PVA – Hero Man

‘Blush’ is the forthcoming album on Ninja Tune by London trio PVA. To coincide with the album release in October, the group head out on a UK tour which we are thrilled to see takes in Cambridge (so often overlooked by dance and electronic acts) – so we will see you there! Lead track ‘Hero Man’ blends that crystalline metallic sound Goldfrapp did so well on their ‘Silver Eye’ record with the hooky techno Marie Davidson is the mistress of.

Sunglasses Kid & Jamythyst – Totally

In their own right Sunglasses Kid and Jamythyst are no strangers to Teases and Dares. Their new collaboration came as quite the surprise this weekend and there are so many wonderful 80s reference points we want to tip our hat to. ‘Totally’ is hitting that spot so sweetly targeted by Haywoode’s ‘Roses’, Princess’ ‘Say I’m Your Number One’ as well as a whole heap of Five Star vibes (right down to the mention of an RSVP!). So cool to hear Jamythyst on such a funked up 80s electrosoul jam which Sunglasses Kid nails every time! Now can the two of you please do a cheeky little cover of Nu Shooz’s ‘I Can’t Wait’.

DJ ASSCAR, Filipo Scrypac & Ibitha – Next Days For Sure

The artwork for DJ ASSCAR’s brilliantly named ‘DJ SASSCAR’ EP popped up on our Soundcloud and our immediate reaction was – this looks like Deee-lite. Imagine our pure joy to hit play and find that ‘Next Days For Sure’ sounds like a merging of the styles of ‘World Clique’, ‘Infinity Within’ and ‘Dewdrops In The Garden’ (Deee-lite’s utterly perfect trio of albums). Based out of Berlin, DJ ASSCAR is an artist we are going to be watching very closely based upon this neat collection of future club classics.

I.Jordan – Always Been

Our musical past and present collide on this one. Jaki Graham is one of the most underrated British soul artists of the 80s (and beyond) and it’s about time the next generation woke up to her brilliance! An artist whose recent output has been some of the best and most uplifting dance music in years is I.Jordan and they have shown impeccable taste by heavily sampling Jaki’s ‘Still In Love’ from her classic ‘Breaking Away’ album. The result is ‘Always Been’ and it’s an absolute joy from start to finish – available now on Ninja Tune (a label with seldom a mis-step).

YORU 夜 featuring GeoVoc, Dimi Kaye and NeverMann- Halmstad (Early May)

We are off to Malaysia for this epic and nostalgic slice of synthwave. YORU teams up with some big names on the scene including T&D regular NeverMann for ‘Halmstad (Early May)’. We are hearing echoes of our beloved Stefan Storm and The Sound of Arrows on this which is always a welcome development. The single is part of a 2 track release called ‘Summer Wave’.

Lilac Cove – Bright Lights

We’ve been pleased to share Lilac Cove’s music before and their new tune confirms their status as one of Australia’s hottest new bands. ‘Bright Lights’ brings to mind so many of our favourite acts from the neon nighttime chill of Paper Kites to the classic 70s FM radio sound of Fleetwood Mac. There’s a hint of shoegaze in the mix as well. Couldn’t love the single artwork more by the way.

Lilac Cove · Bright Lights

Anniee & Von Hertzog – Danger Electricity

For some time now Anniee has been bringing a classical and theatrical contribution to the synthwave scene and it’s been beautiful watching and listening as her audience grows. It is, however, straight to the dancefloor we head for this collaboration with Von Hertzog. By the time we reach the chorus of ‘Danger Electricity’, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were listening to a lost Dannii Minogue club classic – think ‘All I Wanna Do’ meets the ‘Neon Nights’ era with a synthwave spin.

Don Dellpiero & Bunny X – Ocean Breeze

The last time these two acts collaborated it produced one of the best songs from the past couple of years. That masterpiece is ‘Perfect Paradise’ which, as you know, went on to be remixed by the legendary Ricky Wilde with guest vocals from Kim Wilde herself, sending the song into the stratosphere via the centre of an Ibiza dancefloor. Well here’s some great news to get over the middle of the week blues – Don Dellpiero and Bunny X are at it again on the title track from Don’s new album ‘Ocean Breeze’ – the most ideal follow up to ‘Perfect Paradise’ you could imagine. It’s a bit forlorn, full of yearning and just transports you somewhere quite magical. It has the finest chilled hypnotic groove and those fragile, earnest vocals from Bunny X. Then the dreamiest sax break comes in as the cherry on the cake. Pure. Bliss.

Saucy Lady – Sao Paulo

We’ve been digging through Saucy Lady’s back catalogue and it’s gold wherever you turn (vinyl purchases have been made today). On top of that we almost missed another new track and it’s absolute fire! From the title and the artwork alone you know what you are going to get and it’s entirely on the money. The dreamiest Brazilian boogie vibes are reminding us of listening to Shakatak when we were little and Dad would play their records at home (maybe a bit of Matt Bianco too, our 80s references are never ending!). A sun drenched delight from those first piano keys being delicately touched.

Primo The Alien – We Are All Going To Die

Primo is absolutely smashing to pieces any of the perceived constrictions within the synthwave scene. New epic ‘We Are All Going To Die’ sounds like a squillion different genres crunched into shape. We are going with synthwave rock opera with some unconventional EDM. We love how Primo’s tracks often swell into monster size finales – so here for the melodrama. We also welcome it when she goes full on wig out and 1000mph whether that’s vocally, with snappy guitar licks or the sheer size of the beats and production. She’s a bloody huge force of nature and we want to know why isn’t everyone freaking out about Primo The Alien. Get involved.