2012
draws to a close, so it´s a good time to choose one of the best songs this
year. Both coming from Germany (a country that surely will be visited again in
the final stretch of this blog), Missent To Denmark and Christian Strove joined
forces last summer to create this new vision of such a refreshing song. For
those who miss summertime.
We continue this trip visiting France with another instrumental track. The author is Philippe Laurent (alias Hot-Bip), who composed in the early eighties minimal and experimental pieces of work ahead of its time. Like this Exposition 5 (or Exposition Partie 5), included in his cassette LP entitled Hot-Bip (1983) with strange, absorbent spacey synths.
I
need to pay a new visit to The Netherlands, because this list would be
incomplete without such a genius as Legowelt. He began producing music in the
early 1990s and released his first album in 1998. It is particularly curious
how he describes his music: “a hybrid form of slam jack combined with deep
Chicago house, romantic ghetto technofunk and EuroHorror Soundtrack”, and his main
influences: “early electro and the obscure pre-1983 Italian disco “. As a
result of all this mixture we have hits like Disco Rout. Unbeatable.
We move back to North America. Canadian artist and producer Aldo Nova is behind XR 7 only creation, entitled before the band, XR 7. With lively and innocent sounds, the song mixing guitar riffs with basic synth effects, Aldo achieved in 1980 a colorful and very enjoyable track.
Time
to go back to Spanish language. Matilda is a duo from Rosario, Argentina, who has published four albums since their first reference in 2002. Their relationship
with music has always been very close, as they have worked organizing
concerts and producing records for many years. However, they also have time to
create their own songs, and, as we can listen below, they are really good at
it.
Last
time we visited Sweden was summer, and now we go back there in the freezing cold of
December. Metropolitan was an unknown Swedish band that, according to the little
available information, only published one EP with two tracks. However, if all
the songs that were left in their rehearsal studio were like this one,
we certainly missed many good tunes.
Back to the USA, we meet this time Geneva Garvin, alias Geneva Jacuzzi, a bright star from L.A. She has released three albums, full of different, obscure (and fresh at the same time) minimal synth gems. Do I Sad?, with those cute 80's synths, could even be considered a nu-disco song. Difficult to classify her work. Easy to appreciate it.
It´s
been a while since we visited Brazil for the last time. RPM (the acronym for Revoluções
por Minuto) was the first Brazilian band that managed to sell more than 2
million copies of one of their albums. They were strongly influenced by European
synthpop in their first songs, and the lyrics were full of political and
literary references. A genuine rare bird in Brazil.
We haven't yet travelled to China, a huge country with few -or very hidden- electronic bands. Huan was written by Miss Melody, 27-year old singer born in Mongolia but who soon managed to obtain Chinese nationality, and UK producer Mobidextrous, after they met in a bar in Beijing and started a collaboration. It is difficult to classify their music, with a style close to downtempo, post-dubstep and trip hop, and sung in the exotic Mandarin Chinese language. Huan is like a haunting poem, a melancholic and ethereal song talking about the difficulties of living in big cities, such as Beijing.
My first selected country for this exciting
blog was Croatia, and I think it´s time to go back there. Lollobrigida (also
known as Lollobrigida Girls or VIS Lollobrigida) is a electro-pop duo from Zagreb
with three albums and thirteen singles to their credit. This track was their
first single and it is a crazy delight.
Back to Poland, Kapitan Nemo is probably one of the most respected Polish 80's synthpop bands. With a very classic style, Twoja Lorelei immediately catches our attention. It shows a simple tune, with those analog synthesizers, I agree. And that traditional drum machine! For some, it surely sounds old-fashioned. But, anyway, for me it is so... damned good! 
We
make a new visit to Slovenia. Born in Ljubljana and educated in classical and
jazz music, Torul released his first EP in 1995, showing his interest in
electronic sounds. Since that year, dozens of EPs and some albums have followed
that first reference. From the last one, released in 2011, we have drawn this
track, which reminds me of classic electropop.
We visit Finland again. With 8 albums and more than 30 singles/EP released, Jori Hulkkonen is a prolific Finish musician focused on electronic music, moving between house, techno and synthpop. In I Am Dead he shows his interest in abstract, profound electro sounds, while keeping a slight trace of synthpop with the tender male vocals. A song with which it's easy to be lost in meditation.
