Dust and conflict meet stylish pop… The latest offering from the Cult With No Name camp marks the electronic duo’s twelfth album following on from 2023’s X Into I, continuing an impressive catalogue of work that encompasses a knack for … Read More

A year in music… 2023 saw a good combination of legacy acts and new outfits delivering some amazing music across the year. It was also a period in which electronic music was given another opportunity to demonstrate how broad a … Read More

Liminal pop promises… The “magickal pop perfection” that debut album Mercurial (see TEC review previously) offered certainly put Elisabeth Elektra on the map as an artist worth keeping an eye on. In an interview for TEC at the time, the … Read More

Emotional electronic pop… When OMD originally reformed, it was important for both Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey that any new album could not simply be some half-hearted pastiche of their former glories. Consequently, each of the post-reformation albums, 2010’s History … Read More

Evocative dreampop perfection… The career path of Slowdive has taken some strange directions since the shoegaze originally outfit formed in 1989. The band had sprung to life via childhood friends Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell, with Christian Savill, Nick Chapin … Read More

Christmas classics reimagined… The name of Madil Hardis seems to pop up with some frequency. An accomplished vocalist who weaves classical and electronic elements into her work, she’s collaborated with Nature Of Wires and 80 Bubbles in the past. There’s … Read More

Sc-Fi Synth-pop with a heart… Previously, Bekimachine had turned up on the TEC radar via the New Cross Dark performances where her distinctive sound and approach (not often you’ll see an electronic musician take up a flute) marked her out … Read More

Synth-pop Wonderland. With winter looming on the horizon, an opportunity to pore over a collection of tunes – which also includes some TEC favourites of old. Whether you like your music to be euphoric pop or more reflective moments, there’s … Read More

Geodynamic pop A sense of perspective is sometimes a necessary thing to appreciate a body of work. At times, its true nature may not reveal itself when exploring its individual parts. A good time then to delve into Dubstar’s new … Read More

Classic synth-pop duo serve up a new helping… Some things are just too predictable, the reaction of cynicism from some quarters that followed Soft Cells’ full return to our world after the ‘one night only’ O2 extravaganza certainly fell into … Read More

In the darkest of nights I’ll find the light… Sweden is never short of electronic pop acts and MORE represents another facet of the country’s busy and vibrant scene. Describing themselves as a band with “a retro shimmering tone and … Read More

Return to the network… The latest offering from Nature Of Wires comes in the form of a series of dark ambient pieces apparently conceived on a dreary November day in 2021. It’s a step sideways for Gary Watts’ darkwave pop … Read More

Electric dreams of different persuasion… Last year’s electronic music schedule was greatly improved by the release of the first Generation Blitz compilation album. Featuring a selection of tunes from established and upcoming acts, Dusk to Dawn (see our review) managed … Read More

Perfect dream… With lots of new music emerging during what is normally a quiet period of the year, it’s also worth switching focus to more established acts who have also been quite active during the winter period. Enter Norwegian electronic … Read More

Synth-pop dreams… As February arrives, there’s suddenly a huge input of new electronic tunes to sort through. For our latest Teclist outing, we dive into some unashamedly euphoric synth-pop. One thing that’s increasingly clear from our recent reviews is that … Read More

“The past keeps coming back because the present cannot be remembered…” There’s a very unusual provenance associated with the term “Hauntology” that stretches back to the works of French philosopher Jacques Derrida. But its more recent usage is attributed to … Read More

Pop rock moods…. Ottawa-based outfit Paragon Cause have previously demonstrated an uncanny knack for combining twilight electronics and guitar riffs to craft evocative, bittersweet musical moments. Consisting of Michelle Opthof and Jay Bonaparte, Paragon Cause’s 2020 album What We Started … Read More

Go darker… The otherworldly tonal soundscapes served up by electronic duo Gnostic Grain have a strange and often unsettling effect on the ear. There’s a sense of ambiguity lurking in the depths of their music that proves elusive to nail … Read More

Dance Pop Go Back in 2004 before forming Tenek, Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer would start work on a dance music project called Alien Six. Moving forward, the current EP, 1, now having recently been released via Bandcamp (November 2021), … Read More

Mythical snowscape moments Previously, TEC cast an eye over preston.outatime’s 2019 album Coplanar (see review), which showcased the enigmatically-named electronic artist’s captivating take on electronica. That album jumped around a lot in style and approach which included ambient (‘Semblance, Resemblance’), … Read More

Flat out of choices only broken dreams… There are times when an album jumps out at you purely on the basis of the names contributing to it. Case in point is Radio Babylon, a new album courtesy of music collective … Read More

Dreaming white and blue… Back in 2019, we were intrigued by the combination of ethereal and moody elements present on Now That I’m Real (see TEC review previously), via Fragrance. (aka Matthieu Roche). That interest was also piqued by Fragrance.’s … Read More

Space Cat Go In 2019, Spray’s album Failure Is Inevitable was one of our albums of the year, in which we summed it up as “sharp, polished electronic pop”. At the same time, the album was bursting with the wit … Read More

Strange feelings taking hold… The 1980s provided fertile ground for homegrown electronic musicians to experiment and get to grips with emerging technology. Negative Response was one such outfit, a minimal synth affair that had originally been reconstructed from the remains … Read More

The enigmatic electronic outfit return… Tin Gun are the brainchild of three established musicians who are by no means strangers to the world of electronic music and performance. They are, of course, Tim Dorney (Republica/Flowered Up), Peter Steer (Tenek/Sinestar) and … Read More

Vinyl delights… There’s not a great deal to say about the tracks on Architecture & Morality that hasn’t already been said. Most people reading this will already know that it was Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s third album, that it … Read More

Desperate love Challenged to describe the creative process behind the latest Princess Century release, Maya Postepski summed it up in our recent TEC interview: “I love pop music and it’s really hard to write good pop songs. So, this winter … Read More

Gothic pop adventures Previously shrouded in secrecy, the electro-goth duo of Dead Lights emerged in 2020 with a firm grip on brooding, muscular compositions that still had a dance beat to them. Emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic was probably not … Read More

Electropop Moments… Much of the electropop releases of recent times seem to reflect the odd and often turbulent culture that we’re currently living in. In particular, the inescapable grasp of social media which seems to be so ingrained in everyday … Read More

Utopia falls The peculiar direction that anarchic outfit Leg Puppy like to move in has seen them conjure up a strange and beguiling world in recent years. It’s a world of dark grooves, satire and social commentary that often highlights … Read More

A positive reaction to a difficult world The legendary Blitz Club provided a catalyst for many of the musical talents that were emerging in that odd crossover point between the 1970s and 1980s. Synonymous with the fashionable New Romantic movement, … Read More

Cult classic… I’m not a fan of those oh so familiar, “Why aren’t they famous?” rants so often seen when people talk of certain critically acclaimed acts who remain far below the radar for all but the most astute and … Read More

Brooding brutalism There’s a touch of hauntology at work in this oddly evocative album, with its liminal soundscapes and uniquely British sensibility. Interim Report, March 1979 comes care of record label Castles in Space, who seem keen to champion music … Read More

You are not here to conform As with many musical artists, Marina’s 2020 plans were tripped up by the Covid-19 pandemic, which sunk a scheduled Spring tour. But despite her live performance plans being kicked into the long grass, her … Read More

That’s the way to go… If there’s one thing we can count on in the busy and often uncertain modern music scene, it’s that an album by The Go! Team is inevitably going to rock up to make things better. … Read More

I come alive… Previously, electropop duo Moodbay have done an impressive turn care of solid tunes such as the synth sweeps of ‘Video Games’ and the hypnotic ‘Like Nobody Else’. Consisting of Alfie Cattell and Anna Stephens, the duo cite … Read More

adrift in an endless sea… Although it might sound a strange combination, the new release from Web Rumors brings to mind OMD meets Austra. There’s a warmth at work in the electronic foundations of ‘New Wave Heartache’ which is augmented … Read More

Synth sensuality at work The art of the cover version can be a tricky thing to pull off successfully. Radical adaptations can completely reinvent a classic song, but can also alienate people who believe covers should be a slavish copy … Read More

All the things he said… At this point, it would be churlish (“chvrlish”, even) to regard Chvrches as a smalltime band. With a catalogue of critically-acclaimed compositions in their musical arsenal, while also swiftly becoming festival favourites, it’s fair to … Read More

