Tag Archives: Synth-pop

The Pattern Forms – Peel Away The Ivy

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

rich electro synth pop

Moods

A perfect Autumn record: breathy personal lyrics about sentimental subjects with lush instrumentation. An accessible entry into the wonderful @GhostBoxRecords

Thoughts

a straightforward and enjoyable record that accomplishes multiple things: scratches that synth pop itch, crafted and serious songs that aren't too weighty. It's a record about memory which I believe is the MO of ghost box, a subject of personal fascination and my favorite subject for art to explore.

While I like it, something holds it back from greatness. Too soft maybe? It's captures the comforting 'glow' of reflection but I prefer the jagged truth in my art.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Pattern-Forms-Peel-Away-The-Ivy/release/9224044

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=marweWtJ3Pk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpfc45aWR_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsejwPQpF7I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vafOQ7-x3gM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_8rUEGd0-Q

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The Pattern Forms – Peel Away The Ivy

Description: Album Review of The Pattern Forms – Peel Away The Ivy


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Darkstar – North

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

mid aughts uk electro, gloomy synth pop with digital interference

Moods

A mournful synthpop record that explores man's fragile relationship with machines

Thoughts

has that slightly dark quality certain bands can pull off well (think wild beasts, miike snow, spiritualized). It's emotional music but some of the impact feels limited by the reliance on synthesisers. Poetic in a 'ghost in the machine' exhausted-by-technology kind of way but at 10 years old, it definitely feels like commentary from a time before now; when we admired technology before we truly started to fear it's scary data (people) focus.

I think I like the sound more than the overall songs but it's a good record nonetheless. Darkstar utilize this cracking in the vocals that has an interesting effect, I thought my files were corrupt the first time. I interpret it as a commentary on man's role in music, the beautiful imperfection.

Mark Fisher originally brought this to my attention, worth a read here:

https://markfisherreblog.tumblr.com/post/32185314385/you-remind-me-of-gold-dialogue-with-simon

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Darkstar-North/release/2494475

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY8-85U4UWo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1oC0-xx_Hc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osIZ5ETBBeM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHJwtc2qYPU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7nUgy4_Jc

Spotify


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Darkstar – North

Description: Album Review of Darkstar – North


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Mariah – うたかたの日々/ Utakata No Hibi

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Experimental new wave rock

Moods

New age meets post punk in this highly accessible piece of experimental music

Thoughts

Yasuaki Shimizu was involved in some interesting music during the early 80's that has held up well to the test of time. Mariah is one of the better entries with easy to appreciate melodic elements and an overall positive energy.

His particular brand of experimental music has a similar sound – part worldly, new wave, post punk, krautrock's rhythmic chug – that weaves together in a rich sound.

'Hana ga saitara' borrows this energetic string bow pull, sounds like a ship and it's sort of disorienting. Lyrics here remind me a lot of some straightforward talking heads songs.

Something about this remains very "future", a forebear to vaporwave but so much larger. The result is magnificent and something that should be heard.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mariah-%E3%81%86%E3%81%9F%E3%81%8B%E3%81%9F%E3%81%AE%E6%97%A5%E3%80%85-Utakata-No-Hibi/release/7490374

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UIBLA-PuUw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRgLhEGEetc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHL6WBH_qk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4xdyQAq6rs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh2PU74kRXY

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Mariah – うたかたの日々/ Utakata No Hibi

Description: Album Review of Mariah – うたかたの日々/ Utakata No Hibi


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Shy Layers – Midnight Marker

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

jazzy electro pop rock with vocoder

Moods

A record that puts me in a good mood: chill with a pop, happy but not cheery, loose while tight.

Thoughts

all around enjoyable, strikes a nice balance. Has the precision of jazz and electronic but maintains a loose feel. The vocoder lyrics add a nice touch: never trying to steal the spotlight but adding an accessible hook. This record succeeds with it's songwriting and leaves rewards got repeat listens. It's presented simply but is an intricate production.

Philip Sherburne did a nice write-up for Pitchfork on this:

As before, Midnight Marker’s breezy melodies and lilting grooves make for a nice, chill listen—good morning-coffee music, cooking music, countryside-drive music. But this is nothing like the studied, stoned remove of anything you’ll find filed under “#chill” on any streaming service. His synths have real bite. His drums, recorded with real sticks on real skins, are enviably muscled. Walsh has said that one of his takeaways from both highlife and funk was that the guitar could function primarily as a percussive instrument, and he continues down that path here, backing up more melodically outgoing riffs and runs with plucked pulse and flicker.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Shy-Layers-Midnight-Marker/release/12081230

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYuYnAdVZ7Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFwx4Ay70CU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28GZ8Nomy1w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbCAdmysIT0

Spotify


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Shy Layers – Midnight Marker

Description: Album Review of Shy Layers – Midnight Marker


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

The Japanese House – Good At Falling

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Synth pop rock

Moods

Some incredibly catchy and well crafted pop music.

