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.