“Late Night Calls” features uptempo tracks like “California Nights,” “Hotel Crowne,” and “Caroline” that are instant classics with incredible hooks, solid melodies and a-grade vocals. But juxtaposed against those bright summer tracks are also meloncholic pop-crooner break-up tracks like “I’m Still On Your Side” and “We Were On Fire,” and also brilliant instrumental synth tracks like “End of the Line.” This range of compositions really makes “Late Night Calls” feel dynamic, and leads to a diverse retro listening experience that keeps pulling you back in.

A followup to At 1980’s debut album, “A Thousand Lives,” “Late Night Calls” features more of the same electric songwriting that pulls on your nostalgia strings, but this time with a bit less emphasis on the synths and bit more influence from 80s arena rock artists like Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams. All of these influences are melded with more modern pop sounds, creating an incredibly satisfying retro experience.

While “Late Night Calls” is still soundly a synthpop album, even containing a few entirely instrumental synth tracks like “End of the Line” and “Somewhere” (which are amazing in their own right by the way,) this subtle shift in tonality with the addition of more rock influences imparts an interesting update to the At 1980 sound – giving tracks a much wider, more anthemic feel – and arriving at that 80s nostalgia from a slightly different angle.

With these slight changes, “Late Night Calls” carves out a distinctly new retrowave (heh) feel while still retaining their established sound. Overall, this album is a great addition to their discography, building on the elements of their last release while also looking towards the future.

Grab a listen to “Late Night Calls” here!

At 1980’s Beginnings in Synthwave / Synthpop

At 1980 is the wonder-duo of England-based Josh Dally and Madrid-based  Adrián Quesada Michelena. Michelena originally started At 1980 because he was born in 1980. He contacted Dally for vocals and the two enjoyed working together so much that they began producing together. Josh Dally is known for his amazing synthpop vocals, and continues to deliver on track after track on “Late Night Calls.” Frequently featured alongside Timecop1983’s wonderfully well-produced synthwave, Dally has also worked with a number of other heavy hitters. He’s been featured on numerous classics like FM84’s “Atlas.” A true powerhouse of synthpop vocals.

From an interview with Retro-Synthwave:
“It started out as my personal project. I was born in 1980, hence the name. I contacted Josh for a vocal performance on a more or less finished track (Now), but we enjoyed working together so much that we decided working on another track (ended up being Have a heart), this time co-writing it. The creative match was further confirmed and we decided to embark on an album project together.” – Adrian Michelena.

Together, they created their first release,  “A Thousand Lives” and instantly became retrowave fan favorites. Fun Fact: At 1980 joined NRW after Ollie Wride introduced them to us. Thanks Ollie! (Read a full interview with Ollie Wride here.)

The Dreamy Synthpop Continues with “Late Night Calls”

Now At 1980 is back with “Late Night Calls“- what shaping up to be another synthwave / synthpop smash hit! Only the first three tracks are available to hear for now until the album drops – ‘Maria,’ ‘California Nights,’ and ‘Caroline.’ These endlessly catchy upbeat synthwave tracks are filled with nostalgic crooning vocals and a huge emphasis on nostalgia. “Late Night Calls”  instantly tugs at your hearstrings, playing them like a wistful instrument of the past. We’re incredibly excited for this release, and we hope the fans are too!

Grab a listen to the “Late Night Calls” singles and purchase physicals Here!

In fact, Josh Dally was featured on Timecop1983’s album “Night Drive,” tracks by FM-84 and has taken the stage next to Ollie Wride and Dana Jean Pheonix! As you might expect from one rubbing shoulders with those high caliber musicians, At 1980’s debut “A Thousand Lives” is a top-notch synthpop album perfect for fans of the The Midnight, Michael Oakley, and Ollie Wride.

Filled with catchy vocals, perfectly produced synthesizers, plenty of gated reverb, and a soft saxophone glaze, At 1980 is quickly joining the pantheon of New Retro Synthpop. Exploding with nostalgia and a transcendental atmosphere, “A Thousand Lives” is simply not an album you want to miss!

Listen to the new album here!