Below is the list of our top 10 collaborations from this year from some of the best acts in the scene….

10. Dreamreaper & MAGNAVOLT – BLOODRAVE

9. Earmake & Stilz – Artifact Hunt

8. ALEX & Mono Memory – SOCIAL MEDIOCRITY

7. Futurecop! – Home (feat. Parallels)

6. Fury Weekend & Ollie Wride – Soul Survivor

5. All the Damn Vampires – I Can’t Go (feat. Mint Simon & Sunglasses Kid)

4. DRYVE – 80s Song (feat. Cassiopeia)

3. Josh Dally & Timecop1983 – Take Me Back

2. PYLOT – Invisible (feat. Ezra Hyte)

1. Miami Nights 1984 – Only When It’s Dark (feat. Gunship)

Favorite tracks : Escaping the Void, Signals

Timecop1983 ‘Multiverse’ is out now via Bandcamp.

Los Angeles-based The G has been producing synthwave since way back in 2015, and has been playing synths since he was 12 – so he’s no stranger to the keys. His previous releases –  “Cosmopolis” and late 70’s based concept album “Concrete Island” – were released on TimeSlave Recordings, but “Wanderers” marks his first release with NewRetroWave – and it’s perhaps his best work yet!

It’s not often that a release comes along that instantly transports me back to the early days of synthwave, so I was absolutely hooked from my first listen. Every track on this album screams early 2010’s synthwave and dreamwave. Seriously – from the pristine dreamy melodies to the thrumming basslines and pitch-perfect vocals, each track’s arrangement just feels quintessentially synthwave. The G has also knocked the production out of the park here as well, as the album’s overall mix and master are brilliantly shiny and about as close to flawless as you can get.  “Wanderers” also features several other amazing artists on vox, like JJ Mist, Vampire Step-Dad, Vandal Moon, Michelle B, and Dimi Kaye! “Wanderers” really is the whole package – and then some!

Perhaps the most interesting part of this album is how The G masterfully crafted tracks that feel so classically synthwave and dreamwave, without falling prey to the pitfalls of repetition or ever feeling derivative. Each track is well crafted in The G’s own unique style, so even while being strongly reminiscent of the best classic synthwave albums they still sound fresh and new. This creates an interesting effect of feeling nostalgic for the recent past, amplifying those wistful feelings into outright bliss.

We recently spoke with The G in an interview, and he explained part of how he kept “Wanderers” feeling so fresh:

“Most synthwave albums give you ten songs with one vibe. Chill, dark, dreamy or whatever. And there’s nothing wrong with that approach – Concrete Island is like that too, after all. But when you go back to classic albums of the ‘80s, that’s almost never the case. You get upbeat songs after downtempo songs, or angry songs that fade out into ballads – all in 45 minutes. The best albums of that era take you on an emotional journey, the kind of journey most people go through in life. I wanted to make something that had an emotional range. Something that takes you on a journey.”

 

In short, “Wanderers” is easily one of the best albums I’ve heard in quite a while. It’s a fantastic blast from the past, but also a look ahead to the future.  Grab a listen here – you won’t be disappointed!

TOP PICKS

Acryl Madness – Kaidan

Bandcamp

Emil Rottmayer – Deflection

Bandcamp

Makeup and Vanity Set – Heart of Batman

Spotify

Mitch Murder – Then Again

Bandcamp

Lukhash – We Are Stardust

Bandcamp

Timecop1983 – Faded Touch

Bandcamp

CRYSEHD – EP IV

Bandcamp

Downtown Binary – Memoir

Bandcamp

The Starfighter – Simulation EP

Bandcamp

glitbiter – Glass & Steel

Bandcamp

Honorable Mentions & Singles

Cadet – Blu Magic

Bandcamp

HKE – More Electric Swill To Fill Up Your Stupid Heads

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQuVwtQxHsw

Bandcamp

LA Nights – The Call

Bandcamp

Kagami Smile – Secrets Between

Bandcamp

Millenium Falck – Fall of the Titans

Bandcamp

Mythical Vigilante – Erase Your Mind

Bandcamp

Tangerine Truckstop – Tangerine Truckstop

Bandcamp

OSC – Yume No Machi

Bandcamp

Bandcamp

Lebrock – Hearthstrings (Single)

Bandcamp

Michael Oakley – Is there Anybody Out There (Single)

Bandcamp

It’s been three long years since Timecop1983’s last full length, with the darker “Night Drive” dropping way back in 2018. Timecop1983, aka Jordy Leenaerts, has definitely been busy, spending a lot of time on tours like the “We Are Dreamers” tour with Arcade High + Korine, and releasing some fantastic singles and collabs – so we’re super stoked to finally get another full album!
(Side note, Arcade High and Korine both have physical merch left from their latest releases, here and here – go grab them before they’re gone, they’re awesome albums!)

Josh Dally is also back in “Faded Touch,” lending his amazing synthpop vocals to almost half the album. Frequently featured alongside Timecop1983’s wonderfully well-produced synth, Dally has also worked with a number of other heavy hitters. He’s been featured on numerous classics like FM84’s “Atlas” and also comprises half of At 1980 as well, who debuted on NRW last year. This dynamic duo are a match made in synth heaven, and they continue to astound in “Faded Touch.”

