There's Talk is an electronic dream pop trio which was started by Oakland based multi-instrumentalist Olivia Lee (vocals, synths, programming, guitar). Kellen Balla (electronics, programming, vocals) and Young Lee (guitar, vocals) joined Olivia with hopes of expanding ambitious electronic soundscapes for live performance. The debut EP 'Tiny Stands' was released in 2013 and after the release the band toured regionally, supporting Glass Animals, Cigarettes After Sex, Arthur Beatrice and many others.
Their sophomore release 'Bathed Water Moon' which includes inputs from all band members was released on February 23rd. It includes 4 tracks which perfectly blends buzzing synths and echoing guitars with semi-whispering soft female vocals formulating another deep blue night dream pop concept.
The Montreal based Automelodi have also announced their comeback with a brand new track which is featured on Holodeck's Vision One compilation. It’s also been nearly five years since the last full-length Automelodi release and as per Post-Punk's Announcement, Automelodi, now a two-piece, is currently hard at work on the third Automelodi LP. Holodeck has also announced the reissue of Automelodi's second album 'Surlendemains Acides' and the duo will go on US tour. More info here.
Back
in 2008 MGMT was quite a discovery for us, in particular for the single
"Time to Pretend" which was magnificent both in terms of visuals and
sound. Their debut album 'Orracular Spectacular' was among the top 5 Album
releases of the year and it turned out to be the ultimate summer soundtrack
spawning a whole line up of hits including "Electric Feel" and
"Kids". It was a spectacular blend of indie neo-psychedelia with the
absolute highlight being back then seeing them live at the Sziget festival in
Budapest.
Ten
years have passed now since the release of their debut and in the meanwhile the
band released two more albums which sadly did not live up to the standard of
their debut. In late 2017 MGMT surprised the world with the release of their
single "Little Dark Age" which saw them entering dark waters and
adopting 80's visual and rhythms. The Album which takes the same title as the
first single was officially released on February 8th and after few plays it is
clear that the album features a whole variety of sounds and influences.
"Little Dark Age" for example leads the dark 80's synthpop inspired
section which is also evident on "One Thing Left to Try" and "Me
and Michael". On the other hand there is also a strong influence by the LA
music scene and in particular Ariel Pink which gives MGMT's indie
neo-psychedelia new face by mixing the new sound with hypnagogic pop. The album
unfolds a whole variety of sounds and moods from dreamy to rhythmic upbeat
tunes all reflected by layered and well imagined concept with twists of liquid
elements and quirky 80's midi patches.
So
far, four songs have been released from the album and it seems that this will
be an album of hits but also as a concept and a whole package. It echoes a good
focus, energy and maturity in sound and definitely brings MGMT back in the
spotlight by giving 'Orracular Spectacular' a huge challenge. 'Little Dark Age'
certainly is the big opener for 2018 and I am sure it will have an impact on
the days to come.
“Under Glass” was released by The Legendary Pink Dots as single in 1988 on Play it again Sam Records and featured two other tracks. This song used to mix neo-psychedelia, elements of goth with vivid and dark Synth-pop. During the same year they also released their album Any Day Now.
In 2001, when this album was reissued, beside the standard track listing, it featured all three tracks previously only released on single format.
Beverly Girl is one of the finest new offering coming from Scandinavia. It is that type of music we would expect to hear from the production houses of Italy and Germany, but this time a very fine flavor of New Retro Wave comes from Northern Europe. Beverly Girl are Yohanna, Artur and Tracy based in Helsinki Finland. During 2017, they have released three singles where they reveal brilliant dance forms of synth electro lush in the setting of the Neon Light. The band is currently working on a special co-write release in LA, which will be released during the spring of 2018.
The 80's synth pop stars Book of Love are set to release a compilation 'The Sire Years 1985-1993 in the second half of January. Note for Note Music has been licensed for this compilation and has been produced in conjunction with the band. To support this new release, Book of Love is also embarking on a 2018 The Sire Years Tour in which the band will visit cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The Sire Years 1985-1993 is released on 19 January 2018.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We have stumbled upon some really great news for the Fiat Lux fans. This year, one of their trademark singles and the first song that got us into them has been rerecorded and reissued as "Secrets 2017". The song was originally released in 1984 when the band also planned to release their only album "Hired History" which was shelved back then and whose rights still lies in the hands of Polydor records.
David and Steve, the the two remaining members (Ian Nelson who sadly passed away in 2006) did an interview with Electricity Club, in February this year which gives some exclusive information about the band itself, about the lost album and much more.
More info here.
Clockwork Orange was a short-lived Norwegian synth-pop group that emerged in the 1980s, releasing only a single during their brief existence. Titled "Sensation Boys," it debuted on Temptation Records in 1985. Despite its likely underground status at the time and its dark tone, it had the potential to resonate with both underground and mainstream audiences. Today, it remains emblematic of its genre's standards. In 2015, the song was reissued as a single under the title "The Last Sensation," featuring a 1984 demo alongside a new remix version of the track.
End of last year, we discovered another interesting music act that we thought would be worth sharing here. Her name is Roxanne Clifford and she is not a new face to the music biz. Already with her band Veronica Falls she made first steps into indie pop. Now the things have changed for her, she took a new name and adopted a completely different music style and musical arrangement. Under the name Patience she discovers the new world of synth pop and minimal wave. Her debut "The Church" was released on Night School Records in 2016 and the second single "Pressure" followed soon after. She seems to be doing well in the new footsteps and we hope to hear more from her in 2017.
