Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Mute's Visual History Documented

Just before Christmas and during the last days of the running year, Mute has released a coffee table picture book 'MUTE: A VISUAL DOCUMENT FROM 1978 TO TOMORROW'. This 320 pages book puts on display 40-year history of one of the most influential labels in history. It includes cover artworks from some of the biggest Mute stars, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Wire, Erasure and much more, plus numerous short informative essays on the label history. Also along comes the complete Albums and Singles discography at the back of the book. The book has been compiled by Terry Burrows with contribution of Daniel Miller.

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Best of 2017- Top 15 EPs

Time has come to enroll with the best EPs for 2017. From some of the well established veterans in music biz, all the way to the bandcamp pioneers. This year has been dominated by Post Punk and Darkwave, but there were also other musical sub-forms which all contributed to this whole variety of sound which are packed in 15 impressive EPs.



Thursday, December 21, 2017

WAW: Blondie - Doom or Destiny

Blondie have recently revealed a video for the songs "Doom or Destiny" from their brilliant come back album which was released this year. It features Debbie Harry and Joan Jett in an apocalyptic news broadcast. The video was directed by Rob Roth. 


Felt's First Five albums to be Reissued

Chery Red has announced the reissue of first five albums by the English post-punk band Felt. This reissue includes all their albums from the debut release 'Crumbling the Antiseptic Beauty' (1982) to 'Let the Snakes Crinkle Their Heads to Death' (1986) and each album will be available either on 12-inch vinyl or as a CD plus seven-inch single boxset. All five albums were revisited and remastered by Kevin Metcalfe and Lawrence and they will be released on February 23rd 2018.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/crumbling-the-antiseptic-beauty-remastered-12-vinyl-edition/



Friday, December 15, 2017

Next Wave: LEATHERS

LEATHERS is the anticipated collaboration between Vancouver visual artist/vocalist, Shannon Hemmett and producer/songwriter, Jason Corbett from Actors who we have been following since their formation and debut release "Nightlife" in 2012. LEATHERS took format in 2015 and by now they have released two singles. "Day for Night" is seductive, melancholic and the female vocals are beautifully delivered against the moody cold synths. "Missing Scene" reveals a bit different style where the guitars create a ground for very atmospheric shoegazing sound. It will be interesting to see in what direction their music will develop further. 


Thursday, December 14, 2017

Best of 2017- Singles and Tracks

Already last week we revealed our Albums list which will not leave much for imagination what the Tracks and Singles will mostly consist of. But besides the big heavy weights of 2017, there will of course will be some other delights that we liked a lot in 2017. This list will be revealed in six parts. Stay tuned!


01. Slowdive- Sugar for the Pill
02. Boy Harsher- Motion
03. Grizzly Bear- Three Rings
04. MGMT- Little Dark Age
05. The Horrors- Something to Remember Me By
06. The War on Drugs- Strangest Thing
07. Oren Lavie- ft Vanessa Paradis- Did You Really Say No?
08. Depeche Mode- Cover Me
09. Crimer- Brotherlove
10. Jessie Ware- Midnight
11. Slowdive- Star Roving
12. St. Vincent- Los Ageless
13. Alvvays- Dreams Tonite
14. Beach Fossils- Sugar
15. Sébastien Tellier - Lovely Blonde
16. Protomartyr- A Private Understanding
17.Perfume Genius- Die 4 You
18. John Maus- The Combine
19. Feist ft Jarvis Cocker- Century
20. Grizzly Bear- Neighbours

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Instant Hit: Barbi and the Kens- I'm Not Your Stepping Stone

Barbi and the Kens was one of the several project of Bobby Orlando projects released in the early 80's. Under this moniker he released only one mini LP in 1980 which featured 4 track including the title track "Just a Gigolo" which even managed to enter the Billboard Club Play charts. Later throughout the 80's he even manage to become one of the most prolific Hi-Nrg produces which besides of producing his own acts, resulted in a collaboration with Divine and Pet Shop Boys. Even today he is still releasing albums. Here for you, the bouncy "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" 