Back
to Greece. I have to admit that I first knew this duo, formed by Marianthi
Melitsi and Sophie Sarigiannidou, because of their covers of popular songs like
Popcorn (Gershon Kingsley), Pure (Lightning Seeds) or The Promise (When in
Rome). However, apart from their covers or from their collaborations with bands
like OMD, they have shown that they can compose good songs in their four
published albums. This track is a proof of that.
Switzerland
is our next stop. Steve Hug founded his first band in 1984, when he started to
experiment with his first synthesizers. Since then he has been always in relation
with electronic music, as a musician and also commercializing electronic
musical devices. His last known project was Cosmic Intent, a synthpop duo (with
his wife) that released tracks like this chosen one.
Rusia was the first country to put the first man in space. It's time to pay a tribute. It's time to fly...
Time
to go back to Italy. This riot girl from Padua has been creating wild electro
clash songs since 2005, managing to share the stage with acclaimed bands like
Stereo Total, Iggy Pop or Eels. Her dirty sounds and her punk attitude shows
that Italy means not only italodisco. Enjoy the riot.
We continue exploring new countries, with different languages and original ways to write a song. Máma Bubo is a band from Czech Republic (Republic of Czechoslovakia by then), who has explored many eletronic styles. The present song is a minimalist piece of music. Some of you will hate it; some of you will instead love it. I personally find it amanzingly strange, dark and misterious. I feel uneasy with this possessive synth line, the disturbing trumpet noise, the hypnotic male voice, the odd language (what does he say, my God?)... and I definitely enjoy it!
If
we talk about the most important bands in the History of electronic music in
England, it will clearly come to our minds the name of New Order. Well, The
Other Two is precisely a project formed by two former members of the mythic
band: Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert (although recently they have joined the
return of New Order). The sound of The Other Two leaves no doubt about the origins
of these musicians, and this brilliant song is a good example.Civ
We
stay in Northern Europe, in Denmark, to be precise. There we find Alphabeat, a
young band formed in 2007 which we can define as genuine hit-makers. From their
first pop songs (like Fascination or 10.000 Nights of Thunder) to their
current more electronic style, they have always kept a taste for catchy pop
tunes. Nor must we forget the great voice of their female vocalist, Stine
Bramsen, who has become increasingly important in the band.
Let´s
go with a modern classic: Pizzicato Five, one of the most important bands from
Japan and, with no doubt, part of the origin of twee pop style. Formed
in 1985, they really hit the jackpot when in 1990 the vocalist Maki Nomiya
joined the group. Their sound is influenced by countless musical styles (American
60´s pop, bossanova, disco, electropop…) and in their prolific career (17
albums in 16 years) they have left a huge and unique pop legacy. Despite
the title of this song, we come back to France to find this electronic duo formed
in 1980. With only four references in their career, their first two albums are
considered the best. Short tracks, rage, dirty sounds, acid lyrics, and the
charismatic and captivating Mona Soyoc on vocals… Perfect electro punk coming
from Nancy.
Denis & Denis was a Croatian synthpop duo in mid 80's. In 1984, when use of domestic computers was hugely increasing, Davor Tolja and vocalist Marina Perazić launched this spacesynth bomb, Program Tvog Kompjutera (something like "Program your computer"). I do not understand the lyrics, but I don't care: it's easy to have fun with these fresh, Trans-X-like sounds, and enjoy the superb tune and delicious Marina's voice.
This
is now. This is Australia. And this is one of the most exciting new electronic bands from that country. Although Future Unlimited could be compared to some
other 80s-style electronic pop bands in
recent years, they add a special touch with their space sounds and their approach
to future pop (as suggested by their name). This track begins with dirty sounds
but it evolves towards a great and dreamy electro pop tune.
Let's return to Sweden, a country well-known for releasing huge amount of good technopop songs. Exquisite melody and elegant voices are usually their common ground. As it happens with this delicate song, Nothing On My Mind, included in the only single launched by Swedish band Telegraph in 1993, when eurodance was kicking hard and synthpop was unpopular throughout the world except for this northern country, paradise for technopop lovers.
Back
from my holidays in Germany, I would like to pay tribute to one of the most respected
bands from that country, the creators of indietronica, as some say. The Notwist
was formed in Weilheim in Oberbayern in 1989 and, although their beginnings were
close to grunge and rock sounds, the arrival of Martin Gretschmann (aka
Console) to the band in 1997 turned their sound definitely into electronics. They
have published seven albums, and this song (one of their best, no doubt) if from
the fourth one. An instant classic.
