Back catalogue: Coldwave/Synth

Review: Eagles & Butterflies has had plenty of notable tunes over the years. No doubt that is why he gets the nod from Gerd Jansen's legendary Running back label to offer up Retropolis Vol 01. It is a four-track EP that shows off the producer's well-realised sounds. The title track is the real standout - 'Retropolis' brings electro-styled synth work with brilliantly future retro euro-disco energy. It's packed with hints of Italo and is sure to light up any club scene. Says the producer of the EP, "Retropolis is the past meets the future. I love influences and technology from the past and making music that sounds like it could be from a time yet to arrive." Mission accomplished.

Review: Depeche Mode's standout album Violator (1989) produced the landmark song 'Personal Jesus', and with its catchy bluesy riff and innovative but rare use of guitar by the otherwise great synthpop act, the song would upend and expand at the edges of an already well-varied sound. With lyrics inspired by 'Elvis And Me' by Priscilla Presley, exploring themes of devotion and stardom, while the record's controversial promotions saw the band take out personal ads, as well as advertise a phone number through which fans could hear the song. Now Matt Early (aka. Funky Wogan and Hardbag), DJ, producer and remixer extraordinaire of Far Horizon and Sub London fame, lays down an ingenious edit backed by the original number on the flip. Limited numbers on this furtive output, so keep your shopping cart fingers poised...

Review: Elektronik Body Girl is the musical alter-ego of Shelbatra Jashari featuring production assistance from Brussels's soFa. The Belgo-Albanian postpunk pair cooked up sounds that accompany an imagined dystopian industrial wasteland with tons of improv and lots of raw, jagged rhythm. Dealing with the "empowering feminine" and its representation were key to the vision of Jashari as well as abrasive textures and stark atmospheres. Her vocals touch on her roots in Belgium and Kosovo from an outsider's position and label associate Toulouse Low Trax cooks up a brilliant beatdown mix to seal the deal.

Review: Stockholm exports Elfenberg find themselves on Bordello here with four cuts of mind-expanding and life-enriching synth goodness. The skilled duo kick off with the high-speed arps and tight kicks of the retro-future smoother 'Forever Alone' then slow things down to a more Balearic and breezy vibe on 'Conga Coronation' with its finger clicks and lush pads. There is soft acid magic at the heart of 'Sphere Of Missing Out' while 'Cosmic Tribune' lulls you into a nice widescreen cosmic world of tumbling chord sequences and warped bass.

Review: Echo & The Bunnymen's first ever best-of compilation, first released in 1985, gets a reissue. Accruing all the hits, we begin with the seminal 'Rescue' before careening through 'Never Stop', 'The Killing Moon' and 'Seven Seas', recalling the new wave band's emotive drawl and gushing instrumentals, coinciding with the time in which their contemporaneous album, 'Songs To Learn and Sing', was released.

Review: Who doesn't love a picture disc? Sure, they might be a nostalgic hit of old school teenage record collecting joy but why not. This one from Laser Media is a Depeche Mode 7" featuring a pair of the moody miserablists' darker cuts. 'The Sweetest Condition' has snarling, dark vocals of noir beats and spangled guitar lines that make for emo-electronica par excellence. On the flip is the all too short 'It Doesn't Matter Two,' a song from the 1986 album Black Celebration that sounds like a live version here with crowds whoops coming next to the melancholic keys and pained, tortured vocals.

Review: The brilliant Dark Entries celebrates its 15th anniversary by going back to its roots and offering up a reissue of its inaugural release: New York collective Eleven Pond's 1986 classic, 'Bas Relief'. This mega-rare record has become a stone-cold cult classic album revered by dark pop devotees. It features James Tabbi, Jeff Gallea, Jack Schaeffer, and Dan Brumley on a mix of guitars, synths, vocoders and drum machines and is a sound inspired by seminal labels like 4AD and Factory Records, and moody acts like Joy Division and Fad Gadget. For this reissue, it has been remastered to correct previous reissue flaws and comes in a screen-printed jacket with a lyric sheet, postcards, and a bookmark. Only 500 copies have been pressed so don't sleep on this one.

Review: Walking on a Dream became Empire of the Sun's biggest hit, reaching number one on the UK Dance Albums Chart and achieving platinum status in Australia. The album remains a testament to the duo's experimental spirit and knack for crafting memorable pop anthems. Empire of the Sun's debut album, is a daring collaboration between Luke Steele of Sleepy Jackson and Nick Littlemore of Pnau. Despite their divergent musical backgrounds, Steele and Littlemore share a flamboyant style and grandiose vision. The title track, with its infectious club beat and falsetto hook, showcases Steele's songwriting prowess, tempered by Littlemore's editing expertise. This 2024 reissue is lovingly pressed on matching mustard yellow vinyl in a beautiful gatefold design that makes the artwork really pop.

Review: Empire of the Sun's Two Vines envisions a city reclaimed by nature, blending lush, tropical imagery with their signature electro-glam pop sound. Recorded in Hawaii and Los Angeles, the album features contributions from notable artists such as David Bowie's Blackstar band members and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham. The album opens with the serene 'Before' and the enchanting 'ZZZ,' showcasing Luke Steele's ethereal falsetto and the band's seamless fusion of beats and melodies. Tracks like 'High and Low' and 'Friends' feature catchy EDM choruses, while the title track, 'Two Vines,' stands out with its acoustic sound and prominent vocals. Two Vines is another arrow in Empire of the Sun's artistic vision, combining futuristic themes with natural beauty. This reissue on beautiful green vinyl matches the awesome artwork to the tee.

Review: Empire of the Sun's Ice on the Dune is a dazzling follow-up that solidifies the duo's place in the electro-pop pantheon. With a title that perfectly encapsulates the album's blend of glacial synths and summery pop, this record is a shimmering spectacle from start to finish. Frontman Luke Steele and bandmate Nick Littlemore have refined their sound, delivering leaner, more club-ready tracks while retaining the infectious energy that defined their debut. Songs like 'DNA' and 'Alive' showcase the duo's ability to craft irresistible hooks and dynamic arrangements, with 'Alive' standing out as a life-affirming electro-fuzz anthem. The juxtaposition of breezy acoustic strumming and throbbing synths on 'DNA' echoes the best moments of their previous hits. 'Concert Pitch' is another highlight, offering punchy disco pulses and a wistfully breathy chorus. Slower tracks like 'I'll Be Around' provide a warm, sensual counterpoint, demonstrating Steele's delicate vocal prowess. The album closes with the epic 'Keep a Watch,' blending poised piano balladry with grandiose flourishes, perfectly embodying the duo's larger-than-life personas. With Ice on the Dune, Empire of the Sun delivers a vibrant and cohesive album, cementing their status as one of the most exciting electro-pop acts of all time.