Synthetix Sundays

Just cause Marko's touring the U.S on a synthwave odyssey it doesn't mean there's no Synthetix Sundays! Filling in for Marko over the next few weeks will be RPG's own The Right Reverend Larry Lang, The Larry Lama (Lawrence Lang) rocking your world with 80s inspired synth magic.

Quality time with Rick Shithouse returns this week as well as Paul "Dress To Kill" Daly with his 100 Followers or Less segment as well as Larry's own aural delectations.

Synthetix Sundays airs on Radio Pure Gently at 10am EST/3pm UK/GMT/12pm AEDST time which is one hour earlier than usual.

Synthetix Sundays will be on every second Sunday while Marko's away and as usual the full show as well as the Quality Time With Shithouse free, purchasable and feature tracks will be added to this post on Monday.





Quality Time With Shithouse free, purchasable and feature tracks:

Kasia's Secret Diary

By Kasia


Saturday, 12th July, 2014

hello meteor - I'll Come Back For You



It's time for me
I gotta go now
World is calling me
I don't know what it wants from me 
But I have to find out
I'm ready to take the risk
And you will be my secret company
Please don't let me get lost
No matter how far away I am
You will always be in my heart
And don't be afraid
I'll come back for you one day
You can be sure about that
Your music will show me the way back home



Friday, 4th April, 2014

Vincenzo Salvia - Together



People say
That it is always better not to be alone
But is it the truth?
Somebody smart once said 
That first you must learn how to be alone
How to be happy with yourself
So that you could really be happy with another person
I think I am ready to give it a try
Because I feel simply happy when you're next to me
I love the feeling
When your melody plays inside my head
When every single note of your music touches my heart
Because of you 
Everything shines brighter than millions of stars
It's always better when we are together...



Monday, 5th August, 2013

Karl X Johan - Do You Remember (Mitch Murder Remix)



Sure I remember the past
I remember every single moment
But...
Let's not talk about it this time
Let's talk about the future
Let's concentrate on something that we can create
What we can change
What we can build, the way we want
It is a mystery but 

why not to find out if there is something we can do to make it better?

Does it cost anything?
Yes... it does
It costs us our courage, risk and energy
But we don't have anything to lose
We have to make the choice
We have to make the change
In the end we are fighting for ourselves
No one can do this for us

Summers Past And Future In Vincenzo Salvia's Italo Dreams

The romantic sentimentality of Italo Disco synth, in general, has been taken to even loftier nostalgic heights in the latest EP from Vincenzo Salvai. Reminiscing and remembering that 'Summer Love' romance from 2013 and bringing those warm feelings back into our lives. Summer Love... One Year Later presents four tracks of beautifully structured Italo pieces that traverse the styles and ages of classic Italo sounds in a delightfully authentic manner.

Salvia's homages to classic Italo sounds are some of the best I've heard in the modern-age as this producer recreates a full immersion into the sounds and emotions of these Mediterranean flavours. With his latest EP a further progression is evidenced in the nuances in the instrumental parts as well as the vocal work with a tender, loving touch felt through each melody and subtleties in synth structures allowed to create their own golden magic.


I must say, I listen to a lot of vintage Italo Disco music. By 'a lot' I mean more than a thousand tracks in my music library as well as ardently listening to online Italo radio stations. The Italo genres contain an incredible amount of individual releases and the uncovering of these gems that are new to me is something I truly love. Upon hearing this new EP from Vincenzo Salvia those feelings of something vintage yet all brand new came bubbling to the surface with an effervescent fruity flavour that was impossible to sip just once.

The first track is a complete re-examining and retelling of the 'Summer Love' song from last year, once again with Chrissy Valentine performing the vocals while Vincenzo himself serenades his heart's desires in the final act. This version takes the originals classic refrain and restructures it with mistier recollections and an aesthetic that longs for those times to be rekindled into passionate flames once again. The story is bittersweet, but hopeful, as the temperatures rise so to do the possibilities of that 'Summer Love' sparking back into torrents of desire.

'Tramonto D'Agosto' takes the final stages of summer love into colder temperatures as the sunset of August brings the signs of fading warmth and Vincenzo delivers sombre and melancholy vocals to accompany the emotive melodies. The melodramatic side of Italo is explored expertly in this piece as the chorus is delivered in dual voices with haunting memories of the summer now past. The honesty of the emotional involvement is unmistakable and nothing about this piece at all feels forced or hollow. The sentiment and sounds are real and you'll feel that bite in the sea breeze cause a slight shiver deep within.

The third act on this EP has turned out to be not only one of my favourite Vincenzo Salvia tracks, but also one of my favourite Italo tracks, period. 'Domenica' featuring Giusi Telesca has an absolutely massive synth hook that is complemented by one of the most authentic 80s styled vocal performances I'm yet to hear. The sweet voice of Giusi Telesca has an astounding grace that is present in the delivery of every syllable. The native Italian adds even more to the spectacular performance and the balance between the synths and vocals is utterly enrapturing. It's one thing to create a piece that is an homage to a specific style, but it is another thing entirely reinvent its soul and essence in a manner so thoroughly beautiful. Vincenzo and Giusi do just this in 'Domenica' and I hope this relationship bears more musical delicacies in the future.