It’s time to level up… 2020 was a busy year for the “mannequins with emotion” as FEMM announced an upgrade of sorts from FEMM 1.0 to FEMM 2.0. This switch-up offered an evolution of the duo’s approach and style, but … Read More

Reaching for the light… Cryptic electronic outfit Tin Gun have returned with their third release ‘Devils And Angels’, continuing to demonstrate that their particularly gritty take on synth-pop is still working to great effect. Previously, the Tintagel-based band served up … Read More

March moods… Our latest quick roundup of tunes features some old favourites – and also a big emphasis on mood and atmosphere. With the ongoing Covid dramas, it’s nice to fall back into music that allows us time to pause … Read More

Give yourself a moment… Since the release of their 2018 debut album Kaleidoscope (see TEC review previously), synth-pop outfit The Rude Awakening have been keeping themselves busy, dabbling in the world of remixes – as well as dreaming up new … Read More

Guitar Crush Go… Last year Paragon Cause delivered the raw, alluring quality of What We Started (see review previously), an album given a bigger profile with a special European release via the AnalogueTrash label. The mesmerising combination of twilight electronics … Read More

Electronic America There’s a focus on US-based acts in this special Teclist feature, with three very different approaches to electronic music from three very different acts. America has served up a healthy history of synth tunes in times past and … Read More

The gravity is so faithless… SCALA is an electronic pop project and the brainchild of Frankfurt-based producer and songwriter Peter Johansson. Featuring vocals from Chiara Tahnee, the new outfit’s first release is the 5-track EP:01, featuring songs that have a … Read More

Concrete Neon Moments Brutalist Architecture in the Sun lean towards that grey, brooding niche of electronic music epitomised by the likes of Gary Numan, John Foxx and early Human League. 2019’s Monochrome Beach album (see TEC review previously) saw Dean … Read More

Everything’s going to be alright… The electropop duo of Northern Kind occupies a special status of sorts in the UK’s electronic community. Matt Culpin and Sarah Heeley’s outfit garnered critical acclaim in the 2000s renaissance period that electronic music enjoyed. … Read More

It feels like the sun will never shine… When the legendary Some Bizzare Album arrived in 1981, it not only established the iconic record label but also provided an intriguing snapshot of the UK’s synth-pop/alternative scene of the time. That … Read More

Let’s throw away inhibition and engage… Having made a big impact with their 2018 album Ouseburn (see The Electricity Club review previously), Newcastle outfit Twist Helix return with their new studio album Machinery. Consisting of Bea Garcia (synth, vocals), James … Read More

Disco Pastel Pop Go Having delivered the amazing Mercurial (see The Electricity Club review previously) earlier this year, the pastel-hued Elisabeth Elektra has been busy working her remix talents on ‘Crystalline’, one of the standout tracks from that debut album. … Read More

There’s no divide… Originally formed during the original Covid-19 lockdown period, Agency-V combines the talents of Marie Williamson (AfterDark), Lloyd Price (The Frixion) and Peter Steer (Tenek & Sinestar) to deliver powerful electronic rock. This collaborative effort had originally been … Read More

Things are not what they seem… Having just covered the very recent re-release of Tenek’s EP2 at TEC, it’s a welcome surprise to see yet more material spouting from the archives of the the electronica duo that is Geoff Pinckney … Read More

The show will soon begin… With Vogon Poetry’s last studio album release, 2018’s Life, the Universe and Everything (see The Electricity Club review previously), the Swedish outfit demonstrated a particular flair for combining engaging electropop with sci-fi themes. Certainly tunes … Read More

Stir-fried groovepop… With the release of Groovebox Messiah Sessions, The Stir Fry Pop Star offers up a selection of tunes that lean heavily into a groove and dancepop direction. At times recalling the likes of Scritti Politti or the funkier … Read More

Skip Ahead to the Future Ottawa-based alternative outfit Paragon Cause (aka Michelle Opthof and Jay Bonaparte) serve up an intriguing combination of synths and guitars that captures a history that the band describe as “one of mystery, sadness, hope and … Read More

As the sun begins to fade… Dark Hearts, the latest studio album from Annie, is billed as “the soundtrack to a film that doesn’t exist.” It’s an apt description for a collection of songs that have a cinematic vision to … Read More

It fades to the distance… Ultravox’s Vienna album was originally released on Chrysalis Records on the 11th July 1980. Produced by the legendary German producer Conny Plank (Neu!, Kraftwerk), whom had worked with the band previously, (and would work with … Read More

We’ll be here to stay… The last few years appear to have been a surprisingly productive period for grassroots electronic acts, particularly those willing to dabble in the margins of what’s normally considered traditional electronic pop. It’s led to a … Read More

Euphoric pop perfection… It seems an age since we’ve heard from electropop outfit Avec Sans. Their 2016 album Heartbreak Hi put the London-based band on the map, delivering energetic, infectious pop tunes. Meanwhile, their live shows demonstrated an ability to … Read More

I know this road and where it goes The return of Battery Operated Orchestra sees the electronic duo going big with their fourth studio album release. Yesterday Tomorrow and You boasts songs that dart around themes of escape, memory, disappearing … Read More

Boston’s finest return… Emerging as one of the legendary outfits from the US synth-pop scene, Freezepop have carved out an impressive catalogue of tunes over the years, excelling in delivering a particular combo of quirky and melodic electropop. Freezepop originally … Read More

Dark distortion adventures The arrival of new album Division heralds a significant landmark for Violent Vickie. A darkwave journey into a selection of compositions that offer up moments of raw sleazy electropop one moment, then curiously ethereal beauty the next. … Read More

Quirky electropop explorations… One of 2020’s sleeper albums was Fabrefactions, an oddly alluring collection of songs by Bearcraft, a Bristol-based musical collective led by Dicky Moore. Across ten compositions, Fabrefactions crafts a musical journey inspired by moving upriver along the … Read More

Holding on to more than something… Within the ranks of the electronic music genre, Tenek occupy the top tiers; the notable professionalism lies in the obvious quality of production that is common to all of their works. It’s an attribute … Read More

We will live to love again… With the release of new album The Neon, Erasure have stepped back into that energetic electropop world that the band built their legacy on, demonstrating that Andy Bell and Vince Clarke still have the … Read More

No dream lasts forever… Perpacity originally emerged as a collaboration between Ian Harling, based in the UK and Martin Nyrup, who lives in Denmark. Their 2015 debut album The Sinner Inclination was followed up by several well-received singles, including the … Read More

Drama pop go… With the arrival of the internet, the opportunity to gain that 15 minutes of fame predicted by Andy Warhol expanded at a staggering pace. In the modern era, there’s an arms race of sorts for voraciously cultivating … Read More

You think you’re special? Earlier this year, we were pleasantly surprised by the concept album First Contact via Newcastle Upon Tyne trio AXLS (see TEC review previously). Taking on a science fiction concept approach, the album darted between crunchy synth … Read More

This kiss you give, it’s never going to fade away… Although the history of the 20th Century is littered with significant events, there’s probably few that can match the scale and impact of the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. It … Read More

Analogue adventures Introducing Psykelektric – an energetic synth-pop duo hailing from North London, built on pure electrical charge, who push themselves with an exclusive blend of new sounds from old machines. In actual fact, they go back some way – … Read More

In this special Teclist feature, we’re revisiting some of the artists we’ve covered previously. During a very productive period for electronic musicians, it’s intriguing to chart how some acts are evolving their sound while also dealing with the problems that … Read More

An Unsettling Soundtrack Journey… Opting for the darker end of the electronic music palette, Dicepeople have chalked up an impressive catalogue of tunes since the outfit’s formation in 2013. Previously, we explored the gothic delvings of 2018 album One From … Read More

Mood Pop Go… There’s been a healthy number of electronic outfits emerging from the North East part of the UK in recent years. The likes of Twist Helix and AXLS have demonstrated that there’s not only a keen energy at … Read More

Synthrock with heart… Despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, it seems little can prevent electronic artists from pursuing their creative goals. As we’ve seen recently, that also leads to some intriguing collaborations, some of which cross global boundaries. Take new duo … Read More

Synth mathematics… It can take years or even decades, to realise the true value of the many instrumental treasures that have by default, been archived over time. In this case, it’s the re-emergence of guitarist Robin Simon, who now steps … Read More

An album of reflection and hope during troubled times… The inevitable issues that the Covid crisis has delivered on the music industry has resulted in many musicians adjusting their approach in how they present music. At the same time, the … Read More

