The Top 10 Synthwave Albums of 2022:

10. Nosebleed (Deluxe) by Midnight Drift

9. Ultrasound by A.L.I.S.O.N & Hotel Pools

8. Heroes by The Midnight

7. The Textorcist OST by Gost

6. Triangle Unicode by We Are Magonia

5. Lovers Lake by Lovers Lake

4. I by Voyage

3. AKUMA 3 by ALEX & TOKYO ROSE

2. (Tie) In Motion I & II by Memorex Memories

2. (Tie) Tortured Waters by DEADLIFE

1. Sentimental by Miami Nights 1984

Honorable Mentions

(In No Particular Order)

In Search of Tomorrow (Original Documentary Soundtrack) – by Various Artists

Forgotten Shapes by Waveshaper

Payback by Neon Nox

Synth City by All the Damn Vampires

Distorted Memories by Lucy In Disguise

Favorite tracks : Night Owls (feat. Tima), Wavelengths, 5 AM

Lucy in Disguise ‘Distorted Memories’ is out now via Bandcamp.

Dimensional is out now on Bandcamp via Innerworks Records.

Based in Atlanta, System96 has been crafting his delicious brand of chillsynth for only a couple of years. However, this artist has quickly come into his own, and the proof is in the awesome tracks that comprise “Emotion” and “Memories.” Each of these albums is crafted in the instantly recognizable chillsynth style, with heavy influences coming from chillsynth icons like HOME and Hotel Pools. System96 even recently collabed with Hotel Pools for the awesome single ‘Lynx!

Both “Emotion” and “Memories” also feature the phenomenal Lucy In Disguise in the tracks ‘Autonomy’ and ‘Emerald’ (If you haven’t already, you really need to check out “Unkown Frequency” and “Sunset Radio” from Lucy in Disguise, they’re fantastic albums.) It’s easy to see why these fantastic artists are working with System96, as many of the tracks he’s been releasing recently just sound instantly iconic.

Grab your own preorder of these two ridiculously relaxed chillsynth albums before they’re gone for good this time! Check out “Emotion” here, and “Memories” here.

This set of absolutely killer producers is enough to turn heads, and we at NRW are honored that they were awesome enough to reimagine Akuma II!

Akuma II (The Remixes) features Lucy In Disguise, Kick Puncher, Straplocked, Power Glove, Grimlin, Tonebox, STRNGR, MAKESHFT, Sierra, and Scattle.

Each artist has brought their own particular flavor and intensity to Akuma II (The Remixes) – however they also manage to stay true to the source material and mix well together in the overall master. The end result is a listening experience unique from other remix albums which can tend to feel disjointed.

We’re absolutely stoked to release this album into the wild – we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Grab a listen here!
 

Peter Zimmermann – Through The Night (Part 1)

Florida Skyline – The Green Tapes

Arcade High – New Impressions

Megadrive – 199XAD

Billy Mays Band – Introspection

Betamaxxx – Lost In A Dreamworld

Powerglove – Playback

Top 10 Retrowave Albums of 2019

10. Lucy in disguise – Sunset Radio

9. FM Attack – New World

8. Tonebox – Cloud Highway

7. Futurecop! – Voltrana

6. Akuma II – Alex & Tokyo Rose

5. Com Truise – Persuasion System

4. Waveshaper – Artifact

3. Quixotic – Flamingo Drive In

2. Michael Oakley – Introspect

1. Ollie Wride – Thanks in Advance

It’s been just over a year since the release of “Unknown Frequency,” and already Lucy in Disguise has produced another knockout album – the title track “Sunset Radio” already making our top 5 list last week!

In addition to the signature nostalgic sound, “Sunset Radio” also features a plethora of interesting tonalities, from “Heist Money” which would fit perfectly into the soundtrack of  Hotline Miami, to the Tangerine Dream inspired “Tangerine Evening,” and “1987 pt. 2,” an update to the much-lauded “1987.”  Many tracks feature interesting beat patterns as well, reminiscent of Com Truise.

Lucy in Disguise also recruited some fantastic artists to feature on the album too, with vocals from Observer Drift, production and composition from Baldocaster, as well as guitar work and production from Fashionista Boyfriend, and finally mastering from Tonebox. 

This album is a knockout grand-slam masterpiece of synth – grab a listen here now!

Friday afternoons mean one thing – the NRW Weekly Selection.
We’re striving to bring you the best of the best. From outrun to darksynth, we have your weekend covered!

Lucy in Disguise – Sunset Radio

Trevor Something – All Messed Up

Unfound – Arrival

The Midnight- Shadows (Uppermost Remix)

Makeup and Vanity Set – Power Path

10. Sellorekt/LA Dreams – Shadow Voices
by Sellorekt/LA Dreams

9. Carbon Killer – Carbon Inc
by Jay Jackson

8. Lucy In Disguise – Unknown Frequency
by Fvckrender
7. Mitch Murder – Hardwired
by Junkboy
6. Deadlife – Variation on the Resolve
by SKEOR
5. DJ Ten – Trinity
by Fab Ciraolo 
4. Astral Tales – Seafari
By Magdalena Radziej
3. Hollywood Burns – Invaders
by View from the Coffin

2. The Midnight – Kids
by Aaron Campbell

Honorable Mention:
Microchip Terror – Illegal Experiments
by Microchip Terror

Honorable Mention:
Neoslave – Messiah
By : Andrew Tremblay 

1. Carpentur Brut – Leather Teeth
By Jesse Daubertes & Adrien Havet

This compelling LP builds upon the tonal themes of previous releases from Lucy in Disguise but changes the equation just enough to remain fresh and engaging. Still present are the wonderfully warbly synths and unique melodies Lucy in Disguise is known for – but here the voice of each track feels a bit more complex and layered. The trademark funky house feeling has been traded – dialed back just a bit to make room for a larger soundstage – taking this release further into the realm of the ambient genre. The result is an exciting, absorbing mix that feels more like a novel compared to a short story.

Behind the different sound of “Unknown Frequency” you can clearly hear an improvement to the production value – feeling cleaner and more delightfully analog than previous releases. Of course, the previous releases from Lucy in Disguise were already well-produced, so this step-up really takes the music from great to absolutely stellar.

In summation, “Unknown Frequency” feels like a fantastic voyage through the cosmos – with twists and turns to gleaned from multiple listens to each track. Lucy in Disguise has truly given us an fantastic update to his signature sound – an update that changes just enough to remain fresh and new while still satisfying old fans as well. Between the dreamy layered synths and scattered beats lies something awesome waiting to be found.

Top Tracks: “Discovery,” “V.T.W.A. (feat. Laura Claire),” “Unknown Frequency,” and “Interstellar Transmission.”

Bandcamp Link: Unknown Frequency by Lucy In Disguise

TONEBOX

LUCY IN DISGUISE:

More Info Here: https://www.dnalounge.com/calendar/2017/10-13d.html