So it is with “New World,” an album that feels futuristic, yet sparks nostalgia. An album that revisits the old disco-dreamwave proving grounds of FM Attacks’ debut “Dreamatic” through present rose-colored synthpop lenses, then looks to the future with the cold uncertainty of newwave and darkwave aesthetics.

In this way, “New World” feels a lot like a journey through genres. Some artists trying this feat may end up with an album feeling disjointed, but each seamlessly intertwined track flows perfectly into the next for Ward. Of course, as with all of the FM Attack catalog, every cut is also masterfully produced. The result is an album reminiscent of his previous work, but ever marching forward – pushing the boundaries of what synth music can and should be.

Turning 10 this year, Ward’s debut “Dreamatic” disco sound is instantly apparent on the first half of the album, especially in ‘Let You Go,’ ‘Ultraviolet,’ and ‘My Life.’ However, these early half cuts don’t simply rehash anything and are steeped in their own synthwave and synthpop vibes that present a more mature arrangement. Mecha Maiko lends her vocals for “Stranger” in this first half as well, making a lamenting statement piece everyone should really sit down and absorb.

The tonality of the album then shifts with ‘Cosmic Dance’ – a more cinematic interlude track reminiscent of Tangerine Dream.

The rest of the album dives into the newwave and darkwave deep end with three tracks featuring Blake Voss of Vandal Moon – an artists out now on Ward’s own Starfield Music record label.

Each of these tracks really work well, instantly conjuring images of The Cure and New Order but with a lighter, more synthesized feel. FM Attack’s signature uplifting sound keeps these tracks from getting too dark or depressing, creating an incredibly interesting nostalgic blend of dreamwave and darkwave which I would love to hear explored more as an entire genre.

Overall “New World” is a fantastic, mature piece of artwork that has something for everyone in it – whether you’re a fan of italo disco, synthpop, or darkwave.  Top Cuts: ‘Ultraviolet,’ ‘Let You Go,’ ‘Shadows,’ ‘Stranger (ft. Mecha Maiko),’ and ‘Mixed Emotions (ft. Vandal Moon)’

Check out the full album here!

The German based synth machine Compilerbau, aka Rudi Koller, is back with another astounding release entitled “Trickster’s Paradise.”

Koller has been producing music for over two decades, beginning when he was 13. He is known for his attention to minute details and an involved process of creation – bending the technology at his fingertips to achieve his sonic will. According to various interviews, much of that early music sits unreleased on a fabled hard drive – though you can hear some of his earlier works in his “Chronicles” releases.

Because he has been producing for over 20 years, the Compilerbau sound was already very refined when he began widely releasing music under that name around 2013. Each successive release, therefore, has seen not an improvement as you would with many other artists, but rather another side of the same complex, dynamic and well-rehearsed Compilerbau sound. “Trickster’s Paradise” is no different – intricately complex and masterfully mixed and mastered with a heavy emphasis on dynamics over loud, crunched waveforms.

According to social media posts, “Trickster’s Paradise” actually began as one huge project that also included “North Wall,” which was released last year. Koller also explained that he infused “Trickster’s Paradise” with some counterpoint and fugue-like melodies written after his Bach releases. A close listen shows this to be true – the two albums are like different sides of the same coin, albeit one side more dream wave and one side darker and more Baroque.

Because of this fugue-like take,”Trickster’s Paradise” feels more reticent and brooding. Compilerbau has already released some fantastic dark wave – though Koller laments being pigeonholed into that genre – and this release builds amazingly upon those already mastered dark tones with Bach-like trills, arpeggiations and synth rolls so quick they almost become stabs.

Dana Jean Pheonix also makes an appearance on this album in three awesome tracks. Adding her beautiful tones to an already fantastically dark and mysterious release only makes it better. Finally, I asked a physicist friend of mine about the album cover’s equations – and they are, in fact, real waveform equations.

All in all, Compilerbau can put another notch in his belt of stunning releases. This isn’t one you want to miss – especially if you appreciate the darker side of synth!

