Clare Easdown - Not Ready To Die

Not Ready To Die - Clare Easdown (Dream Pop) Today we’re treated to the latest from Clare Easdown, an artist frequently featured on this blog, with her most avant-garde track we have reviewed to date. In “Not Ready To Die”, Clare brings her new wave sensibilities to a meditative chant that proclaims she is not ready to give up, yet still immersed in melancholy. Though we’ve said it before, the timbre and tone of Clare’s voice reminds us a lot of Mel C, and in this track Clare is at the peak of vulnerability—her voice a fragile soprano floating above the fray and swirling in the reverb. As with the other tracks from Clare we have had the fortune to review, “Not Ready To Die” is another track that is poetry to music.

Best Lyric: “Although the end is in sight, I’m holding on tight.”

KØASH - Somebody

Somebody - KØASH (Pop) In their latest track, "Somebody,” KØASH delivers an uptempo dance bop flush with 80s synth wave vibes. Overall, the sound reminds us a lot of the Weeknd’s recent work, and we think it would slide very easily into today’s Top 40. Centered by a strong vocal performance, the production is lush with glistening synth keys and a driving bass that kicks off from the first second—from the moment you hit play on “Somebody”, the train hass already left the station. The melody, showcasing a falsetto as clear and pure as a bell, is extremely sing-along-able (if you can hit those notes) and is ceratinly an earworm with staying power. We think this is the perfect jam for your happy hour or pre-game playlist, it’ll certainly get you moving.

Best Lyric: “It’s a cycle that we can’t break, but I wouldn’t say a mistake.”

Illuzions - Back & Forth

Back & Forth - Illuzions (House) Illuzions’ latest track, “Back & Forth” is simply a must for DJs gigging this summer. What we have here is a straight up dance floor track, full of all the rises and falls and the swirly melancholy of moody synths with a lilting vocal performance expected of today’s club tracks. It’s also one of those songs that would feel right at home on a chillwave playlist, and one that would grab your attention for a Shazaam when popping up on a daily music mix. The lead vocalist shines on this record, at times giving us some Dua Lipa vibes but with much, much more of an ethereal touch. The production really pumps—a crisp production with some brilliant FX touches that enhance, not distract, from the overall vibe of the track. There’s no reason to not hear this one everywhere while bar and club hopping this summer.

Elina Filice - Don't Let Me Fall

Don’t Let Me Fall - Elina Filice (Pop) Elina Filice’s “Don’t Let Me Fall” is a quite a bop, what more can we say. While maintaining a modern sensibility, the track has a retro appeal which gives it a timeless quality—there’s no expiration date on this record. Delivering emotive and passionate Top 40 worthy vocals, Elina reminds us a bit of Duffy’s “Mercy” complimented brilliantly by an instrumental that gives us that alt rock/pop feeling of the late 90s. Led by a driving kick and an infectious little psychedelic guitar lick, the compliment of 90s house snare hits help this crossover track slide into dance club territory—we could certainly envision a bevy of dance remixes to “Dont Let Me Fall.” Overall, this is a record you’d expect to find on any “Indie Artist Spotlight” list.

Best Lyric: “I swear I’ll jump if you don’t love me, promise I’ll die if you’re not here.”

Karmic Neighborhood - I Don't Want To Walk Away (radio remix)

I Don’t Want To Walk Away (radio remix) - Karmic Neighborhood (Easy Listening) Karmic Neighborhood’s latest track is an easy-breezy one, a mid tempo trot that you can’t help but shimmy to. The song is distinguished by the strength of the lead vocal performance. Intimate and close, perfectly balanced into the mix, the vocal is left mostly untouched by modern day vocal tricks, leaving the performer to shine on their own. The added backgrounds give a lushness, especially towards the end, which crescendo into quite the finale. Overall, the track is very sing-along-able—the chorus in particular is quite the earworm—and the production is crisp and clean. Smile inducing for sure, this track would sit nicely on your work from home playlist, delivering good vibes and a calm to lighten your day.

Best Lyric: “I gave you a flower from a tree, that’s how we met.”

