I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like this before at Vehlinggo: showcasing the most-read stories/articles/essays in a given year. However, now seems like as good a time as any to try it out! So let’s take a look at the top five most-read Vehlinggo pieces of 2022.
One fascinating thing is that, of the five, there are two stories that weren’t even published this year. (Would you be surprised that they involved FM-84 and The Midnight? Ha.) Anyway, let’s get to it.
1. Synthwave and the Curious Case of ‘Copywave’
Not only is Canada-based Michael Oakley a gifted songwriter, producer, and performer, he’s also an insightful essayist. His piece about copywave, the genre of generic synthwave music that probably purposefully sounds like original artists like Timecop1983 and The Midnight, was the most-read article on this site in 2022. This makes sense, because when I published it I saw it shared all over the various social media where synthwavers and their fans gather. Go ahead and read it, if you haven’t yet.
2. Who Is FM-84?
Some may not realize this, but Vehlinggo was the first outlet to publish an interview with Col Bennett of FM-84 — way back in March 2015. Since then, I’ve reviewed his work and covered his shows, and in 2017 I figured I should make a page to gather all of it. I’ve been updating it ever since, although not as frequently as when he was more active. However, it’s still loaded enough to compel people to make it the second-most read of the bunch. Check it out.
3. The Midnight Bring New Energy to ‘Heroes’
This review I wrote of The Midnight’s latest album made its way around the internet in a way I hadn’t expected, underscoring how there are at least some people who still give a shit about reviews. It helps that The Midnight are a great band and the album is fantastic. Take a read. (Also, worth noting, I added this record to my year-end list.)
4. Glass Candy’s Ida No & Chromatics’ Nat Walker Return as Dreamy New Duo Fawn
Without Glass Candy, I’d never have found Chromatics and without them, Drive would be a much different film and ultimately Vehlinggo likely wouldn’t exist. So when both acts (either formally or informally) called it quits, I was left to wonder just what the hell to do going forward. Well, Ida No (ex-Glass Candy) and Nat Walker (ex-Chromatics/ex-Desire/ex-Symmetry) answered my call with their new dream-pop/shoegaze/electronic act, Fawn. So far they’ve released six singles and I absolutely love them all. There is probably an album coming out next year, and I can’t wait. Here’s the article and mini-review I wrote when they released their first single, “Graffiti in the Hall.” (Fawn are also on my year-end list.)
5. Reliving the Past with The Midnight
Back in the fall of 2017 I did my first interview with Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle of The Midnight. Their EP Nocturnal had just come out and I was obsessed with “Shadows.” Both Lyle and I were living in the same general Park Slope/Prospect Heights area of Brooklyn and we ended up meeting to chat at High Dive, this bar on 5th Avenue at which Vince Clarke used to hang out quite a bit. It turned out to be a great interview. A bit later, the LA-based McEwan and I chatted on the phone for what felt like two hours. The result was a an in-depth profile of a band just getting some popularity. It’s wild that in the years since it has consistently been one of this site’s most-read pieces. Go ahead and read it.
That’s it for the Top 5 most-read articles of 2022 on Vehlinggo. Make sure to buy music and merch from your favorite artists (and see their shows, if you feel comfortable and safe enough to do so). Now is an unstable time for musicians trying to earn a living from their craft. Let’s throw them as much support as possible.