Monday, December 11, 2017

Pet Shop Boys 'Catalogue' Reissues Continue

Already in June this year, Pet Shop Boys announced the release of ‘Catalogue: 1985-2012’, a series of reissues of their Parlophone studio albums. This definitive edition features each album from the duo’s Parlophone discography, remastered and accompanied by ‘Further listening’ albums of master quality bonus tracks and demos created in the same time period as each album, as well as Pet Shop Boys own remixes of their tracks. Many tracks are being released for the first time. 
 The first three of the ‘Catalogue’ albums that were released in July are 'Nightlife/Further listening: 1996-2000', 'Release/Further listening: 2001-2004' and 'Fundamental/Further listening: 2005-2007’. The second pair of ‘Catalogue: 1985-2012’ reissues were released in October, including 'Yes/Further listening: 2008-2010' and 'Elysium/Further listening: 2011-2012'. 
The Catalogue’ reissue campaign will continue and this time going right back to the beginning and reissuing their first three albums, 'Please', 'Actually' and 'Introspective'. All three albums are going to be released in March 2018.

  www.petshopboysshop.co.uk



Retrovision: Prefab Sprout- If You Don't Love Me

Prefab Sprout released "If You Don't Love Me" 25 years ago, in 1992. It was a quite an unusual Prefab Sprout track, having this Anglo Dance rhythms with the touch of Pet Shop Boys and SAW. Back then, it was a brand new track on the 'A Life of Surprises: The Best of Prefab Sprout' compilation which was released during the same year. The song was produced by Stephen Lipson and it was covered by Kylie Minogue and released as b-side to "Confide in Me" on some Australia releases.



 

Friday, December 8, 2017

Din Release Debut album 'Real Dirt'

Din have released their debut album 'Real Dirt' on DKA Records. This new album follows up on their 'Saturate' EP which was released in April this year. The textures and structures of the minimal synth in Din's music sound very innovating and hypnotic, especially in the way how they managed to connect with their listeners by illustrating their visuals in their music videos. "Oils" seems to be the lead single from the album and the video for it was directed by Amanda Siegel and Benjamin Turner.

  https://dkarecords.bandcamp.com/album/real-dirt



Sunday, December 3, 2017

Best of 2017 - The Album List

December always means fun time with the favorite albums and like every year, this year we have also been working hard to review what was best in terms of creativity, sound, visuals and what we enjoyed the most. If you only look at the top 10 out of this top 30 Albums, you will see a real illustration of music styles we appreciate the most on our site. We have a another high point with the Horrors again this year. What else was on for us and offered a musical delight, please find in the least below.


Tuesday, November 21, 2017

SSION is back!

SSION is back with a brand new single which was revealed yesterday through Fader. The new song is titled "Comeback" and it announces the new Album 'O' which will be released in early 2018. It will be the follow up to his album 'BENT' which was released in 2011. SSION has also directed the video for the song "Losing all Sense" by Grizzly Bear under his alias Cody Critcheloe. We hope for much more SSION excitement in 2018.


Monday, November 13, 2017

First Two Studio Albums by Data Reissued

Angel Air Records have reissued the first two albums by Data. Their debut album 'Opera Electronica' has been originally released in 1981 on Polydor records and featured Data's biggest hits "Fallout" and "Fever of Love". Their second album '2-Time' followed two years later and was released on different labels in different countries. Georg Kajanus, the musical mastermind behind Data and the founder has digitally remastered the original album adding bonus tracks as well. 
Both albums have been reissued on November 3rd and can be purchased here


Sunday, November 12, 2017

WAW: Yan Wagner- It was a Very Good Year

The French electro-pop artist Yan Wagner has revealed a new video for the song "It Was a very Good Year", a Frank Sinatra cover. The song is taken from Wagner's album second album 'This Never Happened' released this year. The video was directed by Marco Dos Santos and show a quite unusual approach the the life circle. 


