Latest Synth-pop Posts

[Downtempo] Beshken – Know You Well (feat. Mothica and Mayo)

Posted by Ivan Chung - July 7, 2015

Beshken
Know You Well (feat. Mothica and Mayo)

Following “Right Time”, Beshken comes out with yet another fresh original that’ll get you vibing. “Know You Well” is the result of his collaboration with singer Mothica and rapper Mayo. The LA producer fuses his signature chill sound with Mothica’s smooth vocals to bring out the downtempo vibe of the track. Mayo’s verse also serves its purpose to perfectly complement the addicting beat. Whether you’re working for a late night grind, or cruising down the freeway on a Friday night, this tune will be your best company.

Released under Next Wave Records, “Know You Well” showcases Beshken’s talent as a producer. As these originals keep getting better and better, we simply can’t wait to see what the young producer has to offer.

[Indie Eletronic] Empire Of The Sun – We Are The People (Ardency Remix)

Posted by Ivan Chung - July 3, 2015

Empire Of The Sun
We Are The People (Ardency Remix)

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Following the success of “Foxfire”, the creative duo Ardency strike once again with another jaw dropper. Reworking Empire of the Sun‘s “We Are The People”, the two musicians definitely worked their magic and put a spin on the popular anthem. The tune is suited with a lo-fi 80’s disco approach fused with a chillwave sound. The original vocals are kept to go with the indie vibe of the track. The addictive touch resembles the sound of Neon Indian while adding an adrenaline-infused bassline to top it off.

Per usual, Ardency outdid themselves with this release. We are very excited to see what other tricks they got up their sleeves. Make sure to grab a free download if you dig the track!

Imagine Dragons – Shots (The Young Professionals Remix) [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - July 2, 2015

Imagine Dragons
Shots (The Young Professionals Remix)

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You know that moment when a song perfectly encapsulates the feeling you’re experiencing? It’s quite the phenomenon, often inciting things like spontaneous office dancing, random fist pumps, confirming head nods, toothy grins, and maybe even some enthusiastic hand claps. Well, Tel Aviv’s electrifying pop duo The Young Professionals has successfully made us do all the aforementioned actions, giving us the perfect soundtrack to carry us through the work day and into a long holiday weekend.

You’ve probably come across this act before, either from their dance-inducing originals like “All of It But Me,” or from any of their dazzling remixes of artists like Tove Lo, Tegan and Sara, Zedd, Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett, Moby, or Lana Del Rey. Whatever you’ve experienced with them, one thing is constant throughout: it’s downright infectious.

Today, we’re bringing you an exclusive first listen of their interpretation of “Shots.” The original Imagine Dragons‘ song already had an upbeat synth-pop soundscape, but The Young Professionals saw it dialed up a few notches further, bringing an 80’s dance tempo into the mix.

Paying an artful homage to the original, Ivri Lider and Johnny Goldstein ensure that hardcore fans of Imagine Dragons won’t turn a nose at a reconstruction of their favorite tune, yet ensured that TYP’s signature captivating style is all over it. Most notably is the absolutely wicked guitar solo that comes in just after the 2:00-minute mark, that may or may not make you wail out on your air guitar. If you get caught in the act, make sure to tweet them and let them know.

2015 looks like it’s shaping up to be a big year for The Young Professionals. Fans can expect a full album release later this year, as well as a slew of new remixes. Keep your eye on them by visiting their website.

[Indie/Electronic] Mas Ysa – Arrows

Posted by Matthew Bloss - June 30, 2015

MAS YSA
Arrows

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While Mas Ysa –the solo creation of musician Thomas Arsenault- has been a music project with whom this humble writer has been enamored, we unfortunately haven’t covered his eclectic catalog nearly enough. The Canadian bred producer and vocalist embraces cutting-edge electronic music, from house & techno to neo-wave and synth-pop, but carries a songwriting sensibility to dabble in both dancefloor gems and harrowing ballads; oftentimes blurring the line between the two. After a recent chain of emotive, downtempo pop singles including “Look Up” and the Nicole Miglis (of Hundred Waters acclaim) featuring “Gun”; Mas Ysa’s latest release foray gleams more uplifting and dance directed than most of an already sterling library. “Arrows” tumbles through a wide spectrum of of sounds and feelings, with Arsenault claiming: “’Arrows’ is sort of a Euro club banger, but also a very personal love song. It comes out of me wanting to make a universal, club-ready track but unwittingly giving into emotion.”

