Latest Synth-pop Posts

[Chill] IYES – Gone

Posted by Ivan Chung - October 6, 2015

IYES
Gone

This new IYES is absolute vibes. As another track off their upcoming Part Two EP, “Gone” shines the spotlight on Josh’s vocals and provides a sneak peek of the second part of their debut project.

The starts off with a downtempo approach, as the male vocals come in with a rather mellow beat. It picks up as Melis’ vocals chime in and provide an instant uplifting atmosphere to the mix. With the use of tropical synths and vocal harmonies, this track takes us on a fun ride immersed in positive atmosphere. A series of bell tones help embellish the tune to completeness. There’s never a dull moment in the mere three and half minutes.

IYES continues to impress with all these cool tracks, as they manage to showcase a different side of their production every time. Make sure to stay tuned as Part Two drops Oct. 13.

[Electro-Pop] A R I Z O N A – Where I Wanna Be

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 5, 2015

A R I Z O N A
Where I Wanna Be

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With only a smattering of singles to their name, the globe spanning trio founded in New Jersey known simply as A R I Z O N A wields a sonic fluency far beyond what their modest catalog would indicate. Taking much of their direction under the guise of pop structuring, A R I Z O N A have been measurably successful adding touches of soul, R&B, rock and disco groove into their evolving aesthetic, and latest single “Where I Wanna Be” marks another foot forward in their short sonic evolution. “Where I Wanna Be” pushes off with a four-four kick drum, bent guitar loop and the kind of vocal pitching that would make Sir Kanye tip his hat in approval before a buttery vocal track takes a welcome hold of the entire tune. If it wasn’t for Zach Hannah’s lush vocal we may have missed the rest of A R I Z O N A’s careful instrumentation, but we couldn’t help but get swept up in their carefully layered synth work which almost steal’s back the spotlight. There are a number of reasons to fall in love with this one, and while we only had time to delve into a few, we suggest you take the reigns and let A R I Z O N A sink their hooks into your listening rotation today. Stream “Where I Wanna Be” above.

[Album Stream] Favored Nations – The Great Unknown

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 2, 2015

We’ve been steadily supplying you Ninjas with bits of globe-spanning super electronic group Favored Nations’ looming LP, The Great Unknown, in the form of singles “Always” and “I Can See You” and as the LP sees the light of day today, we thought it was a perfect time to let our inquisitive readership get their full share. Quite the lengthy release, totaling a whopping 18 tracks, The Great Unknown more than satiates our listening passion for Favored Nations’ unique yet highly accessible sound. So, let’s start Friday with the complete vision of Morgan Phalen, James Curd and Surahn “Sid” Sidhu’s epic album project The Great Unknown below.

Purchase The Great Unknown on iTunes here, and for registered Spotify users, enjoy the full album stream below.

[Alt-Pop] Brothertiger – Wake

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 29, 2015

Brothertiger
Wake

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It’s no secret around here at TMN that the synth-washed electropop project of Brooklyn-based musician and producer John Jagos, Brothertiger, has resonated deeply with some of us over the years. In July we premiered Brothertiger’s collaboration with Rose Quartz, “Pleasure & Pain”, and today Jagos has dropped the latest piece to a forthcoming, Indiegogo crowdfunded LP, Out Of Touch, in the form of “Wake”. “Wake” sputters out a balmy, smooth vocal wrapped around his usual brand of off-kilter electronic pop structuring for a feel that is simultaneously familiar, unique and addictive. Brothertiger’s latest leans ever so slightly toward a corner of yacht-rock, but the ambient tones utilized here wash over its listener like an enveloping fog to create a soundscape that touches upon numerous aural aesthetics. “Wake”, is an entrancing and an all-around utterly lovely tune combining a number of things we love about Jagos’ Brothertiger project and a welcome peak into his impending Out Of Touch long-player. For those looking to get a leg-up and show off your collecting chops in the process, pre-order your special green-vinyl copy of Out Of Touch (due out December 4th) here. Stream “Wake” above.

[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (September 2015 Round #5)

Posted by Allegra Azzopardi - September 29, 2015

Change can happen in the blink of an eye, often as a reminder to appreciate what we do have, rather than pine over what we don’t. You never know what might be different in 5 seconds, 5 minutes, 5 hours, ’cause in this world, anything is possible. So, live in the moment. Take a minute, find your grounding, focus on a couple things you are grateful for (like this Indie Dojo for example) and soak it all in. Who knows what the next second might bring.

’OK Badlands – Cheap Tuesday’

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’Ivy Nation – The Mile Road’

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’Hoonch – Top’

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’MKAI – Loop (Single Edit)’

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’Riley Pearce – Brave’

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’Wyvernlingo – Subside’

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’Saint Sister – Madrid’

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’TWINKIDS – Dreamer’

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’Garden City Movement – The Best Of Times?’

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[Indie-Pop] Death In The Afternoon – We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 21, 2015

Death In The Afternoon
We Don't Have To Go Out Tonight

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Death in the Afternoon, who are earnestly named after an Ernest Hemingway novel, is a Swedish joint collaboration dabbling in the highly addictive combination of 80’s washed synth-pop, indie and shoegaze. Already displaying a tasteful pop maturity beyond what their modest 7 track catalog would suggest, we got our hands on DITA’s latest single “We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight” before anyone else and it weaves wonderfully within their stylish sonic design. Much like its predecessors, the third single off of their impending self-titled LP, which is due out October 30th on Summer Heart’s Sommarhjärta label, remains airy, dreamy, craftily arranged, filled with stunning vocal play form the pair and all the while sporting enough hooky melody to have us swooning for the rest of the week. Furthering everything along, “We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight”‘s layers of interloping male and female vocals compliment each other superbly by creating a soft yet powerful veil over the complete composition. Just beautiful stuff, really.

Clearly, the duo simply known as Christian & Linda have synced their artistic measures perfectly and landed as one of our favorite burgeoning indies to emerge on our radar this year. Stream Death In The Afternoon’s latest single “We Don’t Have To Go Out Tonight” above in the form of a shiny new ‘TMN Premiere’, and be on the lookout for the pair’s debut LP soon.

[Synth-Wave] Jordan F – Mesmerised (ft. Dana Jean Phoenix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 18, 2015

Jordan F
Mesmerised (feat. Dana Jean Phoenix)

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“Mesmerised” is the latest John Hughes-era tipping single, from Sydney producer Jordan F, featuring the gorgeous voice of Canadian singer/songwriter Dana Jean Phoenix and it’s washed over us quite wonderfully on this warm Friday afternoon. The first taste of Jordan F’s impending sophomore LP, Timelines, “Mesmerised” keeps the Australian artist’s evocative synth sounds and infectious retro-meldies fully intact. A pulsating retro-wave beat drives “Mesmerised” while Dana Jean Phoenix’s delicate refrain has us drawing up comparison’s to College & Desire, while appreciating the full scope of Jordan F’s rangey production. Together, the pair have created a warm, atmospheric slice of synth-pop that is beyond easy to be swept up in and a perfect song to prime us for what will most likely be a rambunctious weekend. Stream “Mesmerised” above.