Viscula - When I Go To Find You

When I Go To Find You - Viscula (Pop) As soon as the house keys start on Viscula’s “When I Go To Find You”, you know you’re about to be spun around the dance floor. The song has a bright and sunny feel, mostly delivered by the light touch of the verbed guitar, injecting a summer haze that makes this track a great addition to any outdoor tea dance. The song takes some interesting turns with a few unexpected chord progressions, which keep the listener on their toes, as well as some unexpected instrumentation that help give the track uniqueness. Overall, the song is most defined by its build—the constant addition of new and more complex instrumentals as the lilting soprano vocalist soars over the track—and the carefreeness coming from the close of the record where the piano is given free range to just jam. This one’s for a daytime outdoor dance.

Jay Roecker - Electronic Symphonic (LP)

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.

Alan Dreezer - 99 Percent

99 Percent - Alan Dreezer (Pop) The early-90s are calling with Alan Dreezer’s 99 Percent, ready for all your retro-tinged playlists. The song is bookended by a phone call/voicemail scene, starting with an apology from a former lover and ending with a full inbox, which gives a great structure and completion of storytelling to the track. In the middle of this sandwich, Alan tells the listener that he’s over her, by just about 99%. That message is delivered with Alan’s silky baritone, carrying the song with little of today’s modern vocal tricks, only using the occasional background and layering to let the strength of his performance do all of the work. The song has great 90s crossover R&B vibe complete with a motown style chant and a funk guitar driving the song along. It’s a classic sounding song with great movement, one we know you’ll be singing along with.

Best Lyric: “I still taste your scent”

Adik Angel - Saved Time (Remix)

Saved Time (Remix) - Adik Angel (EDM) In the Saved Time (Remix), Adik Angel delivers an EDM instrumental that conjures images of summer sun and outdoor tea dance. As with the original, the song is driven by spunky guitar plucks—a very current trend—punctuated with a verbed vocal effect. Importantly, Adik continues to introduce new musical elements to keep the listener engaged. Our favorite moment is when the guitar plucks handoff to a more bluesy, verbed guitar that really leans on a descending melodic progression, before handing it back off to the plucky guitar, whose line gets more and more complex. Poppy and fresh, Adik Angel’s “Saved Time (Remix)” is a must have for DJs, especially for summer rooftop and beach dance parties.

Chris Bloom - Frames

Bloom - Chris Bloom (R&B) Chris Bloom’s new track “Bloom” pulls off quite the hat trick. There’s a retro R&B sensibility to it, and yet everything about it is incredibly current—from the crystal clear, front and center vocals, to the introductory sung verse that almost feels more like a rap flow than a traditional lead vocal. The instrumentation is gorgeous, from the “Blackhole Sun” reminiscent verb guitar to the surprising church organ, and that’s just in the first part of this multi-layered track. Because before long we kick it into full R&B in a completely unexpected turn that makes the track incredibly engaging, with our new soundscape providing a sparse but effective production in service of the main event—Chris’s incredible vocals. The backgrounds and ear candy effects are also light touch, but when done, incredibly effective. This is one of our favorite tracks to date, and we can guarantee you’ll feel the same.

Best Lyric: “Knock it out like a ball game, put me up in the hall of fame.”

Sadie Nix - Tell Me

Tell Me - Sadie Nix (Pop) There’s a Gaga “Shallow” feel to Sadie Nix’s Tell Me, particularly in the chorus. It’s certainly similar in that it’s an anthemic power ballad with a cinematic feel, evoking the pop-rock ballads of the 90s and early 00s. We could definitely hear this one on the charts next to “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” if you catch our drift. Sadie’s vocals are strong, feeling like a pleasant hybrid of Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus, and chock full of passion. We specifically love the chord progressions backing Sadie, and the understated nature of the instrumental overall that leaves the vocal right out in front. Few production tricks are employed here, letting the song rest on the strength of the vocalist. Tell Me is just perfect for karaoke, that’s for sure, having a very sing-along-able chorus. This is one you belt along with in your car.

Best Lyric: “When the whiskey’s gone and so are you.”