Saturday, October 28, 2017

Next Wave: Kaade

Kaade is a Belgrade-born, Toronto-based electronic music producer and singer. Her debut release, 'Encounter with Power', explores themes of outsider culture, masculinity and power dynamics. Composed between Berlin and Toronto, the four track EP layers frosty synths over pulsing rhythms, crafting her own style of dark and danceable pop. Kaade made her live debut in 2016 and has since shared the stage with a wide range of artists; from Black Marble to Inga Copeland. 

https://kaade.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/clubkaade
 
Photo by Nadia Khashan

Friday, October 27, 2017

Instant Hit: Private Blue- She's Love

Private Blue was a short-lived German act that released only one single during their brief existence, titled "She's Love." This 12" single featured two versions of the titular song along with "Help Me Tonight." Genre-wise, it falls into the category of Synth Pop with a strong influence of Italo Disco, a style that was popular in Germany at the time. The single was released on the 80's label Westside Music, which also featured music by artists like Moskwa TV and Celebrate the Nun. While it may be considered an obscurity today, there's hope that it will find its place on music compilations that appreciate similar genres.
 

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Group Rhoda Release third studio Album 'Wilderness'

Group Rhoda is back with a brand new album 'Wilderness' this year.‘Wilderless’ is Group Rhoda’s third full length and first for Dark Entries Records. As per Group Rhoda's Bandcamp, "Each of the these 7 songs draw forth tones of tropical darkwave and soft industrial; while negating the sound of conformity and control". All songs were written and produced by Mara Barenbaum alias Group Rhoda and it was released on October 10th through Dark Entries Records. 

  https://grouprhoda.bandcamp.com/album/wilderless


Dark Entries Release 'Afternooners' a third Compilation of Patrick Cowley's Songs

Dark Entries has once again teamed up with Honey Soundsystem Records for a third collection of instrumental songs which will be entitled 'Afternooners'. The songs were recorded between 1979 and 1982 and some recordings are demos from the album ‘Mind Warp’. This compilation also includes three bonus tracks found in the archives of fellow Megatone Records recording artist Paul Parker and the attic of teenage friend Lily Bartels. All songs have been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA. The vinyl is housed in a gatefold jacket designed by Berlin-based artist Gwenael Rattke, featuring black and white photos of Patrick in his studio that opens to a full color array of x-rated scenes from the Fox Studio vaults.

www.darkentriesrecords.com/store/vinyl/patrick-cowley-afternooners


 

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Next Wave: Fragrance.

Fragrance is a music project Matthieu Roche from Paris, France. According to his Bandcamp, Matthieu has released two singles and one EP. The music of Fragrance is atmospheric dream pop with playful synth waves and mellow vocals. This year fragrance released the single "Heatwave" and the EP 'Dust & Disorders', both mastered by Hélène de Thoury who we remember from Minuit Machine and Hante. fame.

For more info follow the links:
https://www.facebook.com/thisisfragrance/
https://fragrancemusic.bandcamp.com



Thursday, October 19, 2017

WAW: Geneva Jacuzzi- Macho Island

Geneva Jacuzzi has revealed a brand new video for the song "Macho Island". The song is taken from her 'Technophelia' which was released last year. The video was directed by Jennifer Juniper Stratford and produced by Telefantasy Studios.




Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Tears for Fears- Rule The World – The Greatest Hits + New tracks Announced

Virgin/EMI have announced the reissue of 'Rule The World: The Greatest Hits' in November. What is good about this compilation is that it will include two brand new songs including "I Love You But I’m Lost" which has been announced as the single to promote this compilation. Apart from the new songs, the compilation will include 16 tracks which are in fact single releases from all Tears for Fears albums. The compilation is set for release in November.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

A Certain Ratio Reissues Announced

A Certain Ratio and Mute have announced the release of a long awaited series of reissues. The series will launch with the reissue of a selection of the Manchester’s band’s albums and will continue into 2018 with a compilation in April, followed by further releases and a rarities box set. The first albums set for release on 24 November 2017 include the band’s debut release, 'The Graveyard And The Ballroom', which originally came out on Factory Records in December 1979. In addition, albums 'To Each' (1981), and 'Force' (1986) will be released on coloured vinyl and CD. 

http://mute.com/mute/new-series-of-reissues
 

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Sally Dige Releases her Second Album 'Holding On'

