WAW: Arca- Reverie

A Venezuelan electronic producer better known for his stage name Arca is back with a brand new studio album and his first release on XL Recordings. His eponymous third album will include 13 tracks out of which four have already been released as singles including the "Reverie". The video for the single was directed by Jesse Kanda.

Sparks Announce New Album and Tour

Sparks are back with a brand new studio album. Appearing on BBC Six Music, Ron and Russel said that the new album will be entitled 'Hippopotamus' and it will be released in September. A video for the title track has also been announced and you can watch it below. The band has also announced the first run of European Tour starting in August.

Fiat Lux Reveal "Secrets" 2017

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.

 

Instant Hit: Die Form - Slow Love

Die Form released "Slow Love" in 1986 as a single on the French Label Attitude. As most of their music it was some fine electro synth-pop in the veil of darkness. The song was backed with "The Beast" and "Metaphase" both performed by Cécile Ke. The song was later included on the 'Poupée Mécanique' reissue from 1990.

Alphaville to Release 'Strange Attractor' in April

Alphaville are back with a brand new studio album! Their eight studio album is called 'Strange Attractor' and it is the first release in seven years. The album includes 13 new tracks including "Heartbreak City" which is the possible first single. 'Strange Attractor' is expected to be released through Polydor on April 7th.

Modern English Release 'Take me to the Trees'

Modern English is back with a new studio album in more than seven years. The album is entitled ‘Take me to the Trees’ was funded via Pledge with an originally planned March 2016 release. A year later, they have officially announced its release. The album was recorded, produced and mixed by Martyn Young from Colourbox and MARRS, who also adds additional keyboards. It has been released on February 24th and it is available on Paper/Cardboard Sleeve.

Retrovision: Fire Inc- Tonight’s What it Means to be Young

Introduced as ‘A Rock & Roll Fable’, Street of Fire was released and became hit in 1984. The film is a mix of musical, action, neo-noir, drama, and comedy, with elements of retro-1950s and 1980s. It also provide a brilliant Soundtrack from which today we remember “Tonight’s What it Means To be Young” originally sang by Ellen Aim and in the movie performed by Diane Lane.

Erasure Announce New Album for May

Erasure are back! They have announced the release of their seventeenth studio album which will be entitled ‘World Be Gone’. ‘World Be Gone’ features ten new tracks written, performed and produced by Erasure and was mixed by Matty Green and it will be available on CD, Vinyl, Cassette (with download code) and via Digital Download. The album will be released via Mute on May 19th 2017.

Clan of Xymox Announce a New Album 'Days of Black'

Clan of Xymox have announced the release of a brand new studio album coming this March. Their 16th studio album will be entitled 'Days of Black' and will include 12 new tracks. The album will be released end of March in USA via Metropolis and in Europe through Tristol. A small tour will follow in April after the official Album release.

http://www.clanofxymox.com

WAW: Sondre Lerche- Soft Feelings

We stay in Norway for our current We are Watching (WAW) video. This time, we would like to present a brand new video by Sondre Lerche for the song "Soft Feelings". The video is taken from their upcoming album 'Pleasure' which is going to be released in April. The video was directed by Johannes Greve Muskat.

Instant Hit: Clockwork Orange- Sensation Boys

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.

A Flock of Seagulls- 'Remixes and Rarities' to be Released in March

Cherry Red Records will release a a new Remixes and Rarities compilation in March. This time. it's A Flock of the Seagulls' compilation coming on two discs which will include tracks from their most productive and successful period (1982- 1986). There is a variety of the song versions including the remixes, live versions and also 12". The compilations is set for release on March 24th 2017.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/remixes-rarities-deluxe-2cd-edition/

Tempers Release New EP 'Fundamental Fantasy'

Tempers have released a brand new EP titled 'Fundamental Fantasy'. This is their first release since the long player 'Services' was released in 2015. The have kept their synth driven melancholic and gloomy darkwave sound expressed in four brand new tracks. The new EP is out on The Vinyl Factory and can be previewed below.

Best of 1987- The Album List

Let's dive into the 1987 Albums campaign! This year marked an interesting crossover period where music styles from the first half of the decade began transforming into new genres, creating fresh musical opportunities and providing stages for new talents.

In terms of innovation, MTV Europe was launched, and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" became the first single released on CD, while the cassette tape continued to rise in popularity.

Synthpop was still prominent in the mainstream, with Erasure and Pet Shop Boys maintaining its presence. The pop hits from the emerging Stock Aitken Waterman pop factory, including Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," became chart-toppers and contributed to making it the best-selling single of the year.

