leaving a wake of death in his path with his new piece 'Killers'. This slow-motion OutRun adventure is fraught with menace and suspense and thoroughly enthralling from beginning to end.
Taking away the panic and allowing for some smooth synthual caresses is the superb new jam from Babylon 86 titled 'Sunset'. Slowly building to an energetic, funky atmosphere the music is a magical blend of both subtle and more forthright instrumentations. Emotionally uplifting in every way.
Another great track from She Said (Judge Dredd) cropped up this week in 'Sex And Data'. Strong melodies escalate the mood into sensual realms full of lusting technologies and futuristic delights. The layers of instruments rise and fall in time with heaving bodies doused in electrified ecstasy.
A new producer to Synthetix.FM is Apex 86 and I've instantly become a devotee of his kick arse sounds. In 'Climax' we're taken into salacious midnight rendezvous with pumping basslines allowing the provocative synth melodies to take flight. Apex 86 also shared another great track in 'Hot Nights', both tracks you can pick up on his Bandcamp page here. Many thanks to scene legend Jarred Hageman for enlightening me to Apex 86.
I recently decided that Manolis is the most underrated and under appreciated artist in the 80s inspired synth scene. His sounds are incredibly well written and each track contains such beautifully individual nuances. It baffles me entirely that he hasn't been picked up by a label yet as Manolis promises to be one of the future leaders of the 80s inspired synth scene. You only need to experience his latest tack 'Datacorder' to feel the Manolis Magic, and it's also currently available for FREE download.
Future Holotape are back with a killer new synth pop tune titled 'Replicant'. This duo are really perfecting their craft in each new track and the songwriting and 80s influences are stepped up even further in this new song. There's a lot to love, from the impassioned vocals to the lead synth melodies, the rockin just doesn't stop.
Resting on their laurels is apparently not a part of the Compilerbau work ethic as after just releasing the spectacular Tachyon album Rudolf has now gone out and invented a phenomenal new genre that I hope develops further. This new take on classical music done with 80s sounds and styles is absolutely rockin to the max and I'm sure will spark new inspirations and synthscapes in the future. This homage is the perfect evolution of similar 70s and early 80s revisions of classical sounds and 'Fragments Of Back 1' proves there is still much fertile ground to grow new and imaginative sounds from.
This week's Electro Breakin anthem is brought to you by Neon Vandal with his body poppin sex anthem 'L.A Nights'. Channelling all the right influences from Afrika Bambataa to Paul Hardcastle this track is just pure electric energy served with a side of sensuality.
It brings me immense pleasure to bring Myrone into the Synthetix.FM universe. Very, very few producers in the scene have fully utilised 80s guitars in the sounds to their fullest potential but in 'Victory Theme (They Said Our Love Couldn't Be Done)' Myrone does this with aplomb and attitude. The rockin is taken to astronomically awesome levels as each riff and solo pulses with 80s inspiration and emotional power. Easily one of my favourite tracks of the year thus far and I can't wait for Myrone to rock my world again. This work of absolute magic is available for FREE download currently and make sure you check out the kick arse video for this track here too.
Chrome Brulee set off all kinds of buzz last year when they came out of nowhere with one of the best promo videos ever that set the 80s inspired synth scene on fire. Their limited release of Kiss The Hiss Volume 1 with only small numbers of cassettes available for purchase and no digital download meant that a lot of people missed out on their rockin tunes though. With Kiss The Hiss Volume 2 coming out at some stage this year they've released a short little teaser alluding to some radical Italo Synth vibes. Synthetix.FM will be following the next phase of the Chrome Brulee experience very closely!
Our final piece for this week's Weekend Update is the marvellous new video Dark Souls II: Rogue Warrior featuring the music of Protector 101 and Zero Call. This gives the 80s Saturday Morning Cartoon treatment to the extremely masochistic Dark Souls II video game from the creative talents of animator extraordinaire Veselekov. Totally rockin.
That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, I hope you've found some great new music to make your weekend rock that 80s love just a little bit more.
I'll be back during the week with more exciting music from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.
AIRBORNE This Week
Apollo Zapp - Laser Tits - Apollo Zapp's new EP is rockin up some sexxxy Italo vibes courtesy of Future City Records. Great vibes on this EP as the hooks come as fast and powerful as the suavely performed vocals. Five kick arse original tracks and three remixes of the title track by Shio-Z, Botnit and Vincenzo Salvia make this a must-have release.
Alpha Boy - Robert Abel - Alpha Boy's back with a very impressive new release inspired by work of creative visionary Robert Abel. The sounds are some of Alpha Boys most experimental yet and the atmospheric and ambiant pieces are magically engrossing, especially 'Quasar', 'Black Hole' and the Kubrick-esque 'Can You Hear That'.
Ian Deaton - Atlanta Crime Wave - In this album Ian Deaton has crafted an incredibly deep and rewarding listening experience in quality Soundtrack Synth music. The compositions make up detailed set pieces and are all tied together by the overriding concept of his own vision of the classic 80s cop action movie. Some really incredible pieces on here, with '90 Down Moreland' and 'Buford Hwy 2am' being my favourites.
LA Dreams - Mirrors - The modern day master of emotionally driven 80s synth sounds is back with another album packed with gorgeous melodies and synthillating soundscapes. The LA Dreams sound expands into even more ideas on this record and tracks like 'Ready To Rumble', 'Silk Stalking' and 'Let's Party' really convey that beautifully vibrant LA Dreams Magic oh so delightfully well.
---------------------------------------------------
Lets open up the Weekend Update with some some smooth space synth from FLIGHTWAVE and his cosmic new piece 'Jade Rabbit 86'. This homage to the beleaguered moon explorer is the perfect blend of asian mysticisms in the melodies and expansive lunar synthscapes. Currently available for FREE download.
MegaDrive keeps the Eastern thematic rockin with his new track 'The Street Fighter'. The music pounds with intensity as samples from the martial arts classic The Street Fighter punctuate each chapter of synth violence. A wonderful homage indeed and currently available for FREE download.
Zonic Zynth is experimenting with all kinds of killer sounds in his new piece 'Dreamarized', 90s elements work through the percussion but the Zonic funk synth keeps the 80s feelings rockin. The overall atmosphere is hazy and full of echoing reverberations and entrancing as it bounces along. Make sure you check out Zonic's kick arse Hollywood Synthphonies album from last year too as it certainly slipped under my radar, it's full of rockin Zonic Zynth action that is sure to get your pulse racing.
Back this week with another killer tune is Kruiser and his high energy thrill ride 'Anger'. The structure of this piece is amazingly well crafted as each suite alludes to different emotional spaces. I simply adore the back end to this track which has a powerful afterglow that contrasts the early intensified chapters beautifully. This track is currently available for FREE download currently too.
Although not strictly 80s in the most pure of senses, the new Robots With Rayguns track is positively bursting with quality 80s elements and repackaged into a modern explosion of energetic action. 'Rhythm Test' is a great mix of the old, the new and the timelessly rockin. This track is available for purchase on RWR's Bandcamp page here.
Moving at high speed into the dark horizon we find Danger Mode kicking up dust and leaving a wake of death in his path with his new piece 'Killers'. This slow-motion OutRun adventure is fraught with menace and suspense and thoroughly enthralling from beginning to end.
Taking away the panic and allowing for some smooth synthual caresses is the superb new jam from Babylon 86 titled 'Sunset'. Slowly building to an energetic, funky atmosphere the music is a magical blend of both subtle and more forthright instrumentations. Emotionally uplifting in every way.
Another great track from She Said (Judge Dredd) cropped up this week in 'Sex And Data'. Strong melodies escalate the mood into sensual realms full of lusting technologies and futuristic delights. The layers of instruments rise and fall in time with heaving bodies doused in electrified ecstasy.
A new producer to Synthetix.FM is Apex 86 and I've instantly become a devotee of his kick arse sounds. In 'Climax' we're taken into salacious midnight rendezvous with pumping basslines allowing the provocative synth melodies to take flight. Apex 86 also shared another great track in 'Hot Nights', both tracks you can pick up on his Bandcamp page here. Many thanks to scene legend Jarred Hageman for enlightening me to Apex 86.
I recently decided that Manolis is the most underrated and under appreciated artist in the 80s inspired synth scene. His sounds are incredibly well written and each track contains such beautifully individual nuances. It baffles me entirely that he hasn't been picked up by a label yet as Manolis promises to be one of the future leaders of the 80s inspired synth scene. You only need to experience his latest tack 'Datacorder' to feel the Manolis Magic, and it's also currently available for FREE download.
Future Holotape are back with a killer new synth pop tune titled 'Replicant'. This duo are really perfecting their craft in each new track and the songwriting and 80s influences are stepped up even further in this new song. There's a lot to love, from the impassioned vocals to the lead synth melodies, the rockin just doesn't stop.
Resting on their laurels is apparently not a part of the Compilerbau work ethic as after just releasing the spectacular Tachyon album Rudolf has now gone out and invented a phenomenal new genre that I hope develops further. This new take on classical music done with 80s sounds and styles is absolutely rockin to the max and I'm sure will spark new inspirations and synthscapes in the future. This homage is the perfect evolution of similar 70s and early 80s revisions of classical sounds and 'Fragments Of Back 1' proves there is still much fertile ground to grow new and imaginative sounds from.
This week's Electro Breakin anthem is brought to you by Neon Vandal with his body poppin sex anthem 'L.A Nights'. Channelling all the right influences from Afrika Bambataa to Paul Hardcastle this track is just pure electric energy served with a side of sensuality.
