Ex-Post Wave - The Discovery Begins - #100-76 (#93)

 The journey through 100 essential underground tracks of the 2010s selected by Burning Flame (Introduction Post) begins with a collection of discoveries, hidden gems and overlooked releases that capture the decade’s creative spirit. From minimal synth and darkwave to post-punk, synth pop and indie electro, these are tracks that may have slipped under the radar but deserve a second look — and, more importantly, another listen.

This opening chapter is less about obvious favorites and established names than about the thrill of discovery: obscure projects, unexpected sounds and artists who carved out their own space beyond the mainstream. Some tracks will be familiar to dedicated followers of the underground, while others may be entirely new finds. Together, they set the tone for a journey through a decade of independent music that continues to reveal new treasures.

Blondie Return with “Spectral Eyes” Single

New York new-wave legends Blondie are back with “Spectral Eyes,” the first single from their forthcoming album High Noon, marking their first collection of new material in nine years. The single comes with an interesting collaboration with Johnny Marr who wrote the song and contributes guitar. High Noon is scheduled for release on February 26, 2027.

WAW: Normal Bias - Soft Power

Normal Bias are back with “Soft Power,” their first new material since the 2024 debut album Kingdom Come. Matt Weiner's latest project delivers another dark, club-oriented electronic workout while the accompanying video adds a surreal visual dimension, combining performance footage, stop-motion animation and VHS-style glitches which reminds of late 80s aesthetics.  The single offers the first glimpse of Ways of Keeping Clean, the duo’s forthcoming album, expected in 2027 via DKA Records.

Get Well Soon Ask “Siri, What Ruined the West?”

Get Well Soon, the project led by German musician Konstantin Gropper, return with “Siri, What Ruined the West?”, a new single released on October 2, 2026. Accoring to online information, The song grew out of an unusual experiment: Gropper used the Hello History app to explore the question with historical figures and other personalities, including George Orwell, Hannah Arendt, Karl Marx and Kurt Cobain. Their imagined conversations helped shape a track that examines our age of information overload, consumerism and social media. The single previews Séance, Get Well Soon’s upcoming album, due October 30.

 

Retrovision: The Light - Contrasting Strangers

 Originally released in 1985, “Contrasting Strangers” by Liverpool’s The Light is one of those forgotten gems of the British new-wave and synth-pop era, led by Brian Atherton and released after demise of Box of Toys. The accompanying animated video won the award for Best Animation in the low-budget category at the 1985 British Video Awards. 

Magic Wands - Guardians

 Magic Wands return with “Guardians,” a shimmering new single. Formed in 2008 and already active during the early 2010s, the band has spent years moving between dream-pop, shoegaze, post-punk and goth. “Guardians” feels like one of their most distinctive songs yet and it will be featured on their upcoming album Sun Kiss, out in February 2027.

Perfume Genius Shares New Single “Natural High”

Perfume Genius returns with new song “Natural High,” his first new music since the 2025 album Glory. Co-produced with Pascal Stevenson of Fashion Club, the track was created for The Lesson, a new live music and dance performance developed with choreographer Kate Wallich. 

WAW: Clan of Xymox - Broken Heart

Clan of Xymox return with “Broken Heart,” the first new music from the Dutch darkwave veterans since their 2024 album Exodus. Released on September 23 as part of the double A-side single "Broken Heart / Fire",the new single is accompanied by an official video, bringing Clan of Xymox back into the darkwave spotlight.

 

Geneva Jacuzzi – Nu2U

Geneva Jacuzzi has premiered a new video for “Nu2U,” taken from her 2024 album Triple Fire. . Directed and edited by Jacuzzi herself, the video transforms the song into a miniature cosmic cabaret, with handmade sets, extravagant costumes and a distinctly theatrical aesthetic. 

Ex-Post Wave - 100 Essential Underground Tracks of the 2010s

 Ex-Post Wave is a project that compiles the discoveries that defined the 2010s — or, more precisely, the discoveries that became important to Burning Flame during that decade. Here is a bit of the rationale behind it.

The title Ex-Post Wave refers to the way of looking back several years after it has ended, when enough time has passed to assess which artists, songs and discoveries still feel significant today or are absolute obscure jewels.

This list isn't meant to be a definitive history of minimal synth, darkwave, post-punk or synth-pop. It is something more personal: a collection of artists and songs that emerged, resurfaced, or became important for us during the 2010s and, in one way or another, found their way into the world of Burning Flame (hi)story.