Light up the dark… Continuing the current tradition of collaboration among electronic acts, fellow Swedish outfits Vogon Poetry and Electric City Cowboys have drummed up new EP release Electric Passion. This four track offering combines both of the band’s particular … Read More

Lounge Pop perfection with a French twist… Nekomata marks the debut release of French producers (and brothers) Supernaive. Recorded between Paris and Tokyo, the album weaves together elements of electronica, RnB, hip hop and French Touch. There’s also some Japanese … Read More

Be just like Heaven… During a particularly busy time for electronic music, it’s always intriguing to see some collaborative works emerging. With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis providing a tough period for music generally, it’s also a welcome diversion to see … Read More

Are we simply vain? Back in 2018, Twist Helix’s Ouseburn (see TEC review previously) served up an unusual concept for a synth-pop album. Troubled by the loss of community and urban renewal that’s affected the Newcastle music scene, the 3-piece … Read More

Powder Pop Go The south coast seems to have been a healthy area for spawning electronic outfits in recent years (presumably, the sea air provides a crucial component). One of the most recent combos to emerge is Powderpaint, a Brighton-based … Read More

If red is the colour of resistance… Having carved out a suitably impressive musical path marked out by quirky yet accessible electropop, Polly Scattergood has returned on the back of new album In This Moment. It follows an intriguing journey … Read More

Tell me what you want… When we reviewed The Rude Awakening’s debut album Kaleidoscope back in 2019 (see TEC review previously), it provided an opportunity to explore the electronic outfit’s themes. In particular, the boundaries of relationships through role-play and … Read More

In this moment… Electronic outfit Dancing With Ruby first emerged with the 2014 EP Becoming Undone, which later formed the basis for their debut album, 2015’s In the Interest of Beasts. Featuring Matt Culpin and Charlie Sanderson, Dancing With Ruby … Read More

Remove specifics and convert to ambiguities In the esoteric world of the occult, there is often an opportunity to embark on a journey that means embracing the darker elements of consciousness. The idea is that this ordeal will act as … Read More

Synth-pop pleasures… An electronic act with a genuine Basildon heritage, Subject: 2 is a synth-pop duo that draws influence from the likes of Yazoo and Erasure. Consisting of Gary Starky and Sandra Tully, the pair also did a star turn … Read More

Going into the night… One of the talents that graced the electronic music scene during the early 2000s was the pop perfection of Annie. Tunes such as ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Songs Remind Me of You’ and ‘Anthonio’ served as a showcase for … Read More

Can you feel the passion? Sweden certainly seems to be a catalyst for electronic pop in recent years, of which Social Ambitions are something of a synth-pop veteran combo. Their new studio album A New Frontier is described as showing … Read More

Go on a journey of imagination… You can’t really look at the UK’s grassroots electronic music scene without flagging up the name of Derek Anthony Williams. Having promoted a lot of live events under the DEFSynth banner, Williams’ dedication and … Read More

Evocative instrumental electronica Those familiar with the output of electronic musician Eric C. Powell will acknowledge, perhaps, his skilled hand at producing electronic music that also has a heart – not always necessarily an easy feat. Yet his catalogue boats … Read More

TENEDLE – Stellar There was an earthy, vital sound the Tenedle’s previous album Traumsender (see TEC review previously). Meanwhile Dimitri Niccolai (aka Tenedle) has been keeping busy writing and recording new material (including Glossophobia, the soundtrack to his film The … Read More

Quirky pop moments… When we last left Austra, the album Future Politics was gracing our musical choices back in 2017. As an album, that effort was evolving away from the baroque pop elements that had been part of Austra’s DNA … Read More

Life’s a Mystery to me During the current Covid-19 crisis, artists are continually exploring new ways to create and showcase their music. Not surprisingly, with the live circuit effectively on hold, that means focussing more on writing and production. With … Read More

I don’t belong… Hailing from Los Angeles, Violent Vickie describes herself as a “Dark Synth-Riot” artist. Embracing themes that include consumerism, relationships, gender, hedonism and all points in-between, Vickie (in collaboration with co-producer/recording guitarist E) carves out a strange dreamscape of … Read More

Where logic stops… One of 2019’s best albums by some distance was Failure Is Inevitable by pop combo Spray (aka Ricardo Autobahn and Jenny McLaren). When The Electricity Club reviewed it, we summed up the album as having a “sense … Read More

Empathy Test get the monsters… Not willing to skimp on either quality or quantity, Empathy Test served up not one, but two debut albums back in 2017. Although the London-based combo had already made their mark via a series of … Read More

SOMBRE MOON – Linger Linger by Sombre Moon Sombre Moon comprises Amanda Jane Rogers (vocals) and Steve Loxley (synths), a Gloucestershire-based electro duo who previously produced the amazing ‘Numb’ back in 2018. They also did a star turn at 2019’s … Read More

Tales from a liminal heart… You would be forgiven for thinking that the genre of pop appears to have fallen out of favour in recent times. In an admittedly grim climate, music can seem to be more bleak – a … Read More

Stylish Synth Appeal The name of Maika Loubté will probably find familiarity among anime fans for her contributions to Carole & Tuesday. The musical sci-fi anime by Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe has proved to be popular anime title of … Read More

No one is ever really gone… Over the past few years, Promenade Cinema have steadily crafted an impressive reputation for their unique brand of baroque synth-pop. Consisting of Dorian Cramm and Emma Barson, Promenade Cinema’s 2018 album Living Ghosts (see … Read More

I turned you into a destroyer… For those that like their electronic music painted in darker hues, the ever-reliable Dicepeople are back with a selection of raw darkwave offerings care of the Destroyed EP. Consisting of Matt Brock (musician, songwriter … Read More

Biting on my tongue forever… Having made a big impact with their 2018 album Ouseburn (see The Electricity Club review previously), Newcastle outfit Twist Helix have also been carving up the live circuit with their dynamic performances, including a star … Read More

“How we lost reality…” It’s often tricky to navigate through the many grassroots synth outfits emerging in recent times. But on occasion, some bands just seem to grab your attention by serving up sharply crafted songs or by having some … Read More

“We’re falling for pleasure…” The Pet Shop boys flaunt their own boutique brand; stylised synth pop that’s futuristic and urban – and safe to say, it continues to mature well. A notable flash back through the decades returns an effortless … Read More

On broken ground with uncertain feet… Electropop duo BOO – Battery Operated Orchestra – have returned with the mesmerising electropop of ‘The Dissolve’, bringing some warm synths to take the edge off the recent wintery days. Previously, BOO delivered an … Read More

Drowning Sound Exploration As Pinklogik, Bristol-based electronic musician Jules Straw unveiled a surprising gem in the form of Glint back in 2018 (see The Electricity Club review previously). Bouncing between electronica and dreampop, the album offered up a reflective approach … Read More

2019’s best electronic albums… This year saw a wealth of electronic music talent competing for the attention of the public. There was a good balance between classic acts that were still capable of crafting solid tunes – and also contemporary … Read More

A year in electronic music… 2019 proved to be a hectic year for electronic music with new acts emerging, old acts releasing new material, a wealth of music events and some intriguing crossovers. Here, TEC looks back on 12 months … Read More

Xmas time is here With Christmas swiftly looming, it seems appropriate to cast an eye over an album that draws heavily from that theme. In this instance, it’s White Xmas Lies, the latest solo offering from Magne Furuholmen. Better known … Read More

Industrial strength Originally formed back in 2012, Beat:Cancer was an initiative designed to help fight cancer through funding research, treatment, screening and care via the medium of electronic music. To achieve that aim, the charity took onboard releasing music, running … Read More

Dark disconnection After a five year absence, 2019 brought forth not just one new TR/ST album, but two, both of which cohesively form The Destroyer. Coincidently perhaps, Robert Alfons previously divided his time up writing and recording material for this … Read More

Caught in a vision of love Based in Melbourne, Australian electropop outfit Parralox originally came to life in 2008. Their debut album Electricity achieved critical acclaim and paved the way for an impressive catalogue of energetic electronic pop releases. Collaborations … Read More

Evocative electropop… One of the pleasant surprises to land this year was the long-awaited album from 3-piece electronic outfit Quieter Than Spiders. Signs Of Life has been in development for several years since some initial tracks were first unveiled around … Read More

Lounge pop perfection Billing themselves as “post-punk electronic balladeers”, Cult With No Name (aka Erik Stein and Jon Boux) have carved out an intriguing career since originally forming back in 2004. Following positive reviews for their 2007 debut album Paper … Read More