Adding a tropical and festive dimension to the EP is final track, tantalisingly titled 'Gelato Party'. The upbeat, dance floor oriented Italo Disco moods jostle and gyrate with bright and bouncy melodies that are packed with refreshing, fruity flavours. The synthscape is kept uncluttered and authentic and focuses on the power of the melody to make your spirits rise and your feet move as a gelato induced sugar rush of synth sweetness fills the discotheque with pastel colours swirling in musical harmony.

Telefuture Records presents Vincenzo Salvia's Summer Love... One Year Later EP on their Bandcamp page here and the four tracks presented within span many dimensions of the Italo spectrum with an eye and ear for reverent authenticity. The four pieces are far greater than the sum of their parts as the feelings and stories conveyed via the music are refinements of specific Italo denominations and move effortlessly betwixt them from chapter to chapter. Vincenzo Salvia creates magic on this EP; shining, golden Italo magic and the result is a Synthetix Reference Experience you'd be wholly remiss to not hold deeply in a warm embrace, remembering last summer and anticipating the wonders summer 2014 will bring.

Vincenzo Salvia Breaks The Surface And Takes The Plunge

If one views 2009 as the break-out year for 80s inspired synth music, this means we're now in the fifth year of the development of the soundscapes modern producers are creating with homage to classic 80s sounds. The evolution has been incredible to witness, thus far, as splinters of ideas have now become towering evergreens of deeply rooted styles. Singular ideas have inspired tens of producers who have now re-imagined this inspiration and crafted it into something new. I've always said: it's the producers who push into new territory, with new ideas and creativity that will keep the scene rockin and my excitement levels in the red zone.

Vincenzo Salvia is one of these producers. It's a shame I missed the opportunity to put my Top 10 Albums of 2013 on Synthetix.FM, or elsewhere, as Vincenzo's Auto Radio was my favourite album of last year. The vision of this producer and his reverence for the classic sounds makes him a true artist and with his new EP, Vincenzo has gone even further out of the 80s-comfort-zone and into invigorating new territory.

The Atlantis EP is five tracks of Vincenzo Salvia's own brand of 80s inspired synth music that channels much of the classic Italo Disco Synth of his homeland while adding ideas and aesthetics that have, up to this point. been buried beneath at the bottom of the ocean's floor; unexperienced until now. Much like the incredible artwork that ignites the visual aspect of this EP, the thematic is new and fresh, broadening the aural horizon and really capturing the 80s spirit and feeling in a refreshingly beautiful way.

Beginning with sonar beacons and crashing waves 'Over The Pillars' washes over you with it's dignified melodies and heavily narrative based arrangements. Unlike Auto Radio's much more pop based arrangements the stories told in the tracks on Atlantis are heavily detailed with nuances and soundtrack inspired passages that continue to divulge the ocean's mysterious secrets to you in an elegantly adept manner. The parts take your imagination through levels of depths and into delicate refrains that override the underlying dangers with wondrous anticipation.

Our first companions in this new watery realm are the 'Mermaids' and Vincenzo Salvia's innate gift for capturing the spirit of classic Italo Synth is brought out into the shallows as light filters through the water and glints seductively on the curvaceous mythical creatures. A lightness is imbued into the melodies adding a playful and carefree atmosphere, idyllic and entrancing while inspiring a heartfelt joyousness.

The richness of the underwater kingdom is brought to life in the third chapter 'Gold And Ivory'. These two very tactile substances are reflected in the sparkling refrain that dances from side to side in a most inventive way. The instruments used on this EP feel like they've been coerced and caressed into being with their delicately elegant tendrils moving effortlessly in the underwater currents, conveying the magical majesty of Atlantean culture. Airs of sorrow and remembrance are layered in with a ghostly serenity towards the end of this piece that adds a reverent depth to the musical richness.

'Towards The Light' becomes a pivotal point in the adventure as inquisitive melodies offer bright possibilities and promises with riddle-like buoyancy. The atmosphere takes a more dramatic turn as the costs of one's choices begin to appear, the light becomes stronger but is it a light of warning or of welcoming? Melodies play off each other, never really uttering the answer, but instead purposefully making the choice a one that requires listening to the heart and the mind.

This all becomes moot as the final chapter, 'Consequences', plays out the the true eventuality, that the choices we make are guided by forces beyond own consciousness and the Atlantis of fable and lore is not a tomb from which riches are plundered, but an idealised path that human evolution branched away from. The wonders of the deep rise with crescendos of jubilant melodies and the mystical Atlantean magic gives us a glimpse of a beautiful world we could have had. The dazzling sights and sounds are enrapturing, concepts we can barely grasp flash before us and as our comprehension almost reaches breaking point we're sent back to the surface; seemingly in an instant. The crashing waves of our own world serve to wake us from the fantastical dream-world we just experienced.

