Hayden Thorpe Melds Electropop, R&B, and Ambient on ‘Moondust for My Diamond’
Former Wild Beasts frontman Hayden Thorpe combines electropop with R&B-influenced vocals and ambient into an effective, coherent sound on his second solo LP.
synthpop
Rebbie Jackson Bid for Pop Stardom in the Midst of 1980s Jacksonmania
Rebbie was the first of the Jackson sisters to find solo success, scoring a gold record out of the gate with Centipede. When she released Reaction in 1986, she was no longer the most successful Jackson sister.
Saint Etienne Return With ‘I’ve Been Trying to Tell You’
The first album in four years from the British pop aesthetes sounds distinctly like Saint Etienne, which is ironic given some of the source material.
How the Post-Britpop Era Influenced Saint Etienne’s New Album
Saint Etienne’s Bob Stanley talks about their new LP I’ve Been Trying to Tell You, vaporwave, and how to be cool in your middle age.
Absolutely Free’s ’80s Style Synthpop Is a Little Too Reverent on ‘Aftertouch’
Absolutely Free are back with their first album in years, Aftertouch, and have fully embraced ’80s synthpop as their music template.
The Brilliance of Brothertiger’s Secret Instrumental Masterpieces
After a year of livestreaming and a personal setback, there’s no better time to appreciate the quietly underrated instrumental trilogy Brothertiger created amidst the pandemic.
Chvrches’ ‘Screen Violence’ Reaches for the Heart, Mind, and Feet
Creating warm, emotional synthpop is Chvrches’ forte, and Screen Violence is the kind of bruised pop record that can only be made after a year of so much loss.
Level 42 Deliver a Masterclass of Aspirational 1980s Pop
Level 42 started off wanting to be Return to Forever and ended up next to Culture Club and Spandau Ballet in the top 40. How did that happen?
Information Society’s ‘ODDFellows’ Is a Creative Marvel
ODDFellows finds Information Society serving up a collection of electropop bangers and some slower tempo numbers, all flaunting their ingenious talent.
‘Body Jumper’ Is Provoker’s Post-Punk for the Internet Generation
Body Jumper is a refreshing take on post-punk and R&B traditions. It signals Provoker as a band to keep an eye on while their career grows and expands.
Erasure’s ‘The Neon Remixed’ Is a Sequel That’s as Good as the Original
What makes The Neon Remixed so successful as a remix LP is the artists reshaping Erasure’s tunes didn’t dissect the sturdy compositions to their skeletal origins.