PHOTO: Evie McNeil
Electronic Symphonic (LP) - Jay Roecker (Synth Pop) With Electronic Symphonic, Jay Roecker delivers a versatile, eclectic and well-sequenced album heavy on the 80s synth pop references but with more than meets the eye. His sophomore album, Jay puts both vulnerability and introspection on display, often to high octane, club-ready productions.
Overall, the album is thoughtfully produced, as if every track could be a radio single. It is complex and always delivers something unique. We have found that synthwave albums can often fall into the trap of sameness throughout the project, a wall of big synth sounds that never gives the listener time to breathe. Not so with Electronic Symphonic, which loses its predictability with each new track, delivering a pleasant surprise behind every corner.
Before digging into the specific tracks, we should take a moment to praise Jay Roecker’s vocal performance and production. A strong, resonant baritone, Jay’s voice is commanding yet emotive. His layering techniques are top notch and his understanding of counterpoint and weaving in multiple musical phrases is what elevates this entire project into Top 40 territory—which decade depending on the song.
The album begins with reverence for 80s synth pop. Pour On Me, the remix of which we had the privilege to review previously, evokes New Order’s True Faith, and we defy you to not think this was a chart topper of the 80s. It’s a perfect introduction to Jay’s world—a straight up anthem.
The House and A New Day For You complete the introductory trio of 80s-styled songs. The former, which is given the remix treatment later in the album to put the bittersweet song to a more uptempo and modern club beat, has the standout lyrics of the entire project, and is a prime example of Jay’s masterful vocal layering. The complexity of the instrumental adds a richness to the track, our favorite part being the twinkling keys which add a goosebumps factor. It also displays a mounting bridge of callbacks to prior musical motifs throughout the song which puts Jay’s musicality on full display.
The House then seamlessly transitions into A New Day For You, and helps distinguish that “loud wall of synth” sound we mentioned above with great level cuts that keep listeners engaged.
Sus is a surprisingly modern song considering what has come before. While certainly synth pop inspired, the track feels more like a recent Weeknd number, say Blinding Lights. Complete with a catchy hook and a title using modern slang, this is the one to lead Electronic Symphonic’s marketing and promotion for sure. Further ahead on the album, Thicker Than Blood is also extremely modern and radio friendly, with an incredible guest vocalist VALIMOOR helping craft a real “get your lighters out” 80s/90s inspired pop ballad. The synth-guitar line is an earworm and in addition to showing off Jay’s versatility in soundscapes, there’s just something special about this one. This track feels at home with the album’s slight nod to R&B on the Let’s Run Away Together (Remix), which reminds us of Apologize by Timbaland and OneRepublic.
Don’t Give Up On Love (The Perry Twins Mix) takes us to the dark, after hours nightclub with a track made for club DJs, with Mi Amor / I Have A Dream pivoting us back to the 80s inspirations with an immediately recognizable synth sound from Running Up That Hill. Considering the resurgence of that Kate Bush classic thanks to Stranger Things, we also recommend pushing Mi Amor.
Finally, Electronic Symphonic and covers Chances Are (Johnny Mathis) and My Way (Frank Sinatra) display a much more theatrical side to Jay. The former has a very jazzy feel, evoking a speakeasy with the verbed keys and R&B drumkit, only going back to the synthwave sound in the choruses. The covers are done with a classic songbook flare, with My Way serving as a perfect curtain call to the record.
While certainly a synthwave album, Jay Roecker’s Electronic Symphonic does much more than time travel. With modern twists and surprising left turns, the album is an excellent example of musicality, mixed genre referencing and eclectic style.