By Keith Walsh Just like the alternating cool and warm breezes of Spring, the season brings an array of cool and hot synth beats. Featuring KLANGPHONICS, Metamorph with SPANKTHENUN, Divine Shade, Jay Americana, Former Teen, Black Rose Burning, and Dread Persephone.
KLANGPHONICS “Shapes In The Spray”
Captured live this February in Hamburg, this performance by KLANGPHONICS features a dynamic sound, that fittingly inspires dancing by the large crowd. KLANGPHONICS are a very unusual trio in many ways. First of all they do EDM with a live drummer (and an electronic kick drum.) Secondly they use guitar, disguised by electronics. And they sound huge! The synergy of these three results in a high-powered, layered mix. This very cool track features spoken word by Alan Watts from his lecture “Don’t Force Anything.” KLANGPHONICS are Ben Kapfnagel (drums and fx) Maxl Walmsley-Pledl (guitar and production), and Marcus Zunic (synths and percussion.)
Klangphonics dot com
Klangphonics On Bandcamp
Metamorph and SPANKTHENUN “Two Witches Are Better Than One” Remixes
From the worldly witch Margot Day of Metamorph, and the U.S.-based industrial EBM band SPANKTHENUN comes two exhilarating remixes. “Kiss Of The Witch” is a bright, upbeat take on the single from Metamorph’s most recently released album. The mix delivers a gothic dance sound, ideal for dance floor denizens. “Witchlit” is from her upcoming album; it’s a darker sounding song, with menacing synths and Day’s fey vocals challenging the patriarchy.
Margot Day dot com
“Two Witches Are Better Than One” On Bandcamp
Metamorph On IG
Divine Shade “Stars”
Led by Ren Toner, this project stands above the rest, with a dark electronic sound that’s a twist on other aggro electronic rock. Writer/producer/instrumentalist/vox Toner has a ear tuned to what makes a track sound perfect, and he knows how to borrow elements and make them his own without sounding derivative. As a live trio, Divine Shade supported Gary Numan on his UK Tour 2022. They’re from Lyon, France.
Divine Shade On IG
Divine Shade On Bandcamp
Jay Americana “Sweat”
Intelligent hip hop definitely has a place at the turntable. Jay Americana spits out verses with the skill of an energized poet, across lively synth beats with snappy production. I’m not the biggest hip hop fan, but the sounds on Jay’s new 555 EP aren’t pure hip hop at all. The songs crossover into danceable synthpop with catchy melodies and cool production. In describing how he found his name, he says ““I chose ‘Jay Americana’ because I wanted to subvert the things we commonly associate with Americana. As a Black, queer person, I felt as if my story was just as All-American as anyone else, even if my side isn’t always given the spotlight.”
Jay American’s 555 On Bandcamp
Jay Americana On IG
Former Teen “Prettiest Star”
Produced by Julian Shah-Tayler for his excellent David Bowie Aladdin Sane tribute Forget That I’m 50, Former Teen’s artsy cover of “The Prettiest Star” is held together by a percolating drum track, quirky background vocals that remind of something from Robyn Hitchcock, laid-back vocals, and often tuneless accents by synth and guitar that somehow sound perfectly lovely. The mysterious Former Teen is located in Southern California, and I’m told he was once a member of AdamAndEvil with Shah-Tayler. For my interview with Shah-Tayler, please visit popularculturebeat.
Forget That I’m 50: Aladdin Sane Remade, Remodeled on Spotify
Forget That I’m 50 Review On Synthbeat.com
Black Rose Burning “No Love Lost”
Catchy melodies and vocals accompanied by a killer synth bass line , understated guitars and dreamy keyboards carry this song into the zone of commercial appeal. Studio whiz George Grant plays bass and sings; I suspect he’s the talented player behind the cool keyboards as well. The tune is from their album of 2021, The Wheel. Black Rose Burning Are From New York, NY.
Black Rose Burning dot com
Black Rose Burning On Bandcamp
The Screaming Pope “This Treasure Called Life”
Located in Massachusetts, The Screaming Pope is the work of George Bolton , who works on the cutting edge of electronic music creation. His songs are usually sparse with words, letting the title and the sounds carry the message. This one has an healing vibe and an inspiring voiceover from Bolton himself, and pretty computer graphics for the video. It’s from his recent album The Old Silk Road.
Dread Persephone “Hologram”
Haunted goth vibes underlay this dark, melodic track from LA’s Dread Persephone. Her music can be found in various places, but not all in the same place: songs are scattered around Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and Spotify. For my interview, please visit:
Dread Persephone on Bandcamp
Dread Persephone On IG
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