“Just Drive (Part 1)” is another delicious blend of the indie rock and retrosynth sound that Wolf Club has become known for. In the past few years, Wolf Club has stolen top spots in our “Top Ten Retrowave Albums of 2018,” and our “Top 10 Retrowave Albums of 2020,” as well as top spots in our “Top 10 Retrowave Tracks of 2020” as well. But the real reason they manage to keep cranking out the hits is their fantastic songwriting ability. Each track from recent albums just seems to be filled with endlessly catchy hooks (from synths and vocalists alike) that fans just can’t wait to get more of.

Soon after our own Interview Editor Robin Ono spoke with Wolf Club a couple weeks ago, they were also interviewed about their latest album by the radio program “BBC Music Introducing” (Skip to 1:29:25 for the interview) and the Daily Express, a national newspaper. (“Just Drive (Part 1)” ) is also the first album in which they’ve used the saxophone since their track “Sunset Drive”… coincidence? Probably.

In both of the interviews, Woflclub revealed some fantastic news for fans: They let it slip that the tentative release date for their 7th album, “Just Drive (Part 2),” is sometime in late summer of this year. According to those interviews, the album is already wrapped up apart from some mastering that might need to be done. Of course, this release date has not been officially confirmed by NRW, so it may be subject to change – but either way, we’re very excited to hear it’s coming relatively soon!

Chris Paul-Martin, half of Wolf Club, also expressed to the Daily Express they have yet another album in the works – although it won’t grace our ears nearly as soon: “…We’ve already got 15, 16 tracks that we’re really, really pleased with [and] are pretty strong…We’ll see how Part 1 goes, see how Part 2 goes. But hopefully maybe summer 2022 we’ll have something ready to go.”

Steve Wilcoxson, the other half of Wolf Club, also related that they tinkered with the idea of making “Just Drive” a trilogy, but now “… I don’t know if that would work, because I think – given the sort of direction of the latest few demos after Part 2 – I’m not entirely sure if it would fit.” They also related that they really tried to turn it up to 11, saying “Most of our songs are usually about escape – which everyone needs at the moment – driving away, great nights, skies, stars. All of that imagery that gets pushed a little further.”

We had heard some fantastic singles ahead of release from Waveshaper, Wice, and Powerglove with PYLOT, and I am pleased to report that the rest of the album stacks up against their quality. Easily the best in the trilogy, each artist on this magnificent compilation has truly brought their A-game, contributing some new instant-favorites to Magnatron 3.

It really is not exaggeration to say that “Magnatron 3” hits harder than ever before. Each track feels bigger, more epic, more intense, with each artist giving the series a fitting finale.
Each previous Magnatron release has had sci-fi themes, but with Magnatron III the sci-fi synth leads seem to blend more with nostalgic tones such as in “Tyrael” from Tokyo Rose, or in “Grit Rewired” from DEADLIFE.

The combination of more nostalgia with the retro futurist themes, heavy basslines and danceable kicks really makes “Magnatron III” stand out more than ever before as the best synthwave in the scene. Easily the best in the trilogy! At the time of this writing there is still some physical merch left – but it’s sure to be gone soon!

Click here for physical merch from Bandcamp – Click here for other streaming services.

Dropping next Friday, July 24th, “Magnatron III” is jam-packed with absolute fire tracks from some of the best hand-picked artists in the retro synthwave scene. Just listening to the gleaming production of first three singles (Waveshaper – Vivid Stars/ Wice – Interstellar / Power Glove & PYLOT – AEON) is proof-in-pudding that Magnatron III is going to be an absolute banger! With genres ranging from dreamwave to synthwave to darksynth and everything in-between, This synthwave compilation is set to be stuffed with a track for everyone.

Initial pre-sales of rare bundles are already sold out – but fear not! We’re adding more to the store at 9:30AM EST tomorrow via NRW Records. This will include standalone items in larger amounts and different colorways. – https://NRWRecords.lnk.to/MagnatronIII

Tracklist:

1. Wice – Interstellar
2. Waveshaper – Vivid Stars
3. Zombie Hyperdrive – Ghostwalker
4. Absolute Valentine – Magnatron Engaged
5. STRAPLOCKED – Active Aggression
6. ALEX – SAMUS ARAN
7. Power Glove & PYLOT – AEON
8. Tonebox – Pulsar Blast
9. TOKYO ROSE – Tyrael
10. F.O.O.L – The Truth
11. Daniel Deluxe – Frontier
12. Sandman – Destiny Unknown
13. Donbor – Brume
14. DEADLIFE – Grit Rewired
15.Turboslash – Phantom
16. ORAX – Shelter
17. Kick Puncher – Last Resolve
18. Volkor X – Aftermath

Magnatron / Magnatron III / Magnatron 3

“Aeon” is a deliciously cinematic, devilishly downtempo track from the insane duo of  Power Glove and PYLOT.  The atmosphere and in this single is cranked up to 11, and makes for an instant must-listen.

“Interstellar” from long time NRW artist Wice was the very first single to be released – and it’s intense driving synths are pure hype! Combined with a touch of 80s power guitar licks and interesting nostalgic chord progressions, this track sounds more like a molten dancefloor than a neon city drive.

Even I don’t get to hear the Magnatron series ahead of time, but with these two singles being our first hints at Magnatron III – my expectations are incredibly high. Grab a listen to both singles on the Bandcamp here!

We have many solid artist line ups right now but do not want to reveal to much. The first official single from the album is set for release this Friday, 5/8/2020. Pre-save link here: https://NRWRecords.lnk.to/Interstellar 

More MAJOR info to come soon. #StayRetro

Building from a mysterious ethereal vocal track, “Eternal” absolutely explodes with a chill retro vibe primed and ready for those heady summer nights!

“Let’s get lost tonight…”