It brings me immense pleasure to bring Myrone into the Synthetix.FM universe. Very, very few producers in the scene have fully utilised 80s guitars in the sounds to their fullest potential but in 'Victory Theme (They Said Our Love Couldn't Be Done)' Myrone does this with aplomb and attitude. The rockin is taken to astronomically awesome levels as each riff and solo pulses with 80s inspiration and emotional power. Easily one of my favourite tracks of the year thus far and I can't wait for Myrone to rock my world again. This work of absolute magic is available for FREE download currently and make sure you check out the kick arse video for this track here too.
Chrome Brulee set off all kinds of buzz last year when they came out of nowhere with one of the best promo videos ever that set the 80s inspired synth scene on fire. Their limited release of Kiss The Hiss Volume 1 with only small numbers of cassettes available for purchase and no digital download meant that a lot of people missed out on their rockin tunes though. With Kiss The Hiss Volume 2 coming out at some stage this year they've released a short little teaser alluding to some radical Italo Synth vibes. Synthetix.FM will be following the next phase of the Chrome Brulee experience very closely!
Our final piece for this week's Weekend Update is the marvellous new video Dark Souls II: Rogue Warrior featuring the music of Protector 101 and Zero Call. This gives the 80s Saturday Morning Cartoon treatment to the extremely masochistic Dark Souls II video game from the creative talents of animator extraordinaire Veselekov. Totally rockin.
That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM, I hope you've found some great new music to make your weekend rock that 80s love just a little bit more.
I'll be back during the week with more exciting music from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.
Labels:
Alpha Boy,
Apex 86,
Apollo Zapp,
Babylon 86,
Chrome Brulee,
Compilerbau,
Cryosat,
Danger Mode,
Future Holotape,
IamManolis,
Ian Deaton,
Kruiser,
LA Dreams,
Myrone,
Neon Vandal,
Professor Zonic Zynth,
She Said
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Synthetix Weekend Update
This week's been exceptionally productive in the 80s inspired synth scene, it would seem that with the most 80s of holidays only a month away that producers are preparing for an onslaught of hot rockin tunes. Halloween on Synethix.FM will definitely be one to remember, but more on that in future posts.
Right now we have a huge amount of quality tunes to rock into, so lets take a trip into the past via the future with the new Synthetix Weekend Update!!
Aysyne's fast becoming a force to be reckoned with as each new track he shares expands his musical palette. On 'Ascend' we get to experience a stunningly beautiful lead melody that is given more weight with the dreamy synth accents. It's a joy to experience and is definitely one of Aysyne's strongest tracks.
Next up is a breezy new jam from Danger Mode, appropriately titled 'Timeless'. Melodic exploration of passionate themes is the order of the day as synths are allowed to ebb and flow with subtlety and delight. This track is currently available for FREE download, many thanks to Vincenzo Salvia for sharing the hype on this one.
Grooveworthy is planning the launch of his Information Age EP in November and has shared a preview of the release. This should be a super exciting release as Grooveworthy's constantly pushing his own creativity and refining his sounds. The music featured includes the absolutely epic 'Information Superhighway' and is keeping the theme of 'emerging' internet technology as the theme. To get to know a bit more about Grooveworthy be sure to check out this week's episode of Beyond Synth that features an very entertaining interview with him here.
It was very interesting this week that two tracks found me that are very similar yet very different. Both are themed around the initial arcade game craze of the early 80s and are laced with samples and driving melodies. The first of these is 'VideoGameCraze', the first track to be shared publicly by Grand National. The soundscape is kept tight and on the minimalist end of the spectrum as news and game samples rock with the delightfully twee lead melody.
Botnit's new track, 'Hi-Score' expands upon the theme further as the high energy OutRun music creates a great tension to the atmosphere. The sample usage also pushes towards these ends as the dark sides of the industry and addiction creep into the frame. Both these tracks are kick arse in the own rights and make for a great double play experience.
Foreign Blade has graced us with a hot track this week that packs in the drama going by the name of 'Calling Mr. Big Shot'. Keeping things dark and brooding the music alludes to higher powers and glimmers of humanity amid the corporate back biting and hunger for power. This track is currently available for FREE download, so get it rockin as soon as possible.
Future City Records released a hot new three track EP by the rock hard Thunderclaw this week and it's definitely an experience in heavy handed radness. This Miami Vice themed experience combines high energy electro rockin action in strong doses. 'Recoleta' opens things up with smoothly ambient synths that are then blasted into sunset by high voltage electro passages. The combination typifies the contrasting nature of the Thunderclaw experience.
Moods shift darker and become more singularly minded with track two 'Castillo'. Haunting melodies fuelled with night time dangers and begin to choke with intensity. The Thunderclaw soundscape seems to be often pushed to breaking point to enhance the visceral nature of the narratives containing. The third chapter, 'Abel' is a fine example of this style of modern presentation with vintage music to allow for the contrast of beauty and brutality to co-exist in a timeless dimension.
You can pick up the B.A. EP from Thunderclaw through the link in the player below and I'd definitely encourage you to take a three part ride down the dark side of the Florida Key's with Thunderclaw at the helm.
Lets keep in the shadows of the night with the rockin new track from Professor Zonic Zynth and his latest work 'Doomsday MK-1'. The darker path is seldom travelled by the Professor but in this track he allows his synth funk to take on a nocturnal obeisance that is riveting and full of the dangers of the night.
When I go one about the stories and narratives in 80s inspired synth music this is a reflection on how the music evolves, draws you in and then takes you to new places and allows the experience to go beyond the more uniform structures of some electronic music. In RF Extreme's new track, 'Present Daze' we have a textbook example of the use of this kind of structure in an 80s presentation. The opening passages leads to a dramatic middle section before the enlightenment of the final climax. An incredibly beautiful example of quality craftsmanship in the synthient arts. Also be sure to check out a rockin interview RF Extreme has done this past week on Synth Waves here.
Lost Years is back and rockin the italo synth tones on his new gem 'The Kick'. Still in it's early stages of development this is certainly already hitting all the right notes for totally kick arse italo sounds. The pace is kept to a middling canter which allows for the huge percussive flourishes to really resonate for maximum effect.
Dance With The Dead are still yet to settle on the full track line up for their impending album due out this Halloween and with the quality of all the demo's they've been sharing of late it's going to be a hard job to select only one album's worth. Their new track 'Neon' takes on a far less dramatic tone than much of their previous outings, and has a touch of Arcade High about the lead melody that works beautifully well with Dance With The Dead's power house production.
PH Groove is heading for the gym with his new tune 'Legwarmers', and working up a sweat with hooky melodies and energetic arrangements. The PH Groove synth funk sounds are engineered for a more forthright disco flavour this time around and ventures into exciting new territories over it's epic near seven minutes. This track is currently available for FREE download, so make it a part of your work out as soon as you can.
Something a bit of out left field now with the stunning new song from Pistol Shrimp. 'This Moment' features AaronKnute and creates and incredibly beautiful vista of chill/dream wave synthscapes that swells with 80s love. The production is engineered for the perfect presence of each element and the vocal refrain is captured with much poignancy. This reminds me in parts of My Bloody Valentine and the Cocteau Twins, but with a more cinematic flair. It's definitely powered by energies I find much more engaging that a lot of the more sparsely arranged chill/dream wave songs I've heard and it's this huge wall of sound that is so totally enrapturing.
Hot on the heels of her VHS Dreams EP, Palisded has released a killer new synth experience this week called 'Lovestruck'. The bouncing bassline and minimalist melodies are complemented by a marching drum track that ties the experience together. The spatial nature of the synthscape is very engaging and the exploration of the melodies is wonderfully intimated. This track is currently available for FREE download, so get it while you can.
To finish of this week's Weekend Update we have something from the complete opposite end of the synth spectrum with a totally killer new tropical synth piece from James Baker titled 'Un Paradis Tropical'. I just can't get enough of this tune, it's gorgeous 80s naiveté and crisp synthscape is utterly joyous to behold. You can not help yourself but smile all the way through this track and thats one of the truly magical things about 80s inspired synth music. Totally k-rad to the max.
As James Baker's brilliance fades into the sunset it's time to say a bientot on Synthetix.FM for another week of rockin tunes and cosmic jams. I'll be back during the week ahead with more action from finest producers in 80s inspired synth music.
'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.
Labels:
Aysyne,
Botnit,
Dance With The Dead,
Danger Mode,
Darthbuick,
Grooveworthy,
Jacques Le Boulanger,
Lost Years,
Palisded,
PH Groove,
Pistol Shrimp,
Professor Zonic Zynth,
RF Extreme,
Thunderclaw
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Synth School Is In Session, Take A Class With Professor Zonic Zynth
There are some producers in the 80s inspired synth with whom I have a love/hate affair. Producers who make amazing and beautiful music, but rarely are happy enough with it to share it with others. I'm rather old fashioned in that I like to physically own music. It's my connection to the artist, and in lieu of much synth music being made into a physical release I find that the digital download version has to suffice. Alas some producers, with their own reasons that I respect, don't allow for this to happen and instead exclusively use streaming content sites for their music distribution.
Professor Zonic Zynth was, and I stress was, one of these producers. His constant stream of incredible music that landed exclusively on YouTube was some of the most wonderful I'd ever heard, but his choice to not allow any further ownership of these tunes beyond favouriting them meant that I was only able to adore them from afar. This has been happening for the better part of year but now, thankfully, the good Professor has begun to share his works of genius through a Bandcamp page, which has made this fan very, very happy.
I felt it was the perfect time to give this shining star of the scene the love he dearly deserves as his latest EP, Nostalgic Fantasy has just landed and for those uninitiated with the Professor's music this serves as the perfect introduction.
The Nostalgic Fantasy plays out over seven pieces of synth driven 80s love. The consistency of Zonic Zynth's work is something that has always floored me. Over his many tracks I've always found myself entranced by his melodic work and authenticity. The Professor's style spans numerous 80s styles, from synth romance to italo tinged disco and onto more bass driven funk and then into more soundtrack oriented affairs. His soundscapes are always genuine and honest in their presentation and a tangible love flows through every golden moment.
