Satori Is Legendary In Bed

By Jerry Herrera


I don’t mean to nit pick or cause any division in the retro synth scene because trust me, it’s all good, but I think there’s ‘80s inspired tracks and those that achieve a different level of authenticity. I won’t say “higher level” because like I said, it’s all good. It’s just that some guys just understand the sound of the era better. This is not a complete theory, because I don’t know if it’s an age thing or just a certain mania that some producers suffer from.

Satori in Bed, from the beginning, seemed enamored with the retro aesthetic.  He pushes his sound and everything Satori In Bed related to a depth that I just don’t see a whole lot.  And really, I don’t think it’s any one huge advantage or bit of technical prowess, but just a metric ton of little things.  I loved Legendary from top to bottom, and when I look back on it, it’s because of the gentlest touches on each track that made the album worthwhile.


The first dramatic notes of 'I Means Silence' (ft. Rika Stewart) are the perfect indicator of how intense this retro odyssey is going to be. 'Legendary' (ft. Mikól Iordán) is the perfect follow up as we enter a world of striking drama. This track is full of grim, almost horror synth elements, without allowing itself to be pigeonholed. It’s definitely more murder mystery than slasher flick.

'Salima' opens in a similar manner, because Satori In Bed does theatrics extremely well, but quickly and easily lifts the tension and seamlessly shifts us into a different gear. Here we are simply gliding through a neon night, with synths fluttering in between channels and touches of funk and R&B accenting the mood. It’s both nuanced and repetitive enough that I found myself comfortably lost, and if were actually driving, able to focus on the road, and the city lights ahead.

'Kind of Indigo' is a rich, somewhat jazzy synth cruise through heartbreak and longing. It’s got all the elements for a real 80s love theme, but it starts off ominously as if we’re in for some more horror synth. Satori In Bed straddles a line between drama, fear, and love but all while remaining true to this almost tongue in cheek retro sound.

'To The Core' (ft. Li Boo) is pure ‘80s pop, perhaps even the theme to a movie that has all the great elements:  crime, romance, action. The vocals are appropriately retro and maybe even a little Gary Low influenced, and there’s a sweet guitar solo towards the end, the first on the album I believe.  'Tergiversation' continues this fictional soundtrack with a little ‘80s chase and some really intense toms towards the end.

It really is a match made in heaven to have Satori in Bed and Dana Jean Phoenix collaborate on a track, and it’s no surprise that 'Little Piece of My Heart' is the highlight of Legendary. It’s powerful, highly dramatic (there’s that word again), catchy and DJP’s pop sensibilities are used extremely effectively.  The duet works perfectly, and no one is singing over each other.

To finish the album, 'Riot' is an aggressive, snare driven track that’s more chase than OutRun then  '7 Times' finally scratches that horror itch that’s been teased throughout the album. After a lengthy intro of strings and synths and little bits of digital devilry here and there, the basses kick in and we’re taken on a funky, frightening night drive through foggy streets. It’s my other personal favorite track on the album and not to be missed.

Satori In Bed has a couple other strong releases and Legendary clinches his spot as one of the guys to watch in the scene, and someone to study when you’re unsure of how this whole synthwave thing is supposed to go. On one hand it’s being a huge 80s/retro nerd but on the other it’s an understanding of not only the instruments/synths but how they were used at the time. I’ve said this about a few other artists and I have no problem saying it about Satori In Bed:  He’d blend right in if he woke up tomorrow and was somehow transported back to 1988.  Do not miss Legendary if you consider yourself a fan of the genre.

Satori In Bed presents Legendary, which is available for purchase on Bandcamp here and is very, very highly recommended by Synthetix.FM.

Synthetix Weekend Update

As the year rolls along new producers appear and others fade away, seldom are producers permanent fixtures but such is the way. The circle of life in the 80s inspired synth world ebbs and flows with each week that passes and it is unfortunate that this week we say good bye to Cougar Synth. The duo has removed their presence from all online services and called it a day. The back story to this is unknown to me and in all honesty is unimportant; when anyone makes a decision to end a project we have every right to grieve but no right to demand explanations. We should instead rejoice in the beautiful music Cougar Synth shared with us and appreciate the time they gave us. Synthetix.FM wishes both members a bright future elsewhere on our little blue planet.

In happier news, compilation season continues with a totally rockin new release from Future 80s Records with their Compilation Vol. II . Thirty two tracks provide a smorgasbord of 80s synth delicacies from the rich stable of Future 80s talent including the likes of Absolute Valentine, Niky Nine,  Python Blue, James Baker, Preqwal, Riddlis, Scream & Dive,  Run Vaylor, Tokyo Rider and a whole mess of other Synthetix.FM favourites. You can pick up a copy of this via the Future 80s Bandcamp page here.

Time to  pull back the throttle and take off in the wild blue yonder of 80s inspired synth magic with this week's edition of AIRBORNE!

Orax - After Death Orax is back and rockin with his new EP After Death. The Orax sound is always full of energy and this producer is one to experiment with new sounds that break the mould. His arrangements on this EP have been stepped up dramatically as each of the seven tracks contain well detailed narratives that explore their structures with much care. The use of more acoustically powered instruments in many of the tracks is to be applauded. It's an eclectic EP that journeys through many styles and genres and Orax rocks each one of them in a most rad of manners.


Jeffery Horne - Power Pop Jeffery Horne is a new rocker on the scene that has been signed up to Future 80s Records and his debut EP is a marvellous excursion into late 80s Italo and Europ pop sounds. His melodies are definitely a strong point of his writing, especially in gems like 'There Are Times' and 'Memory' which hook deep with catchy refrains of total 80s wonderment. I'm definitely looking forward to sharing in Jeffery Horne's musical journey in the coming months.