Evocative electronica Spoken word artist Equinox struck critical acclaim back in 2017 on the strength of his debut album It’s Hard To Be Happy When Your Head Is Full Of Sin. That album featured an intriguing variety of collaborators, including … Read More

There’s a vision… It’s perhaps difficult to grasp that Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark have clocked up four decades of delivering accomplished electronic music. But the band that had originally started out with the release of ‘Electricity’ on the fledgling … Read More

A sequence of pleasure… It’s perhaps a little disconcerting to realise that electronic outfit Nature Of Wires originally came together in 1986 and continued on with founder-members Gary Watts (synths & programming) and Andrew Stirling-Brown (vocals) up to 1993, when … Read More

Ethereal memories… One of 2014’s particular joys was the warm synth tunes gathered on Innerworld, the debut album from Canadian electronic duo Electric Youth (see The Electricity Club’s review previously). Consisting of Austin Garrick and Bronwyn Griffin, Electric Youth had … Read More

A sleeping memory turns around… Originally formed in 2017, Cyberwaste is the musical brainchild of musician and producer Ashlinn Nash. Drawing from a wide range of influences, including Aphex Twin, Nine Inch Nails, Massive Attack and Moby, Nash has cultivated … Read More

Forces and form Sometimes, the path to new electronic artists comes through unexpected means. When Battery Operated Orchestra released their remix album Snared (see TEC review previously), the remixes included the work of independent electronic musician and producer preston.outatime (aka … Read More

Eternal electronic goodness… Back in 2017, electronic musician and producer Kasson Crooker (Symbion Project, Freezepop) embarked on a new music project envisioned as a collaborative effort. ELYXR featured different singers involved for each subsequent release, bringing an intriguing and fresh … Read More

If truth be told… The self-proclaimed enigmatic electro-post-punk outfit that is Leg Puppy have returned with new album Non Disclosure Agreement. While the anarchic collective’s live shows are an experience that truly has to be witnessed first hand, their recorded … Read More

For your head, your heart and your feet V-Sor,X refer to themselves as “alternative synth-pop” and their combination of synths with some guitar and bass certainly gives their music a much more organic sound than many of their contemporaries. As … Read More

Where the wonder goes… This year has been a busy year for electronic music with a deluge of new releases on an almost weekly basis. While the quality of many of those releases has been high, occasionally something comes along … Read More

Blissed-out beats and ethereal vocals Seattle-based outfit Static Shore appeared on our radar back in 2018 on the back of ‘Sun In My Wake’, a chilled-out composition with captivating, sensual vocals. (see TEC review previously). Consisting of Eric Smith and … Read More

Cinematic synth-pop Following their success as part of the soundtrack to the cult film Drive and subsequent release of their 2014 album Innerworld (see TEC review previously), Canadian duo Electric Youth have been dabbling in a number of other musical … Read More

Sailing the synth-pop seas Having made their mark through the cunning strategy of releasing not just one, but two debut albums at once back in 2017 (see TEC review previously), London-based electropop outfit Empathy Test (aka Isaac Howlett and Adam … Read More

“Of all the people in the world, why would you choose me?” It is with these rather pessimistic lyrics that Howard Jones opens his ninth official studio album, Transform. Despite its title, however, this album is less of a ‘transformation’ … Read More

When love is lost it’s only fear in disguise Having detached herself from her earlier title as Marina And The Diamonds (settling instead for a straightforward ‘Marina’) Welsh musician and songwriter Marina Diamandis has returned after a lengthy break with … Read More

Life and all its lows “The giant agaves outside my home only bloom every 20 or 30 years years” muses Robert Alfons, “Being around that was a powerful lesson in slowness. And in tenacity.” The latest album from TR/ST certainly … Read More

Disco pop delights It would be fair criticism to say that there’s occasionally a lack of flamboyance in the world of electronic pop. While we can furrow our brows and do some intense chin-stroking while listening to our favourite artists, … Read More

An eclectic electronic ending After a remarkable journey, it looks like the Girl One And The Grease Guns story may have reached its conclusion. Transmissions From The Glass Factory delivers the final batch of tunes recorded at their Glass Factory … Read More

Here are the fragments… As a musician, Hannah Peel has always been keen to expand her musical boundaries and explore ever-more esoteric outings. Take her 2010 EP Rebox for instance which featured music box covers of classic synth-pop tunes, including … Read More

Cold War revisited and remixed Electropop duo BOO – Battery Operated Orchestra – delivered an accomplished collection of tunes with their 2018 album Snare. The Cold War-inspired outing dabbled in the world of subterfuge and spy games, each track exploring … Read More

On journeys we embark… Hailing from the Netherlands, Heliophile is a synth-pop project masterminded by Gijs van Ouwerkerk (who also performs in dark electro outfit Schwarzblut). Based in Enschede, Heliophile formed in 2010, and put out some self-released EPs before … Read More

Haunting electronica Back in 2017, we were won over by the gossamer compositions that made up Gishiki (see The Electricity Club’s review). Gishiki presented a contemplative piece of work that drew Japanese influences cast against ambient electronica. That album was … Read More

Made of stars There’s very much a continental flavour to the music of Dimitri Niccolai (aka Tenedle), something the musician, producer and performer has honed over many years (and through a variety of disciplines). Originally hailing from Italy, Niccolai has … Read More

Beach Blanket Armageddon Dean Clarke has charted an intriguing arc through the world of electronic music in recent years. Part of stripy hardcore outfit Ugly Nature (formerly 3D), Clarke has also done radio duties on the Bluetown Electronica show. Then … Read More

Dark eyes were the start of it… The early 2000s seemed to be a particularly exciting time for the UK’s electronic music scene. A number of interesting acts were beginning to establish themselves in the grassroots community and there were … Read More

Gravity & Grace Back in 2017, we explored the dusty synth worlds of Paris-based musician Matthieu Roche. Through the Dust & Disorders EP, we unveiled a dark and brooding electronic soundscape, that nonetheless had a curious fragility to it. Since … Read More

This is our sound… The news of a new Ladytron album on the horizon back in 2018 led to the perking up of ears across the electronic music community. There had been times when it seemed as if the band … Read More

Sensual synth-pop The Rude Awakening is a collaborative effort led by musician, promoter and radio presenter, Johnny Normal and singer/songwriter Bridget Gray. Visually, the duo’s striking image presents a fuse of the magical abstract; the setting – a clean futuristic … Read More

Darkness visible Dark electro outfit Dicepeople have popped up on our radar in times past with a selection of electropop outings that bounce between melodic synth outings (such as the clean lines of 2017’s ‘Synthetic’) and striking cover versions (their … Read More

Revisiting an electronica classic… Jean-Michel Jarre’s anticipated follow-up album to his 1976 opus Oxygene arrived in 1978. Titled Equinoxe, the new album managed to avoid sounding merely like a retread of Jarre’s groundbreaking album, instead presenting a subtle evolution of … Read More

The time has come to let you go… As ever, Parralox keep themselves busy. With the Holiday ’18 release barely out the door, the Australian dancepop dynamos already have another single out to follow. ‘Paradise’ follows on from Parralox’s 2017 … Read More

Seasonal synth fun The Melbourne-based electropop outfit Parralox need little introduction. Since their 2008 debut album Electricity, the band have won critical acclaim and built up an impressive catalogue of energetic electronic pop releases. Collaborations with the likes of Ian … Read More

“This city’s not sleeping/it’s dreaming.” If there’s a line that sums up the new Twist Helix album, it’s the above one on opening track ‘Newcastle’. Although much of the alt-electro outfit’s material deals with the decline of communities and the … Read More

In BOO… battery operates YOU! Hailing from the Sussex coast, the duo of BOO – Battery Operated Orchestra – has charmed electronic music enthusiasts since 2010. Consisting of Chris Black and Brigitte Rose, BOO was the logical follow-on from Black’s … Read More

Glacial synth-pop perfection With the release of new album Matters, Brighton-based outfit Fröst have reached a particular milestone on their continuing musical journey into transcendental pop. Consisting of French-Swedish sound artist Johanna Bramli (vocalist for Stereolab offshoot Imitation Electric Piano) … Read More

Dancepop deconstructed Caroline McLavy emerged during a particularly fervent period of the grassroots electronic music scene. She’s graced the stage at a variety of electronic music events, including the 2017 Silicon Dreams Festival, where her emphatic vocal style and confident … Read More

Iconic synth-pop tune gets a modern interpretation Attempting contemporary arrangements of classic synth-pop songs is always a daunting task. There’s always a danger that it will fall into parody or fail to do justice to the original. Yet, when the … Read More