Top Tracks: “Crazy Business,” “Protorobotics,” “Nomad (feat. Dana Jean Phoenix),” and “Altitude.”
Altitude was actually written in 1998 and the original version, “High on Mountains” can be found in “Chronicals I.”

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Rising from the still-warm molten slag of the former Iron Curtain is Molchat Doma with “S Krish Nashih Domov” – simply put, one of the best new albums from this brutal 2017.

Hailing from Minsk, the capital and most populous city Belarus, Molchat Doma is a three piece group featuring the sullen vocals of Egor Shkutko, the endlessly nostalgic synth and guitar of Roman Komogortsev, and the melancholic, inspiring bass work from Pavel Kozlovskiy. Molchat Doma roughly translates to “Houses are Silent,” and “S Krish Nashih Domov” to “From the Roofs of our Houses.”

“S Krish Nashih Domov” or “From the Roofs of our Houses” is a lo-fi, Eastern European take on an expert blend of post-punk, new wave and synthpop – with just a dash of 80’s style darkwave for good measure.

This Molchat Doma sound is a virtuoso mix of dreary Alphaville synthwork, schizophrenic New Order drums with darker, even more reverberating New Order vocals and the most nostalgic strings of The Cure – peppered with a robust personality of all three and steeped in unknown eastern vibes that could only originate from soviet-era synth influences.

This is no exaggeration – almost every track on this album feels iconic in a familiar, but also foreign way. Although it is sung entirely in Slavic, the sad, nostalgic themes still resonate deeply – the sonic accomplishment surpassing language itself.

My top tracks: “doma molchat,” “tishina,” “krishi,” “lyudi nadoyeli,” “technologiya,” “pryatki,” and “ya ne kommunist.” A special thanks to my friend Sklenka, for introducing me to this  fantastic new (old) sound.

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After four long years the synthwave vanguard FM Attack is back with his third album, “Stellar” – a truly out-of-this-world release!

FM Attack, aka Shawn Ward, is a Vancouver native Mexico transplant. With his first release “Dreamatic” hitting the net way back in 2009, FM Attack is known for being a relatively early synthwave pioneer – and a damn good one at that. Having preceded the “Drive” driven synthwave boom, he thankfully did not outrun it, (heh) and picked up even more fans as he gained notoriety as one of the sonic inspirations to the film.

Since his last album “Déjà vu,” released in 2013, he’s been touring, landing a remix in the television show “Red Oaks” and even having a baby daughter named Stella – a new source of inspiration to whom this new album “Stellar” is dedicated and named after.

With so much changing in his personal life it should come as no surprise that with the release of “Stellar,” his sound has changed too. While his previous albums drew heavily from disco and had a more upbeat and dance feel, “Stellar” is steeped in postpunk and new wave vibes. This updated sound is unique and fantastic, creating a more wistful and nostalgic feel to the signature FM Attack sound.

The mix of these genres is pulled off flawlessly, from the vocals to the longing guitar merging with synths in “Oceans Apart.” Early 80’s postpunk and new wave mixed with the dreamy synthwave of FM Attack seems to help the melodies land in a more iconic fashion – less likely feel strained or gimmicky. “Stellar” is by far the most mature FM Attack release to date, having cultivated a beautiful unique new sound that is sure to influence artists in the years to come. An instant classic.

Part of this superb sound comes the fact that FM Attack used primarily vintage gear to create “Stellar.” In an interview with Vehlinggo, Ward related the difficulties of working with the 40 year old gear – learning to solder repair synths definitely added production time. Ward explained, “… I wanted to keep it as original as possible, while keeping a nostalgic feeling, using all vintage gear and old-school production techniques.” Time well spent!

Go grab a listen to this album whenever you get the chance. It has all the grandeur of older FM Attack synth with an satisfying and original post-punk/new wave sound. Top Tracks: “Echoes,” “Inner Space(feat. Mnynms),” “Oceans Apart” and “Stella.”

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THESE EYES ARE QUITE EVIL, BUT WHICH IS THE MOST DISTURBING??!!