UK synth pop act Mirrors are back with new material
Although they are now one man short. After several EP’s and singles released in 2009 and 2010, which was then followed by the debut album “Lights and Offerings” early in the spring, the UK band Mirrors are now back with the first two snippets from their recent work in the studio. Here’s their official statement:
“Dear all,
Sorry for our brief hiatus but a lot has changed in the Mirrors camp over the last few months. Firstly we say farewell to Ally Young. Ally has been an integral part of Mirrors since it’s foundations and has brought his ideas and enthusiasm to every part of our world.
We are all very sad to see him leave and wish him all the luck in the world in his future endeavours. We remain the closest of friends. As for the rest of us, we couldn’t be more excited about our future in Mirrors. We’re back in the studio now and the songs are coming thick and fast!”
Shooting Stars by theworldofmirrors
Make sure to check out the interview we did with Mirrors this spring, right here >>
A second album is under production and will reportedly be released early next year.
New synth pop video: Icona Pop – Nights Like This
Nights Like This EP – available at iTunes now. http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/v-v/111010090602
Music video by Icona Pop performing Nights Like This. (C) 2011 Mercury Records Ltd
Previous release below:
http://www.iconapop.com
http://www.facebook.com/iconapop
http://www.twitter.com/iconapop
“There are two things going for Icona Pop. Actually there are more than two, but the main two are that they’re a duo (always a good sign if you’re making electro-pop) and they’re Swedish (always a good sign if you’re making pop generally). Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, are from Stockholm and make the kind of forward-thinking, effortlessly cool pop that seems second nature to most Scandinavians. Top Rated – released as a double A-side with the Patrick Berger-produced Manners this month – is all processed drum cacophonies, OTT synth lines and the duo’s deliciously blank vocals. After all that business with the Black Eyed Peas, it’s nice to have a song which reminds you that not all synthetic pop sounds like an annoying ringtone.”
This is nice! – Celluloide’s “Ordinosaure” video
French act Celluloid presents their new single “Ordinosaure”. The song was delivered as b-side to the band’s previous single release “Impréversible” which was taken from latest album ‘Hexagonal’. From the same album has previously released the single “Coeur 8-bit”. “Ordnosaure” comes as a 4-track digital EP with the original version and three remixes signed record label colleagues decadence, Fore Taste and Neutral Lies.
“Ordinosaure” released Oct. 5 through BOREDOMproduct.
King-style 80s synth pop with Memorymoog, LinnDrum, and PPG Wave 2.3
A live improvisation of a typical mid-’80s style arrangement – a bit in vein of King’s “Love and Pride”. The Memorymoog has the lion share in this video, with its typical, quintessential synth brass. The LinnDrum is the standard drum machine of that era, and the PPG offers an elegant choir sound.
Hardware feature – PPG Wave 2.3:
The German made PPG Wave 2 series of synthesizers are incredibly great sounding analog/digital hybrid vintage synths. They use digital samples of wavetables and feature analog VCA envelope and VCF filter sections for a classic and warm sound. The Wave 2.2 (pictured above) has oscillators that can generate over 2,000 different single-cycle 8-bit digital waveforms! Covered by knobs, the Wave still looks analog and this comprises the “Analog Control Panel”. More complex and new-wave editing of the wavetables and samples is covered by the “Digital Control Panel” where there are several key-pad buttons and an LCD screen. Another familiar treat to analog junkies is the inclusion of an 8-track sequencer which features automation of pitch, loudness, filter cutoff, waveforms and more. A cool feature – its onboard sequencer will also record any filtering and wave changes, in real-time!!
The more commonly encountered Wave 2.3 followed the 2.2 and had enhanced sample-playback capabilities. The sampler was pretty full-featured for its time and included upgraded 12-bit digital waveforms, Fourier analysis and linear playback of samples. The 2.3 model also featured 8-parts multitimbrality and MIDI implementation. The PPG Waves are know to create excellent pads, brass and bass sounds.
Pure synth spotting – Ou Est Le Swimming Pool
French synth pop featuring the Microkorg, but also Drumulator, Monopoly, TR707 etc
Is it good – well you have to judge for yourself 
Re-releasing classic synthpop act – Children Within
Swedish label Progress Productions have decided to release unreleased and long-forgotten EP with Swedish synthpop act Children Within. Classic swedish synthpopact Children Within has been more or less under the radar since the release of their album “Freedom Of Choice”. However the bands mastermind Joakim Thureby has never stopped making music. This EP called “Spotlight” was recorded shortly after the time of “Freedom Of Choice” but for different reasons it never saw the light of day… until now.
The famous trademarks of the band is all present on this release. Danceable, catchy and with strong production. “Spotlight” is for sure to become an instant hit on all the electronic pop dancefloors all over the world. Progress Productions are pleased to bring this band out of the dark and again into the.. Spotlight. Beside the original mix and a brilliant dancefloor version we are treated with remixes from Robert Enforsen (Hype/Elegant Machinery) and Fiberpunk. Also the wonderful slow track “My Thoughts Belong To No One” is included.
One of the classic bands of the worldwide famous “swedish synthpop 90:ies era” return in style.
http://youtu.be/y1ICsj7FIM8
Teaser from the upcoming new Erasure album – listen here
Erasure – When I Start To (Break It All Down) by Mute UK
Erasure are soon ready to ship their new studio album “Tomorrow’s World”, released in early October.
But before it’s time for the album to land in stores there’s a new teaser out from the British synth pop duo with the single “When I Start To (Break It All Down)” coming in the end of September. The title track remixed by the duo including Steve Smart / West Funk and the multi-faceted songwriter, producer and mixaer Kris Menace (aka Christophe Hoeffel), as well as their own material also is known for his work with Felix Da Housecat. Kris is also known for the production and remix work for a host of other artists such as Moby, Air, Röyksopp, and Depeche Mode.
Exploring some incoming electronic music
Here is a batch of electronic videos that we have come across recently, enjoy
http://youtu.be/p_XFUMXKeIQ
http://youtu.be/eoOIMoX5TVQ
Leave your thoughts if you like or dislike it
Teaser – Boytronic-cover on Erotic Elk’s new album “Solitary”
Track list:
- Monoton
- Another Angel
- Rest In Pieces
- Reason To Believe
- Not A Tragedy
- Morningchair
- Saviour
- Trust
- On Your Own
- Tonight (Boytronic Cover)
- Rest In Pieces (Bossfight Remix) **
- Monoton (Ad Inferna Remix) **
- Released (From Chains) (Beatmix) **
- Reality (Freshmix) **
- On Your Own (Tropicmix) **
New single “Rest In Pieces” was released in April and 28 July is being followed up with second single “Monotone”, in September then present it to the brand new full length album “Solitary”.
The album is released both digitally and on CD, which, for those who pre-order the CD presses an edition of 5 bonusremixer, one of which is signed Ad Inferna **. In addition, it has also recorded a cover of Boytronic’s “Tonight” which is taken from the band’s classic album “The Continental”.
Two new videos fresh of the synthpop/EBM shelfs – Compact Space and Neotek
Compact Space – Push Push
The full length video for Push Push, directed by Danny Drysdale
Music video for the track “Alive” by Danish synth rock band Neotek.
The video was shot with a Canon EOS 5D mkII and edited in Final Cut Pro. Produced at no budget by the band with the help from good friends.
DATAMASKIN