Chamber pop perfection It seems like a gulf of time since Princess Chelsea’s last studio album outing The Great Cybernetic Depression graced us with its presence. We summed up the 2015 album in our review at the time as “…a … Read More

Light from darkness… Thoughtful, introspective tunes appear to be Autorotation’s speciality – something which TEC first picked up on last year when we first encountered the band care of ‘Swamped’. Autorotation were a continuation from an earlier combo known as … Read More

Over 37 years since it was first recorded, the near-mythical follow-up to Fakkeltog finally sees the light of day. Guest reviewer Greg Lansdowne offers his verdict on this fascinating document of a-ha’s pre-fame years… Back in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s … Read More

Commercial commentary with an electropop style This month sees a new outing from synth-pop outfit Information Society and The Electricity Club is proud to premiere the video for ‘Nothing Prevails’. The 1980s managed to spin up a variety of synth-pop … Read More

Gothic pop from Wakefield’s finest… It’s often the case that many contemporary electronic outfits seem to be content to rehash the sounds of the 80s. They hold the classic synth-pop period in such reverence that the idea of music going … Read More

Sinful synth-fuelled pop With a packed schedule of roles and projects, it’s a wonder that electronic musician, promoter and radio host Johnny Normal can find the time to add something new to the mix. 2017 saw the debut of his … Read More

Glitchy dreampop delights await… Under the guise of Pinklogik, electronic musician Jules Straw has been producing her own blend of tunes since 2006, chalking up an impressive catalogue of releases since her debut album Mosaic Electro. The Bristol-based artist released … Read More

There’s no need to fear… Electronic anarchists Leg Puppy have plenty to say on themes such as narcissism, social media addiction, paranoia and identity theft. Their album You Should Be Paranoid tackled such diverse topics (and more besides) earlier in … Read More

Experimental electronic curios… Perhaps one of the most compelling mysteries of the current electronic music scene is the resurgence of interest in the humble cassette. For those of a certain age, it likely conjures memories of rewinding cassettes with the … Read More

Ian Burden offers themes of unity, optimism and honesty… The release of Ian Burden’s debut album Hey Hey Ho Hum was prompted by unusual circumstances. An accumulation of vintage synthesisers in his attic led to a decision to test them … Read More

Sensual electronic delights await… Darkwave electronic outfit Dicepeople seem keen to explore collaborative work in recent times, with their Moi Saint release being a particular highlight. Their work with Manchester-based collective The Brooklyn Foundation has also produced dividends. As our … Read More

The return of Fiat Lux Although the 1980s is widely regarded as the classic era of synth-pop acts, it’s also a period in which many post-punk bands explored an eclectic approach to instrumentation and arrangement. Synths were seen as an … Read More

Don’t forget your towel… The latest offering from synth-pop outfit Vogon Poetry continues the Swedish band’s flair for accessible electronic music and science fiction themes. Life, the Universe and Everything marks the band’s third album release, following on from 2014’s … Read More

Euphoric synth-pop from Dublin duo One of the star turns at the 2017 Synthetic City event was Irish synth-pop duo Eden. Consisting of Mark Power and Ian Henderson, the duo delivered some polished tunes (culled chiefly from the duo’s 2016 … Read More

Darkwave ghosts haunt the aisles… Emerging from a city with its own legendary musical history, Sheffield duo Promenade Cinema have delivered a debut album that keeps that legacy very much alive. Best known for giving the world the likes of … Read More

Classic synth-pop dominates the latest ELYXR release Seattle-based electronic musician/producer Kasson Crooker conceived ELYXR as a collaborative project, introducing different singers for each subsequent release. ‘Engine’ marked the first such outing and featured Elissa LeCoque (Kodacrome) on vocal duties (a … Read More

Pointed political commentary with a darkwave style… Recent years have seen the world navigating some choppy political waters. The advent of the Trump administration in the US as well as the UK’s issues with Brexit being two major impacts on … Read More

Synthpoppers Sinestar return with their blistering third album… Since forming in 2011, Bristol-born Sinestar have released 3 EPs entitled I am the Rain (2012), Hope and Prey (2013), Running Home (2014) and single ‘The Same Way’. Now, exhibiting a firm … Read More

Newcastle’s power-pop trio return… Previously, electropop outfit Twist Helix had surprised us with the dramatic and uplifting vocal melodies of ‘Little Buildings’. Consisting of Bea Garcia (vocals & keyboards), Michael Humble (bass) and James Walker (drums) the Newcastle-based band signed … Read More

The sultry charms of Fifi Rong awaken once again… Having surprised listeners with the dynamic electropop of ‘The Same Road’ in 2017, Fifi Rong launches her latest EP Awake with a strong entry for 2018. Originally hailing from Bejing, Fifi … Read More

Cultural commentary from the electronic anarchists… Describing the inspiration for their new album You Should Be Paranoid, electro punk outfit Leg Puppy include the western world’s obsession with narcissim, social media as an addiction, bio hacking and identity theft. As … Read More

Electropop trio bounce back with synth-fuelled goodness… Chvrches have unveiled a new tune in the form of ‘Get Out’, which paves the way for the release of their forthcoming new album. Formed in Glasgow in 2011 by Lauren Mayberry, Iain … Read More

A collaborative affair delivering sinister delights… Dicepeople have crafted their own particular take on dark electronic music in recent years, leaning towards a more electropop direction on the back of releases such as ‘Synthetic’. But they’ve still retained an interest … Read More

Pål Waaktaar’s most adventurous album to date Savoy were originally conceived as a vehicle for Pål Waaktaar’s songs whilst a-ha were on hiatus in the mid-to-late 1990s. Featuring Waaktaar’s wife Lauren Savoy (on guitar and vocals) and drummer Frode Unneland … Read More

Exploring glacial landscapes in sound… Crafting sound into an almost physical presence is quite a feat. But with The Great Crater, Robin Rimbaud aka Scanner has managed to compose a piece of work that swerves from awe-inspiring aural soundscapes through … Read More

Impressive Radiohead-inspired electro-balladry from Norway Released recently on the Apollon Records label, Take All The Land is the debut solo album by Simen Lyngroth, a singer-songwriter with a burgeoning reputation in his homeland of Norway. But, despite his young years, … Read More

Only a limousine can take you there… Melbourne-based outfit Parralox need little introduction. Founder-member John von Ahlen’s work ethic alone serves as an inspiration for the heights other artists can reach, but at the same time the electronic outfit continue … Read More

Electro punk outfit get their running shoes on… In a year that’s been full of surprising acts, it’s the electro punk foursome of Leg Puppy that have somehow managed to carve out their own particular niche. Consisting of Darren Laurence, … Read More

This weeks tunes feature the synth-infused pop of GGOOLLDD, the Nordic charms of EAST OF MY YOUTH and the synthwave stylings of SUPERDIVORCE GGOOLLDD – The Way That I Feel TEETH by GGOOLLDD The strangely monikered GGOOLLDD are keen to … Read More

Canada’s sleazy synth prodigy returns… One of Canada’s electronic music gems re-emerged earlier this year with a new song and talk of a new album. ‘Bicep’ delivered the trademark sleazy synths and unsettling sounds that made TR/ST such a captivating … Read More

The collaborative outfit return with a taste of summer… Earlier this year, Seattle-based electronic musician/producer Kasson Crooker conceived of a new project, titled ELYXR. The aim of the new musical venture was to collaborate with a variety of singers to … Read More

Full Score Meets Contemporary Classic Musical success is seldom measured in time spans of more than a few years. Yet, by the time Midge Ure’s first solo single ‘If I Was’ went to No.1 in the UK Top 40 (way … Read More

Evocative electropop from London’s finest… The blossoming of grassroots electronic acts in recent years has brought a lot of bright talent to the fore. The contemporary music scene is a strange landscape these days, with many bands adapting to what … Read More

The ethereal tones of Sapphire Slows return… Japan has enjoyed a storied legacy of electronic music that stretches back decades. From iconic acts such as Yellow Magic Orchestra through to contemporary acts such as Perfume, Japanese music has always managed … Read More

Polished dark synth-pop… Emerging from the Netherlands, Heliophile is a synth-pop project masterminded by Gijs van Ouwerkerk (who also performs in dark electro outfit Schwarzblut). Based in Enschede, Heliophile formed in 2010 and crafted two self-released EPs before more recently … Read More

