Latest Synth-pop Posts

Schulkid – Wildest Promise ft. Valair [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - December 2, 2014

SchulKid
Wildest Promise feat. Valair

It’s easy to understand why we have some of the gifts we’ve been blessed with. All we need to do is take a peek into our family lineage to see what some of our ancestors excelled in before we easily understand how these things came to be. Valair is no different, following in the footsteps of one of his uncles who has been a part of an established accapella vocal group for years.

With influences and a heritage-based talent pool as mentioned before, it’s not hard to see how this 19 year old Belgium-born vocalist has had a heavy interest in music through the years. From the early days playing trumpet, to joining a choir at six, this youngster has had the music bug bothering him for quite some time.

Teamed up with the newly founded producer, songwriter and sketch artist Schulkid, these two have crafted quite the whimsical journey, rife with classical strings, horns, and a funky bassline. Instantly creating a charismatic musical connection, “Wildest Promise” shows a breadth in creativity between these two, showcasing the antithesis of pop-structured which ultimately provides the listener with something quirky and unique.

A few listens through, and we’ll sure you’ll agree that Valair’s soulful vocals and the delightful orchestral and tribally infused electro pop production from Schulkid leave us asking one thing – when can we hear more?

[Denver Giveaway] Mansions on the Moon – 11/21 – Lost Lake Lounge

Posted by Matthew Bloss - November 19, 2014

Mansions On The Moon
Don't Tell

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If you’ve been a regular reader of TMN for the past few years, months or even weeks, then there is a very likely chance that you’ve noticed our unwavering affection for L.A. alt-pop constructors Mansions on the Moon. We’ve been there in some capacity for just about every release and live performance from Ted Wendler & Co. since their inception, and as MotM is scheduled to return to Denver this Friday night at Lost Lake Lounge, we had to offer yet another chance to join us in an intimate concert setting. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader through our always simple and streamlined e-mail list; and if entering your electronic mail address doesn’t sound like the most difficult task, then take your shot below. We’ll be picking our winner by 12:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) on the day of the show, so be sure to get your entries in sooner than later. And for those bringing your entire group of friends, or just aren’t the gambling type, Lost Lake is running a special 2 for 1 ticket special for today only. Listen to “Don’t Tell” from Mansions on the Moon above and don’t be left behind on what has been one of our most anticipated Denver of the year.

There are a few rules, of course:
– The event is all ages (16+) so tell your friends!
– You are responsible for your own transportation.
– You must bring a valid form of ID to pick up your tickets at the Lost Lake door.
-You must find a TMN representative and let them buy you a shot (or soda for our under-agers)

[Synth-Pop] Lincoln Jesser – Golden

Posted by Matthew Bloss - November 18, 2014

Lincoln Jesser
Golden

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Lincoln Jesser has been quietly enticing much of the staff here at TMN over the course of the past few years. From singles steeped in supremely catchy, thought out production structures to a cohesive and accessible debut LP, Modern Color; it’s safe to say we’ve carved out a bit of a soft spot for the So-Cal synth modulator. As a result, every time we’re sent a new lush pop composition from LJ, it more than piques our interest and never fails to deliver an earful of sonic beauty. “Golden”, Jesser’s latest tune finds the young producer in one of the most enlightened stretches of a brief music career, with Jesser’s crooning vocals sounding more polished and directed than ever before -even amongst a deft amount splicing, chopping, and layering. Musically, “Golden” borrows tonality from a multitude of unexpected genres; a swelling, pitched down bass line offers shades of U.K. jack and club-house while a rich, warm pop base lacquers the movement with more than enough unique accessibility to shine amongst what has become an influx of a formulaic avalanche’s worth of stabs at the revivalist genre. One thing this writer has always associated with Jesser has been: “refreshing”. And that’s once again how “Golden” lays on our palate.

[Indie-Pop/Shoegaze] Day Wave – Nothing At All

Posted by Matthew Bloss - November 12, 2014

Day Wave
Nothing At All

Soundcloud

L.A. synth-poppers Carousel have long been a darling of more than a few writers here at TMN. So when one-half of that project, lead vocalist and melody mutator Jackson Philips, came forth with his newest solo project Day Wave, we approached it with fairly high expectations. Fortunately, Day Wave’s debut single “Nothing At All” comes armed with as much polish and enlightened instrumentation as anything he’s done with Carousel. Gone however, is the gadgetry structured pop-wave sounds in favor of a much more lo-fi indie approach; relying mostly on a more live sounding recording technique. A lightly picked lead guitar, live drums, a more deliberate, masculine approach to his vocal track and a slightly more introspective, pensive weight applied to his lyrics shape Day Wave’s backbone, at least from this first single. Philips has certainly set the bar high with Day Wave’s first release, and we’re pretty damn eager to hear what else is brought out under his companionless handle.