His latest EP opens up with 'Mischief', which in itself presents new visions from the Professor's imagination. A darker soundtrack atmosphere permeates through swirling melodies and dramatic cues. These shadowy tones take a turn to more romantic dimensions in the next track, 'Grace's Theme'.
This producer's sounds are usually personified by his vice like grasp on what makes for a truly authentic 80s melody. It's hard to explain, but some melodies upon hearing them create an instant 80s crush and this is achieved with stunning results in 'Grace's Theme'. The lead synth animates and intimates with soft warmth while the bassline adds a funky glow to the ambiance.
Even though there is a decidedly romantic bent to most of the tracks on Nostalgia Fantasy other styles are explored and expanded upon to provide a delightful contrast. 'Starlets' laces dramatic orchestral stabs over the rolling bass line for maximum effect and giving the delicate melodies ample distinction. The Professor's 80s pop sensibilities are never far away though and when 'Veronica's Theme' hits the hooks go deep and the pounding percussion creates an intoxicating 80s sugar pop hit.
The sugar rush is allowed to subside within the calming tones of 'Dark Whisperings'. One may think this is a purely dark synth excursion but the Zonic Zynth shadows are often more mellow and far less threatening. Jazzy melodies are given time to brew and linger, creating an aural invitation that is welcoming more than foreboding.
Things begin to rock harder in 'Ambivalence MKII'. This is possibly one of the most ambitious Zonic Zynth pieces yet as the moody atmosphere is rocked with kick arse guitar riffs and massively epic drums. This is pure action soundtrack gold, creating a swagger in a slow motion gunfight and causing hearts to break in the flurry of a hellish crossfire. 'Fantasitalia' finishes the EP off with beautifully building synthscape that remains intimate and light with a dreamlike quality to the nuances and details within.
It brings me great pleasure to be finally able to cover Professor Zonic Zynth's music on Synthetix.FM and in the Nostalgia Fantasy EP we're given the perfect representation of the Zonic Zynth experience. I look forward to sharing much, much more of this wonderful composer's work in the future but you can also keep on top of all the Professor's work through his YouTube page here, his Facebook page here and his Bandcamp page, of course, here.
The Nostalgia Fantasy EP comes very, very highly recommended by Synthetix.FM. Professor Zonic Zynth is a true talent in the 80s inspired synth scene who's music is wonderfully authentic and created with verve and passion that resonates through every track. Be sure to invest some time in his previous releases on his Bandcamp page to keep on rockin the Professor's totally k-rad to the max sounds.
Class dismissed!
Professor Zonic Zynth was, and I stress was, one of these producers. His constant stream of incredible music that landed exclusively on YouTube was some of the most wonderful I'd ever heard, but his choice to not allow any further ownership of these tunes beyond favouriting them meant that I was only able to adore them from afar. This has been happening for the better part of year but now, thankfully, the good Professor has begun to share his works of genius through a Bandcamp page, which has made this fan very, very happy.
I felt it was the perfect time to give this shining star of the scene the love he dearly deserves as his latest EP, Nostalgic Fantasy has just landed and for those uninitiated with the Professor's music this serves as the perfect introduction.
The Nostalgic Fantasy plays out over seven pieces of synth driven 80s love. The consistency of Zonic Zynth's work is something that has always floored me. Over his many tracks I've always found myself entranced by his melodic work and authenticity. The Professor's style spans numerous 80s styles, from synth romance to italo tinged disco and onto more bass driven funk and then into more soundtrack oriented affairs. His soundscapes are always genuine and honest in their presentation and a tangible love flows through every golden moment.
His latest EP opens up with 'Mischief', which in itself presents new visions from the Professor's imagination. A darker soundtrack atmosphere permeates through swirling melodies and dramatic cues. These shadowy tones take a turn to more romantic dimensions in the next track, 'Grace's Theme'.
This producer's sounds are usually personified by his vice like grasp on what makes for a truly authentic 80s melody. It's hard to explain, but some melodies upon hearing them create an instant 80s crush and this is achieved with stunning results in 'Grace's Theme'. The lead synth animates and intimates with soft warmth while the bassline adds a funky glow to the ambiance.
Even though there is a decidedly romantic bent to most of the tracks on Nostalgia Fantasy other styles are explored and expanded upon to provide a delightful contrast. 'Starlets' laces dramatic orchestral stabs over the rolling bass line for maximum effect and giving the delicate melodies ample distinction. The Professor's 80s pop sensibilities are never far away though and when 'Veronica's Theme' hits the hooks go deep and the pounding percussion creates an intoxicating 80s sugar pop hit.
The sugar rush is allowed to subside within the calming tones of 'Dark Whisperings'. One may think this is a purely dark synth excursion but the Zonic Zynth shadows are often more mellow and far less threatening. Jazzy melodies are given time to brew and linger, creating an aural invitation that is welcoming more than foreboding.
Things begin to rock harder in 'Ambivalence MKII'. This is possibly one of the most ambitious Zonic Zynth pieces yet as the moody atmosphere is rocked with kick arse guitar riffs and massively epic drums. This is pure action soundtrack gold, creating a swagger in a slow motion gunfight and causing hearts to break in the flurry of a hellish crossfire. 'Fantasitalia' finishes the EP off with beautifully building synthscape that remains intimate and light with a dreamlike quality to the nuances and details within.
It brings me great pleasure to be finally able to cover Professor Zonic Zynth's music on Synthetix.FM and in the Nostalgia Fantasy EP we're given the perfect representation of the Zonic Zynth experience. I look forward to sharing much, much more of this wonderful composer's work in the future but you can also keep on top of all the Professor's work through his YouTube page here, his Facebook page here and his Bandcamp page, of course, here.
The Nostalgia Fantasy EP comes very, very highly recommended by Synthetix.FM. Professor Zonic Zynth is a true talent in the 80s inspired synth scene who's music is wonderfully authentic and created with verve and passion that resonates through every track. Be sure to invest some time in his previous releases on his Bandcamp page to keep on rockin the Professor's totally k-rad to the max sounds.
Class dismissed!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Synthetix Weekend Update
It's been another monster week in the scene with a bunch of very rockin tracks being released. The coming week's look to set the scene afire with some killer new EPs and LPs coming out, it's definitely a good time to be a fan of 80s inspired synth!
To really set this off we have a brand new EP released from Mitch Murder entitled The Touch. This record displays even further refinement in his sound as complexity is kept to minimum and the melodic harmonies and instrumentations are allowed to shine. Mitch Murder's love affair with classic Library music is very prominent throughout both tracks, but the luxuriously smooth production is what really holds the experiences together. Everything flows, nothing feels forced and personality of Mitch Murder's music is feeling much more live and natural as a result, there is nothing sterile or cold about these sounds, they are full of vitality and warmth. Both 'The Touch' and 'Race Day' are spectacularly orchestrated and executed originals and the remixes of 'The Touch' by Night Sprite and LIFELIKE add interesting new ideas to the original intentions while remaining true their organic souls.
The Touch EP is presented on Mad Decent and is available for FREE download through the links in the player. Be sure to rock this hard and often!
An extra Mitch Murder bonus arrived this week with a free download of his cover of 'Outride A Crisis' from the classic SEGA motorcycle racing game Super Hang On. This is more totally kick arse work from the scene's leading producer and is available for FREE download here.
Keeping our tires gripped to the asphalt is the rockin new track from Professor Zonic Zynth and his OutRun flavoured adrenaline rush 'Scoring Wheels'. I must say, it pleases me great that this totally kick arse producer is now releasing his singles so that his fans can purchase them. 'Scoring Wheels' is full of high energy synth leads set to a raging pace. Excitement is the destination and the journey is an adventure!
Gost is back to rockin his menacing electro synth aural nightmares with his new track 'Ritual'. I personally found Gost's last album, Skull, not to my own personal tastes. He seemed to lose the underlying 80s melodies and nuances his previous works contained. It brought me great pleasure to hear a return to the classic 80s horror synth melodies in this new track. It's still an all out blistering attack but the brutality is contrasted by the classic 80s horror ambiance.
Time to get a bit more atmospheric, this time with the wonderfully talented Pilotpriest and the latest demo version of 'White Blazer'. The music is set to a languid pace but the bright and jubilant melodies create emotional vortexes of spiritually enriching sounds. The Pilotpriest magic flows beautifully throughout this adventure.
I'm really getting used to having a new RF Extreme track to share on here nearly every week. RF Extreme has a very sound work ethic that resonates in each new composition he shares. His latest works have been leaning smoothly into synth romance territory and his latest track, 'Never Ending Desire' dives headfirst into limpid pools of warm affection. The melodies are intimate and hopeful while the synthscape pulses with a yearning desire. This instantly became one of my favourites form RF Extreme and with the amount of music he's been creating I'm hoping an album or at least an extended EP is going to see the light of day soon.
The quality synth romance keeps on rockin with the latest release from Russia's Quasars called 'Girl In a Varsity Jacket'. Teenage emotions and searing 80s synths always go hand in hand and Quasars have captured the spirit and feelings tremendously well. The minimalist atmosphere allows every instrument to have it's own presence felt, which goes double for the rockin guitars that kick in. This track is currently available for FREE download so get on it while you can.
80s synth scene rocker Flash Arnold is back with some mood dark soundtrack inspired synth work with his new track 'Shadow Runner II'. The foreboding atmosphere and dramatic percussion make for an entirely unsettling experience. The instrumentations are layered for maximum atmosphere and the surprising choices for the final chapters of the piece prove to be a stroke of genius. You can buy 'Shadow Runner II' through the link in the player to Flash Arnold's Bandcamp page.