Danish-Canadian audiovisual artist Sally Dige has released a new album. We have been following her career from the early starts, with the Petroleum by Product and Cult Club fame and it was always interesting to see how her music corresponds with her art expression. 'Holding On' is Sally‘s second album, following her debut 'Hard to Please' from 2015. The album was created during the time of intense inner turmoil and the songs are written for dance floors, but are sung about loneliness, death and the meaninglessness of existence. The album was released on September 13th on Avant! in Europe and DKA in North America, with two separate cover designs.

https://sallydige.bandcamp.com


Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Retrovision: The Communards- Tomorrow

Thirty years ago the Communards released their seventh single titled "Tomorrow" which was taken from bands's second album 'Red' released during the same year. For reasons unknown the single only went to # 23 in the UK charts.  It is one of the songs in the run for the 1987 Top 40 Singles. Don't forget to add your list.



Tuesday, September 12, 2017

WAW: Marc Almond- How Can I Be Sure

Marc Almond has revealed a brand new video for the song "How Can I Be Sure" from the forthcoming album 'Shadows & Reflections', out 22nd September. The music video reminds of the old 60's music video and was directed Directed & Produced by Paul Green.


Saturday, September 2, 2017

Best of 1987 - Top 50 Singles

This fall we will continue with our 30 year anniversary of 1987 with the selection of Best single releases. As mentioned, an interesting year which was still sort of a crossover year in which some music styles from the first half of the decade started to transform into new genres raising new musical opportunities and opening stages for new kids. The European market was mostly dominated by SAW releases while in the USA it was mostly Madonna, Whitney Houston, U2 who were holding top positions on the charts for several weeks.
Along the commercial level, creativity was also in bloom in all varieties of sounds from Jangle Pop all the way to new trends in electronic music.

Time has come to reveal the Top 40 singles of 1987, thirty years after as submitted by friends and readers of Burning Flame.



01. New Oder- True Faith
02. The Cure- Just Like Heaven
03. Pet Shop Boys- It’s a Sin
04. Depeche Mode- Never Let Me Down Again
05. Prince- Sign O’ the Times
06. The Jesus and Mary Chain – April Skies
07. Siouxsie & The Banshees - The Passenger   
08. Depeche Mode- Strange Love
09. Black- Everything is Coming Up Roses          
10. U2 - With or Without You
11. The House of Love- Shine On
12. Pink Floyd- Learning to Fly
13. The Pogues- Fairytale of New York
14. M/A/R/R/S- Pump Up the Volume
15. Suzanne Vega – Luka
16. INXS- Need You Tonight
17. The Smiths - Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
18. Madonna - La Isla Bonita
19. Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield ‎- What Have I Done to Deserve This?  
20. Sinead O’ Connor- Troy 

Friday, September 1, 2017

Instant Hit: Shoc Corridor- Travelling by Hand

“Travelling by Hand” was the final track on Shoc Corridor’s debut album Experiments in Incest which was released in 1983. In masterful way the album blends synth wave electronica with psychedelic oriental sounds and industrial acid. “Travelling by Hand” indeed catches and resumes album’s sound in one unique formula. Experiment in Incest was reissued in 2015 for the first time by Dark Entries.


Thursday, August 31, 2017

New John Maus Releases Announced

John Maus has announced the release of a brand new album entitled ‘Screen Memories’. The album was written, recorded, and engineered by Maus over the last few years in his home in Minnesota and it will be his first album since 2011. ‘Screen Memories’ will be available on Limited Edition LP, Standard LP, CD and digitally and it will be out on October 27th on Ribbon Music. 
In addition to Screen Memories, a career-spanning six album box set is now available to pre-order, which includes the box set exclusive LP Addendum scheduled for delivery on April 20, 2018.


Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Martha and the Muffins mark a Forty Years Anniversary with New Song Release

Martha and the Muffins are celebrating a 40 years anniversary and to mark this occasion, they have revealed a new song entitled "Summer of Song" which is also available on CD Baby. We expect to hear more on the Martha and the Muffins reissues.