Thoughts

Another BJ Burton jammer, dude is on a seriously good streak at creating memorable pop. After many repeated listens the album is top heavy with good singles like 'maybe you're the reason' and 'you seemed so happy', the later borrows from jangly 80s pop in a good way. Production overall borrows from that big synthetic 80s drum sound. Amber Bain's voice, a lovely indie (re: imperfect) front girl, is produced in a way that could carry ships across seas; full and extending.

The album takes a deliberately quieter and personal midsection. Amber lazily singing lines like "everybody hates me" in true millennial fashion is juxtaposed with Giorgio moroder like synth lines.

Production gets decidedly more basic as the album unfolds with the final two tracks really just leaving her singing some slow songs. It's not my favorite but they are genuine and crafted with love.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Japanese-House-Good-At-Falling/release/13372422

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEzYD4ZielY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J88UF4HxHhw

Spotify


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The Japanese House – Good At Falling

Description: Album Review of The Japanese House – Good At Falling


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Louis Cole – Time

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Quick bedroom synth jazz funk pop

Moods

the white thundercat of synths

Thoughts

He's got a distinct sound of synth poppy synth funk. It's quick like those little soulful flourishes a keys player might lay in but all the time. It's jazzy and technical, good, but songwriting can get tiring. I like the lyrical themes, digital insecurities around sex and relationships; timeless but modern.

I have fond memories of knower shows and wish Louis the best luck as a proficient backbone of brainfeeder.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Louis-Cole-Time/release/12543607

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Sjam1hnrA

Spotify


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Louis Cole – Time

Description: Album Review of Louis Cole – Time


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

How To Dress Well – The Anteroom

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

His emotional croon with dark production borrowing from industrial techno at times, ethereal at others.

Moods

A pained story explored through heavy electronic textures.

Thoughts

If you're not familiar with his style he takes his time, drawing things out in a dramatic fashion. It's effective here but on other releases I haven't had the patience to make it through a whole album. Apparently on the Anteroom he's returned to his earlier roots so maybe I need to go back further in his catalog.

The production is fantastic and totally my style with a range of influences that can be hard and dissonant. His songwriting builds towards enjoyable climaxes that fold into other builds. The whole thing flows together, telling some bizarre confessional love story. It feels like he's low in the overall mix providing an obscured feeling where his voice isn't the focal point as in most r&b.

Tracks are highly accessible with some great singles in body fat and non killing. I love the dark suicidal stream of consciousness on July 13th, which is laid out over postal service dntel like production. Follows in direct contrast to the standout nonkilling just before it.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/How-To-Dress-Well-The-Anteroom/release/12732184

Listen!

Spotify


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How To Dress Well – The Anteroom

Description: Album Review of How To Dress Well – The Anteroom


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Lorde – Pure Heroine

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Pop with a very distinct nonchalance and sparse dark production.

Moods

Inner white girl

Thoughts

Overly hyped, this is just ok. Like her sound but the songwriting is very generic. I guess this bored kind of style is notable but probably not the right demographic for this.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Lorde-Pure-Heroine/release/5230312

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Ymd-OCucs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcIKh6sBtc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pstVCGyaUBM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JuxM-snGc

Spotify


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Lorde – Pure Heroine

Description: Album Review of Lorde – Pure Heroine


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

SOHN – Tremors

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

serious, dramatic, dark electro pop

Moods

sexy scandinavian

Thoughts

Enjoyable pop with some interesting ideas. I guess I like this, the album all kind of blends together through very similar and basic electro production. It's slick no doubt but a little dry and impersonal with vague lyrical themes. Reminds me of apparat.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/S-O-H-N-Tremors/release/5559093

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlLJcbK7Xiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AslPYSm7jfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0AX03wZH90

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9btsq496hkQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpvoylTLO8

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SOHN – Tremors

Description: Album Review of SOHN – Tremors


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Abra – Rose

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Modern r&b with sparse synth / drumpad production

Moods

Feels like wearing a starter jacket in 2017

Thoughts

I like the style but she's kind of lacking lyrical substance. Things open up with a Spacey / subduded band vibe on tracks like rose. I liked a bunch off this.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Abra-Rose/release/7145364

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-qcz47h9zo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhe7CckB05w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1g4dnDtao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSZkeg4T2u4

Spotify


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Abra – Rose

Description: Album Review of Abra – Rose


Rating: 3 out of 5