Get 2 Know Patrick Baker All Over Again

In my top tens that I did for 2012 Patrick Baker's song Get 2 Know U was my number one hit in the Synthetix Synth Pop Charts. This track has finally seen a full single release with the totally kick arse original mix and three sterling remixes. How much love can Synthetix give Patrick Baker? Not nearly enough, I believe.



Get 2 Know U is as authentic as it is pure. The authenticity of the arrangements and instrumentation are complemented by a purity of vocal, lyric and aesthetic that is uncommon in the 80s inspired synth pop scene. I've already gushed like a rabid teenage girl over the original mix of the song  here on Synthetix mid last year but it bears repeating how stunning the Get 2 Know U experience is. I can count on one hand the amount of acts that can do 80s synth pop as authentically as Patrick Baker and this song is one of the yardsticks by which all others are compared. Get 2 Know U is still one of the penultimate Synthetix Reference Experiences and being able to revisit with this gem just reinforces everything I've previously stated.

This single release is accompanied by three new remixes too, which shouldn't be understated in the slightest. In the glowing pink light of the original it would be hard to make a 'bad' remix of this song, but the three contained here add different dimensions to the experience like a prism reflecting and re-imagining the original experience.

First is the Televisor remix. The Televisor magic is very identifiable and when it works (like in their absolutely stunning Pin Up and Le Rock Francais) it becomes awe inspiring. Televisor's remix of Get 2 Know U is full of this magic and really tells a new story to song. It's a more measured approach, and refuses to march so voraciously into the glorious aural chintzyness of some of my favourite Televisor tracks. In doing this it makes for a beautiful balance in the sounds and never betrays the vocal sincerity. A truly wonderful combination of sounds and emotions.

Robots With Rayguns' take on Get 2 Know U travels a new path for the experience which is full of the trademark RWR sounds. This blending of new and old, with an always funky/elecro edge lends itself well to the source material. There is a new colour to the synth melodies with a more contemplative air that makes for a distinct atmosphere of coolness, control and cunning. The song jumps around a lot more however and this eclectic energy  replaces the smoothness of the original which works exceptionally well.

Jolie Cherie's remix provides another different vision, with a little bit more modern inspiration. This is by far the dreamiest of the remixes with sounds fading and melding into each other coupled with a repeated synth refrain that rises and falls with emotive majesty. This version builds a lot more than the others, forgoing the more song-structured format in favour of house-y flavour that changes dynamics dramatically. It's a bright and warm dream, with a lightness and sense of naivete that is massively enjoyable.

The Get 2 Know U EP is available on Beatport here and is thoroughly recommended as a must-have Synthetix Reference Experience to all fans of 80s inspired synth music of any denomination.

Here's to more rockin magic from Patrick Baker in 2013.

Synthetix Weekend Update

After a monster week of hot released the sounds keep on rockin on Synthetix with a fully packed, strapped and jacked Weekend Update!

Vector Hold had been a bit quiet of late but he's returned with avengeance with his new track Out Of Limits. It's boppy bassline and delectably delivered synth layers accent the moody melody. This feels like it should accompany something like Ghostbusters with it's haunting soundscape.




One of my most listened to tracks this week is a demo from Betamaxx called Punks In The Disco. I absloutely love the bassline in this, the high energy drums and synths make for a classically 80s experience. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops into a final version as this demo cut is totally rocktacular.




Dreamwave Dave came out with another solid track in Push this past week. Dabbling in some delightfully twinkling  chiptune sounds this piece is loaded magical melodies and a drum track that powers along jubilantly. This producer's consistency in delivering great music is something to be applauded.




It looks like Sternrekorder's recent hiatus is well and truly in the past, for which I'm eternally grateful. His two recent killer cuts, Carousel and Heimweh have been joined by another totally kick arse release entitled Comma Eight. Lots of italo love in this track and absolute perfection in the sounds. Incredble.




Giallo Disco pioneer Vercetti Technicolor unleashed the supercharged Sports a few days ago, once again providing chills, thrills and disco kills. This is the ultimate olympic anthem, coursing with energy, tinged with terror and unrelenting in delivery.




Lost Years is already up to version two of his new track Black Waves. Hitting a bit lower and darker than his last few tracks this moody drama has some of the most rocking handclaps I've heard in recent times. I can only hope version three will bring in some classic samples from American Psycho, as teased at by the cover art.




In what I'd describe as a near fatal wet dream of musical collaborations, Televisor has teamed up with 80s synth scene pin-up boy Patrick Baker and created something sure to get girls screaming all over the planet. Run Away is 80s pop synth magic that will hopefully find both artists working again together soon.




Last but most certainly not least we have a wonderful new track from Lueur Verte that's just come out. This is the follow up to Rockin' Summer and continues down a similar path. Once again we get a great dose of guitars to compliment the soaring synth work. It's a very polished experience and makes me wish for an EP or, better yet, an LP from Lueur Verte to really be able to drink in the atmosphere of this talented artists work.




Thanks for sharing all the action in the 80s inspired synth scene this week on Synthetix and I hope to share more musical magic with you next week!