The debut EP from The Boy & Sister Alma hit this week and it's a highly recommended experience in 80s driven synth pop magic. I've previously featured the glorious 'Lizard Eyes' on Synthetix.FM, which is included in this EP along with four other tracks. The EP covers a lot of territory with some tracks not gelling with me quite as much as others, but one only needs to hear the complete aural magic of 'Keep Your Head' to fall in love with their sounds. For a debut EP this is massively promising for the future of The Boy & Sister Alma as I believe their honest and intimate sounds are perfectly suited to 80s oriented experiences and it's these ideas and elements that shine throughout this release.
Gina Calabrese is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the 80s inspired synth scene as each of her tracks seem to contain a magical almost supernatural presence about them. This latest track, 'Back In Te World' is haunting and ethereal with a ghostly ambiance that reminds of something I'd hear in a David Lynch movie. There is never a maliciousness or evil intent in the music but instead it opens a window in the sky to new possibilities and unexplainable phenomenon.
Like Mowrey is rockin up some epic sounds with his new piece 'Timeless Moment'. The scope is huge for this experience that builds and expands with dramatic wonder. I particularly love the way this track uses such contrasting instrumentations but never loses the focus and atmosphere. The diversity of sounds adds vast amount of engagement to the piece and by it's end if feels like we've travelled light years in mere minutes, definitely a 'Timeless Moment'.
Lightening the atmosphere with a pink neon glow is the k-rad new track from Pumping Body. 'License On Women' is full to the brim with totally rockin 80s sounds built on a supremely catch synth hook that bites deep and refuses to let go. The synthscape flows and rolls with a dreamlike quality that is hypnotising and layered with gorgeous details and percussive work. Totally kick arse.
Garth Knight has come back to the electro funk rockin he's does oh so well with his new track 'Probable Target'. Using much influence from classic Paul Hardcastle this composition is full of high energy percussion, vocal samples, violent orchestral stabs and a groove that is unmistakably Garth Knight. I think Garth Knight is one of the scene's best producers of this style and 'Probable Target' reenforces this ten fold. Be sure to buy your copy of 'Probable Target' through the link in the player.
Elsewhen is another producer on the scene who's making me sit up and pay attention. In his track, 'Mortal Machines' we get to experience dramatic soundtrack synth that harkens back to the classic giallo horror soundtracks of Goblin and Tangerine Dream. The mood is slightly unnerving and detailled with just enough flourishes to keep your pulse rate high. The introduction of the drum track at the midpoint which opens up killer new possibilities and will ensure you're kept on the edge of your seat until the final act.
One the most surprising, and inspiring, tracks of the week is the new preview for Tommy's next record. 'Vision Of The Future' brings noticeable new changes to the Tommy soundscape which I found very exciting. The overall atmosphere is much brighter and cleaner, and feels more vibrant and live sounding. There is an uncomplicated and natural sounding personality that is carried through the melodies that I find all together intoxicating. Tommy's 'Vision Of The Future' is indeed a glimpse at whats to come from one of my all time favourite synth producers and it is most certainly very exciting.
Another favourite all time producer in the scene, which will be no surprise to any regular reader of Synthetix.FM is LA Dreams. This producer continually captures my heart and imagination with his beautiful music and has done so yet again with his new track 'Avenue Electric'. Lead melodies are stunning and the LA Dreams bass work is yet again exemplary. I feel like the LA Dreams production style is getting an extra layer of polish in his last couple of tracks as sounds are definitely packing more dimension, like when the final melodic refrain crashes in towards the end of this track. Wonderful music, as always.
Our final track this week is something very special with two of my favourite producers joining forces to create a huge 80s synth pop masterpiece. The totally rockin Dance With The Dead and the irresistibly amazing Kristine have unleashed 'The Power' and it's something spectacular to behold. I don't think I've heard Dance With The Dead sounding as pop-oriented as they are in this track and it's something that works exceptionally well. As collaborative projects go this is definitely one of the big highlight of 2013. This hot rockin slice of 80s pop heaven is currently available for FREE download through the player so make sure you add this to your music library and crank it to the max.
That brings us to the end of another Synthetix Weekend Update, I'll be back during the week with more action from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.
To really set this off we have a brand new EP released from Mitch Murder entitled The Touch. This record displays even further refinement in his sound as complexity is kept to minimum and the melodic harmonies and instrumentations are allowed to shine. Mitch Murder's love affair with classic Library music is very prominent throughout both tracks, but the luxuriously smooth production is what really holds the experiences together. Everything flows, nothing feels forced and personality of Mitch Murder's music is feeling much more live and natural as a result, there is nothing sterile or cold about these sounds, they are full of vitality and warmth. Both 'The Touch' and 'Race Day' are spectacularly orchestrated and executed originals and the remixes of 'The Touch' by Night Sprite and LIFELIKE add interesting new ideas to the original intentions while remaining true their organic souls.
The Touch EP is presented on Mad Decent and is available for FREE download through the links in the player. Be sure to rock this hard and often!
An extra Mitch Murder bonus arrived this week with a free download of his cover of 'Outride A Crisis' from the classic SEGA motorcycle racing game Super Hang On. This is more totally kick arse work from the scene's leading producer and is available for FREE download here.
Keeping our tires gripped to the asphalt is the rockin new track from Professor Zonic Zynth and his OutRun flavoured adrenaline rush 'Scoring Wheels'. I must say, it pleases me great that this totally kick arse producer is now releasing his singles so that his fans can purchase them. 'Scoring Wheels' is full of high energy synth leads set to a raging pace. Excitement is the destination and the journey is an adventure!
Gost is back to rockin his menacing electro synth aural nightmares with his new track 'Ritual'. I personally found Gost's last album, Skull, not to my own personal tastes. He seemed to lose the underlying 80s melodies and nuances his previous works contained. It brought me great pleasure to hear a return to the classic 80s horror synth melodies in this new track. It's still an all out blistering attack but the brutality is contrasted by the classic 80s horror ambiance.
Time to get a bit more atmospheric, this time with the wonderfully talented Pilotpriest and the latest demo version of 'White Blazer'. The music is set to a languid pace but the bright and jubilant melodies create emotional vortexes of spiritually enriching sounds. The Pilotpriest magic flows beautifully throughout this adventure.
I'm really getting used to having a new RF Extreme track to share on here nearly every week. RF Extreme has a very sound work ethic that resonates in each new composition he shares. His latest works have been leaning smoothly into synth romance territory and his latest track, 'Never Ending Desire' dives headfirst into limpid pools of warm affection. The melodies are intimate and hopeful while the synthscape pulses with a yearning desire. This instantly became one of my favourites form RF Extreme and with the amount of music he's been creating I'm hoping an album or at least an extended EP is going to see the light of day soon.
The quality synth romance keeps on rockin with the latest release from Russia's Quasars called 'Girl In a Varsity Jacket'. Teenage emotions and searing 80s synths always go hand in hand and Quasars have captured the spirit and feelings tremendously well. The minimalist atmosphere allows every instrument to have it's own presence felt, which goes double for the rockin guitars that kick in. This track is currently available for FREE download so get on it while you can.
80s synth scene rocker Flash Arnold is back with some mood dark soundtrack inspired synth work with his new track 'Shadow Runner II'. The foreboding atmosphere and dramatic percussion make for an entirely unsettling experience. The instrumentations are layered for maximum atmosphere and the surprising choices for the final chapters of the piece prove to be a stroke of genius. You can buy 'Shadow Runner II' through the link in the player to Flash Arnold's Bandcamp page.
The debut EP from The Boy & Sister Alma hit this week and it's a highly recommended experience in 80s driven synth pop magic. I've previously featured the glorious 'Lizard Eyes' on Synthetix.FM, which is included in this EP along with four other tracks. The EP covers a lot of territory with some tracks not gelling with me quite as much as others, but one only needs to hear the complete aural magic of 'Keep Your Head' to fall in love with their sounds. For a debut EP this is massively promising for the future of The Boy & Sister Alma as I believe their honest and intimate sounds are perfectly suited to 80s oriented experiences and it's these ideas and elements that shine throughout this release.
Gina Calabrese is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the 80s inspired synth scene as each of her tracks seem to contain a magical almost supernatural presence about them. This latest track, 'Back In Te World' is haunting and ethereal with a ghostly ambiance that reminds of something I'd hear in a David Lynch movie. There is never a maliciousness or evil intent in the music but instead it opens a window in the sky to new possibilities and unexplainable phenomenon.
Like Mowrey is rockin up some epic sounds with his new piece 'Timeless Moment'. The scope is huge for this experience that builds and expands with dramatic wonder. I particularly love the way this track uses such contrasting instrumentations but never loses the focus and atmosphere. The diversity of sounds adds vast amount of engagement to the piece and by it's end if feels like we've travelled light years in mere minutes, definitely a 'Timeless Moment'.
Lightening the atmosphere with a pink neon glow is the k-rad new track from Pumping Body. 'License On Women' is full to the brim with totally rockin 80s sounds built on a supremely catch synth hook that bites deep and refuses to let go. The synthscape flows and rolls with a dreamlike quality that is hypnotising and layered with gorgeous details and percussive work. Totally kick arse.
Garth Knight has come back to the electro funk rockin he's does oh so well with his new track 'Probable Target'. Using much influence from classic Paul Hardcastle this composition is full of high energy percussion, vocal samples, violent orchestral stabs and a groove that is unmistakably Garth Knight. I think Garth Knight is one of the scene's best producers of this style and 'Probable Target' reenforces this ten fold. Be sure to buy your copy of 'Probable Target' through the link in the player.
Elsewhen is another producer on the scene who's making me sit up and pay attention. In his track, 'Mortal Machines' we get to experience dramatic soundtrack synth that harkens back to the classic giallo horror soundtracks of Goblin and Tangerine Dream. The mood is slightly unnerving and detailled with just enough flourishes to keep your pulse rate high. The introduction of the drum track at the midpoint which opens up killer new possibilities and will ensure you're kept on the edge of your seat until the final act.
