Another Green World - Wilderness

Just when I thought that I had some down time before becoming engrossed by another compilation, I was hit — and inevitably floored — with Tuesday’s release of Retro Future via the music site Violent Success and Synthemesc (Synth Records).

An ode to the past and a foreshadowing of what’s to come, Retro Future features nineteen tracks all with the intention to send listeners on a journey through time and space with the help of resplendent synths, dazzling voices, and spine tingling atmospheres. With so many talented names, both new and old, in one place you’d think that Christmas came a few weeks early and for only $5, there’s no reason why you can’t head over to bandcamp and treat yourself to a little something special. 

Author: Jon

Secret School-Zombie Highway

Okay, I’m fairly certain that Andrew Sutherland can’t predict media news from the future but I just thought that the title of this track was pretty relevant to the sudden zombie craze that’s been going on lately. Anyways, that really doesn’t have much to do with this post. Sutherland is an artist originally from New England that now resides in Boston and makes music under the alias Secret School. I discovered him by browsing the site for a record label called Synthemesc Recordings, which happened to have been created by Teeel, so I definitely had high expectations even before I pressed play. Secret School just dropped his third release, Ghost Ocean EP and it was far from disappointing with it’s warm vibes, bright synths, and pop sensibilities. Sutherland seems to bring his sounds to life and you can tell by the layers within each track. "Zombie Highway“ is a opulent track that rides on tropical atmospheres and carries feel good dance worthy melodies all the way to the end.  I can’t speak for everyone but Ghost Ocean certainly made me feel like I was floating through a wonderful dream and once it was over I wanted to experience it all over again. You can stream this EP along with Twenties and Preschool over on soundcloud. 

Toro y Moi-Still Sound (Teeel Remix)

I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am about this. I’m a huge Chaz Bundick fan and Toro y Moi was one of the first artists to get me into chillwave. Despite being released last year his sophomore LP Underneath The Pine is still an album that I play constantly. Another favorite artist of mine, Jim Smith aka Teeel could also be seen as a huge influence on my musical taste today. He dropped his sophomore album University Heights earlier this month and now he’s back again with a wonderful remix of “Still Sound”. While still keeping Chaz’s vocals throughout the song Smith has incorporated his own unique style of italia disco and futuristic synthpop to put a new spin on the track that makes it equally as stunning as the original. You can stream material from both Toro y Moi & Teeel on spotify and be sure to grab Univeristy Heights, Underneath The Pine, and Toro’s new EP Freaking Out for yourselves in stores now.

Moon Pollen - Everything Gets Blurry

Yes, moon pollen is a real thing, and google agrees. It’s a celestial phenomenon that occurs when excessive pollen resonates a rainbow-gold hue encircling a full moon but that description is best suited for this Argentinian four piece.

Formed in 2010, Moon Pollen recently released their EP Think Less, Feel More via Synthemesc Records and it entices you to do just that. As I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I let the fourth track on the release, “Everything Gets Blurry”, settle in. Untethered senses fell apart in the vast haze that surrounded me. Lush tones sparkled as I drifted amongst astronomically profound layers of sound. Distant vocals cooed and drew me deeper into hypnosis. I felt as if the guitar riffs were being strummed by the constellations themselves. Melodies as bright as stars gave way to powerful waves of reverb-heavy synths, which swept me into another galaxy of sound. Ascending spiral of clouds brought me back into the atmosphere, traversing light years of indie-electronic space. My absence of thought felt full with an abundance of serenity and astonishment.

Moon Pollen is the magnetic field of asteroids which bonds the corresponding charges of music and art as one.

Author: Erika

Jeremy Flood-City of Light

Even if it’s only for a short amount of time there’s something about a warm, colorful synthpop track that can easily wash away my cares and worries & thanks to Denver resident Patrick McGuire aka Jeremy Flood I’ve found exactly what I needed. You may be familiar with McGuire if you’ve heard the dreamy, indie rock sounds of his band Flashbulb Fires but since the singer has taken up his Jeremy Flood alias he’s decided to take a step in the direction of a more electronic and synth driven style. So far there are two tracks available on his bandcamp and soundcloud pages, “City of Light” and “Coma Kid”. Each track showcases his soothing yet upbeat vocals which are backed behind dynamic soundscapes and reverberating, dance influenced harmonies that were produced by White Flashes. I’m beginning to think the two of them can do no wrong when they work together but regardless of Jeremy Flood working alone or with someone else, there’s always a hint of charisma and a distinct catchy tone encompassing his music. We can only wait and see what’s to come as far as an EP or some other release is concerned but whatever it may be, I’m certain that it won’t disappoint. You can pick up all of Jeremy Flood’s material for free or by paying a “name your own” price on bandcamp.

Salt Ashes-L.O.V ANXIETY

It’s a cold and rainy Friday on the outside but Brighton’s Salt Ashes is helping to make things brighter on the inside. Her infectious brand of buoyant and lustrous synthpop grows more lovable with every listen and her vocals alone are something that deserves plenty of attention. Throw on your dancing shoes no matter where you are and head over to soundcloud to be whisked away. 

Teeel-MyGirl

Today has been a good day so far. Not only is the autumn weather finally setting in, but UK producer Star Slinger dropped a new track as well. I thought that that’d be it as far as new jams but then I saw that Teeel released a new track as well and I began to jump and shout (on the inside). I don’t have to say too much when it comes to talking about the alias of Jim Smith because his music does an extremely good job of speaking for itself. His latest track “MyGirl” comes from the Moodgadget Records and ISO50 comp titled Under The Mountain 2 and it gives us just a taste of their upcoming showcase in Brooklyn which will be happening tomorrow @ The Grasslands. Teeel lends his trademark sci-fi esque sound along with some upbeat 80’s pop vibes to the compilation but the fun doesn’t stop with “MyGirl”. Under The Mountain 2 also includes tracks from Beacon, Braille, Foxes in Fiction and a few others so do yourself a favor and grab this short but sweet collection of electronic ear magic for free here. You can also check out info on the showcase and purchase tickets while you’re there.