We receive a lot of music here at the blog. Like a lot a lot. So we’ve fallen to a simple metric as to whether or not we write about a song. Does it click on an undeniable gut level? Does it feel like a “well, duh, yeah of course” to us? “I’m At A Loss” is such a song (obviously because we’re writing about it) and we bring up our process because undeniable is a perfect way to describe this flawless slice of synthpop from Alta Falls. As effortlessly perfect as anything the Pet Shop Boys or Erasure cranked it just feels right as rain and as natural as dancing in said rain.
July 1, 2022
Friday 5×5
Another Friday means another five word reviews of five tracks so good they don’t need more than that. The proof is in the pudding not in the pudding label y’know? Check out these creamy sweet treats by Moemaw Naedon & C. Scott, Tacono Gate, Katy Guillen & The Drive, Norman Lake and The Healthy People.
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February 24, 2022
The B-Side: Loren Beri
It’s always exciting when Loren Berí (Met City, Gardendale & Berkley) has a new project and his latest solo release is no exception. “My Brooklyn” finds Berí trading in his former orchestrally influenced indie leanings for a decidedly more synth driven approach and to great effect, taking more than a few steps into a sound not unlike LCD Soundsystem. It’s hard not to make a comparison with that particular on again, off again, break up and then have a residency project as the lyrics of “My Brooklyn” focus on NYC and explore the same kind of juxtaposition of detached satire and vulnerable emotion that James Murphy built into a brand, but that is not to say that Berí doesn’t make it his own. While this song could very easily occupy the same art school dance party playlist as LCD, the sense of melody and composition is uniquely Berí, with his baroque pop DNA breathing between the electro beats and bubbling underneath the synth lines. It’s a catchy ode to Brooklyn that is both celebration and critique and has us excited for the rest of the debut release Stray Cat Kingdom coming out later this year.
January 20, 2022
The B-Side: Instant Smile
If you have a deep affinity for synthy side of 80’s alternative like we do, then there’s probably no more appropriate band name in existence than Instant Smile. Be still our art school dance party hearts! “Love’s Petri Dish” sounds like a lost early Depeche Mode classic, back when Dave and the boys weren’t quite as glum. Don’t get us wrong, we like the glum stuff too( which is apparent to anyone who has spent much time on our site), but this is a blurpy, blippy ray of sunshine for people who don’t spend much time in actual sunshine. We’ll always love a love song for the outsiders, and this is no exception. Instant smile indeed.
March 13, 2021
We Never Asked For This
Our inbox blooms because (Jeff Goldblum voice) new music…uh…finds a way. Check out new tunes from Nisa, Phantom Wave, Real Kevin, Rory Ryan, Souls in Motion, elsa kennedy, Phaeic, Brig Aurora, Vision Video and OK Cool.
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February 22, 2021
The B-Side: Ian Deaton
A Devo style electropunk banger about a serial killer experiencing a crisis of conscience, “An Immoral Brain” from Atlanta film composer Ian Deaton is a killer in its own right. Kick off your week with this absolutely perfect synthrock dance anthem dedicated to not murdering people, and do your best to do the same.
February 19, 2021
Friday 5×5
Today we have new music from Delespin, Meet Me On Saturn, Robert Connely Farr, SHEEPLE and Flippin.
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February 15, 2021
The B-Side: Eden and Me
Like most of the country, we are dealing with some serious winter weather here at PE headquarters, but thanks to Eden and Me, we’re turning our snow day into a pajama dance party. “One Day (Maybe Tomorrow)” is a perfect slice of synthpop. with dreamy vocals floating through a sea of steadily percolating synths. It’s light, it’s optimistic and it’s here to get you through the final push to spring.