A cinematic expanse from electronic music’s iconic figure… The release of Gary Numan’s Savage (Songs From A Broken World), is both individual and brave. It’s his 21st studio album – the result of a crowdfunding campaign through Pledge Music, and … Read More

There is no beginning… When The Sound Of Arrows appeared to disappear following the release of their 2011 debut album Voyage, it seemed like one of the brighter hopes for electronic music may have gone forever. Stefan Storm and Oskar … Read More

Smooth electropop is put to the Test… Marking the final single to be released from Empathy Test’s forthcoming album Safe From Harm, ‘Everything Will Work Out’ continues the band’s talents for crafting evocative electropop. Empathy Test consists of childhood friends, … Read More

Interior design tips from classic synth-pop outfit… The last few years have seen something of a return to form for Blancmange. Despite their hefty output of late (Unfurnished Rooms is their fourth album in three years, with Semi Detached and … Read More

Join the Poppy cult… Occasionally, pop culture throws out an outlier artist that can equally delight and confound audiences. Take, for instance, the unusual world of Poppy whose curious efforts first appeared through a series of increasingly surreal YouTube appearances. … Read More

This weeks tunes feature the sleazy guitars of PINK DIAMOND REVUE, the brash synths of KNIGHT$ and the glitchy pop of GRETA ISSACS. THE PINK DIAMOND REVUE – Go Go Girl One of the surprising turns at the Electro Punk … Read More

Acoustic love from Norway’s finest… “Suddenly we’re a band again, suddenly we understand why we’re together, and we’re in agreement like never before.” – Morten Harket “This current process has given us an incredible team spirit and a creative exchange … Read More

The appliance of science… Following on from a series of limited edition 7″ singles and the compilation album The Strange Little Lines That Humans Draw In The Dust, Girl One And The Grease Guns return with what looks like their … Read More

Your friendly neighbourhood electronic outfit returns… When Curxes first made their presence known several years back, they brought with them a very different approach to electronic music that presented one of the more captivating acts on the scene. Pulling from … Read More

Defiant electro With the Synth City London 2017 event only finishing some weeks back, it’s a wonder that Johnny Normal can divide time up between promoting electronic music events, presenting a radio show and producing music himself. But now comes … Read More

This weeks tunes feature the percussive synth-pop of ODDITY, the powerful tunes of TWIST HELIX and dancepop goodness of VOI VANG. ODDITY – Revolution There’s something magical about the combination between Oddity’s warm synth-pop sounds and the visuals of their … Read More

A cosmic journey of aural delights… Out of all the electronic music releases in 2017, Hannah Peel’s latest opus has to rank as one of the more intriguing albums to reach the ears of music enthusiasts. Mary Casio : Journey … Read More

This weeks tunes feature dynamic electropop via ELEKTRISK GØNNER, the pop/trip-hop stylings of LIVING DEAD GIRL and lush soundscapes care of OSHH. ELEKTRISK GØNNER – Money There’s an engaging dynamic quality to ‘Money’ the latest release from Elektrisk Gønner – … Read More

Electro punk outfit explore selfie culture… When Leg Puppy took to the stage at the Electro Punk Party in August we weren’t quite sure what to expect. The 4-piece outfit, which consists of Darren Laurence, Claire Jones, Pups and Hugo … Read More

One of Norway’s finest talents returns with trouble in mind The success of her 2015 album Ten Love Songs managed to put Norwegian musician Susanne Sundfør on the map. Although she’d established herself in her native Norway through her previous … Read More

Subtle electropop from the globally-spanning duo… When the talents of electronic duo AIVIS first appeared on our radar, it was a refreshing change of style that offered a captivating sound culled from a thoughtful take on electronic music. Consisting of … Read More

We’ve just been shopping… Electronic outfit Blancmange emerged during a particularly energetic period in the UK’s classic synth-pop scene. Originally formed in 1979 as a 3-piece outfit, Blancmange regrouped with Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe continuing as a duo. Their … Read More

Warm electropop from the Pet Shop Toys… Quite how electronic music entered a sudden renaissance period in the past 10 years is something that’s ripe for commentary and discussion. Certainly, there’s been an active contemporary electronic music scene in recent … Read More

A new compilation showcases one of the UK’s precious electronic talents… The UK music scene of the 1980s established a classic era for synth-pop acts. Among them, Howard Jones was always one of the more intriguing artists with his solo … Read More

Consumerist culture receives some harsh introspection on OMD’s latest outing… Following on from previous releases ‘La Mitrailleuse’ and ‘Isotype’, ‘The Punishment Of Luxury’ represents the title track culled from OMD’s forthcoming 13th studio album. Musically, the new song (which had … Read More

Savoy reissue their successful third album, introducing its classic songs to a new audience… Following last year’s re-release of Lackluster Me, Bergen-based Apollon Records have now reissued Savoy’s classic third album Mountains Of Time. Originally released in 1999, the band’s … Read More

Electronic pop gets introspective on the debut album from Pixx… Taking her name from a nickname associated with her grandmother, Hannah Rodgers embarked on her musical career as Pixx in 2015. A former Brit School student (where the likes of … Read More

U96 have just released a brand new version of their debut hit single, ‘Das Boot’, the first single to be taken from their forthcoming – and appropriately titled – Reboot album. The much-delayed 12-track album, which also features contributions from … Read More

AIVIS get the remix treatment from Dancing With Ruby Previously, the debut release of electronic music duo AIVIS in the form of ‘The Wilderness’ had struck a chord of sorts here. The TEC review noted the “nice use of harmonies” … Read More

Smooth contemporary synth-pop both strange and weird… The release of the Crystal World album in 2013 demonstrated that Helen Marnie continued to display a talent for good electronic music, even while Ladytron were on an extended hiatus. As an album, … Read More

Marsheaux return with a smooth video for a smooth tune… One of the best surprises in contemporary electronic music has been the rise of Greek electronic duo Marsheaux. Sophie Sarigiannidou and Marianthi Melitsi have presented a stylish take on electropop … Read More

New collaborative project delivers warm, evocative pop… The arrival of ELYXR offers a new venture via Seattle-based electronic musician/producer Kasson Crooker. Each ELYXR release is designed to be a collaborative project introducing different singers for each subsequent release. ‘Engine’ marks … Read More

Engaging electronica with a Japanese twist… The ambient side of electronic music can throw up some intriguing gems that often present rewards from patient listening. Symbion Project’s Gishiki is a case in point with its combination of traditional Japanese music … Read More

The classic synth-pop outfit return with an album suggesting a more reflective outlook… It’s surprising perhaps to realise that ‘The Erasure’ have been active for over 30 years. Clocking up such hits as ‘Sometimes’, ‘A Little Respect’, ‘Drama!’ and ‘Blue … Read More

OMD revisit familar themes of war on their latest song… With details of the new OMD studio album The Punishment Of Luxury finally being released, two samples of what the album will sound like have also been unveiled. The first … Read More

This weeks tunes feature the lush electronica of FIRE_SIGN, synth-pop perfection with RADIANT BABY and the pop hooks of TOFFE. fire_sign – Sweet Oblivion The London-based duo that style themselves as fire_sign consists of drummer, pianist and producer Chris Stickland … Read More

The hypnotic Fifi Rong returns with a distinctly electronic approach for her new release… The soulful, beguiling style of Fifi Rong has been winning over both the press and the public for many years via releases such as a Next … Read More

This weeks tunes feature the ethereal tones of OOBERFUSE, the synthwave of PATTERN LANGUAGE and the minimalist techno of TEGEL. OOBERFUSE – On My Knees Consisting of songwriting duo Hal St John and Cherrie Anderson, Ooberfuse offer up an ethereal … Read More

This weeks tunes feature the analogue melodies of COTTON WOLF, the chiptune/electropunk of JIMMY URINE and the dancepop power of FEMM. COTTON WOLF – Glosh Cotton Wolf consists of Welsh producer Llion Robertson and classically-trained composer Seb Goldfinch. With a … Read More

This weeks tunes of choice alternate between the smooth synth-pop of AIVIS, the lo-fi charms of DUCKS! and the analogue electronica of DALHAM. AIVIS – Sky Consisting of Aidan and Travis, the former from Scotland and the latter from the … Read More

Exploring the landscape soundtracks of Lo Five… Described by its creator, Neil Grant as “deep landscape electronics” and “an album of wild spaces and intimate rooms”, the sentiments behind this debut album will not fail to resonate with the listener. … Read More