One the most surprising, and inspiring, tracks of the week is the new preview for Tommy's next record. 'Vision Of The Future' brings noticeable new changes to the Tommy soundscape which I found very exciting. The overall atmosphere is much brighter and cleaner, and feels more vibrant and live sounding. There is an uncomplicated and natural sounding personality that is carried through the melodies that I find all together intoxicating. Tommy's 'Vision Of The Future' is indeed a glimpse at whats to come from one of my all time favourite synth producers and it is most certainly very exciting.
Another favourite all time producer in the scene, which will be no surprise to any regular reader of Synthetix.FM is LA Dreams. This producer continually captures my heart and imagination with his beautiful music and has done so yet again with his new track 'Avenue Electric'. Lead melodies are stunning and the LA Dreams bass work is yet again exemplary. I feel like the LA Dreams production style is getting an extra layer of polish in his last couple of tracks as sounds are definitely packing more dimension, like when the final melodic refrain crashes in towards the end of this track. Wonderful music, as always.
Our final track this week is something very special with two of my favourite producers joining forces to create a huge 80s synth pop masterpiece. The totally rockin Dance With The Dead and the irresistibly amazing Kristine have unleashed 'The Power' and it's something spectacular to behold. I don't think I've heard Dance With The Dead sounding as pop-oriented as they are in this track and it's something that works exceptionally well. As collaborative projects go this is definitely one of the big highlight of 2013. This hot rockin slice of 80s pop heaven is currently available for FREE download through the player so make sure you add this to your music library and crank it to the max.
That brings us to the end of another Synthetix Weekend Update, I'll be back during the week with more action from the 80s inspired synth scene, 'til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Synthetix Weekend Update
Welcome back to your regularly scheduled Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I've been on a little break and have now returned with more rockin good times from the world where the 80s still rules.
There are going to be some minor changes to the updates from now on. Due the massive, and growing, amount of music being released I've had to make a decision about whether I try to cover absolutely everything relevant or whether I focus more on the music that stands out from the pack. The latter has been my choice as this site is always going to be a quality over quantity affair. When I review an EP or an album I want it to be the full Synthetix Experience and the only way I could cover more music is to radically change how I write about the music I review and that's something I don't really want to entertain.
This will result in a slight restructuring as my weekly reviews are going to be at the most two per week and the Weekend Updates will be subject to more filtering. Some EPs are also going to be covered in the Weekend Updates but the focus of them will still be giving a priority to rockin new producers on the scene. I want to make Synthetix.FM 100% reflective of the best of the 80s inspired synth scene and I hope this new formula makes the Synthetix Experience and even more refined and relevant to my readers.
Without further ado let's get rockin with your brand new Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!
Professor Zonic Zynth keeps on teasing his radical new tunes primarily through his YouTube channel but he seems to be coming around to letting his adoring fans now own some of his music legitimately. His recent piece 'Speedin' Bully' is purely golden Zonic Zynth magic with the melodies and production are glowing with 80s authenticity. This is available to buy on his Bandcamp page through the link in the player and be sure to check out 'Ashley's Theme', which the Professor has also made available for purchase.
Some seriously radical sounds from Dreamwave Dave now and his new track 'Temp: Mastered Version' which I'm assuming is a 'work in progress' title. This producer loves pushing new ideas and his music into new directions, with this track we find more of a distilling of his sounds into a huge elements that remain uncomplicated but full of 80s brilliance.
Mulperi is back and rockin the scene with his very impressive new experience 'Rainbow In The Night'. The delicate formations of this composition are orchestrated to perfection with warm of each melody casting mesmerising spells over the listener. This gentle and thoughtful tracks displays a great deal of growth and refinement in Mulperi's music.
Nowtro is new producer introduced to me by Synthetix faithful Craig Packman and I'm very happy he did. Nowtro's latest track 'Neon Marathon' has absolutely glorious melodies and a structure that delights in every second of it's duration. The music is augmented by a slight modernity but this just emphasises the 80s magic of the piece even more. A superb track from this rockin new producer.
It's always a red-letter-day when there's a new Amazing Police track shared to soundcloud and 'Feel That Promise' exemplifies why this producer is one of the most exciting on the scene. The Amazing Police sound pushes a dreamy synthwave vibrancy while the soundscape becomes punctuated by exciting and unpredictable passages. Totally rockin in every way imaginable.
One producers who's sounds are always right on point for authenticity is Palisded and her new EP VHS Dreams gives an insight into the creative mind of this producers 80s sounds. The production lends itself to the bleakness of the tracks making a Cold War era electro synth atmosphere drive the melodies and emotions. Each track has an 80s minimalism to it which makes the elements very pronounced and allows Palisded to create emotional vistas that remain succinct throughout. 'Midnight Madness' is definitely one of the stand out tracks on this release with it's early 80s grimness contrasted by the high energy percussion. Unfortunately this EP isn't available for purchase until the 7th of October when it will be up on iTunes, Juno and Beatport but I'll be sure to mention this release again when it's finally out. Until then these beautiful sounds will have to suffice on soundcloud in their full form although 'Midnight Madness' is currently available for FREE download.
'Pulse 80' is a new producer of rockin 80s sounds from Russia and he's proving to be a very exciting talent. His soundcloud has numerous 80s inspired pieces well worth spending some time with while his new track 'Midnight Escort' finds him in a more ambient and soundtrack themed space. For only being two minutes long this track certainly packs in a great deal. Its the kind of piece you could imagine taking five minutes plus to fully realise it's potential but even in this short, possibly work-in-progress for it's stunning to behold.
Poko Cox keeps on rockin hard with his latest song 'Electricity'. This artist continues to develop his own sound space with a personality all it's own and this song is possibly his strongest yet. High energy rhythms and vastly entertaining instrumentations really push the Rad Meter into the danger zone. This song is off his forthcoming Beginning EP which I'm champing at the bit to experience.
Gina Calabrese is a totally rockin new producer making emotional charged 80s inspired synth. Her new track 'Shadow In The Dark' brings to mind an ethereal romantic soundtrack which follows a lush path of emotional passages. The melodic refrain in this track combined with the haunting ambience makes for a wonderfully intimate soundscape. Loaded with melodic synthcerity 'Shadow In The Dark' is one delightful journey.
Sternrekorder's back with more golden tones of classic 80s synth in his new experience which is, I think a live jam he's recorded and shared. I'm always in rapturous love with the way Sternrekorder fabricates his pieces and to hear this magic in live session is totally k-rad to the max. The narrative is rich and full of surprises, which is to always be expected with this fine producer.
More hot new producer's keep making the scene and Steel Sky definitely knows how to make totally rockin 80s synth gold. His latest track entitled 'Mirage' is a pounding anthem with smoothly constructed melodies and a soundscape that forms majestically from glowing remnants of civilisations past and futures yet to be told. Many thanks to Lothar Poeller for enlightening me to this kick arse new producer.
One of the most exciting things to happen in the 80s inspired synth scene over the last few weeks was the return of early synthwave pioneer D/A/D. I've been a huge fan of this composer's sounds over the years and his triumphant return is to be applauded. His latest piece, 'Orion Beach' is absolutely beautiful from it's synth melodies to it's shredding guitars. This artist has always had a insightful understanding of how to make the 80s rock and it warms my heart to get to experience new musical frontiers from the imagination of Day After Discovery.
The long build up to the release of Arc Neon's next opus is almost over. To tease this release even further is this totally rockin new and heavily stylised preview for 'Blood Sport 2092. Arc Neon's new work has an incredibly detailled thematic they've built around the experience which is sure to provide us with huge amounts of thrills and excitement.
To finish of this Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM we have a spectacular new compilation from the rockers at New Retro Wave. This release is packed with incredible new tracks from the scenes most kick arse producers including Rain Sword, MegaDrive, Starforce, Perturbator, Highway Superstar, Silenx, Mulitpac (!!!) and many, many more. This is a must-own release and is definitely one of the best compilation releases of 2013. All this rockin action and it's FREE!! Get on it and rock it ASAP!
That wraps up this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back with some more killer tunes from the 80s inspired synth scene during the week ahead. Until then, as always, stay 80s and keep on rockin!
There are going to be some minor changes to the updates from now on. Due the massive, and growing, amount of music being released I've had to make a decision about whether I try to cover absolutely everything relevant or whether I focus more on the music that stands out from the pack. The latter has been my choice as this site is always going to be a quality over quantity affair. When I review an EP or an album I want it to be the full Synthetix Experience and the only way I could cover more music is to radically change how I write about the music I review and that's something I don't really want to entertain.
This will result in a slight restructuring as my weekly reviews are going to be at the most two per week and the Weekend Updates will be subject to more filtering. Some EPs are also going to be covered in the Weekend Updates but the focus of them will still be giving a priority to rockin new producers on the scene. I want to make Synthetix.FM 100% reflective of the best of the 80s inspired synth scene and I hope this new formula makes the Synthetix Experience and even more refined and relevant to my readers.
Without further ado let's get rockin with your brand new Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!
Professor Zonic Zynth keeps on teasing his radical new tunes primarily through his YouTube channel but he seems to be coming around to letting his adoring fans now own some of his music legitimately. His recent piece 'Speedin' Bully' is purely golden Zonic Zynth magic with the melodies and production are glowing with 80s authenticity. This is available to buy on his Bandcamp page through the link in the player and be sure to check out 'Ashley's Theme', which the Professor has also made available for purchase.
Some seriously radical sounds from Dreamwave Dave now and his new track 'Temp: Mastered Version' which I'm assuming is a 'work in progress' title. This producer loves pushing new ideas and his music into new directions, with this track we find more of a distilling of his sounds into a huge elements that remain uncomplicated but full of 80s brilliance.
