synth wave
L.F.T. – Minecrawler EP [OE023]
L.F.T (Love, Fist, Tears), aka Johannes Haas, returns to Osàre! Editions for another scorching release. As ever, the German producer’s sonic palette is immediately recognisable as he manoeuvres through 1980s-inspired wave and raw, rugged electro. Equal parts dancefloor elixir and cerebral wonderment, Minecrawler showcases Haas’ flair for freewheeling, chemical artistry, and experimentation. Divided into heavy, vocal numbers on one side and potent, club-orientated material on the other, the EP is unified overall by the frigid crackle of drum machines, primal synths, and goth aesthetics.
Kri Records – Italo Moderni MIX 115
Alessandro Adriani – Four Tracks [MNQ164]
Mannequin Records boss Alessandro Adriani returns on his own label with four tracks that were previously available exclusively as digital releases. Known for his unique blend of electro and synth wave sounds, Adriani has made a significant impact on the underground music landscape. With this new vinyl release, Adriani brings his distinctive musical vision to a vinyl audience, offering a tangible experience that digital formats cannot replicate. Each track is a testament to his ability to merge pulsating electronic beats with atmospheric synth melodies, creating a soundscape that is both nostalgic and innovative.
VA – Rock Rendez Vous: Musica Moderna Portuguesa 1985-1986 [DE307]
The seductive sounds of Portugal swing to Dark Entries on Rock Rendez Vous: Música Moderna Portuguesa 1985-1986, a compilation of vintage Iberian synth, wave, and postpunk gems. The legendary club Rock Rendez Vous (RRV) opened its doors in Lisbon in 1980, heralding a new era in the Portuguese underground. Although touring acts like Killing Joke, Danse Society, or Echo & the Bunnymen graced its stage, RRV more vitally served as ground zero for a new generation of Portuguese bands, one simultaneously in touch with broader international musical movements while being invested in establishing a national sonic identity. Rock Rendez Vous culls 9 tracks of prime Portuguese indie tunes from the Música Moderna Portuguesa compilations released in 1985 and 1986, documenting the heyday of this movement. Jangly and brooding postpunk gems like “Levante” from Jovem Guarda, Projecto Azul’s “New Sides,” and Essa Entente’s “Festa Final” are well-represented here. Meanwhile, quirky Balearic-laced synthpop gems like D. W. Art’s “Mate” or Zona Proibida’s “Musak” add a subtly regional flare. Rock Rendez Vous: Música Moderna Portuguesa comes housed in a sleeve designed by Eloise Leigh featuring a photo of the club RRV, and also includes a double-sided insert with lyrics, photos, and liner notes.
Poladroïd – Danse Macabre EP [mmd004]
Meta Moto presents the latest offering of Poladroïd. Drenched in dense, filtered atmospheres and infused with nostalgic echoes of a bygone era, ‘Danse Macabre’ exudes a dark and gritty ambiance, straddling the realms of retro-futurism and melancholic machine melodies. Drawing inspiration from a spectrum as wide as Holderlin’s ‘Hyperion’ and the poetic works of Robert Brasillach and Charles Baudelaire, ‘Danse Macabre’ showcases Poladroïd’s versatility in crafting diverse sonic landscapes while maintaining a signature sound.
Blackmoon 77 – Sonidos Subterraneos Episode 203
Bedroom Talks – Call Me Malespero [OR125]
Bedroom Talks, hailing from Ukraine, is a gifted solo artist whose music, delves into an eclectic blend of genres including coldwave, darkwave, synthwave, post-punk with touches of EBM. “Call Me Malespero,” produced during Ukraine’s shelling, captures the essence of his art in a unique and moving way. It’s a powerful testament to human resilience and the ability to find beauty even in the darkest moments, evoking a range of emotions from pain and anger to palpable sweetness, all woven into poetic lyrics and enveloping melodies.
VA – Yarrow Ballet V.A. 01
Introducing Yarrow Ballet’s V.A. (Volume 01) featuring 10 beautiful tracks. The essence of this compilation its best describes as a listening experience that aligns perfectly with Yarrow Ballet’s musical aesthetic. It captures a balance of darkness and softness, all underscored by a sense of melancholic beauty. The V.A. also embodies a sense of community, similar to that of a close-knit family.
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Filmmaker – Hollywood Cult LP [VEYL040]
Filmmaker consistently traverses genres from post-punk, EBM, synth wave and beyond to create a unique identity still firmly rooted in film culture. Now he returns to Veyl with Hollywood Cult. Comprised of 13 tracks, the album sees the producer elevate his sound to new levels, conjuring a world of haunting atmospheres and devious directions that take the listener through a journey of unparalleled proportions.
Cold Colors – Vanishing Dreams [W12]
“Vanishing Dreams” is a highly awaited new mini-album by Cold Colors, brimming with personality and inspiration as always. Wistful undertones and captivating melodies establish Cold Colors as one of the most prominent figures in the current French and European new wave scene. His music mirrors the sharpness and elegance reminiscent of the renowned Lyon duo, Deux, showcasing his talent for evoking beautiful emotions through his melancholic and catchy notes.
Diana Berti / Disappearer – Meccanismo Ritmico Vol.1 [MRG015]
Marguerite Records announced Meccanismo Ritmico, a new multidisciplinary project that will involve artists who can think outside the box, inspired by the energy and spirit of the 1980s DIY subculture. The first volume contains 6 exclusive tracks by Diana Berti aka Violet Poison and Disappearer, 1/2 of Harlem Electronics, two already well-known names in the international electronic scene. The first part is dominated by the romantic and introspective minimal synth wave sounds of Diana Berti contrasted by the dirty and distorted EBM influenced tracks of Disappearer.
“Our thoughts are with the victims of the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza: we are witnessing a gross violation of human rights and since the beginning of the conflict, we have often felt helpless in the face of all this barbarism and inhumanity. We have therefore decided to donate the proceeds from the sales of the compilation to PCRF – Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.”
Foreign – Strange World LP [EFAE]
“Strange World” is not merely an album; it’s a sonic expedition that probes the aberrations of a society shaped by the strange and transformative influence of technology. The music industry, a microcosm of this surreal universe, has become an intricate web of formatted reactions and impersonal interactions. Foreign, the musical observer, takes the audience on a solitary journey through the night—a time of introspection where raw feelings and emotions are eclipsed by the numbing shadows of social media and the relentless march of technology. The album resonates with an unmistakable romanticism, shrouded in a dark, mysterious atmosphere. Each track is a testament to the disquieting beauty found in the synthesis of opposites—the warm, pulsating beats of EBM intertwining with the ethereal melodies of synth-pop. The result is a musical landscape that is simultaneously haunting and alluring, much like the strange world it reflects.
Teatre – 2 Songs [FLR04]
Ferry Lane Records welcomes Teatre AKA Viktoras Urbaitis for its fourth release. ‘2 Songs’ presents the Lithuanian producer at his most introspective. On the A-side, ‘Alone’ offers a languid, bittersweet melody evoking the golden era of synth-pop. The B-side, ‘Low’ intensifies the mood while still embracing melancholy.
The Hipodrome Of Music 