Latest Synth-pop Posts

[Indie/Rock] Wild Beasts – Woebegone Wanderers II

Posted by Weston Pagano - April 26, 2015

Wild Beasts
Woebegone Wanderers II

Contrary to what their name evokes, Wild Beasts continue to be some of the smoothest and softest songsmiths around with unreleased track ‘Woebegone Wanderers II,’ which was premiered on Jon Hopkins Radio 1 this week.

Recorded around the time of their last release, Present Tense, which was quietly one of the best albums of 2014, the song is a continuation of ‘Woebegone Wanderers’ which appeared on the British group’s debut Limbo, Panto way back in 2008.

After gently swirling around the space in your head in that signature brooding Wild Beasts style for around two minutes, ‘Woebegone Wanderers II’ dissolves into echoing glitter for the final third, floating off until you inevitably drag it back down for yet another listen.

[Indie Pop] Ryn Weaver – The Fool

Posted by Sara Natkins - April 23, 2015

Ryn Weaver
The Fool

Stream Only

If your ears haven’t come across Ryn Weaver’s latest release off of her forthcoming 11-track album, The Fool, then it’s time for you all to listen up. Only two weeks ago, Weaver exposed the album’s title track, “The Fool,” which truly introduces listeners to Ryn’s abilities as a vocalist.

Deviating far away from her sound in “OctaHate,” Weaver invites you into her mind, letting all guards down, allowing you to get intimate with her doubts and imperfections when it comes to relationships. The lyrics are centered around the idea that she is more prone to messing up a relationship while she is deeply conflicted with the desire to make it last.

Paralleled with the idea that a lover doesn’t know what he’s signing up for when getting involved with her, Ryn throws listeners off by entering the song with unheard of deep vocals that have “independent woman” written all over them. But naturally, she throws another curve ball during the chorus when she suddenly shifts the deep pitch to one that reaches incredible heights.

With Passion Pit’s Michael Angelakos and the brilliant Benny Blanco as co-producers, “The Fool” is nothing short of stunning. If you’re as excited about Weaver’s album release as we are, make sure to jump on the pre-order!

[Pop] MONAKR – Calling Out

Posted by Jake Balbes - April 22, 2015

MONAKR
Calling Out

Soundcloud

A new project out of Chicago entitled MONAKR brings together Saam Hagshenas and Jonathan Marks of Hey Champ, two time Grammy-nominated vocalist Matthew Santos, and Dan Brunelle of Gemini Club. This major collaborative effort began just a few months ago with the release of ‘Diamond‘, set to be featured on their debut EP due June 16th. After following up with an impressive remix of RAC‘s ‘Cheap Sunglasses‘, the four-piece has now released the title-track, ‘Calling Out’ to the masses. It’s a balanced tune with a chorus sure to circulate. This supergroup will continue to test their limits and grow stronger with every passing stage. Be on the lookout for more details on their EP soon.

Synth-pop

[Video] Rose Quartz – Leaving Now

Posted by Matthew Bloss - April 21, 2015

Way back in December, we featured the aurally consuming synth-pop single from Rose Quartz “Leaving Now”, while today we finally got our hands on the Denver based four-piece’s accompanying visual piece. Rose Quartz recently wrapped on a nation spanning tour with Generationals, so as they’ve caught a brief window of down time, we were gifted with a lovely music video. The video features separate points of view between a feuding couple, complete with baroque and glittery imagery to accompany “Leaving Now” superlatively. Check it out below.

[Indie/Electro-Pop] Autumn in June – Hours [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - April 21, 2015

Autumn In June
Hours

Soundcloud

Molded in the depths of South Central Los Angeles’ tumultuous and effusive streets, Autumn in June‘s paradoxical moniker has always seemed to fit the burgeoning alt-pop artist. Whether you’re comparing the pleasantly slick indie-pop output of Autumn in June to the incredibly deep amounts of hip-hop and rap dominating the area’s musical landscape, or those syrupy sweet, reverb laden vocal incantations against what has become a hotly charged political backdrop since the late 60’s; it would be difficult to think up Autumn In June’s story for a fictitious film, let alone believe it in the real world. But fiction, Autumn is not. Behind an impressive debut EP, he’s blessed our Ninjas with an exclusive premiere for latest single “Hours”. “Hours” bends the kind of 80’s synth-pop progression that would make Martin Gore and Vince Clarke green with envy around dynamic, hip-hop tipping drums, droning guitars and even a cheerful xylophone pattern which gleams like a cracked rose through a melancholy soundscape; creating a beautiful view into Autumn in June’s artistic psyche and powerfully emotive vocals. We’re already drawing comparisons to early Devonte Hynes with a subtle, grittier edge (check out his entire soundcloud here), and you can bet we will be all hands on deck for anything else coming from the genre eschewing producer. Until then, stream “Hours” above before anyone else.

Adam Tell – Fiction In The Fire [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Michael Serratore - April 20, 2015

Adam Tell
Fiction In The Fire

Soundcloud

It’s easy for electronic pop to be given a bad rap these days, with common preconceptions of being all flash and little substance when compared to masterful displays of production that can hold their ground without any need for lyrics. And then along comes an artist like Adam Tell to turn that perception around in an instant, putting forward a solid case that words can elevate these sounds to another level beyond pure melodic obsession. That will be the story told through his Fiction EP set to release tomorrow, and who better than Fox Stevenson’s own Cloudhead records to share it?

In the lead-up to the event, we’ve been given a taste of what’s in store with a premiere of ‘Fiction In The Fire’. As promised, you’ll find an addictive combination of Adam’s uplifting vocals together with sweeping soundscapes and glorious melodies that offer something more than what you’ll get from mainstream radio.

If you feel your previous assumptions fading, you can check out the pre-order here.

[Ethereal Pop] SLO – Shut Out Of Paradise

Posted by Brooke Ferguson - April 16, 2015

SLO
Shut Out Of Paradise

Soundcloud

E-T-H-E-R-E-A-L. That is what comes to mind when we first heard this stunning new track, Shut Out Of Paradise’, from Pop sensationalist, SLO. This emotional and physically moving track grabs hold of our every sense, permeates our flesh, and cleanses our soul to rid our body of all our tears and suppressed feelings. Produced by the wonderful Catching Flies, SLO takes this soothing instrumental and pierces our ears with her flawless, atmospheric voice and touching lyricism. It almost feels as if our mind is wrapped in a longing embrace with our heart, slowly dancing to the soft piano melodies and the ambient percussive elements that harmoniously sync together as one. In contrast to the heartbreaking lyrics, SLO gives us something to reminisce all the times we’ve had a broken love and ponder why we even allowed ourselves to be intoxicated by such madness. This contemporary pop gem will undeniably swoon you back into a lovers embrace and make you question the heartache all over again. Make sure to grab your free download now because it won’t be available come Monday!