Mulperi is back and rockin the scene with his very impressive new experience 'Rainbow In The Night'. The delicate formations of this composition are orchestrated to perfection with warm of each melody casting mesmerising spells over the listener. This gentle and thoughtful tracks displays a great deal of growth and refinement in Mulperi's music.
Nowtro is new producer introduced to me by Synthetix faithful Craig Packman and I'm very happy he did. Nowtro's latest track 'Neon Marathon' has absolutely glorious melodies and a structure that delights in every second of it's duration. The music is augmented by a slight modernity but this just emphasises the 80s magic of the piece even more. A superb track from this rockin new producer.
It's always a red-letter-day when there's a new Amazing Police track shared to soundcloud and 'Feel That Promise' exemplifies why this producer is one of the most exciting on the scene. The Amazing Police sound pushes a dreamy synthwave vibrancy while the soundscape becomes punctuated by exciting and unpredictable passages. Totally rockin in every way imaginable.
One producers who's sounds are always right on point for authenticity is Palisded and her new EP VHS Dreams gives an insight into the creative mind of this producers 80s sounds. The production lends itself to the bleakness of the tracks making a Cold War era electro synth atmosphere drive the melodies and emotions. Each track has an 80s minimalism to it which makes the elements very pronounced and allows Palisded to create emotional vistas that remain succinct throughout. 'Midnight Madness' is definitely one of the stand out tracks on this release with it's early 80s grimness contrasted by the high energy percussion. Unfortunately this EP isn't available for purchase until the 7th of October when it will be up on iTunes, Juno and Beatport but I'll be sure to mention this release again when it's finally out. Until then these beautiful sounds will have to suffice on soundcloud in their full form although 'Midnight Madness' is currently available for FREE download.
'Pulse 80' is a new producer of rockin 80s sounds from Russia and he's proving to be a very exciting talent. His soundcloud has numerous 80s inspired pieces well worth spending some time with while his new track 'Midnight Escort' finds him in a more ambient and soundtrack themed space. For only being two minutes long this track certainly packs in a great deal. Its the kind of piece you could imagine taking five minutes plus to fully realise it's potential but even in this short, possibly work-in-progress for it's stunning to behold.
Poko Cox keeps on rockin hard with his latest song 'Electricity'. This artist continues to develop his own sound space with a personality all it's own and this song is possibly his strongest yet. High energy rhythms and vastly entertaining instrumentations really push the Rad Meter into the danger zone. This song is off his forthcoming Beginning EP which I'm champing at the bit to experience.
Gina Calabrese is a totally rockin new producer making emotional charged 80s inspired synth. Her new track 'Shadow In The Dark' brings to mind an ethereal romantic soundtrack which follows a lush path of emotional passages. The melodic refrain in this track combined with the haunting ambience makes for a wonderfully intimate soundscape. Loaded with melodic synthcerity 'Shadow In The Dark' is one delightful journey.
Sternrekorder's back with more golden tones of classic 80s synth in his new experience which is, I think a live jam he's recorded and shared. I'm always in rapturous love with the way Sternrekorder fabricates his pieces and to hear this magic in live session is totally k-rad to the max. The narrative is rich and full of surprises, which is to always be expected with this fine producer.
More hot new producer's keep making the scene and Steel Sky definitely knows how to make totally rockin 80s synth gold. His latest track entitled 'Mirage' is a pounding anthem with smoothly constructed melodies and a soundscape that forms majestically from glowing remnants of civilisations past and futures yet to be told. Many thanks to Lothar Poeller for enlightening me to this kick arse new producer.
One of the most exciting things to happen in the 80s inspired synth scene over the last few weeks was the return of early synthwave pioneer D/A/D. I've been a huge fan of this composer's sounds over the years and his triumphant return is to be applauded. His latest piece, 'Orion Beach' is absolutely beautiful from it's synth melodies to it's shredding guitars. This artist has always had a insightful understanding of how to make the 80s rock and it warms my heart to get to experience new musical frontiers from the imagination of Day After Discovery.
The long build up to the release of Arc Neon's next opus is almost over. To tease this release even further is this totally rockin new and heavily stylised preview for 'Blood Sport 2092. Arc Neon's new work has an incredibly detailled thematic they've built around the experience which is sure to provide us with huge amounts of thrills and excitement.
To finish of this Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM we have a spectacular new compilation from the rockers at New Retro Wave. This release is packed with incredible new tracks from the scenes most kick arse producers including Rain Sword, MegaDrive, Starforce, Perturbator, Highway Superstar, Silenx, Mulitpac (!!!) and many, many more. This is a must-own release and is definitely one of the best compilation releases of 2013. All this rockin action and it's FREE!! Get on it and rock it ASAP!
That wraps up this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back with some more killer tunes from the 80s inspired synth scene during the week ahead. Until then, as always, stay 80s and keep on rockin!
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Synthetix Weekend Update
It's that time once again, the time to look back at the most rockin singles, previews and teasers released through the last seven days in the 80s inspired synth scene in another gargantuan Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM!
The Astral Stereo Project has been on my radar for quite a while now, in no small part to him being supported a great deal on Project Friday Radio. This latest track is a tad more dramatic than his pop style fare and as an instrumental works the melodies and ideas in a very engrossing way.
A producer who continually impresses me with the growth within his music is Electric Disection. In 'Sweeping Airwaves' he really pushes the simplicity of sounds to magnify the melody's weight. The sounds are presented with very authentic personality that I greatly enjoy.
Project: Walker by Julian Anderson added a new experience to the thematic this week with a piece called 'City Runner'. The project is a Blade Runner inspired story that is making chapters of music for each set piece. 'City Runner' is a slow synth burn which builds beautifully, the instruments are layered to perfection and I must give a special mention to the sublime bassline that holds the soundscape together. Currently available for FREE download.
A producers who's really nailing the disco/space synth/soundtrack/prog vibe is Achim Bloch with his killer new track 'Time In Space'. The sounds, progressions and production are all totally on point as this piece takes you in esoteric realms of dimensionless travel. A marvellously well orchestrated experience and also currently available for FREE download.
Time for some new rockers on the scene and the duo of The Boy & Sister Alma. Their latest track 'Lizard Eyes' is a beautifully lush synth pop serenade. Elements of 90s indie electronic lace the edges of the experience, but inside beats a heart full of 80s love. The chorus in this song is absolutely stunning and guitars introduced in the latter are truly inspirational, be sure to grab your copy while it's currently up for FREE download.
The eminently rockin Professor Zonic Zynth is back with another stellar piece of 80s inspired synth called 'Sonic Boom'. This apparently Top Gun inspired track is packed with action, drama and emotion with classic 80s soundtrack synth. There is so many stories in this track, so densely arranged that is positively overflowing with glorious 80s wonder.
Based on their previous history, I don't expect 'Drifter' to be around for long before Dance With The Dead take it off soundcloud, but for those lucky enough to read this while it's up (and hopefully it does stay up for longer than recent tracks they've shared) you're in for a stunningly emotive experience. Winding things back to a much sparser soundscape 'Drifter' finds this duo adding some incredibly beautifully vocal elements to their sound. 'Drifter' is both vastly epic and soulfully intimate at the same time.
PH Groove is back with a new homage to Alan Vega's seminal work with a new track 'The Calling'. Going under the genre of '80s Punk Dance' that's pretty much exactly how I'd describe it. The sounds are warped and modern in approach, but the 80s vibe rocks this track in totally rad way. Currently available for FREE download.
Alpha Boy is back with a new album to be released on the 3rd of June called 'Future Man'. This preview gives us a brief look at what's in store, and definitely contains some new territory for this producer. Based on his last few singles and how he's pushed the Alpha Boy sound into new directions I'm going to be very interested to see where this full length takes us.
Delivering frenetic 80s energies in every conceivable way is Elsewhen with their slightly ChipTune edged high energy synth odysseys. This track entitled 'Zenith' would be well at home on the soundtrack release of any of the games from the Thunderforce series of shooters, who's soundtracks I hold in very high regard. Many thanks to Jon 'Grooveworthy' Mussell for introducing me to Elsewhen.
On a similarly 16Bit kick is Strange Aeons and his new work of b-grade inspired horror cinema 'I Was A Teenage Slime Sucker'. The personality of this track is rather quirky with it's instrumentations but the melodic work and stories alluded to in the arrangements are genuinely entertaining and the ending is fantastic. Currently available for FREE download.
80s synth scene icon LA Dreams shared a very interesting new experience during this past week which shows some new sides to his many facets. 'We're Not Human' is one of his most introspective and chilled tracks yet. The pace is slow and laboured with melodies that prove insightful and illuminating.
Incredibly beautiful work, with sublime key changes and perfect arrangements.
Transcend shared something rather beautiful this week in 'Hazel Eyes'. Tinged with classic 80s synth romance and flavoured with a bright and colourful soundscape this track is a joy to behold. The arrangements are much more modern, but one can't help but feel those smooth 80s sounds giving this experience all it's magic. Currently available for FREE download too.
Next up is a short teaser for the new MegaDrive record 'Hardwired'. Even though this teaser is almost a teaser of a teaser in it's brevity it does allude to exciting new soundscapes from MegaDrive. With a release date set for the 4th of June we don't have to wait long for more hot rockin action.
It's been about a month since we last heard from Rain Sword with his exceptional track 'Drift Away' and he's now returned with totally rad new track 'Slick'. The music is full of Rain Sword 80s magic, but theres also some housey/nu disco even balearic vibes I'm getting which provides for some interesting soundscapes indeed. Definitely a rockin good time, and currently available for FREE download.
rf.extreme has really been perfecting his craft of late and his new track 'Topped 6th' takes him to even greater realms of synth possibilities. The music is very tightly controlled but still allowed to create a very tactile presence. The use of cleaner natural keyboard sounds add even more tonal qualities. The ending seems to meander a tad and the abrupt finish probably means it's in a currently unfinished state, but even still it rocks super hard.