The spirit of adventure and exploration is a running theme throughout these pieces of music and each serves a different aesthetic dimension to Vincenzo Salvia's vision. To say this EP capture my imagination is a monstrous understatement, from beginning to end this journey was wholly tactile, I could see the beauty of Atlantis and feel it's tragedy also. The narrative is stunningly well crafted and is a huge achievement in how visual a soundtrack can be.

Future City Records presents Vincenzo Salvia's Atlantis EP on their Bandcamp page here. It's available at a name-your-own-price point but I encourage all fans and supporters of the 80s inspired synth scene to dig deep and show your appreciation for this work of art. The five chapters of Atlantis are individual, self contained stories that intricately describe this mysterious realm in a totally mesmerising way. The ocean thematic is a perfect pairing to the Italo Synth palette, as evidenced previously in Plaisance's work, but the other-worldly fantasy aspects make Vincenzo Salvia's vision unlike anything else. As a conceptual artist Vincenzo Salvia has made something very special in this EP; Atlantis is a truly Synthetix Reference Experience.

The Road, The Radio And Vincenzo Salvia

There is a bit of an inside joke in the 80s inspired music scene which goes something like 'The 80s only ever happened in Miami'. This is a bit of a dig a the sheer amount of 80s inspirations taken from Miami Vice and other media and idealised concepts about the 80s in general. Indeed, most people take the epitome of the 80s to usually be based around one of the larger cities in the U.S, such as a New York or L.A., or the much venerated Miami but when looking wider, more globally, this is not the case.

The 80s happened worldwide, which should be no surprise, but different parts of the globe had their own love affair with the 80s that became part of their history and to the next generation that is the place they draw inspiration from. Which brings us to Vincenzo Salvia's new creation that is innately intertwined with Italy's 80s history and culture in a manner that is original, entertaining and beautifully envisioned from start to finish.

It still surprises me to this day how few people are unaware of how incredibly important the italo disco scene was in the mid 80s. Most people identify with the late 80s Stock, Aitken and Waterman derived music that took the classic italo sounds into different directions but the complete ignorance to much of the public to the pure gold mine of brilliant music that came out of Italy in the 1984-88 period baffles me to this day.

I can, however, guarantee this is not the case for those who were in Italy during this time of hit after hit of italo disco rockin. Thanks to Vincenzo Salvia & Co. we now have a slice of glorious italo drenched synth constructed in a hugely entertaining format that is like a time capsule of the period and an aural window to the past.




Auto Radio is a conceptualised vision of the marriage between car and radio contextualised into 80s synth brilliance. The manner in which this record is arranged is a work of art as it proves to be one continual experience that takes the listener into a world of Vincenzo Salvia's creation. As if recorded from the most fashionable italian radio station in Italy in 1986 the album traverses mile after mile of coastal cruising and musical splendour. Musically, the soundscape takes on pastel shades of vivid 80s textures and besets them with jewels that sparkle on the coastline while the hum of the perfectly tuned engine underpins a true sense of speed and grace.

The radio DJ elements that tie this experience together are outstandingly well produced and really lift this album into entirely new realms of authenticity. Courtesy of the vocal talents of Parick 'Shio-Z' Rizzi the segments between tracks are set up and cued with brilliant dexterity. The choice of keeping strictly italian language for this is a master stroke, adding tonnes local colour that creates the perfect atmosphere. I must admit, I have no italian language understanding beyond picking up a few ideas here and there, but supplied with the album is a translation of the DJ's dialogue. In my opinion, I'd avoid reading/consulting this as it takes a bit of the magic away and the suspension of belief.

I read the dialogue before I listened to the record, and then waited a week before I listened again to really clear my memory of it. Not fully understanding the language word for word adds a huge amount of continental flair to the experience. I've found myself during listens to actually believe I'm listening to an authentic recording off 80s radio, only for moments mind, but the connection and feelings put me right there. In fact, I plan on making a seamless playlist for this album, and recording it to cassette for even more authenticity.

My real contention here is that this experience, from a westerner's point of view at least, is that the beautifully constructed DJ sections speak a language everyone will understand. The introductions, station ID's, competition segment and even the call-in are scripted to perfection and this in turn adds vast amount of context to the music. Not that Vincenzo Salvia's own brand of italo flavoured synth music ever needed anything more than music itself to get it's point across, but in Auto Radio Salvia has managed to find a complementary medium that creates something spectacular.

Each track on Auto Radio is intrinsically linked in my mind to it's position on the Auto Radio playlist and this instantly captures my imagination on every successive listen. The music has been obviously crafted to capture specific moods and styles and the inimitable Vincenzo Salvia melodies soar with new vigour and intensity. Each track manages to tell a new story and separate itself from the previous and proceeding track which gives a great distinction between them. It's a testament to the musicianship that the composer can create an album with such diversity, yet tie it all together in a way that gels so solidly.