Dreamwave Written During a Dark Time

All that touring mentioned above was, of course, interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Leenaerts explained in a recent interview with Vinyl Writer Music that he was actually working on his live show when the virus struck. The extra time he found himself with allowed him to work on “Faded Touch,” and perhaps this explains why the album is so emotive, as some of it seems to have been written during that dark time.

As we mentioned before, “Faded Touch” really wears it’s heart on it’s synth. This album feels particularly passionate and profound, even compared to other Timecop1983 albums. That makes perfect sense, considering it was created at least partially during the pandemic lockdowns. The album deals with themes of heartbreak, regret, and perhaps most telling – loneliness. Several tracks on the album directly reference failing or unhealthy relationships, and one track is even simply titled “Alone.”

All of these sentimental themes combine perfectly with the experienced vocals of Dally and some truly top-notch synthwork from Leenaerts, and make for one of the most memorable releases we’ve heard recently. “Faded Touch” is a plaintive mix of synthwave, dreamwave, and synthpop that blends together to form a remarkable release. While we’ve heard tracks about relationships before from Timecop1983, (He has two EP’s titled “Lovers Part 1” and “Lovers Part 2” after all,) I don’t think we’ve heard quite as much hurt before. Something about the nostalgia of the synthwave and dreamwave genres really blends well with these themes, making this album feel very poignant.

But It’s Not All Heartache

But, it isn’t all heartbreak. There are certainly more upbeat anthemic tracks on “Faded Touch” too. Cuts like “One Night” and “Chemical” really help break up some of the wistful elements of the album. The instrumental tracks also deliver well with some very interesting and instantly memorable melodies.

Overall, “Faded Touch” is a beautiful album, partly created during a tumultuous time in history. The album reflects that through the lens of nostalgia and loneliness, creating a sense of lachrymose longing that pairs well with the synthwave aesthetic. We hope it sees a physical release soon! In the meantime, you can download your copy here.

Dan Terminus – Feral

Danger – 04:42 Still Free

Jean Frais – Touch

Korine – Cruel

Top 10 Retrowave Music Videos of 2020

10. Trevor Something – Can You Feel it?

9. Meteor & Magic Dance – Ready to Fight

8. LeBrock – Interstellar

7. Jessie Frye ft.Timecop1983 – Faded Memory

6. Mecha Maiko – Phones

5. Betamaxx – Never Sleep Again (feat. Vandal Moon)

4. Gunship – Black Blood Red Kiss (feat. Kat Von D)

3. Gunship – The Drone Racers

2. Carpenter Brut – Fab Tool feat. David Eugene Edwards

1. Makeup and Vanity Set – Algorithm

]]> https://newretrowave.com/2020/12/19/top-10-retrowave-music-videos-of-2020/feed/ 0 https://newretrowave.com/2020/07/08/jessie-frye-kiss-me-in-the-rain-out-this-friday/ https://newretrowave.com/2020/07/08/jessie-frye-kiss-me-in-the-rain-out-this-friday/#respond Wed, 08 Jul 2020 20:29:05 +0000 https://newretrowave.com/?p=30543 Jessie Frye’s “Kiss Me In The Rain” is scheduled to drop this Friday!

The singles released ahead of the album are the perfect example of fantastically catchy romantic synthwave and synthpop. Her longtime musical team mate Matt Aslanian has some wild production skills, and they really shine on the few tracks we’ve heard thus far – even the vinyls have already sold out in pre-sale!

Jessie Frye has been creating fantastic releases and performing on stage since way back in 2008. Since that time she’s played alongside FM-84, Timecop1983, Com Truise, and more. “Kiss Me In The Rain” is no exception, with tracks featuring the fantastic Ollie Wride, Timecop1983, and Robert Parker.

We can’t wait to hear “Kiss Me In The Rains” nostalgia-bomb final release – get this Friday 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!

Top 10 Retrowave Songs of 2019

10. McRocklin & Hutch – One of Them

9. Michael Oakley – Push It To The Limit

8. FM Attack – Dark Blue Sky

7. Futurecop! – Star (feat. Computer Magic)

6. Kalax – Let Go (feat. Anton Vic)

5. Timecop1983 – My Delorean (feat. Primo)

4. FM-84 – Bend & Break

3. Wayfloe – Fractions (feat. Jessie Frye)

2. SYML – Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix)

1. Ollie Wride – Back To Life (Official Video)

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!

The Midnight – Arcade Dreams (Timecop1983 Remix)

Nitewind – Skyline

Tonebox – Run

Siamese Youth – Coco

Magic Sword – Awakening

Comprised of Ryan Boosel and Patrick Farone, Acrade High stated they wanted “New Impressions” to be “…a balance between our love for retro sounds and modern bangers on the dance floor…” and here they’ve nailed a critical success. Just as much as this album is retro synthwave, it also has pepperings of electro, indie, and pop in all the right places.

However, in spite of this adjustment to their traditional sound, this album still feels very much “Arcade High,” just with a hefty infusion of danceablility. This mixture of modern dance and synthwave is perhaps one of the best evolutions of traditional synthwave we have heard in a long time, and we hope to hear more like it!

Check out the full album here!