Satori In Bed - Acapulco 1984 This EP came out at the end of March but I only became aware of it this past week. The Satori In Bed experience is a verdantly textured and varied experience in 80s sounds that range from totally incredible pop stylings on 'Black Star' through to the synth funk odyssey of 'La Quebrada'. This record is definitely a mixture of 80s driven feelings but they're all superbly rendered, full of colour, life and delectably written passages. Satori In Bed is definitely one of the most promising new acts in the scene.

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First rocker up on the blocks for this week's Weekend Update is Infinity Cobra with his brand new track 'Fancy Drive 2'. I'm a fan of anything with 'fancy' in the title and this track is no exception. The meandering melodies give the track an easy flowing nature over the staccato percussion making for an interestingly contrasting experience. This available for FREE download via the button in the player.




Analogue Clones are turning the rock up in and kicking much arse in their new track 'Don't Fight The Night'. This sprawling epic is innately fused with the darker aspects of 80s horror synths sounds and evolves from a darkened fearful night in a guitar drenched chase of terror. Marvellously constructed and executed.




 A danger of a different kind comes into play with Foreign Blades new track 'Meeting At Villa Vizcaya' where sparkling seaside melodies lead to a binge of drugs and violence in the Florida sun. The pace is electric and the melodies intimate dangers around every corner as the inevitable conclusion leaves a wake of bloodstained white powder for the authorities to clean up. This track is currently available for FREE download.




Rockin into some smooth night moods with sexy synths and alluring beats is the hot new Synth Funk track from SaiR entitled 'Wonderer'. The production is glass smooth and melodies bounce with inquisitive passages that funk it up to the max. You can pick up a copy of this great track on SaiR's Bandcamp page here.




Keeping things bedroom-oriented is the sensually enticing new piece from Mr Maen appropriately titled 'Slow Love'. This heavenly slice of gorgeous Synth Romance is spectacularly written with uncomplicated passages full of emotional yearning and delicate melodies. Definitely one of Mr Maen's finest releases thus far, you can pick up a FREE copy of this ultimate late night anthem via the download button on the soundcloud page for 'Slow Love'.




Waveshaper's rockin new track, 'Chasing The Clone Of Myself', caught my attention and refused to let go this week. The narrative explored is deep but also very poignantly in a manner that draws the listener in and takes them on a ride full of twists and turns. The opening parts set the perfect scene which is then torn asunder in the proceeding chapters. This is killer track currently available for FREE download too.




I've been a long time fan Magic Sword's brand of 80s soundtrack synth work and the seemingly endless wait for the digital release of their full length album is now very close to over. I have it on authority from Magic Sword themselves that we'll be getting their album within the couple of months, which is totally kick arse. In the meantime we have their hot new track 'Legend Of The Keeper' to rock hard, which is featured on Internet Piracy Records Compilation Vol. 1.




Street Justice is exploring and evolving his craft with each new track and on his new work we're treated to a wonderfully lavish journey into synthual pleasures. 'Your Memories Are Fabrications' takes a slow and calculated approach that allows for all manner of deftly implemented nuances to add layers of intrigue to the experience. Currently available for FREE download, rock it while you can.




Time to get a bit cosmic in this week's Weekend Update courtesy of Falconhoof and his new Space Synth adventure 'Breaking Orbit'. The drama ramps up higher through each act as each synth stab moves in time with the cosmic pulse of outer space. The final conclusion to this piece is sure to have you breaking your earthly bonds and ascending into void above.




The crossover with 80s inspired synth and vaporwave is something I'm very excited about. How these elemental forces will cross over and become something all together new piques my interest greatly. We get to experience shades of this in Wulf new kick arse piece 'Beach Cruisin' 85'. The lion's share of the experience is rife with sunlit energies and bright, energetic percussion while a hazy vapor infused ending completes things. Very nice work indeed.




Glass Apple Bonzai has returned with a rad new song 'My Alliance To Science'. This ode to man's investigative knowledge is spectacularly articulate and the song writing is right on point for classic mid 80s pop rockin. This producer really does create terrific 80s homages and that he's included an extended 12" mix of the track as the B side endears me even more to his work. You can pick this up via the player at a name-your-own-price point on Bandcamp and I encourage everyone to dig deep and support the Glass Apple Bonzai project.



Mullet Records continues to fly the 80s flag with their latest sing from Joeblack featuring Robin S called 'Show Me Love'. The production is slick and lusciously 80s with funky synths and imploringly soulful vocals. The late 80s funk synth pop soul burns bright and strong in this great song and you can pick up a copy exclusively via Juno Download here.




KFDDA is rockin a delightfully lush atmosphere in his latest piece 'ゾラドメイン (Zola Domein)'. The uncluttered approach to the layers of synths allow for rolling melodies to flow gently through rivers of melody in buoyant seas that crest and fall with natural power. It's a captivating experience from beginning to end and is also available for FREE download via the track's soundcloud page.




The atmospheric tones are also strong in the latest track from Kick Puncher. This rocker really creates a full and exciting experience in his new track 'Third Sun'. The drama is ever present while he elucidates finer details in the snappy lead melodies. A rich narrative drives the track into refined set pieces that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.




Our video feature for this week's Weekend Update is a superb work of editing by Jean-Pierre Van Damme that fuses the electrified rock energy of Jon Of The Shred and the Australian classic Mad Max 2. The final stages of Mad Max 2 are perfectly cut with Jon Of The Shred's 'The Chase Begins', maling for a high impact rock and roll extravaganza of violence and mayhem!


Jon of the Shred - The Chase Begins from Jean-Pierre Van Damme on Vimeo.


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