Club Majo honors the legacy of Billy Idol with an inspired cover of Dancing With Myself. Injecting new electro reverence, the artist adds a shimmering synth design in contrast to the classic guitar arrangement. The stylistic update is effective. This is how we imagine Gary Numan might have produced it, but even he could not have adapted the vocal so wondrously. Club Majo has even more post punk attitude and quirky flare than the Idol himself.
The sonic surprise never relents as the cover evolves to its last moment. In the closing section it even takes on a new Kate Bush style experimental essence. There’s incredible attention to detail, with every synth contribution dialed to offer rare signature personality to the collective design. This is a proper cover that offers an opportunity to be a hit despite the fact that it’s a relatively well known new wave standard. Even still, we might prefer this version moving forward, and we love the original. That’s powerful!
Club Majo is featured on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
Bitter Machine caught our attention with their new infectious single Control. It’s first striking detail is the rare rhythmic design and how it interweaves into the songs melodic framework. It presents the song as a unique unparalleled entity, with loose connections to the works of NIN but with more dark wave and post punk influence. We even hear the electro influence of Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode. It’s an eclectic combination within a stylistic scope dedicated to dark moody vibes.
The group sees Bitter Machine as an audio-visual experience that applies a critical lens to the intrusion of technology and information/disinformation into modern life. It’s seen in their cover work and through their press photos which feature the artists eyes censored out. Have you thought how you might be controlled? Control builds to its closing moments. It may initially present as a funky dark wave gem, but by the end you’ll find the rage buried within its infectious cloak.
Hear Control now on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
Zion Isaiah just dropped a retro pop hit with their new single is it alright? For us it’s a proper summer smash, one that blends the underground synthwave flavor known to Ollie Wride’s collabs with FM-84 and the already poignant presence of the 1975. Zion Isaiah nails a signature vocal performance on this trademark moment. The affect is anthemic and the appeal is timeless, with a glorious flash of nostalgia tagging everyones favorite pop decade.
A dynamic project, Isaiah is full of hits, including the pop rock pump of love u in the morning. This is just more evidence that Zion is the real deal and worthy of his moniker. His music is pure pop bliss. It’s smart enough to grab an underground audience, but make no mistake, this stars a sure shot for the big time.
Zion Isaiah is featured on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
Set the controls for a neon night drive complete with lush sex appeal and pop star flash. Platon, Joolay arrive in full on their smash breakthrough Don’t Let It Go. This is how we imagine a collaboration would develop between Dua Lipa and The Midnight. Don’t Let It Go is instant gold.
Retrofuturism at its finest, it tags 80s pop with a new sonic fury. The mix brings modern punch and the vocals present crisp and luscious. A great song in any light, the singer Joolay possesses a sultry delivery is truly intoxicating. It must be hard to find lovers when you present this intimidating. She’s already an icon, we’ve called it. She’s a superstar.
Hear Don’t Let It Go now on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 