Atmospheric synth-pop touches the soul… The dulcet tones of EMPATHY TEST are keeping an industrious schedule following on from the polished perfection of ‘By My Side’. Now the electronic outfit return with a new tune in the form of the … Read More

Smooth contemporary synth-pop both strange and weird… With the release of her first solo album Crystal World back in 2013, Helen Marnie demonstrated that she was just as adept at operating under her own steam as working within the group … Read More

Fragmented aesthetic tunes offer intrigue… Perhaps the most striking thing about the debut album from Kelly Lee Owens is its fractured nature. At heart an electronic album, the tracks contained within dart between ambient soundscapes and beat-driven compositions. Owens, who … Read More

Veering towards a more pop-orientated list this week from the subtle dreampop of SHAEFRI, the synth-pop-tinged pop of VICTORIA CELESTINE & the crunchy electronics of DJUSTIN Shaefri – Monster Based in London, electronic musician Shaefri has a mesmerising voice which … Read More

Dancepop delights from the grassroots electronic scene… The domestic electronic music scene has been rapidly evolving in recent years as the next generation of musicians step up with their own approach to synth-pop. This can take many forms, often taking … Read More

The return of Sweden’s cinematic pop perfectionists… Based in Stockholm, THE SOUND OF ARROWS are an electronic music duo consisting of Oskar Gullstrand and Stefan Storm who have crafted their own very distinctive style of widescreen synth-pop since 2006. Since … Read More

A diverse selection of tunes this week from the bold synth-pop of MISSING WORDS, the lo-fi charm of a.me & the smooth and soulful tones of AMANI… Missing Words – Howl At The Moon Hailing from California, Missing Words are … Read More

JULIAN DeMARRE delivers effective cinematic electronica… Musician and composer Julian DeMarre’s forte is crafting ambient/electronica compositions that pull in analogue synths to create oddly atmospheric soundscapes. In 2015, DeMarre teamed up with director Malik Bader for the crime thriller Cash … Read More

Basildon’s finest pull the trigger on politics for their latest studio release… “People, what are we thinking? / It’s shameful, our standards are sinking / We’re barely hanging on / Our spirit has gone”. These couplets could easily apply to … Read More

Iconic synth-pop pioneer MARC ALMOND returns with a solid compilation of hits and more… In his 1999 autobiography Tainted Life, Marc Almond reflected on the one thing that had motivated him from an early age: “Music is my passion and, … Read More

“Memories have huge staying power, but like dreams, they thrive in the dark, surviving for decades in the deep waters of our minds like shipwrecks on the sea bed” – JG Ballard Describing their sound as “ruptured melodies // dissonant … Read More

A selection of electronic goodness care of LO FIVE, EMILIE and FREAKY GIRLS… Lo Five Liverpool’s Lo Five is the musical ventures of Neil Grant. Formed in 2013, Lo Five is a tricky venture to bracket as Grant’s own unique … Read More

“Creatively, I felt like I’d come home. I was enjoying it all again, I was thinking better, my mind was wandering like it used to. Most importantly, it was fun again” – Gary Numan Sacrifice has often been cited as … Read More

A haunting reverie on memory and loss… Hannah Peel’s particular musical trajectory has traveled an interesting path over the years which has led the musician and composer to cover a diverse amount of roles, projects and collaborations. For most people, … Read More

Euphoric pop outfit welcomes you to the jungle… The sun-baked streets of Los Angeles seems an unlikely place for an indie synth-pop group to emerge from, but the pop power of TOPANGA offer up an appeal that’s difficult to ignore. … Read More

SAILOR & I’s debut album bounces between icy pop and beats-driven electronica… The brooding, glacial pop appeal of Swedish artist Alexander Sjödin, under the guise of Sailor & I, previously caught our attention with the arrival of tracks such as … Read More

Iconic pop tune gets re-imagined for the 21st Century… When it comes to pop tunes, there’s a select few that manage to be immediately recognisable regardless of whatever decade they were recorded in. So the iconic opening bars of The … Read More

A selection of electronic goodness care of DICEPEOPLE, AUTOROTATION and LITTLE SLEEPS… As part of a new feature, The Electricity Club will be sampling a few select artists and bands and presenting them to you with a brief write-up of … Read More

Despite having sold over 15 million records worldwide, U96 are virtually unheard of in the UK. The Hamburg-based electronic act are best remembered for their huge international hit, ‘Das Boot’, a techno treatment of Klaus Doldinger’s 1981 film theme, which … Read More

Electropop duo Empathy Test craft warm, evocative tunes… Originally formed in 2013, Empathy Test is a collaboration between Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf who have stepped into the world of electronic music with a view to crafting synth-pop with a … Read More

Synthpop with a Swedish flavour care of SAILOR & I… Swedish electronic musician Alexander Sjödin caught everyone’s attention with the dark electropop appeal of ‘Black Swan’ in 2016 under the moniker Sailor & I. Sjödin grew up with an avid … Read More

Electropopsters LOLA DUTRONIC return with a sequel to one of their most classic tunes… Lola Dutronic was conceived by Richard Citroen to combine his love of 60s French pop with modern electronic music. Now teamed with Germany-based singer Stephanie B, … Read More

The enigmatic outfit return with a compilation of electropop wonders… It was a pleasant surprise when a series of electrically charged 7″ vinyl singles first started appearing in 2013 from the curiously named Girl One And The Grease Guns. There’s … Read More

Keeping it dark with new French electronic act Fragrance. If you like your synth-pop dark and melancholic, then you could do worse than dialing up Fragrance. – a French outfit fielded by Paris-based musician Matthieu Roche. There’s certainly an element … Read More

French electronic magician VITALIC returns with a solid collection of tunes… There’s a robust quality about the electronic tunes contained on this latest release by Vitalic which appears to signal a strong start for electronic music in 2017. Vitalic, aka … Read More

Exploring the history of a dance classic A huge transatlantic hit in 1989, Kon Kan’s ‘I Beg Your Pardon’ was something of an embryonic mash-up, cleverly fusing classic country with contemporary dance music. With the help of some of the … Read More

AUSTRA return with a topical third outing… Offering a statement on the themes and approach of Austra’s latest album Future Politics, Katie Stelmanis suggests “a commitment to replace the approaching dystopia. Not just hope in the future, but the idea … Read More

New synth duo AIVIS offer warmth and emotion in their debut release… It’s always refreshing to discover new electronic bands that offer intriguing, original sounds and can be influenced by a variety of bands without having to mimic any of … Read More

Arrival composer crafts a melancholic masterpiece… Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson has a particular talent for pulling together disparate music elements to craft sounds that can often lean towards the experimental – or towards warm familiarity. There’s some striking touches on … Read More

Baltic Fleet’s third album sails along with a bolder wind at its back… The inspiration for Baltic Fleet’s latest album is a suitably unusual one. Multi-instrumentalist and Baltic Fleet founder Paul Fleming had been intrigued by a local church – … Read More

The hypnotic voice of Fifi Rong is back with a scintillating new release…. It’s been a busy year for soulful songstress Fifi Rong. Following on from her successful Forbidden Desire EP, Fifi has since collaborated with Mercury Prize-winning musician Skepta … Read More

Greek electronic outfit Marsheaux return with a new globe-spanning album… The electronic music scene has become a particularly cluttered place in recent years. With more synth-pop outfits than you can shake a stick at, it’s become tough sorting the wheat … Read More

Hastings finest return with a second album of electronic goodness… The contemporary world of electronic music can be a difficult place to navigate at times. While many artists attempt to craft tunes befitting a genre that’s always been best moving … Read More

Dark synth-pop goodness from EVVOL… In recent years it’s been refreshing to see electronic music expanding its frontiers (in much the way its pioneers intended) rather than being subsumed by a suspect nostalgia for times past. In particular, the baroque … Read More

FIFI RONG returns with her own particular brand of beguiling tunes on her new EP release… If there’s one artist that appears to have a strong work ethic in the current music scene, it’s Fifi Rong. It appears the talented … Read More

Princess Century offers up a bonus selection of electronic delights… With the release of 2015’s Progress, Princess Century (aka Maya Postepksi) had successfully stepped up from her debut album Lossless as well as demonstrated that the Toronto musician’s work with … Read More

Auckland’s finest delivers an electropop journey into space… If there’s one particular star on the electronic music scene that’s been on the ascendant in recent years, it’s New Zealand’s Princess Chelsea. Scoring a cult hit with the indie charms of … Read More

FIFI RONG brings her own brand of lush tunes care of new release Violently Silently… One of the more surprising music acts to emerge in recent years comes in the form of FIFI RONG, whose sultry vocals have invited listeners … Read More