The highlights are far too many to name on Auto Radio, and I find myself listening to this album from start to finish every single time and rarely can I be satisfied with only one listen. If you've heard a couple of tracks already off Auto Radio via a couple of the more recent compilations, you'll find yourself instantly enamoured with them in the context of this full length record.

That said there is always a resoundingly uplifting positivity to all of Vincenzo Salvia's music and in Auto Radio we hear a refinement and polish to the synthscapes that appear to be just that little bit more lushly fabricated. The stories are colourful and full of energetic arrangements that shine and dazzle, always providing delightfully engaging melodies and sweetly manipulated instrumentations that pride themselves on vintage authenticity.

To say this album is special is a gross understatement. It does something new, entertaining and absolutely rockin with classic 80s sounds that comes off in spectacular fashion. Auto Radio combines so much 80s love into it's presentation and execution in such an original way that it's impossible to resist it's charms and not be transported back in time for the duration of the experience.

Vincenzo Salvia's debut full length album is something that I'd normally expect from a producer on their third or fourth full length outing, especially to achieve this level of quality in the conceptual thematic, but it's an obvious testament to this artists gift of musical talent and understanding that has allowed Auto Radio to be the endearing and engaging experience it is.

Future City Records presents Vincenzo Salvia's Auto Radio LP on their Bandcamp page here and this is most definitely a Synthetix Reference Experience. The amount of love, devotion and authenticity to classic 80s sounds and emotions realised throughout this record is overwhelmingly beautiful and the manner in which the album has been put together sets a new high water mark for 80s inspired concept albums.

Midweek Triple EP Meltdown

All the planets got into an alignment for maximum rockin this week which has resulted in three superb EP releases set off in a chain reaction of explosive action. New music from Vincenzo Salvia, Splash Wave and Steinbeck will all make your Wednesday as rad as humanly possible.

Light the fuse and run for cover as the Midweek Meltdown goes thermonuclear!!

Vincenzo Salvia​ - ​Traffic E​​P
Vincenzo Salvia is back with a three track exploration of dramatic synth moods in his Traffic EP. This EP demonstrates a great deal of new sounds and spaces for this producer, it seems every new release distills the essence of his music even further while his own personality continues to grow.


Taking on a very obvious 80s drug dealing motif from the Scarface inspired artwork and track titles the music does have the hallmarks of danger and action pulsing throughout its three movements. Opening up with Vengeance the scene is set with energetic melodies and electrifying sounds. Elements of many styles merge in this track and as a thematic scene-setting piece it delivers great portions of tension and luxury in even doses. "Vengeance" really shines in it's arrangements, with each section beautifully thought out and executed, something that Vincenzo Salvia has taken huge strides in.

The next track, Exchange, pushes this producers skill even further. As a standalone piece this runs the gamut of action and emotion with pounding rhythms and melodies that resonate throughout the music. This pieces midpoint change is absolutely stunning and hugely unexpected. It's this change with slow uplifting synth layers and and an engine powered by pure italo that makes this experience totally reference and easily my favourite Vincenzo Salvia track thus far. Truly magical.

Stray Bullers completes the EP with more action centered on lives living on the edge, constantly in the face of danger. It begins with a much more simplistic approach that sets the scene for the main melody which is then made all the more impressive when it hits. Once again, this is arranged brilliantly with three suites continuing the story and bringing the atmosphere to life with broad strokes of colour and action.

The Traffic EP is presented on Future City Records Bandcamp page here and is most certainly worth the price of admission for this tale of peril and vice in the 80s underworld.



Le Podium #2 : Splash Wave

The second edition of the Le Podium series contains some exceptional music from the marvellous Splash Wave. This series is intended to showcase new French talent in a range of musical styles and for their second volume they've chosen the 80s sounds of Splash Wave for a four track release made up of two originals and two remixes.


For those unaware, Splash Wave was a title of one of the background music tracks on the classic SEGA arcade game OutRun. Another track off this seminal title was also Passing Breeze, which provides some glorious homage to the classic SEGA title that has inspired an entire musical genre. Keeping the video game thematic going the other track on this release, Bad'n'Rad, was a title of Gameboy skateboarding game by Konami, a sequel to the NES's Skate Or Die. But classic videogame fanservice aside, it's time to get into the music of Splash Wave.

Opening with Passing Breeze we're presented with slightly melancholic synth pop that is firmly rooted in 80s sounds. The vocal track on Passing Breeze by Anna Jean provides an extra layer of moodiness and it's flat, dead pan delivery is implemented beautifully for maximum effect. The music does add interesting drum tracks to the experience which remind me of the marvellous Klockhaus. No bad thing at all! Passing Breeze is also on this EP as an Extended Instrumental Mix, which is also very engaging. I find it hard to choose between the two, and I seem to gravitate to either depending on my mood as the instrumental has just a touch less melancholy.

