We were drawn to the rare dark pop nature of The Well. The new single from mimike embraces an intriguing retro scope of influence. There’s also an abstract art pop flavor accentuated with clever sonic surprise. Stylistically it bridges the auras of St Vincent and Christine and the Queens with the classic influence of Kate Bush. Every moment embraces a lush duality, one that seeped in mystery while remaining infectiously seductive. The progressions cleverly waiver between flashes of catchy convention while flirting with borderline bizarre dark melodic movements.
The artist sings with an emotional vulnerability that honors this sounds initially eccentric legacy, whilst 80s new wave was in touch with a femininity unknown to classic rocks masculine presence. Whereas the vibe trends dark, effective contrast comes in the aggressive sparkle of a lead synth, an affect that thrusts you into an imaginative dream state. All of this was conjured from the humble setting of a kitchen apartment in Turin. Since means were limited, UK artist and activist Lucy Cadena who performs as mimike improvised a mic holder out of a flower pot and a tea towel. There’s a charm to that visualization that draws us to her work beyond its sonic magnetism. There’s something about Lucy.
Hear The Well now on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
We were drawn into the poetic vibe of To Live and Die in L.A., the breakthrough single on the new album from Alice Gift. The album is called Nothing Against Uplifting, But…. That title is a conversation starter in and of itself, as the world appears caught in cultural peril. It’s a transition that’s finding divisiveness within political groups that enjoyed a decade of solidarity. Alice Gift offers a timely theatrical conceptual nature to the work as a whole. It’s not a collection of singles but rather one singular statement with progressive swings that evolve the narrative convincingly.
The catchy payoff comes in the aforementioned singles dystopian outrun vibe. It reflects a dark facet of retro wave in contempt of the bubble gum pop alternative. For us it’s the albums most effective mix of dark wave and indie synth pop. Alice Gift embraces a minimalist credo, never straying from the integrity of what makes the song significant. The nostalgic pop intrusions translate like a dark wave version of The XX. Hear for yourself.
To Live and Die In L.A. is featured on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
Mild Card caught our attention with their new album Circuit Breaker. This clever album title offers a fair setup for the artists intriguing creative blends. Synth heavy new wave instincts collide with a modern post punk palette. That palette includes the influential presence of stylistic projects like LCD Soundsystem, IDLES, and Yard Act.
There are several notable highlights. We dig the bright layered percussion and addictive nature of A259. For us it’s like a nostalgic synth pop Parquet Courts. Then there’s the refreshing optimism of Boy, as the appregiating synths accentuate his writings rare hopeful spirit. We also love the inviting pump of In with the outpatients. For us it blends the auras of Soft Cell and Gorillaz. That’s some rare company in the realm of retro nostalgia. For us that’s his trademark. It’s the kind of outside the box aesthetic we can’t get enough of. There’s a consistent chic attitude to his vocals to tie it all together. For us Mild Card is a rare gem that flys too far under the radar. Get into all of Circuit Breaker.
Mild Card is featured on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
Silent Runners twist the narrative on their clever new single Baby I’m Cold Inside. It’s a seasonal kraut new wave anthem. The stylistic references accent their status as students of this sound as the sonic reverence nails every detail.
From the vocals to the textured synths Silent Runners honor this era while adding an updated tonal brilliance. Their brand of post punk new wave has caught critical praise and algorithm attention, it’s only a matter of time before this Dutch band breaks international. Stylistically we hear elusive references to the influential legacy of Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys.
Hear Baby I’m Cold Inside now on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 