POSTS TAGGED : synth-pop

Introducing: Serol Serol

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Originally the pop-project plaything for producers Llŷr Pari (Palenco, Omaloma) and George Amor (Omaloma, Sen Segur), Welsh cosmic pop foursome Serol Serol are completed and fronted by Leusa Rhys and Mali Sion.

Translating from Welsh to English as “Stellar Stellar”, Serol Serol is an apt handle as they craft sumptuous cosmic and charmingly celestial space-pop – of which their self-titled debut album is littered with. Their intricate illuminating interstellar adventures in warm, charming synth sounds are rooted by playful, oscillating rhythms, all pushed toward increasingly interesting spaces and completed by the mesmerising entwined vocals supplied by Rhy and Sion.

Serol Serol’s cosmic-pop credentials are typified by the first single to be lifted from their debut album, ‘K’TA’. Slick, classy and stylish, ‘K’TA’ is a tantalising celestial pop delight as it pops and sparks across the sky like a shooting star. ‘Cadwyni’ treats us to a swooning space waltz, meandering gushing synths, heavenly harmonies and vocal interchanges, and an inescapable groove. Two fabulous and totally irresistible celestial pop delights!

Listen to the two tasters – ‘K’TA’ & ‘Cadwyni’ – below and Serol Serol’s superb debut is available here.

Ten Fé – ‘Another Way’

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London duo Ten Fé (Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan) have steadily been building a name for themselves and with their debut album out this week, the pair have shared their latest cut ‘Another Way’.

Having already distinguished themselves an unrivalled purveyors of positive, optimistic and uplifting sounds, ‘Another Way’ most certainly solidifies this reputation. The swaying melody, warm synth, soft cushioned beat and rather sublime vocals combine for a gloriously uplifting track that is big in ideas and big in heart. Although influenced by a lot by the films the pair watched while recording the album – offering bleak, expansive portrayals of America – the new single is imbued with a bright air and hopeful tone. Just the aural antidote for troubled times.

Ten Fé’s debut LP Hit The Light is out this Friday, February 3rd – needless to say it is one most definitely to keep an eye out for. Ahead of that, well, go and listen to ‘Another Way’ below. Your day (and week in fact) will be better for it.

Introducing: Ten Fé

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Ten Fé are the London-based duo of Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan, who’ve been making serious headway through previous singles ‘Make Me Better’, ‘In The Air’, ‘Elodie’ and ‘Turn’.

The pair aim to make further strides with the announcement of their debut album ‘Hit The Light’; penned for release on February 3 2017. Accompanying this news, Ten Fé have revealed a taster of their forthcoming debut LP, with new single ‘Overflow’. Adorned with all the hallmarks that’s made their name thus far, ‘Overflow’ is ‘indie-music-to-dance to’ and a compelling blurring of the lines between synth-pop, ’80s new wave and electronica. Built around some synth-driven, ’80s new-wave nuances, these combine with guitar lines to create a lush, almost neon quality. Moorhouse’s baritone vocals provide an emotional weight, while ‘Overflow’ is propelled forward by an urgent, vibrant electronic beat and insistent bubbling bass. A stunning distillation of their synthy sound.

The album is coming in the new year but to whet your appetite, you can listen to ‘Overflow’ and ‘Make Me Better’ below.

A C C Ü – ‘Adain Adain’

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A C C Ü is the solo project of Cardiff-based musician and producer Angharad Van Rijswijk.

Formerly one half of Welsh folk-electronica duo Trwbador, she announced her new project on some style earlier this year with a number of distinctive cuts of otherworldly electronica. A C C Ü has returned with a brand new offering, latest single ‘Adain Adain’, and it is divine. It is a delicate, subtle and intricately weaved exploration of moods, sounds and textures. The crystalline dynamics mingle with soft-edged synths, blissed out Krautrock, palpitating percussion and heavenly, hushed vocals, creating a heavenly symphony. Sonically, it isn’t to dissimilar to fellow Welsh maestro Gwenno’s alluring kraut-tinged synth pop, and equally compelling. A C C Ü has impressed at every juncture so far and is continuing to forge something distinct, brilliant and rather unique. Hopefully tunes of this calibre keep coming and perhaps, we’ll get something a little more substantial too.

For now? Look no further than ‘Adain Adain’, it is out now and you can listen to it below.

BUCK – ‘Underneath The Glow Of My Skin’

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Ed Jones – best known as the vocalist/frontman with Welsh indie-rockers Masters In France – has returned with a second single from his solo/side-project called BUCK.

Entitled ‘Underneath The Glow Of My Skin’, it follows ‘Arecibo’, and is similarly brilliant and alluring synth-pop. Centred around some squelching synth, skittering beats and slinking groove, it oozes with an aura of smooth coolness. Jones’ wonderful hushed but soulful vocals ride a wave of electronic flourishes and swells, with subtle gushes leading to some rather epic synthy climaxes. If ‘Arecibo’ was an intriguing first outing from BUCK, ‘Underneath The Glow Of My Skin’ confirms this promise, unravelling before your very ears with a silky, slick and an undeniably glorious tune.

‘Underneath The Glow Of My Skin’ will join ‘Arecibo’ as part of a four-track EP, which will be released toward the end of the year. For now though you can listen to below and if it’s to your liking? You can download ‘Arecibo’ from here.

Helen Love – ‘Pogo’

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Swansea punk poppers Helen Love are back and will release a new limited edition red 7″ single, ‘Pogo’, on September 1st through Elefant Records.

Although they’ve been around for more than two decades and establishing a dedicated cult following in that time, Helen Love’s music has a youthful philosophy and attitude, always giving off a carefree and fun air. The new single, ‘Pogo’, is in keeping with this tradition. It is a sumptuous slice of synth pop with some punk undertones and laced with some fabulously tongue-in-cheek lyrics: “Pogo pogo, hey my Italian boy .. The first punk boy in Rome…” and “Pogo pogo, hey my Italian boy, pogo pogo, I’m gonna pogo with you”. Combine this with a crazed rhythm, frenetic beats and all the colourful sounds, giddiness and fun that has become a Helen Love trademark, and you’ve got one hell of an infectious and addictive racket.

‘Pogo’ is out on limited edition red 7″ vinyl on September 1st via Elefant Records. Check out the video and b-side ‘Julie’s Got A New 7 Inch Single’ below.

 

Introducing: David Harks

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Hailing from Brighton in the UK, David Harks, is a singer-songwriter who creates lush elegant electronic-pop music.

Harks’ already turned heads with debut single ‘Sirens’ on Kitsune Maison 15 last year, and on listening to his well-whisked blend of soul and pop, with electronic undertones, it is easy to understand why many were so enamoured. His latest single ‘Illusion’, is his finest effort yet. Hushed, inviting and transfixing vocals float upon a beautifully warm melody. Flowering beats and percussion, usher a soft hypnotic psychedelic feel and a simply irresistible listen. Harks’ previous releases are no slouches either. ‘We’ is imbued with many similar qualities as ‘Illusion’; infectious, upbeat and colourful, with tender vocals, it is a soul-filled, synth-kissed, soothing sound with flourishes of warmth. What’s not to love about these tunes? If you’re not one for beautiful, blissful and uplifting sounds, perhaps steer well clear. Ba-bap ba-bap baa.

Harks has four new singles penned for release this year, of which we have the first two, so only half way there then. Keep your eyes peeled for more. For now, get yourself accustomed to ‘Illusion’ & ‘We’ below.