On the other hand, House music was slowly growing and taking over dance floors, providing a fresh and dynamic sound. Simultaneously, indie pop/rock was flourishing, offering more diverse and alternative forms of music.

At the Brit Awards, Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel received honors for Best Female and Best Male, respectively, showcasing the diversity and richness of the musical landscape in 1987.

Next Wave: Patience

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.

Retrovision: Opus III- It's a Fine Day

Twenty five years ago, Opus III topped the UK charts with "It's a Fine Day" reaching #5. The single was actually a cover and house makeover of the classic by Jane released in 1983 and written by poet and musician Edward Barton. The song's video below featured the singer Kirsty Hawkshaw (with her standout shaved head and bodysuit) performing and dancing.

 

Instant Hit: Brain- D.I.X.O

For all of those that the future is still kept in some of the most obscure and brilliant 80's tracks, should check this one out. Futuristic and experimental and a lot of forward thinking with the musical arrangement and design. There is not much info about the band itself and this is their only release from 1982. According to some sources on the internet, this single was reissued by Private Records from Berlin.

Blondie to Release a Brand new Studio Album 'Pollinator' in May

Blondie have announced the release of a brand new studio album 'Pollinator' in May this year. This is their first studio album in more than five years and a follow up to 'Panic of Girls' which was released in 2011. "Fun" has been announced as the first single from the album. 

For more info check blondie.net.

Sixth June to Release 'Virgo Rising' in February

Sixth June have announced the release of a brand new studio album titled 'Virgo Rising'. This will be their first album in four years and a follow up to their debut 'Everytime' released in 2010. As for now only the lead track "Night Before" is available for listening. Nice to hear some Sax mixing with the usual Sixth June arrangement. The album will be released through Aufnahme + Wiedergabe and is already available on pre-order.

http://aufnahmeundwiedergabe.bigcartel.com/

WAW: Baustelle- Amanda Lear

The Italian band Baustelle have announced the release of a brand new album 'L’amore e la violenza'. We were very excited to discover this "Amanda Lear" tune which we believe will be the first single from the album and to lead us into another great synth pop year. 

The video for the song was directed by Barbara Guieu.

Goldfrapp Announce theRelease of New Album 'Silver Eye'

Goldfrapp are back! The band announced through their official page that their 7th studio album will be entitled 'Silver Eye'. As all the previous releases this one will be released through Mute and the first single of the album "Anywhere" can already be streamed below. As per first single it seems that they are mixing their upbeat and downtempo styles. The album will include 9 more tracks and is officially set for release on March 31st 2017.

www.goldfrapp.com

Drab Majesty Release their second album 'Demonstration'

In 2016, we had a huge crush with their song "The Heiress" and this is where the story with Drab Majesty begins for us. Happy to see that they have released a new album. The new album will be entitled 'Demonstration' and for those who never listened to them, Drab Majesty blend goth with 80's synths and art post-punk sound and visuals, recalling Clan of Xymox and the Cure. The band will also embark on an extensive tour which will include Europe as well. The first single from the album entitled "39 by Design" is already available on Youtube.

Piano Magic to release their 12 Studio Album 'Closure'

Piano Magic are back with a brand new album which celebrates 10 years of Piano Magic. The band released their debut album 'Popular Mechanics' in 1997 and another eleven studio albums followed to this date. This new album was recorded in London between April and August of 2016 and features guest appearances from Peter Milton Walsh of The Apartments, Audrey Riley (go-to cellist for The Go-Betweens, Nick Cave and more). ‘Closure,’ will be formally released by Second Language Music on January 20th 2017 worldwide on CD, 180gm vinyl and digital download formats. The first single form the album is entitled Exile and can be streamed below.

'No Plan' EP Marks One Year of David Bowie's Passing Away

A year after his passing away, a new EP has posthumously been released through Columbia and Sony. This release is entitled 'No Plan' and it is coinciding with what would be David Bowie's 70th birthday. Some songs appeared in the Broadway musical Lazarus and were originally recorded during the Blackstar sessions. The EP is out now digital with the lead track "No Plan".

Transfigure Release Debut Album Translation

First head up for this year is the news that Transfigure finally have released their debut album. Following their EP releases from 2014 and from last year, comes their first long player. The album will be entitled 'Translation' and it will contain 8 tracks, out of which the lead track "Fields" was already featured on their EP from last year.