Summer has come. Time to refresh our minds and bodies in a cool country, Norway, full of cool people, like this beautiful Annie, born in Trondheim in 1977 -a cool year-. With two albums and numerous singles in her career, the blond Norwegian delights the ear with a powerful, sweet and joyful dance-oriented synthpop, with the typical Scandinavian style. Phrasing the song, we could also ask how does it feel to hear your songs?. Great, no doubt!
Coming
from Canada (although living in Berlin), let´s welcome one of the most
controversial musical and performance artists of the electronic scene: Peaches.
Merrill Beth Nisker began her career in a folk band in 1990, turning soon to
the electronic sounds that have made her so popular. This song is a dirty example
of good electroclash with horny lyrics and a simple but great tune. As a curiosity, this track has been used
in two films and three television series, guess which.
We now visit Spain, the recent UEFA Euro 2012 winner. The short-lived Spanish synthpop band Última Emoción was composed by Alfonso Aguado -singer of famous fun rock band Los Inhumanos-, José Luis Macias and Julio Nexus, well-known by his sucess in Interfront and Megabeat, prominent bands in Valencia techno scene in early nineties. They only released two albums: a mini LP in 1983, Dos Minutos de Odio, and an LP in 1984, Máquinas Románticas. The last track of the former was T.V. Pasión, powerful synthpop song with a joyful tune and excelent lyrics about the fatal attraction of the TV set and the hypnotic passion of the viewer. So please turn off your TV and listen to the music!
Summer
is here, and a song like this is what we need to enjoy it completely. Nightlife
is a two-member band (Darin Rajabian and Caroline Myrick) from the U.S.A. which
has only released two EPs (both last year). The angelic voice of Caroline,
together with the minimalist electronic sounds, make this song a real pleasure
for the senses. Time for lying in the sun.
After 50 consecutive songs from 50 different countries in our tour around the world, it's time we revisit a country: Belgium. In this case, the disco-styled band Aeroplane founded in 2007 by Vito De Luca and Stephen Fasano, who left the project in 2010. The chosen track is a wonderful remix version of a special song, Without Lies, both included in the single launched in 2010. In this Black Van Remix we can taste characteristic nu-disco sounds and the angelic female voice -so Swedish!- of American beautiful singer and model Sky Ferreira.
Let´s
listen now to my favorite band from Puerto Rico: Calle 13. This very popular band, formed by two
stepbrothers known as Residente and Visitante, released their first single in
2005 and since then their success has increased exponentially. Their eclectic
style features elements from jazz, salsa, cumbia, tango, electronics or reggaeton, but always cultivating an unmistakable sound and taking risks in
their music proposal. This time we can enjoy their most electro side.
Trick (Трик, in Bulgarian) is a trio from Bulgary. Although it might be a known band in their country, we know little of the trio, perhaps because they focused on the Bulgarian market, singing in Bulgarian. In 1984 they released a homonym album, with a predominant disco style and which I do not like except for this track, Elektronnoto Kuche (The Electronic Dog, in English). A very good synthpop song, mysterious and obscure in essence, with powerful vocals and nice ryhthm, synths and guitar riffs.
Judith
Daines Wambura Mbibo, known as Lady Jaydee is one of the most respected singers
from Tanzania. She has won numerous awards in her home country and she also has
the distinction of being one of the first women to sing modern music in Swahili.
This song mixes delicious African sounds with disco rhythm. A perfect beat for
dancing.
Michael Cretu is one of the most well-known Romanian musicians in the eighties. He started in late 70's composing good ballads and later, in the eigthies, good synthpop songs for him and for her German wife, famous Sandra Cretu who obtained relatively high success during that decade. Later, he started the succesful chill-out Enigma project, in which Sandra often contributed vocals. As solo artist he only got a minor hit with the excellent Samurai. In his second album, Legionnaires (1983), released both in German and English languages, he proved his skills with the synths, creating tracks with nice melodies, among which Today, Today (Total Normal, the German title) and the chosen song, the space-oriented Targets (Zeitlose Reise in German), stand out. Uplifting track, somehow, despite the lyrics.
In
Panama we find one of the most weird bands in their country, as their name
suggests. Their mixture of dance, pop or electroclash, and the use of modulated
lo-fi voices, make them a really interesting band. The chosen track shows their
most festive side.
