Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Details Her Uncanny Sonic Alchemy
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s relationship with sound is in constant flux, and with her new album, her sonics disintegrate and rematerialize in fascinating new forms.
synthpop
Spacemoth’s Simple Indie Synthpop Brings the Hooks
Spacemoth’s No Past No Future is a smorgasbord of synth-oriented indie-pop sounds, covering a lot of musical ground while retaining a core style.
Kiwi Jr. Brighten Their Sound on ‘Chopper’
Kiwi Jr. brighten their C-86-inspired sound with synthesizers, adding a new-wave tint that makes its cheeriness on Chopper shine.
Hot Chip Hone Their Electronic Songcraft on Anxiety-ridden ‘Freakout/Release’
Hot Chip’s Freakout/Release is an extraordinary display of synthpop versatility and invention, born of collaboration, improvisation, and the psychological mess of lockdown.
Hayley Kiyoko Widens the Breadth of Pop on ‘Panorama’
With Disney deep in her past, pop star Hayley Kiyoko’s Panorama navigates queer relationships with self-assuredness, packaged in accessible pop hooks.
ODESZA’s Superb ‘The Last Goodbye’ Performs Great Emotional Work
ODESZA’s The Last Goodbye is impressively diverse and wide-ranging; there are moments of elysian pop, broody angst, thrilling dance, and smart wit.
Aretha Franklin’s ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’ Brought the Grand Diva into the 1980s
Aretha Franklin’s comeback with ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’ wasn’t an awkward attempt to be hip. Instead, she entered the cool, synth-sluiced 1980s with aplomb.
They Kiss and Sandflower Reimagine Julian Lennon’s “Lookin’ 4 Love” (premiere)
Electropop outfit They Kiss join forces with Sandflower and Julian Lennon to recreate the latter’s “Lookin’ 4 Love”.
Time Is iamamiwhoami’s Worst Enemy and Best Friend on ‘Be Here Soon’
Swedish synthpop revolutionary Jonna Lee revives her iamamiwhoami moniker and takes on time to give us her forceful folk album, Be Here Soon.
Roxy Music Invented the 1980s with Their Swan Song ‘Avalon’
Forty years ago, Roxy Music stepped away from the recording studio, but not before leaving behind an album that defined the 1980s. It’s the ultimate marriage of high concept, high art, and high-quality popular music.
Harry Styles Hits His Stride While Heading Home to ‘Harry’s House’
Harry Styles’ Harry’s House is, to reference his debut solo single, a “Sign of the Times”, experimenting with 1980s synths and 1970s confessional writing.
Buried in These Hands For Years: Thomas Dolby’s ‘The Golden Age of Wireless’ Turns 40
Thomas Dolby’s 40-year-old debut The Golden Age of Wireless is a definitive synthpop album that raises many questions but only answers a few of them.