Hailing from Newcastle, the duo reflects the city club feel in some songs while on the other hand they also tend to be emotional and introspective. Musically they collect and end echo the best from the late's and and early 90's electro forms from the likes of New Order, Pet Shop Boys and St Etienne.

Stream and buy here.

Retrovision: Curiosity Killed the Cat- Down to Earth

Born somewhere on the crossroads between 1986 and 1987, Curiosity Killed the Cat made their chart debut in the UK with "Down to Earth" reaching #26. This Prefab Sprout inspired sound with jazz and funk influences was becoming more and more popular among bands of that time and they contributed to the sound that would eventually become popular as Sophisti-Pop.
Welcome to 1987!

Best of 2016- Singles and Tracks

01. Preoccupations - Memory
02. M83 - Solitude 
03. PJ Harvey - The Community Of Hope (Video version)
04. Geneva Jacuzzi - Cannibal Babies
05. Lower Dens - Real Thing
06. Sugar For Sugar- Bizarre Love Triangle
07. Get Well Soon - It's A Catalogue
08. Shura - Nothing's Real
09. Temples - Certainty
10. Pet Shop Boys - The Pop Kids
11. Primal Scream, Sky Ferreira - Where The Light Gets In
12. The Last Shadow Puppets - Miracle Aligner 
13. Radiohead - Daydreaming
14. Transfigure - Fields
15. La Femme - Sphynx
16. Villa Nah - Stranger
17. BETSY - Fair
18. Happy Meals - If You Want Me Now
19. Cat's Eyes - Chameleon Queen
20. Yeasayer - I Am Chemistry

Best of 2016- EPs

The EPs always come with  big diversity of sound. Perfect format to break through, but as well very appropriate for a come back record. This year we have some classy Trip hop, shoegaze Brit pop and some neoclassical soul on top. Other than that, the sound that you are already used to read and listen on our blog. :)

Best of 2016- The Album List

Time to sum up everything from 2016, as this is usual in this time of the year. It has been our 10th  anniversary year and therefore a very important year for us. In general, it has been a crazy year and a very sad one, as the music world lost some of their top artists and pop icons who helped shape the sound and vision of the previous four decades. 

In terms of quality and what 2016 offered, and based on what is in our charts, we could say that pop went retro, post punk turned groovy and we found some new formulas of R'n'B and Soul. As you can see, our top company were Preoccupations (formerly Viet Cong) Shura and Blood Orange. What else was hot, see below.

01. Preoccupations- Preoccupations [Jagjaguwar]

02. Shura- Nothing's Real [Polydor]

03. Blood Orange- Freetown Sound [Domino]

04. Villa Nah- Ultima [Solina]

05. Michelle Gurevich- New Decadence [self released]

06. Radiohead- A Moon Shaped Pool [XL]

07. Bat for Lashes- The Bride [Parlophone]

08. PJ Harvey- The Hope Six Demolition Project [Island]

09. Geneva Jacuzzi- Technophelia [Medical Records LLC]

10. David Bowie- ★ Blackstar [ISO]

11. Cat's Eyes- Treasure House [Raf Records]

12. Suede- Night Thoughts [Warner]

13. Get Well Soon- Love [Caroline]

14. Angel Olsen- MY WOMAN [Jagjaguwar]

15. Michael Kiwanuka- Love & Hate [Polydor]

16. Xeno & Oaklander- Topiary [Ghostly]

17. The Last Shadow Puppets- Everything You've Come to Expect[Domino]

18. The Radio Dept.- Running Out of Love [Labrador]

19. Still Corners- Dead Blue [Wrecking Light]

20. Yeasayer- Amen & Goodbye [Mute]

21. Wrangler- White Glue [Meme Tune]

22. Lust for Youth- Compassion [Sacred Bones]

23. Hante.- This Fog That Never Ends [Synth Religion]

24. Cult Club- Play with Lies [Domestica]

25. Black Arcade- Transhuman [digital file]

26. Perfect Human- Erste [Perfect Aesthetics]

27. Liste Noire- Brace [No Emb Blanc]

28. DIIV- Is the Is Are [Captured Tracks]

29. Boy Harsher- Yr Body is Nothing [digital file]

30. School of Seven Bells-SVIIB [Vargant]

George Michael 1963-2016

The sad series does not seem to stop and 2016 takes another music artist life!