Bad'n'Rad continues the Splash Wave adventure with a perfect mix of old and new. Once again I'm reminded of Klockhaus in the use of the drum tracks, which in this track, push the action even harder and makes for even more rockin good times. The heavily effect treated vocal adds even more to the soundscape and it's non-traditional arrangements work like a charm throughout. I really enjoy this song on many levels, it just plain rocks.

The Publicist remix of Bad'n'Rad takes the music into a spacy-house direction that gives the experience an entirely new complexion. I'm not particularly sold on this remix, massively due to my liking of the original so much, but it does put a very interesting spin on the vocal track by making it the complete focus of the experience. I do believe the minimalist approach to the music betrays the originals soul however.

This release is presented on Splash Wave's Bandcamp here as a digital download and also as a luxurious 10" pink vinyl pressing, which is limited to 300 copies.  These may be getting thin on the ground though as mine is number 260, so jump on it quick if you're after the record.



Steinbeck - The First Tear EP

A new Australian producer has launched himself into the 80s inspired synth scene under the name of Steinbeck with his debut EP The First Tear. First EP or not, The First Tear showcases a very talented and passionate producer who's obviously in the grip of a long standing love affair with classic 80s sounds.


Steinbeck's sounds are totally on point with an early to mid 80s synth pop soundscape positively glowing with classic 80s songwriting details and nuances. The opening song, Heart, demonstrates his ability to craft emotions into music with synths that are written to go with the lyrical track perfectly. I know this might sound obvious, but there are very few producers around who write music with vocal track in mind and often the vocal feels like it's been added as an afterthought rather than something that shares equal importance.

Right from the opening this song is constructed in a way that feels totally authentic. The synth build and the vocal works with the layering of sounds magnificently. So many classic 80s synth pop bands are brought to mind throughout Heart, but it doesn't feel like a twee homage. Steinbeck's passion and conviction is palpable in every note and word and it's this intimation that he manages to get across so beautifully.

Steinbeck's voice moves in and out of different sounds throughout the EP. It does feel like he's yet to find the right sound for his music as it changes markedly, sometimes in the same song. He is obviously working very hard on finding the one that really works for him and this is something he should be massively commended for. In the second track  we visit slowed down synth pop romance with nods to early Duran Duran ballads. It's in The First Tear's chorus that I find a Steinbeck vocal sound I instantly fell in love with. Just enough suaveness and honesty to really make the lyrics go straight to the heart.

The EP completes with another balladesque piece entitled Your Eyes. Steinbeck knows his 80s and his 'whole package' of synths, guitars and vocals really shines even brighter in this song. The synth energies are smooth and transparent, guitars are whispered nuances and the vocal is once again intimated with perfect honesty.

This EP is a very, very promising start for Steinbeck. I really hope this artist sticks to his guns with his sounds as he has all the pieces of the puzzle already, he just needs to make them fit perfectly. I'll be covering Steinbeck's future with great interest on Synthetix.FM, that's for sure.

The First Tear EP is presented on Steinbeck's Bandcamp here and I hope everyone supports this great new talent in the 80s inspired synth scene.

Vincenzo Salvia & Peter Robinson Return To Mars

A new single, on most occassions is kept to the Weekend Update posts, but on the odd occassion a single release becomes deserving of it's own place in the weekday posts on Synthetix. This week saw the release of another collaboration this time between Vincenzo Salvia and Peter Robinson. Their combined efforts have resulted in the Return To The Red Planet single which provides some absolutely stunning off-world synth entertainment.



Both composers feel at home in their space travel to Mars, their styles seem to be completely complimentary throughout the journey. The sparkling synths have a beautifully weighted body to them in the zero gravity atmosphere, rising and falling on undulating waves through the starscape. Theres an atmosphere of complete epiphany in the production, triumphant arrangements are full of hope and devoid of any possible danger on the long journey to the red planet.

The nuances of the experience really come out upon multiple listens. The main melody is the focus on the first time through, but when enjoyed multiple times the huge amount of other details begin falling like stars, leaving glittering trails behind them as the soundscape seems to draw back and reveal even more of it's cosmic wonders. The end result is fascinating and wholly engaging in it's traversing the void of space and bringing to light a new hope for a new future on a new planet.

Future City Records presents the Return To Mars single release on their Bandcamp page here and I encourage everyone who looks to the heavens for guidance, hope or love to take home a copy today.

Midweek Triple EP Meltdown!

To mark the release of such a killer bunch of EPs this week I bring you the first (and probably not the last!) Midweek Meltdown. An overdose of totally rad music to blast your hump-day woes into oblivion and keep the energy rockin copious amounts of 80s love.

Strap yourself in and get ready for adventure!

Greetings Program - Self Titled EP

First up is the debut self-titled EP from the ever rockin Greetings Program. This American producer has been honing and refining his sounds over this past year and has seen fit to release this year's accomplishments in one five track EP. I've been a fan of his covers and original work as it's been released over the 2012 but to get these tunes arranged in this format makes everything all brand new and well worthy of your attention.



