2019 finds the genre of modern synthpop as vibrant as ever, with an incredible diversity of sounds, styles and geography making up this year’s top 10 new albums. Each year, as I assemble this list of the top modern synthpop albums of the year, I’m reminded that I have the[…]
Read More »Iris shines on melodic, well-crafted “Six”
After 5 years of total radio silence, Iris is back with a new album. Entitled Six, it is stylistically darker than their last outing, Radiant. It bears a greater resemblance to Blacklight in its tone and style. Six contains a well-crafted collection of 11 melodic tracks, each with its own[…]
Read More »Modern Synthpop’s top 10 new albums of 2018
Welcome to Modern Synthpop’s list of the top 10 new albums of 2018. As usual, there was a wealth of excellent music to choose from, produced by excellent existing acts and new ones. I hope you enjoy exploring this amazing music! Each year, as I assemble this list of the[…]
Read More »DE/VISION’s Citybeats: I was hoping for so much more
I don’t know what it is about me and DE/VISION. During the last decade, my feelings about their albums have fallen into what I call a “meh/wow cycle.” Citybeats, the 14th album from the German synthpop supergroup, contains 11 decent songs. I’ve just found very little that moves me. This[…]
Read More »Good evening, Pasadena: Remembering DM’s iconic ‘101’
Today, it’s 30 years since Depeche Mode played the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. This is the concert that became the subject of an incredibly popular double live album and a concert film, both called 101. Thanks to the Alnost Predictable – Almost blog for bringing this landmark anniversary to my[…]
Read More »Modern Synthpop’s top 10 new releases of 2017
Welcome to my annual list of the best Modern Synthpop Releases of 2017. Like last year’s list, this one combines some outstanding music by “classic” artists like OMD, Gary Newman and T.O.Y. with many new or fairly young modern acts. That’s what makes synthpop so incredibly vibrant and endlessly fascinating to follow.
Read More »Molina stuns with brilliant debut EP, Corpus
Rebecca Molina has accomplished something quite remarkable: She has debuted with an EP that is among the strongest I’ve ever heard in the world of modern synthpop.
Read More »Depeche Mode’s “spirited” new album bristles with vitality
Depeche Mode’s new studio album, Spirit, is their best work in many years. Quality songwriting, combined with top-notch production, propel it to a vital, visceral and entertaining level.
Read More »Modern Synthpop’s top 10 new albums of 2016
2016 was a remarkable year for the world of modern synthpop. Some of the biggest names in this genre produced the best work of their careers. And the vibrancy of modern synthpop was assured by a steady stream of talented newcomers.
Read More »Foretaste’s new album Space Echoes is out of this world
Space Echoes, the recently released album by the über-talented French synthpop duo Foretaste, is an elegantly crafted masterpiece – perhaps their best work ever!
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