It seems that the death of George Michael had dressed this years Christmas celebration in black. It came as a quite shocking news as it always is in most cases, especially considering the fact that we remember him every Christmas season when "Last Christmas" is everywhere to be heard. And, this year in fact, it seems to be his last one. :(

Like David Bowie and Prince, we all had a piece of George in all of us. It could have been a song or any other loving memory.

We shall never forget you, the Wham boys, "Wake me up Before You Go Go" dance, "Careless Whisper", "Freedom" performance at the Berlin Wall and all the brilliant pop moments and funky beats. Forever in our hearts. RIP

Best of 1986- Top 50 Singles

In early 1985, Pet Shop Boys stormed the UK charts with "West End Girls" which would also remain their signature tune and biggest hit. Together with Erasure, they were transforming the synth pop into electro dance giving it a new face. The Communards certainly contributed to this trend, as their cover of the disco classic “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was the best-selling single of the year. Madonna and George Michael were still among the best-selling artists further developing the pop genre and Madonna’s third studio album True Blue was the best-selling in the UK.

01. The Smiths - There is a Light that Never goes out
02. New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
03. Desireless - Voyage Voyage
04. Depeche Mode - Stripped

05. The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again
06. The Stranglers - Always The Sun
07. Big Audio Dynmaite - E=MC2
08. a-ha- Hunting High and Low
09. Cyndi Lauper- True Colours
10. David Bowie - Absolute Beginners
11. Madonna - Live to Tell

12. Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush - Don't Give Up

13. Black - Wonderful Life

14. Iggy Pop - Real Wild Child

15. The Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian

16. Genesis - Land of Confusion
17. R.E.M. - Fall on Me
18. Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On
19. The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong
20. Talk Talk - Living in Another World

Next Wave: Raw Moans

Time for our last Next Wave for this year! We go East with the sound this time and would like to introduce Raw Moans, the project of Joseph Vorachack which also features Michael Thibodeaux (instrumentals, production). 

Before starting his own musical creation, he was member in several music groups including Wavves and his own living room has inspired him to start his own DiY thing. That is how the idea of Raw Moans was born. After he has teamed up with Michael, soon after they released their debut EP 'Safe Sex'. This is a tribute to musicians and who lived and died from complications due to HIV/AIDS. This is reflected through lyric collages, allusions, and re-workings of songs by musicians, such as Arthur Russell, Klaus Nomi, and Eazy-E, over original instrumentals and melodies. 

Please follow the link to explore the sound of Raw Moans.

https://soundcloud.com/raw_moans/sets/safe-sex

WAW: Betsy- Wanted More

Time for the last WAW this year. It comes as a random discovery on Youtube and turned also to be one of the most surprising artists to discover this year. Her name is simply Betsy and I'm sure we will write more about her in 2017. For now as a warm up, here comes here brilliant video for the song "Wanted More". This song has also been released as a single and she also released an EP. We hope for the album next year. More to come!

The Jesus and Mary Chain Announce New Album 'Damage and Joy'

The Jesus and Mary Chain have announced the release of a brand new studio album next year. The album will be entitled 'Damage and Joy' and this will be their first album since 1998. The band is also planning live tour dates around the globe. The first single from the album 'Amputation' has already been revealed and is available on Youtube.

http://thejesusandmarychain.uk.com

WAW: La Femme- Sphynx

La Femme have returned this year with their second album 'Mystère'. One of the leading tracks and the first single is entitled "Sphynx" and it was released earlier this year in March. The super exciting video for this songs was directed by Marlon Magnée and Aymeric Bergada du Cadet. I'm sure this video will make it into the top ten best videos of 2016.

Kate Bush to Release a Brand New Live Album and Single

Following her sold out shows form earlier this year, Kate Bush will release her live Album 'Before the Dawn' this week. The album was recorded during the incredible run of 22 sold-out shows performed by Kate at London's Hammersmith Apollo in 2014 and these were her first shows since 1979. Kate has also released a special piece of film to accompany the release of her new single "And Dream Of Sheep" which is available on Vimeo and Youtube. The album is out this week.

Lisa Stansfield - The Collection Boxset Released

Edsel Records have released the Lisa Stansfield- The Collection 1989-2003, a thirteen-CD and five DVD box set. This set includes of all Lisa’s Arista albums – 'Affection' (1989), 'Real Love' (1991), 'So Natural' (1993), 'Lisa Stansfield' (1997) and 'Face Up' (2001) – as 2CD + DVD casebound book deluxe editions, as well as a remix compilation called People Hold On… The Remix Anthology – a three-CD set that contains over thirty rare and previously unheard full-length mixes. The compilation was released on November 10th 2016. 