We go back to Africa. South Africa, this time. A country where synthetizers are not very widely used. Among the few synthpop bands we find Silicon 39, a one-member group (Ian Wilson) with a peculiar futuristic name. Happy tune for a sad, intense song, the title and lyrics refering to the devastating period (murders, anarchy, bombing,...) suffered in South Africa from 1988 till the elections of 1994. Since the past is over, let's just enjoy the wonderful synths and voice of this superb song, highly inspired in the 80's.
We
visit a really tiny country now, Luxembourg. There we find Superjams, a young band
which has the honor of having one of the very few electronic songs that can be
considered a hit in their country. Please forget the embarrassing video clip and
the simplicity of the lyrics, just enjoy the great tune.
Let´s
come back to Spanish language, and let´s do it in Peru. Adri Vainilla is a young
singer and actress who was first known as member of a rowdy electro-pop band called
Pestaña. Later, she started her solo career keeping her interest for electronic
sounds, but in a more pop and stylish sound. A good example is this song, which we can
enjoy together with a really sensual video.
We continue our journey visiting a country of Southeast Asia. From the Philippines the dance-punk band Pedicab, formed in 2004 in Manila, offers vibrating joyful songs, as this Ang Pusa Mo, included in their second and latest album, with playful attitude in their sounds, confirmed in the funny video showing the band members being abused by lovely girls. We travel now to one of our favorite countries,
a paradise for pop lovers: Sweden. There, it was formed in 1994 Vision System,
a two members band, Per Arenö and Gustaf Hansson, who started to show that
there is something in the water supply in this country that provides its
residents a knack for synth-pop creation. This great song belongs to their first
reference which, according to the little information available about this band,
received excellent reviews from several Swedish and European music-magazines.Civ
Lithuania is our next stop. Since 2010 the trio Proper Heat, led by vocalist Karolis Ramoska, has launched fresh electronic songs in a mix of different styles: house, electro and disco, mainly. The Move combines frenetic rhythms with more relaxing sounds, with the only purpose to make our body move to a relaxed dance.
Let´s go back to Latin America. Yudo
is a duet from Colombia with a strong and obvious interest in pop and electro
music. Their sound is very organic in most of their songs, despite of the many electronic
elements, and it recalls English new wave bands. Their first work was launched
in September 2006, but this song, Diablo,
is from an EP of 2007.
We are now heading to a historically conflict area: the Balkans. Videosex was a Slovenian synthpop band formed in 1983, Slovenia being by then part of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, although it acquired its independence status in 1991, shortly before the group disbanded in 1992. In 1984 they released a remarkable album, Video Sex '84, which contained a delicious song: Ana. The suggestive voice of lead singer Anja Rupel and the interesting synth effects, along with the fantastic chorus, make this track an exquisite piece of music.
Argentina is one of the countries that we had not visited yet. There we find Entre Ríos, a band with a long musical career that published their first EP in 2000 and their latest album, for now, in 2011. Their sound is characterized by a clear pop sensibility and a clever use of electronics. Their albums have been distributed in several countries, including Spain, and have enjoyed a reasonable success.
The third part of our journey being almost completed, it's high time we visited Africa. Our first trip to this fascinating continent goes directly to Ghana, a small country located in West Africa. Ghanaian artist Ata Kak delivers wonderful tribal dance rhythms in this afro house track, Daa Nyinaa, launched in cassette in 1995 -I'm not sure about the year-. It is difficult for our feet and body not to follow this catchy music, as it happens in the video. However, the video does not actually correspond to the song, but... it fits so well! We stay in Europe. Karolina Kozak is a singer, songwriter and TV hostess from Poland who released her first album in 2007. After some collaborations and some isolated singles, she has released this year 2012 her new album, with an unbeatable cover letter: Mimochodem. The sound, both well-nurtured and soft, and the addictive rhythm, make this track a delight.
Let's pay a visit to Greece. There are not many English-speaking Greek bands touring around the world. Astyplaz is one of them. Formed in 2003, they released their second album in 2008, named Bi and containing this little piece of melancholy: I Can See You Fade. Sweet, very sweet, this track. I can't help listening to it, repeteadly in a loop, paying attention to the profound lyrics, being absorbed by its soft rhythm. Relaxing music for our senses.
Let us return to the cold. This time we travel to Iceland to meet the most popular electronic band in that country (apart from Björk, of course): Gus Gus. Formed in 1995, they began their career with really experimental and dark wave sounds, although they have never forgotten the importance of a good tune. "Believe" is one of their best songs. Here we find a darker and more obsessive live performance of that track, slightly different from the original one.