Soman, Surgyn, CTRL

Soman, being signed to the ProNoize label, have always been a band known for their hard hitting tracks. With their latest release, Noistyle, Soman tone down the beats and slow down for an album that shows signs of a band trying to evolve. From the guest vocals on "Side Chain" and "Skin Deep" to the minimalist (don't get all excited or you'll be in for a huge let down) cover of "Blue Monday" featuring Sarah Blackwood Soman seems to be changing, and I'm not sure if it's for the better. For a hard hitting song check out the title track, perhaps it may strike your fancy.

Surgyn are from Scottland, and it's cool to see somewhere not normally associated with industrial begin to make their mark. Being entirely self produced Vanity comes off quite clean, and the only real downfall is that nothing here is new to the avid industrial fan. It's worth a listen if you hunger for a new name and face however.

This has been shared before, but deserves the spotlight again.

While futurepop and synthpop can often leave the listener bored, it's a genre pitfall many a listener has to stomach when checking out new artists. When it seems as if every up and coming group wants to imitate the juggernauts vocally, and synth lines remain stale an undeveloped it really can be hard to listen to anything that looks a little bit too blase; luckily CRTL is luckier than the rest. CTRL's sound is, in a word, nostalgic. As E.P. opener "City" begins the nostalgia of acts long since past (Depeche Mode) and ones dear to many an electronic lovers heart (VNV Nation). Here are seven tracks that deserve your attention, that weep nostalgia.

Tiger Baby - Open Windows Open Hills (2011)

Release Date: August 29, 2011

Probably one of the best (if not THE best) female fronted synthpop album I've heard this year.

Check it out!

The New Division - Shadows (2011)

Catchy as hell synthpop from just one man.

Try it

Ashbury Heights - Take Cair Paramour (2010)

Release Date: July 2, 2010

Call me crazy, but tag team of man and woman Ashbury Heights disappointed me with this album, Take Cair Paramour. However, if I were to dwell on the reason why you would have absolutely no reason to check this album out! But let's end off with a high note; their track Unbearable Beauty has GOT to be one of my favourite songs of 2010. Ah, I have you now...



Try it

John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves

Although this album is rather well known, it was important that I post this. It is the essential synthpop album of 2011 and must not be missed. Don't miss it.

Dreams Divide - Puppet Love

Synthpop! Well done, juicy synthpop! It would be a misteak to not eat it up.

CTRL - Make Things Right (2011)

Release Date: June 1, 2011

On behalf of Hopeless Sound, I apologize to all of our followers for the long absence. But enough chit chat; CTRL is back with another guitar-tinged futurepop album and let me just say that it kills. As much as I love some of CTRL's releases, there are others that I feel are just terrible. Make Things Right was a pleasant surprise where CTRL return to that particular sound that I just love and BOOM, a good album was born. Only problem is that it's short; only 7 songs. But I dare you to skip one.

Try it

Apoptygma Berserk - Harmonizer

Apoptygma Berserk seem to have this magic about them, I just can't figure out if it's due to having such a tongue twister of a band name or not. Harmonizer is the bands fourth album and is surprisingly old, being released in 2002. Don't let it's age fool you however, Harmonizer features some of the best the band has to offer ala "Unicorn" and the various remixes featured throughout the album. When the listener hears the opening distorted synths their attention is piqued; the fantastic vocals of Stephan Groth then slam the trap shut, locking the listener in pure danceable, catchy, electronic bliss. While "Unicorn" is wonderful and comes highly recommended the album is littered with surprises, "Rollergirl" and "Until The End Of The World" are both excellent and prove that APOP is can dish out "thinking mans" music. This is an album that deserves your attention, there's even a track called "Pikachu" - gotta catch 'em all.

Youtube video of "Unicorn (Duet Version)"

* As Linux is acting up I can't post a video directly, I hope to remedy this soon however.

Mesh - We Collide [2006]

Release Date: April 3, 2006

So if you remember in my last post, I name dropped a particular band known as Mesh. Now, if you're unaware of this act, think of them as a more manly Echo Image. Their album We Collide flawlessly blends futurepop with rock guitar work to create something so catchy it should be illegal. But don't think of it as a gimmick, as Mesh fuses incredibly deep lyrics with the music to create the ultimate listening experience. And even after 5 years since its release, We Collide remains as one of my favourite albums of all time so you know it's good ;)

Try it

Echo Image - Compuphonic [2001]

Release Date: February 20, 2001

Echo Image has this particular sound that I've always had trouble categorizing. It's certainly not a rare sound or anything, but it somehow takes elements from synthpop, futurepop, and rock to create a very enjoyable concoction. But hold the hell up, Compuphonic isn't some industrial rock album. Think of these guys as more like Mesh or Iris, but with no guitars (yeah yeah, I know I said rock but Compuphonic is a rare exception). So try this out and at the same time, you might as well get your dancing shoes on. Compuphonic still remains as a great album to dance to, sing to, or just to listen to. Hell, I would think the hot ginger on the cover should be more than enough incentive for you to check this out, no?

Try it

Xpq-21

In honor of my favorite (sarcasm) holiday I thought I'd share one of the bands that I love even though they are relatively new to my collection. Xpq-21 is from Germany and mixes together many genres (industrial, techno, some trance, and gothic) to create some insanely catchy tracks. From their cover of the classic Bauhaus track "Bela Lugosi's Dead" featured on Belle Epoque to the the 8 minute "In Your Eyes" from their limited edition Alive LP, Xpq-21 really have a diverse offering at their disposal. With a plethora of remixes, edits, and guest vocalists on many of the bands tracks there are multiple versions of about everything they have ever done, making it easier for people to find something that they enjoy. The Vampire Freaks Fxxk The Mainstream Compilation version of "Jesus Was Gay" is an example of this, as the track has been remixed specifically for the collection. Overall this is band that fans of many genre's can enjoy, go check them out!

Give the cover of "Bela Lugosi's Dead" a listen

Buy it!

Namnambulu - Distances

Namnambulu entered the synth/futurepop scene in 2002 and looking back it never fails to make me a bit sad that I wasn't interested in the genre(s) enough to care back then. The group was composed of only two members, Henrik Iversen and Vasi Vallis, and their 2003 Distances is a masterpiece. The album is full of their own style with fully enjoyable and danceable tracks thanks to Vallis's skill, and lyrics that are both uplifting yet can become heavy when the need arises due to Iversen's writing ability. While the band only lasted a meagre three years demand for the duo's work has not diminished; 2010 saw a re-release, dubbed Distances (Black Edition), and is by far the easier to find. While the below is not the full version (that running a full 6:05) it is an excellent showcase of what the band has to offer. I also highly recommend checking out the track "Guardian Angel" if you find the below even remotely enjoyable.

Try it

Buy me!