Greetings Program's sounds skip between numerous synth genres, dabbling in synth romance, electro sounds and some emotive soundtracks style works, but they always come across as comepletely authentic. His studying of classic 80s TV show themes and understanding of classic arrangements shines through on every track of this EP. The elements have a great minimalist nature to them, even with lots of layers going on, the sounds remain bright and uncomplicated, which is another great hallmark of 80s production homage.

Each part of the EP feels like a complete chapter in it's delivery and content. The seeds of the ideas are sewn and then are allowed to grow, and eventually bloom as individuals. For a new producer, I feel his grasp on all the classic genres is strong and passionate, the depth of this can be felt in his track MX16923. This is a glorious piece of existential soundtrack work that sparkles with an ambient beauty that evolves before our very eyes.

These more dramatic emotions are continued through Reindeer Flotilla which is a powerhouse of action, containing an amazing refrain that continues to dazzle throughout the piece. Working through the track are sumptuous layers of synth sounds that elevate this main melody even further resulting in a stunningly triumphant experience. Sea Of Simulation finishes the EP out in a smooth style that brings to mind glittering mediterranean coastlines, awash with luxury yachts, flowing champagne and all the other enticing accoutrements that let one's imagination drift into an 80s haze.

This excellent EP is packed with beautiful 80s synth sounds and is available now for FREE download on Greetings Program's soundcloud through the player above.

Vincenzo Salvia​ - ​Nostalgia EP

The new leader of the 80s inspired synth scene in Italy has released a brand new three track EP appropriately entitled Nostalgia. Vincenzo Salvia goes from strength to strength with each new release and his latest EP explores new destinations for this exciting producer and expands his musical horizons a great deal.



Opening up with As The Raindrops Fall it becomes apparent that Vincenzo has foregone his usual italo disco inspired affairs and ventured into a new realm of deeper and more dramatic climes. Sounds are multidimensional, but remaining wistful and delicate. The emotions are melodically caressed with a gentle touch that runs very deep. There's a hint of melancholy throughout this piece, but there is also a reverance and reflective brilliance to each part. Beautiful, moving music is the end result.

Detouring even further from his comfort zone is Night Signs. This direction is even more exciting as off time percussion emphasises the jubilant synth melodies. The overall sounds takes on a wonderful new colour that bounces and rises with determination and an air of magical victory. As Night Signs completes it's winning ways the final track rises like a new moon in the night sky.

Eyes In The Mirror feels like the final part of this, experience, almost as it this EP was written as one track and then divided by the hand of the composer. This track recounts and revisits the moods of the previous two chapters absolutely flawlessly. It's like the final movement of a classical suite that completes the intended story with a veritable conclusion. The music soars through previous elements while adding it's own flavour to the proceedings and is the perfect finish to a wonderfully entertaining EP.

The Nostalgia EP is presented by Future City Records on their Bandcamp site here for the bargain basement price of $2.99.

Plaisance - Optimist EP

To complete the trio of EP's in this inaugral Midweek Meltdown we have another stellar excursion from Plaisance with his Optimist EP. This is the final part of his oceanic themed releases and he uses these three tracks to take the listener out into the deep blue one last time.


I must say, I'm a really big fan of the Plaisance sound. It's something that I instantly fell in love with and the Optimist EP continues this. The italo disco naivete of early releases returns in earnest with an unbridled positivity. The beats pound away to light and uplifting melodies that virtually burst into fireworks of incandescent beauty. The opening track, Opti, personifies the Plaisance attitude and sound perfectly, making the listener smile instantly and feel the warmth of the sun with the seabreeze throughout every second.

Things wind down to a slow cruise in the second piece: Mist. The golden tones of saxophonic sultriness wash over the scene with a languidly graceful gait, instantly taking our night boat ride through the sea mists, where the smooth swell of the waves beneath us cause our minds and emotions to sway like aquatic entities in the star lit bay. This is definitely Plaisance's sexiest experience yet, and is a style I hope he revisits in his upcoming musical adventures . The final piece of Optimist is Des Jeunes Dans Le Vent, which takes us back out into the ocean on a bright sun filled day in our pleasure cruiser with action and romance on our minds once again. The energy is somewhat restrained but is no less invigorating with a dancing xylophone melody and the always welcome return of Plaisance's rockin saxophone.

With the oceanic adventures now completed I can but wonder where Plaisance will take us next, but it's sure to be exciting and I'll be fondly remembering our times we've had out in the seas of excitement and tranquility in 2012. The Optimist EP is available for free download on Plaisance's Bandcamp page here and be sure to pick up his other nautically themed releases while you're there if you haven't already.

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!

Synthetix Weekend Update

Let's get down to business and rockin hard with this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix!

Firat up we have an exciting new italo epic from Dreamwave Dave. The bouncy bass line and smooth synths on this piece work like magic, the vocal track steps the experience up to the next level too. This is a text book piece quality 80s love and by the time the rifftastic guitars start up the Valley Girl has already set the night on fire.