Monday, August 14, 2017

Next Wave: Ships in the Night

Ships in the Night is Charlottesville, Virginia based electropop act led by Alethea Leventhal. Alethea has started releasing music in 2015 and released two EPs as SitN. The music of Ships in the Night is well balanced and atmospheric dream pop which is poured down on you and true to the title, it is a perfect nighttime mate. This year sees the release of Ships in the Night debut album which is titled ‘Myriologues’ and includes 9 studio tracks. The album is available on Bandcamp.


Monday, August 7, 2017

Instant Hit: Neuland- Gehirnamputiert

"Gehirnamputiert" was the only release for the German NDW band Neuland. The song was released in 1982 and was featured on their only album Neuland. The album was released via Ariola and to this date it was not reissued.


China Crisis Reissues

Caroline International has announced the reissue of the first three albums by eighties Liverpool band China Crisis. This includes the 1982 debut 'Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms', the follow up from 1983 'Working With Fire and Steel' and 1985’s 'Flaunt The Imperfection'. All three albums were originally released on Virgin and have been remastered from the original tapes for these new expanded editions and have been produced with the full cooperation of the band. All three albums are due for reissue on 1 September 2017.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

WAW: Boy Harsher- Motion

Boy Harsher are back with a brand new release. With the video for the song "Motion" they are announcing the release of their EP "Country Girl" which seems to continue with the sound they have started on their debut album 'Yr Body is Nothing'. The album will be available via http://ascetic.house/ from October 27th, 2017. The video is starring Kristina Esfandiari and it was directed by MJ Bernier!



Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Bronski Beat to Release the 'The Age of Consent' for a new Generation

Bronski Beat's founding member Steve Bronski has teamed up with singer Stephen Granville for an expanded reworking of 'The Age Of Consent'. The reworked version will be entitled 'The Age Of Reason' and will include reworked version of most of the songs from the original album plus three brand new tracks. The Age Of Reason comes seven months after original keyboardist Larry Steinbachek died. The original lead singer Jimmy Somerville left the band in 1985 and formed a partnership with Richard Cole as the Communards. After they disbanded he has enjoyed a successful solo career. The Age Of Reason will be released on 28 July 2017. 

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

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Retrovision: Jyl- Mechanic Ballerina

Even today in the era of reissues and remasters this act remains quite enigmatic. The project was fronted by by American female vocalist Jyl Porch while the production matters remained in the hands of Ingo Werner. The video is produced by Joachim Ballon and features footage of Jyl from 1985. The song was featured on Jyl's only album released in 1984.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFV15M8Agiw


Instant Hit: A.T.R.O.X.- Overture to the Tales

"Overture to the Tales" was the opening track from the second album by the Italian minimal wave act A.T.R.O.X. Like this tune, the album included eleven other tracks, in which the band explored synthetic electronic sound with a superb experimental vein. The album from which the singles was taken was titled Water Tales and was originally released in 1984 and reissued in 2015. 


Saturday, June 3, 2017

Next Wave: Albertus Cabinet

In this Next wave feature we are taking a small trip to Argentina as our next duo is from Buenos Aires. They perform under quite enigmatic name Albertus Cabinet and consist of Juan Ruso and Roberto Massoni. To this date, they have released one EP in 2016 and this year saw the release of their debut album 'The Visible or Invisible' with nine new tracks. Their music is sort of ambiental electronic experiment exploring the atmosphere and darkness of space. Our preference track from the album are "Statistics, I Don't Feel Special" and "It Saves My Life". As for now the album is available on Bandcamp mp3 and FLAC. Hope you enjoy! 



Thursday, June 1, 2017

Tuxedo Gleam Release New Album

California based minimal synth-pop duo have released a new studio album titled 'Subtleties' in April this year. The album contains ten brand new tracks including "Decay", the first single to be taken from the album. The band is just continuing with what they have started with their first releases in 2013. Their music is synthetic, cold and very dynamic. Aunt Gleam and Angel Marie are responsible for the whole music arrangements and the visuals. The album is available here


Monday, May 22, 2017

WAW: Chromatics- Shadows

Chromatics are back with a brand new release titled "Shadow". In the context of the return of Twin Peaks, after 25 years and the launching of Season 3, it pay tribute to the legendary Julie Cruise. In line with that Johnny Jewel has released 'Windswept'. It's atmospheric and dreamy, and fees like he is paying homage to the Angelo Badalamenti TV-soundtracks.