Lisa-Stansfield-Collection-1989-2003

Retrovision: Moby- Go

"Go" was the second single release for Moby released 25 years ago. The song was featured on his self titled debut album and released on Instinct label. "Go" samples "Laura Palmer's Theme" from the television series Twin Peaks and the titular vocal from Tones on Tail's song "Go!". The "yeah" vocal which features prominently in the track is actually a sample from soul singer Jocelyn Brown, taken from her 1985 single "Love's Gonna Get You"; this sample remains uncredited. The video was directed by Ondrej Rudavsky.

Next Wave: Colour Theory

Bringing some colours and cheerful and quirky 80's electro sound to bright the rainy Autumn days comes Brain Hazard with his Colour Theory sound machine. He says that the 80's synthpop is in his blood and draws a lot inspiration from the decade especially quoting Depeche Mode as the main inspiring act for his musical creation. It's true that many bands are inspired by Depeche Mode's music, but none of them reflect the emotional side of Martin Gore so much. Career highlights include winning the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Brian is currently working on his ninth full length release which is set for release in the next few months.

To hear more about Colour Theory check the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/colortheory/
https://soundcloud.com/colortheory
https://twitter.com/colortheory

 

Austra Announce their third Studio Album 'Utopia'

The Canadian band Austra have announced the release of their third album. The album will be entitled 'Future Politics' and it will be their third album to be release through Domino Records since 2011. The album will have 11 brand new tracks including "Utopia" for which there is a video available and which will be the lead single from the album. 'Future Politics' is set for release on January 20th.

'The Time is Now' a Brand New 80's Compilation to Benefit the Hiv/Aids Research

'The Time is Now' is a brand new compilation of re-imagined 80's hits that will benefit amfAR- The Foundation for Aids Research. The compilation includes the covers of New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle”, Duran Duran's "Rio", Wang Chung's "Dance Hall Days" and many others. 'The Time is Now' is the brainchild and labor of love of executive producers Michelangelo Lacqua, internationally acclaimed music curator, Andy Boose, longtime producer of many of amfAR’s events and Peter Bittenbender, CEO of Mass Appeal. “The Time Is Now is a music-driven call to action in support of amfAR’s push to end HIV/AIDS in our lifetime.” said Boose. 

The 14-track album was released on October 7 by Republic Records and Mass Appeal. More info about the project and how to purchase, here.

WAW: Japan Suicide- A Mood Apart

Japan Suicide is a goth rock band from Italy which was formed in 2007 have released their second album 'We Die in Such a Place' last year. They mix Gothic rock with Post Punk and produce a very unique and dark sound. Last year in December, they have released a very arty video for the song "A Mood Apart" which was directed by Francesco Brunotti. Their album 'We Die in Such a Place' was released through Unknown Pleasures Records.

 

Depeche Mode Announce New Album and New Video Compilation

Depeche Mode have announced the release of a brand new album 'Spirit' which will be out in spring 2017. There is not much detail about it other than that it will be produced by James Ford and that it will be followed by a huge European tour. Before that, right on time if you don't have an idea for a Christmas present, comes DM's 'Video Singles Collection'. Group's First-Ever Career-Spanning Anthology will presents Group's Original Music Video Singles from 1981 to 2013 in a 3DVD DigiPak. The 3DVD set will include more than three decades worth of Depeche Mode's international hit singles as lensed for the group's mind-blowing progression of innovative and provocative music videos directed by a who's who of cinematic visionaries including Julien Temple, Anton Corbijn, D.A. Pennebaker, John Hillcoat and others. The compilation is set for release on November 11th. 

More info here. 

Marc Almond's Definitive Collection 'Trials Of Eyeliner' to be Released in October

Universal Music have announced the release of 'Trials Of Eyeliner' is touted as the definitive overview and a career spanning 10 CD collection. Almond himself has personally curated the collection, allied to the 189-strong track listing. This anthology is divided into three themed sections. ‘History’ fills the first four discs with 72 of Almond’s favourite album tracks and B-sides, the three-CD ‘Singles’ section lines up all of his official Soft Cell, Marc And The Mambas and solo singles in pretty-much-chronological order and The last three CDs consists of ‘Gems’ – fan-only releases, one-off collaborations, soundtrack contributions etc. – and includes 18 tracks previously unreleased from Marc’s own collection.

'Trials Of Eyeliner' is set for release on October 28th, 2016. More info here.