Although his style is unabashedly more modern I still have a bit weakspot for Oxford. His nu-disco synth house music is always massively hooky and full of 80s love. What really sets this track apart is the catchy as hell guitar that kicks in in the final chapter. It's totally rockin and funky to the max.




Keeping the funk pumping is a superb new track from Evanton. This producer's feel for an 80s groove is totally on point. His new album is available on Binalog Productions Bandcamp site here and is definitely a healthy dose of electro injected 80s vibes.




Synthetix favourite Camille R shared a bittersweet piece of lovely music this week, bitter because it's probably not going to be developed any further, but sweet with golden melted sugary synths. Even in this truncated form it's totally rad, here's hoping a resurrection of this movement is possible in the future.




A superfuturistic track from none other than Flash Arnold made for a very strong return to the scene this week. Technologically Advanced is the perfect display piece for how to make a melody work it's magic on the listener. Completely infectious and always up to a very high production standard this absolutely killef.




Maybe it's the ET connection, or the way my mind works in general, but I always think of Halloween as a very 80s holiday. With this festive day fear nearly upon us Vincenzo Salvia has started to up the spookiness with his track Figures In The Rear View Mirror. It's definitely melancholy in tone, but theres a sweetness to this piece of synth candy that makes it even more dangerous. To celebrate Halloween this is also currently available for FREE download!




Upping the ante even further for Halloween themed dark synth horror is a new piece of hi energy mayhem from the twisted minds of Judge Bitch and Perturbator. This epic of evisceration cuts swathes of manic melodrama with a driving percussion track and makes the screams of terror turn into screams of joy with a guitar solo forged in the fires of Hell itself. Magnificent malevolence!




One of my absolute favourite tracks this year is Rain Sword's Summer Breeze. This is thoroughly one of the single most incredible piece of music I've heard, capturing 80s sounds and emotions with comeplte perfection. This has now been combined with the video talents of Neros 77 for his latest video project and the imagery brings the taste and flavours of summer right from the sun kissed 80s directly to you today.




As the sun sets on another Weekend Update on Synthetix I hope you keep tuned for more beautiful music next week and always rememeber to stay 80s and keep on rockin.

Vincenzo Salvia Chases Away The Darkness

It was only a month ago that Vincenzo Salvia exploded onto the 80s synth scene with his Voyage EP. Barely a month later this producer has released a new EP called The Chase. Picking up where Voyage left off The Chase displays even more of Vincenzo's talent for making wonderful 80s inspired music.

As with his last EP theres a whimsical and light nature to this artist's music. There is a fantasy element that runs through each track on The Chase that makes the experiences even more engaging. The choices of sounds for the instrumentations add a warm and colourful tone to each of the three tracks, bringing to mind the sounds of Mike Oldfield and Giorgio Moroder with a nice wave of Jean Michel Jarre thrown in for an extra level of grandeur.



Downtown Lights opens up the first chapter of The Chase. I must say, going by the titles, I was expecting hi-energy italo styled 80s synth mayhem. But we are lead into a much more atmospheric experience instead. There is the pounding pulse of downtown at the core of the music's percussion but the sweetness of the lead synth melodies and the brightness of the sounds escape the dark shadows of the concrete jungle. They dance across the cityscape's atmosphere like neon fireflies; no longer earthbound and ever reaching for the starfilled sky above. To say this piece is beautiful and inspiring is a massive understatement. The mood and emotive drive of Downtown Lights is sure to make anyone's spirit rise above.

The second chapter, Out Of Control has a differently coloured aura, with much more drama than the previous experience. The opening melodies build in an almost religious manner. Powerful and grandiose but glowing with soul. The sound's pallette continues on from the opening piece with bright shades of synthesized beauty, flowing with the drama of the percussion, extolling a calmness over the experience. The complementary percussion of agressively pointed hi-hats and drum fanfare meld with the soaring melodies creating something wonderful. Out Of Control is a phenomonal example of this producer's talent for arranging and executing an experience that is aurally stunning to behold.

Our last chapter of The Chase's trilogoy of tracks is Runaway. The timbre and cadence of the opening synth lead shines with golden hue of completely emotive brilliance. The production on this sound is spirtually astounding. It's not heard, it's felt. Throughout the final chapter the heavenly sounds caress the listener with intimacy and understanding. They feel like a guiding hand through times of chaos. The warm feel of another being's hand in yours. The comfort that the Runaway now truly appreciates.

Future City Records presents Vincenzo Salvia's The Chase, add this incredibly uplifting experience to your music collection now on their Bandcamp page here. Vincenzo's style has developed even further since Voyage, creating an intimately beautiful trio of tracks that is most definitely a Synthetix approved experience on every conceivable level.

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.

Synthetix Weekend Update

The releases keep on rockin for quality 80s inspired synth music and this week's been no exception so without further delay lets get into this week's Weekend Update.

