Latest Synth-pop Posts

[Indie Electronic] Gnash – lil tokyo (disposable)

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - February 11, 2015

gnash
lil tokyo (disposable)

Gnash is most known as of late for his coffee shop rendition of O.T. Genasis’ “CoCo,” but he is back with a brand new and equally airy original, “lil tokyo (disposable).” The tune actually kicks off with a disposable camera charge and click sample, and then jumps right into the lush keys as Gnash leads a hook that will be stuck in your head after the first listen.

Straddling a line between pop and hip-hop, this tune holds an intricate balance between the two genres, and, while its message of truly moving on is one we’ve heard previously, the tangible example of a disposable camera makes for a thought provoking comparison. Gnash hits a flawless medium here with his comforting delivery and you can easily feel the emotion behind this tune. Don’t expect to listen to this and not catch any feelings, because this tune is filled to brim with them. We all need that at some point, and Gnash gives us a superb song to explore them with.

[Indie Pop] Mike Taylor – Body High

Posted by Brooke Ferguson - February 4, 2015

MIKE TAYLOR
Body High

Soundcloud

Hot damn do we have a killer track for you from Mike Taylor, ninjas. Not only will you break a sweat from simply listening to this, but you’ll be on cloud 9 for the rest of your night just dancing in a euphoric world. The Indie-Pop enthusiast just rocked our world with his killer new original, “Body High”, which honestly speaks for itself.

The moment we pressed that play button, we literally transcended into an entirely new state of mind with this ‘should-be-on-the-radio-everywhere’ kind of track. With its head-bobbing, funky, electrifying resonance, Mike Taylor revives our souls and brings us all back to life. If you’re feeling even the slightest bit lethargic today, then you’ll want to press play on this one and get yourself back on track. We’re still on our body high from earlier today, so kick start yours as we slide into our evening night shift. Get your copy of “Body High” today on iTunes.

[Synth-Pop/Indie-Dance] Karl Kling – Careful

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 3, 2015

Karl Kling
Careful

Buy

Currently stationed in the Northwestern paradise that is Portland, OR; heavy RAC collaborator and former member (before RAC dropped to just André Allen Anjos), Karl Kling has been paying careful attention (get it?) to his impressive solo project more and more as of late. And good thing too, because Kling’s latest single “Careful” would just have felt a bit out of place under the RAC banner. “Careful” taps into Karl Kling’s indie-rock influences more than his dance-poppy body of work would indicate, while also featuring the man himself laying down every breathy inch of vocal expanse along the way. These elements while simple on paper, are wound beautifully, resulting in a sticky sweet tune that will loop in your subconscious from the moment it plays. “Careful” is the second track from an upcoming debut LP out later this spring on March 3rd via Ghost Beach’s Crazy Heart Records, which we’ll be consuming the moment it drops. Hear “Careful” above.

[Electronic] Chelsea Lankes – Down For Whatever (Carousel Remix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 3, 2015

Chelsea Lankes
Down For Whatever (Carousel Remix)

Soundcloud

L.A. via Texas pop vocalist Chelsea Lankes has most recently been permeating radio and blog waves with her latest single “Down For Whatever”. While the original is your proto-typical pop sound of modern day youth and the eager desire to live in the moment, another pair of L.A. inhabitants, and a duo whom has grown near and dear to our hearts over the years, Carousel, injects new life within Lankes’ original. Rather than follow an airy synth-pop blueprint as one might have expected from the former Berklee students, Carousel walks “Down For Whatever” into a two-step drum pattern and weighty synths, dipping into deeper, late night harkening instrumentation. We love seeing this more aphotic side of Jackson Philips and Kevin Friedman’s constantly evolving project, and here’s to hoping we get some more of that brooding take on pop from their machine filled studio in the near future. Stream Carousel’s “Down For Whatever” remix above.

[Electro-Soul/Synth-Pop] Coleman Hell – 2 Heads

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 2, 2015

Coleman Hell
2 Heads

Soundcloud

Back in early December we featured the stellar debut EP, VENA, from Toronto based Coleman Hell, which if you read our review, we were gushing over. Today, the versatile producer has returned with a new single “2 Heads”, and has introduced yet another alternate glimpse into an impressive production psyche. “2 Heads” most notably takes its cues from a twangy, reverb steeped banjo line, which rests itself nicely on top of Coleman Hell’s smooth vocal track and an airy, melodious synth-pop backdrop. “2 Heads” is the first track we’ve had the pleasure of hearing in advance of a debut LP, Srry Bout Last Nite, so we’ll be tuned in as Coleman Hell’s latest album develops. Until then, get your Coleman Hell fix above.

[Indie Electronic] Diveliner – Visit 1

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - February 1, 2015

Diveliner
Visit 1

Soundcloud

First off, I just want to say that “Indie Electronic” is a broad generalization for this tune, because it’s much more than that. Music that eschews traditional labels always prove to be the most intriguing, and “Visit 1” delivers on this exact premise. Diveliner is kicking off a new album, DS01 with this hazy, autotune focused track that would easily be right at home on Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Oddly upbeat synths contrast the longing of the cello and rumble of the monstrous drums as Diveliner’s warbly vocals dance alongside the production with a wistful nature akin to that of Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.

There’s an intangible quality of this tune that draws you in, and it may only be two minutes long, but it feels much longer and developed than that. “Visit 1” is quite the departure from the previous three songs on his SoundCloud, so DS01 could result in just about anything at this point. Hopefully this dreamy soundscape carries on throughout the record, because this a wonderful first taste of what’s to come. Catch the accompanying video also.

[Synth-Pop] Phoebe Ryan – Mine

Posted by Matthew Bloss - January 29, 2015

Phoebe Ryan
Mine

Soundcloud

Former songwriter turned indie-pop darling Phoebe Ryan burst onto many a critic’s radar with a blog-chart smashing, celestially delicate vocal mashup of R. Kelly’s “Ignition” with Miguel’s “Do You”. Luckily for us, the L.A. via New Jersey solo-crooner returns with a debut original recording, “Mine”. “Mine” plays like a buoyant parcel of vocal driven indie-pop, backed by a warm expanse of synth chords and a captivating hook; resulting in a tune we can envision soundtracking long night drives, blissful dance floors and heavy makeout sessions. As Phoebe Ryan continues to fine tune an already mature pop sound, we’ll continue to dive headfirst into the rising artist’s catalog. Stream “Mine” above.