Synthficionado Highway Superstar shared a totally rad new track going by the name of 'The Chase' this week that takes him back to the East in a ninja synth epic. Full of adventure and shadowed denizens of assassination this packs a punch you'll be feeling for weeks. The narrative is a web of deceit and betrayal, played against a moonlit backdrop of flashing blades. Superbly arranged from beginning to end.
Our final highlight for the week is new experience from the enigmatic Dr Pecco. I'm definitely a fan of his exploitation cinema fuelled synthscapes and with his new piece 'Our Hearts, The Stallions' we're finding the good doctor experimenting in some brighter and happier sounds. The music is very upbeat and full of colourful melodies. I'll be reviewing Dr Pecco's new 'Crystal Eyes, Diamond Tails' next week on Synthetix.FM, but make sure you grab this single for FREE download in the mean time.
That does us for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I hope you've found some rockin new tunes to make your weekend glow in the most radical shades of neon and I look forward to sharing more new music with you next week. 'Til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.
The Astral Stereo Project has been on my radar for quite a while now, in no small part to him being supported a great deal on Project Friday Radio. This latest track is a tad more dramatic than his pop style fare and as an instrumental works the melodies and ideas in a very engrossing way.
A producer who continually impresses me with the growth within his music is Electric Disection. In 'Sweeping Airwaves' he really pushes the simplicity of sounds to magnify the melody's weight. The sounds are presented with very authentic personality that I greatly enjoy.
Project: Walker by Julian Anderson added a new experience to the thematic this week with a piece called 'City Runner'. The project is a Blade Runner inspired story that is making chapters of music for each set piece. 'City Runner' is a slow synth burn which builds beautifully, the instruments are layered to perfection and I must give a special mention to the sublime bassline that holds the soundscape together. Currently available for FREE download.
A producers who's really nailing the disco/space synth/soundtrack/prog vibe is Achim Bloch with his killer new track 'Time In Space'. The sounds, progressions and production are all totally on point as this piece takes you in esoteric realms of dimensionless travel. A marvellously well orchestrated experience and also currently available for FREE download.
Time for some new rockers on the scene and the duo of The Boy & Sister Alma. Their latest track 'Lizard Eyes' is a beautifully lush synth pop serenade. Elements of 90s indie electronic lace the edges of the experience, but inside beats a heart full of 80s love. The chorus in this song is absolutely stunning and guitars introduced in the latter are truly inspirational, be sure to grab your copy while it's currently up for FREE download.
The eminently rockin Professor Zonic Zynth is back with another stellar piece of 80s inspired synth called 'Sonic Boom'. This apparently Top Gun inspired track is packed with action, drama and emotion with classic 80s soundtrack synth. There is so many stories in this track, so densely arranged that is positively overflowing with glorious 80s wonder.
Based on their previous history, I don't expect 'Drifter' to be around for long before Dance With The Dead take it off soundcloud, but for those lucky enough to read this while it's up (and hopefully it does stay up for longer than recent tracks they've shared) you're in for a stunningly emotive experience. Winding things back to a much sparser soundscape 'Drifter' finds this duo adding some incredibly beautifully vocal elements to their sound. 'Drifter' is both vastly epic and soulfully intimate at the same time.
PH Groove is back with a new homage to Alan Vega's seminal work with a new track 'The Calling'. Going under the genre of '80s Punk Dance' that's pretty much exactly how I'd describe it. The sounds are warped and modern in approach, but the 80s vibe rocks this track in totally rad way. Currently available for FREE download.
Alpha Boy is back with a new album to be released on the 3rd of June called 'Future Man'. This preview gives us a brief look at what's in store, and definitely contains some new territory for this producer. Based on his last few singles and how he's pushed the Alpha Boy sound into new directions I'm going to be very interested to see where this full length takes us.
Delivering frenetic 80s energies in every conceivable way is Elsewhen with their slightly ChipTune edged high energy synth odysseys. This track entitled 'Zenith' would be well at home on the soundtrack release of any of the games from the Thunderforce series of shooters, who's soundtracks I hold in very high regard. Many thanks to Jon 'Grooveworthy' Mussell for introducing me to Elsewhen.
On a similarly 16Bit kick is Strange Aeons and his new work of b-grade inspired horror cinema 'I Was A Teenage Slime Sucker'. The personality of this track is rather quirky with it's instrumentations but the melodic work and stories alluded to in the arrangements are genuinely entertaining and the ending is fantastic. Currently available for FREE download.
80s synth scene icon LA Dreams shared a very interesting new experience during this past week which shows some new sides to his many facets. 'We're Not Human' is one of his most introspective and chilled tracks yet. The pace is slow and laboured with melodies that prove insightful and illuminating.
Incredibly beautiful work, with sublime key changes and perfect arrangements.
Transcend shared something rather beautiful this week in 'Hazel Eyes'. Tinged with classic 80s synth romance and flavoured with a bright and colourful soundscape this track is a joy to behold. The arrangements are much more modern, but one can't help but feel those smooth 80s sounds giving this experience all it's magic. Currently available for FREE download too.
Next up is a short teaser for the new MegaDrive record 'Hardwired'. Even though this teaser is almost a teaser of a teaser in it's brevity it does allude to exciting new soundscapes from MegaDrive. With a release date set for the 4th of June we don't have to wait long for more hot rockin action.
It's been about a month since we last heard from Rain Sword with his exceptional track 'Drift Away' and he's now returned with totally rad new track 'Slick'. The music is full of Rain Sword 80s magic, but theres also some housey/nu disco even balearic vibes I'm getting which provides for some interesting soundscapes indeed. Definitely a rockin good time, and currently available for FREE download.
rf.extreme has really been perfecting his craft of late and his new track 'Topped 6th' takes him to even greater realms of synth possibilities. The music is very tightly controlled but still allowed to create a very tactile presence. The use of cleaner natural keyboard sounds add even more tonal qualities. The ending seems to meander a tad and the abrupt finish probably means it's in a currently unfinished state, but even still it rocks super hard.
Synthficionado Highway Superstar shared a totally rad new track going by the name of 'The Chase' this week that takes him back to the East in a ninja synth epic. Full of adventure and shadowed denizens of assassination this packs a punch you'll be feeling for weeks. The narrative is a web of deceit and betrayal, played against a moonlit backdrop of flashing blades. Superbly arranged from beginning to end.
Our final highlight for the week is new experience from the enigmatic Dr Pecco. I'm definitely a fan of his exploitation cinema fuelled synthscapes and with his new piece 'Our Hearts, The Stallions' we're finding the good doctor experimenting in some brighter and happier sounds. The music is very upbeat and full of colourful melodies. I'll be reviewing Dr Pecco's new 'Crystal Eyes, Diamond Tails' next week on Synthetix.FM, but make sure you grab this single for FREE download in the mean time.
That does us for another Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I hope you've found some rockin new tunes to make your weekend glow in the most radical shades of neon and I look forward to sharing more new music with you next week. 'Til then stay 80s and keep on rockin.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Synthetix Weekend Update
It's time for another monster Weekend Update on Synthetix, so lets get rockin' with zero delay!
First up is a sneak peek album teaser from the enigmatic Betamaxx. This two minute snippet of absolutely stunning synth romance bodes very well for his next release. Such beautifully constructed melodies and sounds make this something I'm champing at the bit for.
Photosynthesi got chilled and stirred with his new track Winter Nights. Photosynthesi is yet to release a piece of music I don't love, Winter Nights continues this trend with sheer, uplifiting melodies perched astride perfectly measured percussion.
Continuing down the steamy side of synth soundscapes is the new gem from Prof. Zonic Zynth. His new track Turning Point is highly atmospheric, forgoing his usual funk odysseys in favour of a midnight rendezvous where danger and lust walk hand in hand beneath a starlight sky.
Malbu B's upcoming releases have been teased with a fourway preview. The moods are introspective and coloured with autumnal shades but still enriched by much of the Malibu B magic we know and love. I'm greatly looking forward to experiencing each of this tracks in their fullest capacity.
Keeping that introspective and comtemplative mood rockin on we got a killer new track from FlashBoy this week in Eclipse. This is another rousing work that builds into soaring magnificence. It's been a quite time for FlashBoy, musically, of late, I'm hoping this is a triumphant return with more FlashBoy experiences in the pipeline.
Brand new music from Arcade High next! City Lights brings a sparkling and energetic experience with a dash of the classic Arcade High 80s video game soundtrack personality for that zesty taste sensation we all love. This is available for FREE download so get on it right now!
I have so many favourite tracks by LA Dreams I've begun to lose count, but his new experience entitled Highschool DreamGirl is instantly in my Top 5. This positively glowing work of exemplary synth romance is masterfully constructed and purely uplifting to experience. Truly amazing.
Adding a dash of disco to the proceedings this week is a new track from Box Of Wolves called Swim. Lots of swelling 80s sounds accompany a dramatic beat while melodies cascade through through a sun drenched seascape. This is also available for FREE download to fully enhance your weekend experience.
The final installment of rockin 80s synth action comes to us in the form a totally killer new preview video for Vincenzo Salvia's Nostalgia EP. Due out on Decemeber 4th this promises more emotive and enlightening experiences in quality synth music from one of Synthetix favourite new producers.
That does us for another week on Synthetix, I hope you've enjoyed all the wonderful music on here this week as much as I have and I look forward to even more rockin new experiences next week!
First up is a sneak peek album teaser from the enigmatic Betamaxx. This two minute snippet of absolutely stunning synth romance bodes very well for his next release. Such beautifully constructed melodies and sounds make this something I'm champing at the bit for.
