Teases & Dares’ Synthwave Round Up featuring L’Avenue, Candyfloss Mountain, Dragon Inn 3 and Heartracer

It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these and there’s been a flurry of releases this past week more than worth a mention so let’s go!

T&D legend L’Avenue has shared his most danceable collection so far with ‘Club Tropez’. We’ve selected ‘Wildstyle’ (screaming out for a Ricky Wilde remix this one with some Kimmy action included – ‘Wildestyle’ if you will!) for your listening pleasure. Grab a bundle from his bandcamp right now – L’Avenue’s poster game wins always.

Candyfloss Mountain are new to T&D and we were pulled in by dreamiest of artwork (by Elvis Barlow-Smith). ‘…On Candyfloss Mountain’ is videogame meets ice cream van chimes via synthwave and therefore the sweetest of listens. There’s a CD up for pre-order and you’ll want one as soon as you see it.

Dragon Inn 3’s new album ‘Trade Secrets’ has arrived (as has our beaut red vinyl) and it’s synth heaven wherever you turn. We’ve opted for ‘Out Of Control (Bad Boy 2)’ which hit us straight off the bat on our first full run through of the album.

Heartracer return with an 80s FM radio classic that never was. ‘We Should Never Leave This Room’ could easily be Mister Mister or John Parr but with a modern 1975/MUNA-esque twist.

You can grab the L’Avenue, Candyfloss Mountain and Dragon Inn 3 tracks from Bandcamp and Heartracer from iTunes.

Bangbang – Here For You

Bangbang just can’t put a foot wrong. The duo’s small but growing arsenal of tunes is full to brimming with pitch perfect pop. For ‘Here For You’ they lean further into their woozy summer blissed out vibe akin to the dreamy Morabeza Tobacco album from a couple of years ago. Artwork remains flawless also.

The Last Dinner Party – Nothing Matters

We’re calling it now but The Last Dinner Party are going to win 2023. ‘Nothing Matters’ starts like ABBA before blurring the lines of Wet Leg, Self Esteem and Fleetwood Mac. There’s a tonne of things going on and whilst it’s been divisive amongst friends, we are firmly on board here at T&D. That chorus and melody are not going to go away and for a band who built their name on live shows before releasing anything you can now expect them to appear absolutely everywhere in the coming months. A band to be excited about.

The Last Dinner Party · Nothing Matters

Bunny X – Daydreaming

With new track ‘Daydreaming’ Bunny X complete a triple threat of pre-album release singles – each one whetting the appetite that little bit more for the arrival of ‘Love Minus 80’ (just a few weeks to go!). Be very clear this album is going to set the scene ablaze. ‘Daydreaming’ is classic Bunny X – Scandipop meets pulsating and cinematic synthwave. We’ve had a sneak preview of the full record and trust us the three singles set the scene perfectly but, also, hold on to your hats for the rest of the album because it’s the Bunnies at the peak of their powers. They’re distilling all their finest sounds and influences into a record of the year contender. Full review on the way ahead of the release.

Suite Simone – Lost In Love

Rebecca Scheja (50% of Teases & Dares Hall of Famers Rebecca & Fiona) teams with Viggo Dyst for a new project going by Suite Simone. Their debut single ‘Lost In Love’ is an absolute blast. Blending the influences from their respective musical worlds makes for a proper delightful sound. Rebecca’s candyfloss coated dance pop floats above Viggo’s ravey beats to create a euphoric dancefloor daydream.

Suite Simone · Lost In Love

Snow Strippers – Under Your Spell

We appear to have discovered Snow Strippers at an ideal point. Despite being unaware of their previous album/mixtape we’ve been massively enjoying the pair of two track single releases which dropped in recent weeks. Only a few days ago ‘Under Your Spell’ arrived and it’s giving us Confidence Man meets Crystal Castles jamming with Debby Friday. This means it’s an indie rave thumper of the highest order.

Snow Strippers · Under Your Spell

Tomggg & Ena Mori – いちごミルク

We pondered how to describe this one and this is what we’ve come up with. It sounds like dynamite being set off in a Hubba Bubba factory and the firecrew used pink blancmange to put out the blaze. Look at the artwork, then listen to the song – you’ll get it. A wonky bubblegum J-pop extravaganza to blast off into the weekend. Going to need a Confidence Man remix of this!

TARNS – Make Me Brand New

The ultimate pop chameleon is Dr Jennifer Davies. She’s been Soft Toy Emergency, Jenn D, HAARM and now she’s been digitised into TARNS! The artwork for the debut single under the TARNS moniker is especially striking. So too the music which is glitchy, semi industrial space age electronica. By the end of the dramatic production you feel you’ve had some sort of religious experience. On her instagram page TARNS asks “if an eternal digital life was available to you, would you embrace it?”. We’re looking forward to watching this intriguing project unfold and considering such questions.

PRIZM – Everywhere

We are always pleased to hear new PRIZM music, however…..we’ve been a bit nervous about the project they’ve been teasing which is a series of Fleetwood Mac covers. Any trepidation we had soon evaporated once the dreamy synths started to pulse at the start of the ladies’ beautiful interpretation of ‘Everywhere’. It’s faithful and honest but with a gorgeous synthwave heart beating proud and strong. I think Christine would approve entirely.

Dragon Inn 3 – See It Your Way (featuring The Salvation Choir)

It’s a case of being very late to the party with this one but we are making up for lost time by gobbling up everything we can by Dragon Inn 3. So there’s a debut album that passed us by completely but we are getting on board just in time for the sophomore to drop in just over a fortnight. The new record is ‘Trade Secrets’ and we want a monster sized poster for that cover art – totally our thing. As for the music, it’s jangly jaunty indie pop with sublime and shimmering synths and dreamscape type vocals. Think TOPS meets Pensacola Mist meets Postal Service (three acts we adore). We’re on our 5th successive listen to ‘See It Your Way’ and we feel an obsession coming on.

Dragon Inn 3 · See It Your Way (feat. The Salvation Choir)