Instant Hit: Trem - My Robotic Friend

Here’s another minimal-wave obscurity from 1983, this time by the little-known trio Trem, led by Robert Rendall, who released only this single, “My Robotic Friend.” There’s a certain charm to this analogue-synth-driven, futuristic-sounding artefact of the early UK minimal-wave scene that deserves to be rediscovered.

 

Diesein – I Don’t Want You

Diesein, the solo project of Laslo Antal, known from Sixth June (Lidija Andonov featured on backing vocals) and Cult Club fame, released his third album, I Like It / I Hate It, a year ago. Mixing synths with artpop and alongside with that sharp, signature saxophone tone, this overall recalls the elegant minimalism of Fiat Lux. The latest video, “I Don’t Want You,” has just been premiered in YouTube. 

Simple Minds Announce New Album "Sacrosanct"

 Simple Minds have recently premiered their brand new single "Beginner Boys" which also announces their 19th studio album, Sacrosanct out in January 2027. Inspired by their recent global touring, the new tracks draw heavily from the band's early art-rock and new-wave roots.

Retrovision: The Lotus Eaters - It Hurts

Released in February 1985, “It Hurts” was the final single (in the 80s) from Liverpool sophisti-pop duo The Lotus Eaters. By then, singer Peter Coyle and guitarist Jem Kelly were already heading in different creative directions, and the band would soon part ways with Arista and effectively disappear. Its striking monochrome video, built around footage of silent-film icon Louise Brooks, almost feels like a farewell. Coyle conceived the video’s winning storyboard, while Kelly reportedly reacted to its rejection by performing his parts during the shoot with a blindfold over his eyes.

 

Jonathan Bree Returns With New Album 'Don’t Call It Love'

Jonathan Bree returns with the title track from his newly released sixth studio album, Don’t Call It Love, out this week. Featuring Adah Dylan on vocals, “Don’t Call It Love” unfolds as a dark, cinematic piece of art-pop, combining Bree’s deep baritone with atmospheric synths. Released on August 26, Don’t Call It Love is a 17-track double album featuring collaborations with Princess Chelsea, Bambi, Rachel Clarke and others. 

 

Next Wave: Paycheque

Paycheque are a new Los Angeles synth-pop duo bringing together Allison Goldfarb and Jackson MacIntosh, two musicians whose backgrounds already connect them to the city's and Montreal's alternative music scenes. Goldfarb is a musician and filmmaker from St. Louis, while MacIntosh is known as a member of TOPS.

The duo met in Los Angeles during in 2020 and bonded over a shared love of Sophisti-pop and Italo disco. Their subsequent experiments with synthesizers and drum machines eventually developed into Paycheque's unique sound.

Their self-titled debut album, Paycheque, was released in June 2026 and with only a handful of singles including "Heatwave" below, the duo has already made a name which intriguing enough to be featured here under Next Wave.

https://paychequemusique.bandcamp.com/album/paycheque

Interpol Return with Atmospheric New Single “This Mirror Weighs a Ton”

Interpol are back with “This Mirror Weighs a Ton,” the title track from their forthcoming eighth studio album. This Mirror Weighs a Ton arrives August 28 via Partisan Records, marking Interpol’s first album in four years and their debut release for the label. The album expands Interpol’s established palette with synthesizers, strings, acoustic guitars and experimental sound design while keeping up with atmosphere that have defined the band since their 2002 debut.

Small Pleasures Return with New Single “Driving At Night”

Victoria, BC post-punk duo Small Pleasures have returned with their new single “Driving At Night,” released July 21. The songs is the first preview of Small Pleasures’ forthcoming second album, following their 2025 debut Songs For Lovers. 

 

The Drums & Mareux Team Up for “It Didn’t Matter”

The Drums and Mareux have joined forces for a new song collaboration for “It Didn’t Matter.” The track blends The Drums’ indie pop sensibility with Mareux’s dark, synth-driven aesthetic. The song was released on August 19, 2026.

 

Instant Hit: Kim Davis - Hello (Is An Easy Word To Say)

Kim Davis released her only single of note, "Hello (Is An Easy Word To Say)," in 1986, a catchy, synth-driven Italo-disco track that came out on both 12-inch and 7-inch vinyl. While she wasn't the only Kim Davis in music, and this wasn't her sole release overall, it is undoubtedly the one that stands out, earning her a place among Euro-disco enthusiasts.