Russia's Quasar's new demo cut for Shocking Facts feels like a great place to start this Weekend Update. A totally 80s synthstravaganza with some killer samples and some scintillating cow bell and hi-hat work. For demo this feels very complete, the final cut should prove a worldwide number 1 hit.




Arcade High is keeping his work rate up with a new synth romance track entitled Only In July. This another work of beauty from this producer, well up to the standard of the excellent Beauty Queen EP recently released You Said Forever single . The depth of feeling is beautifully intimate and the orchestrations are a wonder to behold.




A preview teaser for Vincenzo Salvia's next EP called The Chase has got me very excited. This Italian synth maestro is one of the brightest new stars in the scene and from the sounds of this short preview it looks like we're in for an action packed affair indeed.




LA Dreams also has an impending release in the coming weeks but he's spoiled us yet again with another piece of quality 80s synth gold with Love Lessons 101. Few producers have the talent for totally authentic 80s sounds and arrangements in the scene and this proves my theory further. Also be on the look out for the Synthetix LA Dreams interview which will be coinciding with the release of his new record.




Theres been a few great remixes released this week that I'd like to share, although not 100% 80s synth sounding they've definitely got the sould of the 80s deep within them. First off is a great remix from Final DJs. Their reenvisioning of Emeron & Fox's Nightmares is an 80s dream with soaring synths that really work well with the vocal track.




Greetings Program has worked his magic remix on Mark Foster, A-Trak & Kimbra's Warrior song. There's something about Kimbra's voice that seems lend itself perfectly to an 80s sound and Greetings Program has really breathed some neon 80s life into this song, definitely for it's betterment.




Our final remix is from Mindscramble and his work on Kites' Jumped Up Boy In Livery song is totally rockin in supreme 80s radness. This is a monster remix that I fell instantly in love with. Masses of energy and unmistakably 80s arrangements make this remix one of my favourites this year.




Getting back to original tracks released this week 80s Stallone's been kicking up his disco shoes with a new epic called Out Of The Blue. The driving bassline and energised percussion combined with the plentiful breakdowns make this a huge synth disco odyssey.




Our final track this weekend is from an artist new to me called Spacious Sweep. His new track, Blade of Love, is beatiful mix of italo and atmospheric synth creating a winning combination of sounds. This artist will be someone I'll be paying close attention to in the future and I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of him on Synthetix.




That wraps up another big week in the 80s inspired synth scene. There is so much quality music being produced currently that it's a bit hard to cover everything, but I'll always endeavour to make sure that Synthetix is your one-stop-destination for all the most rockin music flavoured with that 80s magic we love.

Vincenzo's Voyage

Future City Records' latest release is a sterling new EP from 80s synth producer Vincenzo Salvia entitled Voyage. I had no previous knowledge of this artists existence up until this release and I'm now a fan for life. Over the four chapters of this adventure we're taken through glorious landscapes of 80s synth beauty, through a myriad of galaxies and the nether regions of the universe.



It becomes immediately apparent that Vincent Salvia knows his 80s sounds. Every element of each track is a finely honed pink neon blade of distilled 80s essence. As with all the best 80s inspired synth music it's the emotive and engaging melodies that contain all the magic and across the lenght and bredth of this EP Salvia's gift for rousing and enlightening melodies are what makes this Voyage a memorable and joyous experience.

The spiritually enriching Midnight Breeze is the perfect opening track, setting the first chapter of the Voyage on a night flight through violet clouds lit by yellow moons, continuing into a pulsing nebula of a thousand stars. The ease in which this piece twists and caresses the listener is as uplifting as it is infectious and the cool breeze is felt against our cheek as the stratosphere becomes our highway.

Ocean Drive continues the Voyage into the heavens, the stars sparkle like a floating sea of lights. Majestic melodies are crescendoes of synthesized waves leaving a wake of swirling electric music behind us. The engine roars to life and our starborn craft is hurtling through inky dimensions of cosmic grandeur and exhilerating vistas.

The third leg of the Voyage takes place on a new mode of transport, boarding a star cruiser through the dawn of a nebula. The suns warms the atmosphere as our soundtrack remains sparkling and light. A cruise through the new day of a new heavenly body, bathed in light with glistening melodies that warm the skin and the soul. The blackness of space becomes coloured with oranges and pinks and the glow of the stars around us make this morning one that will laste forever.

Our fourth Voyage makes our journey complete. Time and space become a mechanised engine of shooting stars and solar flares. Unbridled power surges through the atmosphere charging everything it touches with  a neon glow aura, beings of light radiate waves of energy through every colour of the rainbow and beyond. Soaring through this technicolor vision of vibrant beauty we complete our Voyage, thoroughly effected by the beauty we've experienced.

Vincenzo Salvia takes up places once thought impossible on this Voyage and with such a powerful and beautiful EP as this being his first, one can but imagine where this producer will take us next. This Voyage is also a FREE ride and is available through Future City Records here. Give Vincenzo lots of love on his soundcloud here and lets hope we get to share more interstellar experiences with him in the future.