LJ Smooth - All In

All In - LJ Smooth (R&B) With All In, LJ Smooth delivers a silky smooth R&B gem about wanting reciprocation from the one he is falling in love with. The soundscape is that delicious late 90s/early 00s crossover R&B, with crisp percussion cutting through a lush, vibey guitar riff and a sprinkling of keys. The record brings us back to the days of Joe or Mario, with the slight pushes of tuning on the vocal that dips the song ever so slightly into T-Pain waters, especially in the chorus. Our favorite part of the track is definitely the switch up in verse 2, where the EQ slides starts a warping effect that really helps break up the song. This one is a certified hip winder, and we recommend adding it to your commute playlist.

Best Lyric: “I just wanna fall asleep while talking.”

ET Reed - Directions

Directions - ET Reed (Rap) ET Reed has a dream and a mission, and she needs to shed some dead weight that threatens to hold her back in Directions. It’s such a mature realization for a voice that sounds so innocent. This is the plight of the artist—as you rise, so many you relied on will fall to the side. What we really enjoy about this track is the vulnerability. ET Reed isn’t yelling at those who failed her to get lost, instead there’s a somber melancholy of bittersweet epiphany and disappointment. That vibe is exemplified by the warm lofi track, which loops hauntingly as ET Reed’s understated vocal pours straight from the heart. Intentionally over-tuned, combined with the natural innocence of her voice, it creates a smooth, ASMR-like experience. All this combined, Directions pulls the listener in, and then connects with a raw exploration of the inevitable disappointment of growing apart.

Best Lyric: “Shit I lost my mind, let alone my temper.”

Merunisa - Countin' Sheep

Countin’ Sheep - Merunisa (R&B) Merunisa delivers a lofi R&B gem with Countin’ Sheep, a warm and fuzzy track that will circle your brain much like those sheep. Versatility is the first word that comes to mind when describing Merunisa’s vocal performance—soulful sung leads paired with an attitude tinged flow debuting in the second verse, putting her in the same vein as early Alicia Keys and classic Lauryn Hill. Countin’ Sheep is one of those rainy day coffee house jams, giving a vinyl warmth with beautiful lilting keys cut by a steady snare. 90s love abounds with some classic backspin/scratch effects along with that “Here Comes The Hotstepper” vocal call out effect. We miss the days when these smooth crossover R&B jams would crowd the Top 40, and there’s no reason Merunisa’s Countin’ Sheep shouldn’t be doing the same.

Best Lyric: “Blinded by your love, blinded by mistakes. Trying to move on, but I’m losing this race.”

Jimmy de la Mar - You Know

You Know - Jimmy de la Mar ([Retro Pop]) It’s a return to the late 80s with Jimmy de la Mar’s “You Know”—a Rick Astley-esque production of crossover funk that utilizes all those classic synth sounds primed to bring you back to the days of neon clothes and shoulder pads. With a beautiful melding of disco and motown sensibilities on top of a lush and driving instrumental, Jimmy is giving us a straight jam session, complete with those classic synthetic horns and strings, as well as a boatload of 80s ear candy effects. Our favorite part of the entire affair is for sure the little bell hits during the chorus, just a small touch that really elevates the track. Add this one to your retro playlists, or to any collection you rely on to spin yourself around on the dance floor.

KINGA - Something's Gotta Give

Something’s Gotta Give - KINGA (Disco) Kinga serves a retro affair with Something’s Gotta Give, delivering an early 80s style of pop anthem with a good number of 70s disco callbacks buried within. Vocally, KINGA is strong. His falsetto definitely evokes the Bee Gees, while when in his lower register we get pure George Michael—especially when layered in the chorus and pre-chorus. With that said, the track feels like it would fit right at home with Wham!. Tinges of nostalgia abound in the instrumental, the bouncing synth lead gives moments of Sweet Dreams while the percussion delivers some delightful disco claps. All in all, KINGA displays that he knows his references quite well, delivering a record that could stand shoulder to shoulder with them on the pop charts of yesteryear, and spin you on the dance floor to boot.

Best Lyric: “You have a gift that you can use.”