Under Delusion recently released their new album Lover. The 9 song effort explores various dimensions of dark electro rock. A hefty combination that includes the goth wave vibes of Bauhaus, dark retro rock of the Cult, and dark synth of Carpenter Brut builds a conceptual picture of their sound, but Under Delusion is really bringing something unique with every track. It’s all trademarked by brooding bass heavy vibes, a nod to their Russian roots and the countries affinity for nightclubs and electro pop.
The 80s inspiration is on full display on their title track, Lover. The low timbre female lead is equally exotic and sexy. The band isn’t afraid to admit that their “well into their thirties,” and that just makes this sultry vixen more captivating. It’s the mature experience that school boys dream of, as she sings “don’t leave me without joy, I wanna be your lover.”
Under Delusion dresses the mix with nostalgic synths and gated snares. They implore tasteful guitars to give the electro backdrop a natural texture. Then they seal the deal with catchy hooks and a unique voice to provide a signature touch. Fans looking for some sexy dark pop with retro appeal are going to fall in lust with Under Delusion, and lovers looking for an extra track on their late night mix can bump and grind to the exotic mystery of Lover.
Hear the single Lover now on our Best New Indie Synthwave playlist.
Austin band don’t get lemon recently released their new single D.I.E.I.N.T.H.E.U.S.A.
The vibey single reimagines the spirit of 80s Springsteen with a dark wave aesthetic. The robust echoing vocal above rich percussion layers and atmospheric synths recalls indie faves Phosphorescent. The resonating harmonica, almost acting like an additional synth, harkens back to early War On Drugs, drawing long draws form the instrument like an early 70s Neil Young drenched in a holy grail of echo.
A pinch of nostalgia paired with their personal touch, don’t get lemon brings something new to the growing scene of “wave,” satisfying listeners looking for something more authentic to contrast the sugar pop electro bops that dominate the scene.
Check out the video that powerfully displays the feeling and dissonance in poetic fashion, complete with artistic lighting choices that enhance the aura of the music.
Beneath the production and the vibe is a heartfelt sentiment about not wanting to Die In The USA. “If the world ends tomorrow I hope I don’t die in the USA.” These Texas hipsters just aren’t feeling that patriotic about their homeland. He laments “Stories all white washed and sold to the unwashed, And it’s sad to say I once believed, In the dreams that were promised and all the prayers that were received.”
It’s important to have works like this. Art can be a more accurate representation of the cultural climate of the times, and don’t get lemon provides a proper soundtrack to our present American turmoil. There’s a growing movement that desires a cultural change. Whats most interesting about this work is that it reflects the existential ethics of the movement. Working and running an’t living, and other countries don’t envy our interpretations of success and fortune.
Enjoy D.I.E.I.N.T.H.E.U.S.A. now on our Best New Indie Synthwave playlist.
Hey Hey Philly Represent! Jodi Valentin will get you moving on her infectious new single Electric. The versatile artist brings some 80s vibes with a classic appregiating bass bumping underneath the track. Glittery synths and and stabbing leads cascade around her soothing voice. She joins a movement in modern pop hooked on the classic hits of the 80s. Retrofuturism goes mainstream as Jodi joins the ranks of The Weeknd and Dua Lipa with the retro switch. This isn’t your typecast fruity loops knock off, Jodi brings ingenuity and finesse with fantastic production and a crisp catchy vocal. She pairs well with one of our favorite new 80s pop hit girls Kacy Hill, bringing strong vocal abilities to the movement, lending a new exciting voice to the scene.
Valentin is feeding your retro pop fix in a pro ready package. She’s got a few tricks up her sleeve, having been born in Brooklyn and studying with the masters at NYU Clive Davis Academy. Recent alumni include Del Water Gap and Maggie Rogers, and like those artists Jodi has serious crossover appeal. A move to Philly is no doubt influencing her originality, as our home city thrives on creativity and passion. A mix of intelligent pop and insanely catchy, underground and mainstream fans alike would relish in this vibe.
Dig into Electric now on our Best New Indie Synthwave playlist
The synth soul of future funk is alive and living in Sol Arctica. The Australian artist is reviving the tastiest 80s R&B jams, when the classic pop producers of the 60s and 70s discovered synthesizers and changed radio forever.
On the new single Dancing Here Always, Sol Arctica joins a growing movement that includes Jay Diggs and others who are reinventing retro pop with an eye on funk and soul. It’s sometimes referred to as future funk.
Sol Arctica goes all in with an infectious female vocal courtesy of Brisbane soul/jazz artist Caterina Branca that recalls the catchiest Janet Jackson and Chaka Kahn hits from the era. He digs into some MJ Off The Wall style disco 70s strings, referencing how early 80s pop still had one foot rooted in Studio 54. To bring it full circle, he enlisted the funky bass stylings of NY native Jerome Smith and the thirsty sax licks of Shaun Fogarty. Enlisting pro musicians was a master stroke, as the collaborative effort pays homage to a time when studio musicians still reigned supreme, and every release demanded a pro touch.
You know he graced us with the Dx7. If you haven’t figured it out yet, producer Chris Lugton aka Sol Arctica is all about authenticity with an attention to detail and a respect for the craft that should please the gatekeepers of wave. No he didn’t bounce the drum track onto and back from a 2”24 track using 456 Analog Tape (yes he did). C’mon man you can’t figure out how this jam sounds so true to style, my man employed the classic techniques of the day and he’s got the piano and writing chops to bang with the best of them.
Flying way too far under the radar, get your hips moving to Dancing Here Always, now on our Best New Indie Synthwave playlist
The Wild Is Calling 