Photosynthesi got chilled and stirred with his new track Winter Nights. Photosynthesi is yet to release a piece of music I don't love, Winter Nights continues this trend with sheer, uplifiting melodies perched astride perfectly measured percussion.
Continuing down the steamy side of synth soundscapes is the new gem from Prof. Zonic Zynth. His new track Turning Point is highly atmospheric, forgoing his usual funk odysseys in favour of a midnight rendezvous where danger and lust walk hand in hand beneath a starlight sky.
Malbu B's upcoming releases have been teased with a fourway preview. The moods are introspective and coloured with autumnal shades but still enriched by much of the Malibu B magic we know and love. I'm greatly looking forward to experiencing each of this tracks in their fullest capacity.
Keeping that introspective and comtemplative mood rockin on we got a killer new track from FlashBoy this week in Eclipse. This is another rousing work that builds into soaring magnificence. It's been a quite time for FlashBoy, musically, of late, I'm hoping this is a triumphant return with more FlashBoy experiences in the pipeline.
Brand new music from Arcade High next! City Lights brings a sparkling and energetic experience with a dash of the classic Arcade High 80s video game soundtrack personality for that zesty taste sensation we all love. This is available for FREE download so get on it right now!
I have so many favourite tracks by LA Dreams I've begun to lose count, but his new experience entitled Highschool DreamGirl is instantly in my Top 5. This positively glowing work of exemplary synth romance is masterfully constructed and purely uplifting to experience. Truly amazing.
Adding a dash of disco to the proceedings this week is a new track from Box Of Wolves called Swim. Lots of swelling 80s sounds accompany a dramatic beat while melodies cascade through through a sun drenched seascape. This is also available for FREE download to fully enhance your weekend experience.
The final installment of rockin 80s synth action comes to us in the form a totally killer new preview video for Vincenzo Salvia's Nostalgia EP. Due out on Decemeber 4th this promises more emotive and enlightening experiences in quality synth music from one of Synthetix favourite new producers.
That does us for another week on Synthetix, I hope you've enjoyed all the wonderful music on here this week as much as I have and I look forward to even more rockin new experiences next week!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Synthetix Weekend Update
This Weekend Update is also the 150th post on Synthetix. It's a bit of a milestone, and the success I've had on here is something I'm very grateful for. The entire point of Synthetix was to give a home for modern 80s inpsired synth music, I was at the point where I was getting a bit tired of going through tens of blogs every week in the hope of finding one or two killer 80s sounding tracks and really just wanted to make a place on the internet where this was all that was being covered.
This place became a reality in no small part thanks to Facebook. Through hooking up on there with producers and fans on there we've made a community that is genuinely something I'm elated to be a part of. It's the sharing of music, ideas and other inspirations that makes the scene grow and develop. New producers crop up with wondrous regularity and established artists are constantly refining and developing their own sounds.
So what about the future? Synthetix is all about looking to the past as far music goes, but I'm looking to push Synthetix into more modern contexts in the future. I've got a lot of cool ideas for regular features and promotions coming up before the year's end which I hope all my readers enjoy. Synythetix has been picked up on Hype Machine too, which is great sign that I'm on the right track. It's an exciting time to be a fan of this music and I want to keep that excitement running as high as possible for as long as possible.
I'd like to thank all the people out there reading Synthetix and all the members of the Synthetix Facebook community who are a huge part of what makes this place as relevant as it is.
Here's to rockin hard for the next 150 posts and without further delay, heres this week's Weekend Update.
First up we have a killer new preview for the upcoming 12" EP release from Flemming Dalum and Kid Machine. These guys have made a powerful sounding brand of dark italo that really resonates. The EP is due out soon on Red Laser Records and will be a release I'll be sure to cover on here when it's out.
A new artist I've just had the pleasure of experiencing for the first time is Synthaesthete. His second track is The City At Night and this proves to be a very exciting track. Moody, but still vibrant theres a delicate soul to this piece. Everything about this works exceptionally well and his understanding of what makes for quality 80s sounds is marvellous. Definitely someone I'll be keeping a close eye on.
It's always a red letter day when we get new Jordan F music and his latest single, Under The Sun, is no exception. Jordan keeps exploring his craft and refining his sounds in each new track. There's a real warmth, no pun intended, with this artists recent work making it feel light years away from his darker period with the likes of Abandoned Streets. Jordan F's always been one of the leading producers in the scene and this new track reaffirms why this is so.
Another bright star in the sky is, of course, LA Dreams. This rocker just can't stop making amazing music and the highlight from his work this week has been Jamie's Coming Over. More gorgeous synth romance from the genre's master. Spellbinding to the max.
The big guns keep on firing in this Weekend Update with a totally amazing new track from Professor Zonic Zynth. Ashley's Theme finds the Professor leaving his usual electro funk sounds for a bit of strawberry flavoured synth romance. This comes off brilliantly and, once again, his chourus work is absoloutely staggering. With any luck we'll be seeing this producers on soundcloud soon too.
This next song promises to be one of my Top 10 favourites of 2012. The combined talents of Silent Gloves and heart throb extraordinaire Patrick Baker has resulted in pure 80s pop gold with the title So Real. The short preview here is stunning, and after hearing the exclusive full cut on Project Friday (listen LIVE here every Friday night U.S time for more rockin action) I'm thoroughly convinced this will be massive for both artists. Til the official release though this preview will have to suffice.
Keeping the Jordan F love bubbling over we have a phenomonal remix from Vincenzo Salvia of Jordan's track Aurora. I loved the original version and also love Vincenzo's reenvisioning. The extra sparkling layers of bright synths take Aurora directly into the heavens. I'll be giving Vincenzo Salvia's new EP, The Chase, the full Synthetix treatment next week too.
Our final piece of 80s loving in this 150th post on Synthetix is something special. This collective of artists working under the k-rad monicker of Chrome Brulee have made one of the greatest promo videos I've ever seen. I'm hoping this will result in an album sometime soon, whatever way this project goes I'll definitely be making sure I closely follow Chrome Brulee in the future.
That's us done for 150 posts on Synthetix, I hope you've had as much fun as I have and I look forward to experiencing more glorious 80s inspired synth music with you soon. Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.
This place became a reality in no small part thanks to Facebook. Through hooking up on there with producers and fans on there we've made a community that is genuinely something I'm elated to be a part of. It's the sharing of music, ideas and other inspirations that makes the scene grow and develop. New producers crop up with wondrous regularity and established artists are constantly refining and developing their own sounds.
So what about the future? Synthetix is all about looking to the past as far music goes, but I'm looking to push Synthetix into more modern contexts in the future. I've got a lot of cool ideas for regular features and promotions coming up before the year's end which I hope all my readers enjoy. Synythetix has been picked up on Hype Machine too, which is great sign that I'm on the right track. It's an exciting time to be a fan of this music and I want to keep that excitement running as high as possible for as long as possible.
I'd like to thank all the people out there reading Synthetix and all the members of the Synthetix Facebook community who are a huge part of what makes this place as relevant as it is.
Here's to rockin hard for the next 150 posts and without further delay, heres this week's Weekend Update.
First up we have a killer new preview for the upcoming 12" EP release from Flemming Dalum and Kid Machine. These guys have made a powerful sounding brand of dark italo that really resonates. The EP is due out soon on Red Laser Records and will be a release I'll be sure to cover on here when it's out.
A new artist I've just had the pleasure of experiencing for the first time is Synthaesthete. His second track is The City At Night and this proves to be a very exciting track. Moody, but still vibrant theres a delicate soul to this piece. Everything about this works exceptionally well and his understanding of what makes for quality 80s sounds is marvellous. Definitely someone I'll be keeping a close eye on.
It's always a red letter day when we get new Jordan F music and his latest single, Under The Sun, is no exception. Jordan keeps exploring his craft and refining his sounds in each new track. There's a real warmth, no pun intended, with this artists recent work making it feel light years away from his darker period with the likes of Abandoned Streets. Jordan F's always been one of the leading producers in the scene and this new track reaffirms why this is so.
Another bright star in the sky is, of course, LA Dreams. This rocker just can't stop making amazing music and the highlight from his work this week has been Jamie's Coming Over. More gorgeous synth romance from the genre's master. Spellbinding to the max.
The big guns keep on firing in this Weekend Update with a totally amazing new track from Professor Zonic Zynth. Ashley's Theme finds the Professor leaving his usual electro funk sounds for a bit of strawberry flavoured synth romance. This comes off brilliantly and, once again, his chourus work is absoloutely staggering. With any luck we'll be seeing this producers on soundcloud soon too.
This next song promises to be one of my Top 10 favourites of 2012. The combined talents of Silent Gloves and heart throb extraordinaire Patrick Baker has resulted in pure 80s pop gold with the title So Real. The short preview here is stunning, and after hearing the exclusive full cut on Project Friday (listen LIVE here every Friday night U.S time for more rockin action) I'm thoroughly convinced this will be massive for both artists. Til the official release though this preview will have to suffice.
Keeping the Jordan F love bubbling over we have a phenomonal remix from Vincenzo Salvia of Jordan's track Aurora. I loved the original version and also love Vincenzo's reenvisioning. The extra sparkling layers of bright synths take Aurora directly into the heavens. I'll be giving Vincenzo Salvia's new EP, The Chase, the full Synthetix treatment next week too.
Our final piece of 80s loving in this 150th post on Synthetix is something special. This collective of artists working under the k-rad monicker of Chrome Brulee have made one of the greatest promo videos I've ever seen. I'm hoping this will result in an album sometime soon, whatever way this project goes I'll definitely be making sure I closely follow Chrome Brulee in the future.
That's us done for 150 posts on Synthetix, I hope you've had as much fun as I have and I look forward to experiencing more glorious 80s inspired synth music with you soon. Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.
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