What’s this? Another list already? What am I, prolific? (Very much not. This very clearly isn’t 2019.) Nevertheless, these five offerings are engaging releases that are quite worth your time. I went with some tracks you might not typically hear on Vehlinggo along with songs that are more what you’d expect. Gotta keep things dynamic, right? Let’s dive in.
Fiona Joy Hawkins — “Quickening”
Hawkins, a noted singer and pianist, and member of the New Age supergroup FLOW, has teamed up with Steve Horner, a composer who’s contributed to Shonda Rimes’ Bridgerton series, for the stunning “Quickening.” It is, as you’d imagine, a cinematic piece and one that is deeply moving. The intersection of the emotive strings, haunting piano and Hawkins’ wordless vocals cultivate a tenderness with which I’m slightly obsessed. Available on your favorite streamers.
Color Theory — “And Which Way Is Up”
I’ve been a fan of Color Theory (AKA Brian Hazard) for a good 15 years, several before he entered the synthwave scene. His latest work, “And Which Way Is Up,” feels like a solid bridge between his classic-inspired modern synthpop and his synthwave tendencies. He says he created it for an exhibition at Schloss Bevern in Germany, based on a painting by Karl Repfennig. The result is a synth-driven, borderline pocket symphony with Hazard’s Martin Gore-recalling vocals leading the way over the instrumentation’s epically catchy and mystical, fairy-tale quality. It’s a fitting complement to visual art. Available now via the usual suspects.
Tomo Akky — “Still Floating As Is”
Japanese musician Tomo Akky’s “Still Floating As Is” is a beautiful, minimal piece of electronic experimentation. Actually, it’s both beautiful and weird, which is a really great marriage. The electric piano has a simple but meditative progression to it, as it glides over a chunky, Enigma-esque drum beat and delicate synths. It really does feel like it’s floating. This is exactly the type of song that some would say “doesn’t go anywhere,” but I think that’s the point here. Too much musical narrative and movement, and the floating becomes a windstorm. This ambient gem is out now on Spotify and YouTube (and probably other streamer).
Allix — “Make It Stop”
French artist Allix gives us a propulsive synthwave dance track crafted on big drums, a dark wash of engaging synths, a sleepless bass, and compelling, Anglophonic vocals. His cut has the strut of tight disco and seems ripe for blasting in any space that needs an injection of energy. The lyrics themselves tackle dark themes — there is a relentlessness about them that underscores the hyperactive nature of the worrying mind, which naturally fits the arrangement. Out now on the streamers. (Afterthought: Put this sucker on repeat, and you’ll cover many Parisian arrondissements without realizing it.)
EM_LEN — “Winter Formal”
This experimental darkwave cut has a chaotic quality about it that really drew me in. The mechanistic drum machine actually helps further the chaos which the minimalist synths and brooding vocals cultivate. I suppose that’s what winter is: orderly chaos that relies on a very prescribed set of agreements lest the avalanche tear asunder.
Ice Island — “Ordinary”
“Ordinary” has the new-wave-for-the-dance-floor, paired-with-a-staggeringly-catchy-melody quality we frequently hear from the likes of New Order and Lust For Youth (and so many others). This is quite simply a well-written pop song at its heart, but there is enough of an edge to it that the sugar of the synths and the chorus pack an extra effective punch. The vocals of Steven Hawley (ex-Codebreakers) carry a complementary bittersweet timbre that work stunningly well with the instrumentation. The result is a killer song that would work well as a cross-generational needle drop — Pretty in Pink, Girls, or even Industry all could find utility with it. Ice Island is most definitely a project to follow. Single is out now on streamers.
Neural Pantheon — “Raven’s Requiem”
This German project’s dark, Celtic folk number hits hard. The powerful vocals rise like a siren over the pogonip-laden arrangement of acoustic guitar, synths, and tense percussion. The result is a sacred meditation ripe for inclusion in a fantasy film or series. Out now on streamers.