Goldroom – Till Sunrise (White Cliffs Remix) [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Brooke Ferguson - November 12, 2014

Goldroom X White Cliffs
Till Sunrise

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As we continue to effortlessly drift along these soothing Wednesday waves, we can’t help but sink into an ethereal realm of mystical melodies and heavenly vibes all thanks to a new TMN favorite, White Cliffs. After blowing us away with his chilled out rendition of We Are Twin’s, “True Love”, we could not help but cling onto his comforting cliffs that have given us leverage to soar into the clouds. Now that we’ve spent sometime hanging on the ledge that separates us from our dreams and reality, we have been anxiously awaiting to return to the land of solace. Well ninjas, you might want to grab your wings because today we are about to embark on an ethereal journey to a place where the sun kisses every inch or your bare skin and leaves you in a freckled state of pure ecstasy. This time around, our edgy friend decided to re-work the majestic gem, “Till Sunrise” by a long-time favorite, Goldroom, and it’s everything we couldn’t possibly ever imagine.

My dreams are always a world away
I’d be living a lie if I didn’t say
That night I wished for you to stay
Till sunrise

The moment we pressed play, we instantly felt as if we had just discovered our purpose in life in which we unintentionally found ourselves vicariously through these enticing melodies. Filled with an alarming amount of ambient elements, glorious synth leads, caressing vibes, and peacefully reverberated vocals, White Cliffs transforms this Goldroom song into a spiritual cleanse of a lifetime. This remix serves as a metaphorical guide for all of us on this lifelong journey to nowhere, and now we can finally take some time to escape to our inner paradise and reflect on our very existence. We are extremely fortunate to have gotten this opportunity to share the latest from White Cliffs in the form of a premiere and we guarantee you’ll swoon yourself into a state of trance like we have, so press play and float along these frequencies till sunrise. Make sure to grab your free download while you’re at it….there’s no way you can escape the repeat button on this gem.

[Synth-Pop] Fantastic Fantastic – The Night [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - November 11, 2014

Fantastic Fantastic
The Night

Soundcloud

Fantastic Fantastic may be a relatively unknown entity at the moment; but their lush, crepuscular take on synth driven pop melodies carries a maturity far beyond what their now modest catalog of releases would suggest. Comprised of Kris & Micke, the London based duo’s latest single “The Night” bends a poppy, upbeat vocal inflection around a sea of modulated synthesizer -no doubt pulled from their envious Antonelli MIDI– that Kavinsky may even be a little green over; fostering a welcome contrast between Fantastic Fantastic’s vocal and instrumentation. While “The Night” may only be the pair’s third single under the Fantastic Fantastic moniker, it’s clear their chemistry shines through a developed production sense already more so than some of the “synth-pop persuasion’s” most notable acts, and we were chomping at the bit to premiere this one today; which also just so happens to coincide quite serendipitously with the arctic chill that has swept through this writer’s hometown of Denver. We’ll surely keep our wonderful TMN readership updated as the Globally tinged duo glides seamlessly over decades and borders as their bio would suggest, but for now, stream Fantastic Fantastic’s “The Night” above before anyone else has the chance.

[Dream Pop] Satchmode – Hall and Oates

Posted by Brooke Ferguson - November 5, 2014

Satchmode
Hall & Oates

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When this song first popped up in my inbox, I couldn’t help but stop what I was doing so I could give my undivided attention to this heart warming, Indie-Pop gem from Satchmode. With a title like “Hall and Oates”, it’s almost inevitable that this Los Angeles band will make your dreams come true (see what I did there?).

“Hall and Oates” is filled with dreamy synths, delicate harmonies, and easily the most intoxicating lyrics since the year of Adele and “Someone Like You”. No, really. This song is ideally one of the most catchy, dancey, and depressing tunes I’ve come across in quite some time. From the very moment you press play, you’ll instantly reminisce about that one relationship where you loved so passionately and so deeply but eventually fell out of love and could never get it back. We’ve all been there and it sucks. Satchmode gives us those heart-wrenching memories through their enticing melodies and emotional words to which we can’t help but flood our mind with these toxic memories. If this doesn’t hit you straight in the feels, then you probably haven’t been heartbroken to this extent before. “Hall and Oates” is available for free download, so grab this one before you blindly call your ex to tell them how much you miss them.