Instant Hit: The Gist - Love at the First Sight

"Love at the First Sight" was the second single Stuart Moxam released under the name The Gist. He was previously a member of Young Marble Giants who split soon after the release their only album Young Colossal Youth. The song could also be found on The Gist's debut album Embrace the Herd which was released through Rough Trade records during the same year. The song became a hit in France when it was covered by French pop singer Étienne Daho under the title "Paris, Le Flore".

June Singles Round up

Here comes the first singles round up, summer edition. These are mostly new comers for us but we also see some interesting comebacks. Like every month, we celebrate the diversity of sounds and styles.

Private World - Hypnagogia

Zero Call - Stellar Wind

The Midnight - Dance with Somebody

Gus Gus - Out of Place

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Cameo

Ängie, Harrison First - Basic

Annie - American Cars

Sun Spot - Running Up That Hill

Doves - Carousels

Everything Everything - Arch Enemy


Haelos - Unknown Melody

WAW: Private World - Hypnagogia

The Cardiff based Private World have revealed the video for their first single "Hypnagogia" which is going to be taken from their debut album Aleph to be released end of August through Dais Records. This very stylish video was directed by Sion Thomas.

Paul Banks returns with a New Project Muzz

Paul Banks of the Interpol fame is back with a brand new music project called Muzz. The trio consists of Banks, Matt Barrick and Joshua Kaufmann and they have been playing demos since 2015. This year, Muzz have released their self titled debut album and a string of singles. Different to the noisy sound of Interpol, here it softens a bit by the inviting baroque pop notes. Muzz is out this month and this very Interpolish video was produced by the band.

Liena Aspera to Return with New Album in September

After 9 years, the dark minimal synth duo Alison Lewis and Ryan Ambridge have reunited for the second album titled LP II. The album is announced for release in September whereas the first single "Solar Flare" and the full track listing have already been revealed on Bandcamp. All these years in between, Alison has been busy with her solo project Zanias and Keluar with Sid Lamar.

Next Wave: Nation of Language

Nation of Language is one of the outstanding synth pop acts in 2020 to release their debut album. The Brooklyn based trio made their first appearance with the "Nation of Language" EP in 2015 which was followed by a string of single releases. Now, most of this singles have been incorporated into their debut album Introduction, Presence. The band draws inspiration from 80's New wave and Post punk when synth pop evolved from experimental to a commercial music genre. High praised by the music critics, they manage to deliver retro synth pop, by giving their own personal note. "Friend Machine" has been put forward as the lead single from the album and can be streamed below.

https://nationoflanguage.bandcamp.com/album/introduction-presence

Retrovision: Mental As Anything - Come Around

"Come Around" was the four single release from young Mental as Anything. released in 1980. The song as taken from their second album Espresso Bongo which went Gold in their native Australia. As all early group members were visual artists, the majority of video clips have been designed and created by the band members or their art school contemporaries.

Instant Hit: Was (Not Was) - Wheel Me Out

"Wheel Me Out" was the debut single released by Was (Not Was) in 1980. Forty years after this is  still enjoyable and nice offering of  pop funk and electro groove in a Post disco wrap. In 1981 the song appeared in Seize the Beat (Dance Ze Dance) compilation.

WAW: Marcel Wave - The Moon King

It is almost ten years now since A Terrible Splendour released their marvelous "Slaves to the City" tune and their New Romantic half, a good friend Lyle, has recently been experimenting with synth pop on a solo basis as Marcel Wave. The video for the new song "The Moon King" was revealed on Monday. This pleasant piece of synth pop takes us on an artistic and cinematic trip in the realm of The Moon King. The b-side isn't less interesting as it is Marcel Wave take on the French classic "Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde", originally performed by Laurent Voulzy  The video for the song was created with the help of another old friend, Soft Riot's very own Mr Jack Duckworth (JJD). We hope to hear and see more creative collaboration materializing from these two. 

Please follow the link for more Marcel Wave goodness.
https://marcelwave.bandcamp.com/album/the-moon-king

WAW: I Like Trains - The Truth

I Like Trains have returned with a new single "The Truth" which is also announcing the release of their fifth studio album Kompromat to be released in August. The music video for "The Truth" was premiered recently and it was directed by directed by Michael Connolly.