Cosmic disco delights… When she’s not banging the drums for Canadian electronic outfit Austra, Maya Postepski adopts the mantle of Princess Century to purse her own curious electronic experiments. 2013’s Lossless release had seen Postepksi playing around with a lo-fi … Read More

Electronic duo LOLA DUTRONIC return with a collection of tunes that exude style and charm… Lola Dutronic was a project originally conceived by Richard Citroen to combine his love of 60s French pop with modern electronic music. The result has … Read More

The new Grimes release provides challenges and rewards for the keen listener… The success of her previous album Visions clearly caused something of a dilemma for Claire Boucher (aka Grimes). The album had, in many ways, been a gear change … Read More

Following on from the high profile pop of 2012’s Electra Heart album, Marina And The Diamonds returned earlier this year with the more intimate Froot. Electra Heart had been marked out by its concept album approach in which Marina Diamandis … Read More

FIFI RONG has been keeping a high profile of late with the 2013 release of her debut single ‘Over You’ and debut album Wrong, a guest appearance on Tricky’s album False Idols, a special secret gig and now the release … Read More

A powerful journey through a winter wonderland of love and loss… Norwegian singer and producer Susanne Sundfør originally made herself known care of her eponymous 2007 debut album. Musically-trained from an early age, Sundfør has managed to develop an ear … Read More

Magical electronica from Drive contributors Electric Youth… Canada seems to have been delivering the goods when it comes to electronic acts in recent years, with the likes of Austra, Trust and Grimes being fine examples of outfits that can slot … Read More

Trust explore new avenues… If there was one outfit that’s taken us by surprise in recent times, it’s TRUST – the Toronto-based electronic music combo who delivered up the sleazy synth delights of 2012’s debut album TRST. At times, Trust … Read More

Circus Games The release of the album Circus Minimus by The Games sheds light on one of many of the lost bands that emerged from the Wirral and Liverpool music scene of the late 70s/early 80s. OMD are perhaps Wirral’s … Read More

The Greek connection… Greek production duo Fotonovela are probably best known for their work with synth-pop duo Marsheaux, the outfit of which Andy McCluskey said “I do have a soft spot for Marsheaux I have to say. They have a … Read More

Broody return for the ‘Goth Eeyore’.. Ahead of the release of Joyland, Trust’s follow-up album release to 2012′s TRST, comes details of the first scheduled single titled ‘Rescue, Mister’. The trademark sleazy synths of Trust are present and correct for … Read More

Bristol synth-pop outfit release their debut album… Sinestar all hail from the Bristol area and got together in late 2011, formed from the ashes of Jagged. Their debut I Am The Rain EP was released at a launch party at … Read More

Experiments in electronics… You’d think that between Trust and Austra, the talented Maya Postepski would have all her free time accounted for. So it was somewhat surprising to learn that she’s also embarked on a solo project titled Princess Century. … Read More

The iconic musician takes us on a magical journey… Balletic Transcend is the new studio album from Ultravox’s Billy Currie; the ninth installment from his notable instrumental solo catalogue and a mature work of multifaceted character that has found its … Read More

Japanese electronic outfit PERFUME have managed to achieve domestic success with a series of sharp tunes founded on the legacy of Technopop. Now the trio are looking further afield to carve out a global path as they wave the flag … Read More

Having already engaged our curiosity with their previous release ‘Jessica 6’, Girl One And The Grease Guns have returned with a new single release entitled ‘(Here Come) The Catastrophe Machines’. Making good on their manifesto for “causing confusion with a … Read More

Steel-edged electronic soundscapes from the synth-pop legend… Without doubt, Gary Numan has achieved genre-defining status. With an influence extending way beyond his chart-topping 1979 hit ‘Are ‘Friends’ Electric’ and ‘Cars’, Numan has continued to pioneer electropop music, integrating the uniqueness … Read More

Retro-amped chipper tunes… For fans of the Vince Clarke-ian style of synth-pop, a new album from Northern Kind will always be an event. Indeed, the internet-based launch night (dubbed the ‘Antidote to The X-Factor’) pulled in over 11,000 streams on … Read More

Billy Currie delivers dark edged experimental work… Billy Currie’s prime association has always been as one of the main men of the synthesizer. Think strikingly cutting solos that could carve effortlessly into the strongest of rock formations; fiery, distinguished and … Read More

Songwriter and singer Fifi Rong has been carefully building up her own musical profile over recent years, an effort which has resulted in the captivating debut single ‘Over You’. Originating from from China, Fifi has weaved in Chinese Folk elements … Read More

Baroque Pop Commenting on Canada’s largest city, the writer Margaret Atwood once made the joke “First prize a week in Toronto, second prize two weeks in Toronto”. Times change and a now thoroughly cosmopolitan Toronto is the city that’s produced … Read More

Destroy Yourself If You Love Me… Having shared a lunch over a year ago with an animated Rusty Egan talking excitedly about the possibility of a new Visage album, this has been in the pipeline for a while – since … Read More

The future that you anticipated has been cancelled The release of History Of Modern in 2010, which effectively marked OMD’s revival with the classic line-up, could have been viewed as setting up the template for OMD’s sound in the 21st … Read More

A very strong and confident first album from Kira I came across Richard and Kira a year ago when they were playing a support slot and battling sound and technical problems to a disinterested crowd. Despite that, the interesting noise … Read More

The Way I Feel Having been a fan since they first appeared on a music technology magazine cover CD in the early 1990s, I lost sight of Mesh a bit after a few years… more down to my tastes changing … Read More

Iconic musician returns with an album of distinction Fresh from the ashes dawns a new day – The Next Day, Bowie’s long-awaited and widely unexpected first release in a decade, following the unveiling of his comeback single ‘Where Are We … Read More

Hailing from Glasgow and formed in 2009, Analog Angel have developed a devoted following on the basis of their previous two releases, Dischord (2009), and The Thin Line (2011) and supported such luminaries as VNV Nation and Assemblage 23. December … Read More

Come Into My World DAYBEHAVIOR have a particular skill at crafting stylish slices of electropop, the 2003 song ‘The Sweetness of My Pain’ springs immediately to mind – an exquisite combination of melodic beauty and melancholic ode of despair. A … Read More

“Radiate and shine – to light your path to glory…” As far as new studio album releases go, the collaborative talents of the classic line-up of Ultravox, featuring Midge Ure, Billy Currie, Chris Cross and Warren Cann, have been somewhat … Read More

New Zealand’s Princess Chelsea delivers a magical and captivating brand of electropop… Auckland-based musician and producer Chelsea Nikkel is a classically trained pianist whose pop roots stretch back to the likes of indie outfits Teen Wolf and The Brunettes. Her … Read More

Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens… It’s been a very interesting period for the electronic music enthusiast with electropop gaining a very prominent profile via some of the new artists emerging. The term ‘Renaissance Period’ has been … Read More

Swedish dreampop duo take us on a Voyage… While the Nordic regions have produced some sterling electropop acts in recent years, Swedish outfit The Sound Of Arrows (aka Stefan Storm and Oskar Gullstrand) appear to have stepped to the side … Read More

Synth-pop seduction The evolution of Liverpool synth-pop outfit Ladytron’s sound morphs into a much lusher approach to electronic pop on this, their fifth studio album (following on from 2008’s Velocifero). From their early origins, Helen Marnie, Mira Aroyo, Daniel Hunt … Read More

When The Stars Start To Shine It’s been ten long years since The Human League released their last album. The magnificent record that was Secrets brought down the record label it was released on and became their least successful album … Read More

Duran Duran provide all your needs… With Duran Duran’s last output Red Carpet Massacre, received less favourably by critics and fans alike, this current venture could easily have been a last chance on the stairway for them as far as … Read More

Singing The Body Electric Prolific Australian duo Parralox return with Metropolis, their third album in as many years. Since their 2008 debut album Electricity, Parralox have been building a worldwide reputation for quality synth-pop. John Von Ahlen, the creative mastermind … Read More

“It’s time to celebrate…” On the 4th of December 2010, on the third of 3 sell-out shows at the Oslo Spektrum in Norway, the curtain will finally fall on a-ha’s glittering 25-year career. Undoubtedly a sad day in the calendar, … Read More

Synthpop pioneers OMD return… And so the finest band to emerge from the Synth Britannia era return. It is the first studio album since 1986’s The Pacific Age to feature the classic line-up of Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper … Read More