This one’s landed beautifully between club ready romp and heart-wrenching ballad; further signalling Mas Ysa’s unique ability to toy with a lofty range of worldly musical influence. “Arrows” is the latest single to crop up off of a debut long-player, Seraph, due out July 24th on Downtown Records, and if Mas Ysa’s latest body of work, the Worth EP is any indication, we might have another contender to this year’s best album battle.

Check out Mas Ysa’s impending U.S. tour dates with another pair of TMN darlings Tanlines, and stream “Arrows” above.

6/30 Covington, KY – Madison Live *
7/01 St. Louis, MO – Firebird *
7/02 Lincoln, NE – Vega *
7/03 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge *
7/05 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge *
7/07 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl *
7/08 Seattle, WA – Neumos *
7/09 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios *
7/11 San Francisco, CA – Phono Del Sol *
7/13 Los Angeles, CA – Bardot
7/14 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory *
7/15 Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar *
7/17 Austin, TX – Red 7 *
7/18 Dallas, TX – Club Dada *
7/19 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s *
7/21 Atlanta, GA – The Earl *
7/22 Ashville, NC – The Mothlight *
7/23 Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall *
7/24 Philadelphia, PA – Voyeur *
7/25 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair *
7/27 Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right^

* w/ Tanlines
^ w/ Wish, Michael Baharie & Kelsey Lu

[Indie-Dance/Synth-Pop] Humans – Tell Me (WMNSTUDIES X WASPY Remix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - June 29, 2015

Humans
Tell Me (WMNSTUDIES X WASPY Remix)

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A couple of Canadian alt-pop darlings came crashing into our feed this morning, and we couldn’t imagine a better melody to break open our afternoon. HUMANS, the indie-electronic duo made up of musicians Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq just released their single “Tell Me” back in February, quietly delivering their drum-heavy indie-pop single to a decent amount of critical fanfare. But, their stock should certainly continue to keep rising as Toronto duo WMNSTUDIES have teamed up with 1/3 of DiRTY RADiO and 1/2 of BNW, WASPY to deliver an irresistibly danceable synth-pop remix shot at the dancefloor. The trio plays with hip-hop, R&B, house, and of course pop framework to conceive their collective revision, pulling HUMANS’ single away from analog instruments and into effervescent dance-pop. With the weather stateside breaking thermometers, we’ve been gravitating towards those sunshine tinted anthems. We suggest you do the same.

Grab a free download of WMNSTUDIES & WASPY’s remix here.

[Indie/Funk-Pop] Favored Nations – Always

Posted by Matthew Bloss - June 18, 2015

Favored Nations
Always

Soundcloud

If you haven’t yet come into contact with globe-spanning electronic supergroup Favored Nations then a) You probably never beat Grand Theft Auto V’s complete story mode to be blessed with the single best closing song to a video game in “The Setup” and b) We wholeheartedly forgive you. The trio, comprised of indie-dance and house producer James Curd, Empires of the Sun guitarist Surahn Sidhu, and former Diamond Nights lead vocalist Morgan Phalen, are back with the announcement of a pending full LP release titled The Great Unknown through fledgling L.A. label Antler Records on September 18th, and brand new single “Always”. “Always” follows the forward thinking synth based framework laid down by Favored Nations’ past material, but flirts more tenderly with numerous funk-inspired sonic elements including a bit of Nile Rodgers tipping guitar licks and padded disco strings to unveil yet another, more mature corner of their songwriting abilities. We’ve been waiting patiently for new material from Favored Nations’ holy triumvirate for just under two years now, and we’ll happily consume “Always” ad nauseum until more trickles out of their camp. Until then, stream “Always” above.

[Nu-Disco/Synth-Pop] Dim Sum – High Love

Posted by Matthew Bloss - June 17, 2015

Dim Sum
High Love

Soundcloud

Nothing says Summer quite like a breezy disco cut, and today French duo Dim Sum have come through with a buoyant, pop slathered take on one of our favorite warm weather mediums. After the recent release of their Coucou Disco EP and taking on remix duties for the likes of Odesza, and Foster the People; Dim Sum have reeled us in yet again with “High Love”. Featuring a skittering topline synth that breaks like beach waves, punchy four-four kick and a soaring vocal track, “High Love” plays like a Summer rooftop groover steeped in sophisticated melody. It’s always great to come across a young music project whose sound and concept is already intact, and Dim Sum will surely be on the TMN radar as their releases continue to drop. “High Love” will receive a June 29th release on French imprint Soundress, but until then, get your kicks here at TMN with a stream above.