Thursday, May 18, 2017

Swing Set's Second Album Reissue on Blackberry Way Records

Blackberry Way Records have announced the reissue of Swing Set’s second album ‘The Soul Remains’. The album was originally released on Blackberry Way Records in 1990 and garnered airplay and reviews around the world. Twenty seven years after the original release this great blend of Guitar pop/rock with a wonderful lead track "Dreamin' You" will be reissued. There are also rumors of a possible follow up release with new songs. To see more about this and other exciting releases, please follow the link below. 

http://www.blackberrywayrecords.com/

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Schonwald Announce their Fourth Studio Album

Schonwald have announced their fourth studio album 'Night Idyll' to be released on June 1st via Manic Depression Records. The Italian duo consisting of Alessandra Gismondi and Luca Bandini still focus on a atmospheric and synthetic darkwave sound drawing inspiration from New Order, The Cure, Suicide with guitars echoing My Bloody Valentine and Curve. The new album is now available for pre-order via Bandcamp and the duo have released, “Love Collides” as a preface to their dark sound.
https://schonwald.bandcamp.com/album/night-idyll

The band is currently touring as part for the promotion for the new album.
May 19 Cueva Rock – Cagliari + Digital Disorder, Uncodified
June 8 Bus Palladium – Paris + Soror Dolorosa
September 8 NCN – Nocturnal Culture Night – Leipzig
November 25 SOUNDFIELDS WAVE – Deinze + Ash Code, She Past Away

Monday, May 15, 2017

OMD Announce New Album for September

OMD have announced the release of a brand new studio album ‘The Punishment of Luxury’. The album will be contain 12 brand new tracks including the possible single "La Mitrailleuse" which is available instantly on Album pre-order. The album will be available in 7 formats and it will be released on September 1st 2017. The band will also be heading out on tour in support of the album later in the year. Tickets go on sale on Friday 19th May.



Monday, May 8, 2017

Instant Hit: Rive Gauche- Friends Are Friends

Rive Gauche was a short lived minimal-synth duo from Belgium who only released one single during their brief existence in the mid-80’s. Both songs on the recorded featured the singer Carol who also released “Breakdown” in 1981 and who later made appearance on the cover of this song by Snowy Red. “Friends are Friends”/alt."Friends and Friends" was also featured on A Tribute to Some Bizarre Vol.12 compilation which was released unofficially.


Friday, May 5, 2017

Retrovision: Swing Out Sister- Twilight World

Thirty years ago “Twilight World” entered the UK charts. It was the fourth single release for the Manchester based Swing Out Sister. The single appeared on their debut album ‘It’s better to Travel’ which went straight to Number 1 on the UK charts.


Monday, April 24, 2017

The Orginal Bananarama Line up Reunites for a Tour.

Amazing news from the house of Bananarama! Siobhan Fahey will join the other two founding members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward after almost thirty years for a fifteen days tour in the UK. Although their reunion seemed very unlikely to happen, the ladies proved they still got the pop, the beat and the power for a 10's round. Who knows what else this great reunion might result in, new recording material perhaps. Let's hope for it! Until then, grab your tickets. 

https://twitter.com/VivaBananarama

Monday, April 17, 2017

Saint Etienne announce new Album for June

Saint Etienne are back with a brand new studio album 'Home Countries'. This is their first release since their "World and Music' from 2012. The new album was produced by Young Gun Silver Fox’s Shawn Lee along with other collaborators. It will feature 19 tracks with "Heather" being the lead track and it will be released in June on Heavenly.

Monday, April 3, 2017

Next Wave: Fader

Neil Arthur from Blancmange has teamed up with Benge of Wrangler and John and The Maths fame to create music as Fader. Together, they have put several songs resulting in the their first album entitled 'First Light'. As it is announced, the album will be "a twist of electronic Songs with haunting atmospheres". The songs were recorded and mixed at Benge's MemeTune Studios while Arthur recorded his own vocals in his home studio. The album will contain 11 studio tracks and it will be out on June 23rd.
   

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