All things pop, rock, electronic….
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A great album INTERNAL AFFAIRS from British musician and producer Sunglasses Kid. It goes beyond the usual Synth / Retro Wave, as it conveys a very precise style and atmosphere of synth scores from the 80s. Lots of romance and action, and very cinematic.
I asked Kid yesterday when we should expect his new album, and what its theme will be. He said that he hopes for autumn 2025. And it will be a continuation of the atmosphere of INTERNAL AFFAIRS, And with a new name INTERNAL AFFAIRS: DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY. The new album will have more orchestral sounds and oriental motives.
I highly recommend his INTERNAL AFFAIRS:
Indeed, although I haven’t gotten around to that one yet. Jon alerted me to Sunglasses Kid awhile back. I have GRADUATION, SOPHOMORE and NIGHT LIFE. I prefer the instrumental album versions over the song versions, though.
Phil Davies – Lagoon
Here is another interesting music I came across once. Interesting atmosphere and soundscapes. I don’t remember if I heard something like this… I found some tracks on YouTube. I liked what I heard. I hope one day I will be able to buy this for myself…
https://www.discogs.com/ru/release/11580691-Phil-Davies-Lagoon?srsltid=AfmBOoqzpHbX5aRKX7_5uRzGtcKpN30dacW75cM6TVwdmCtePBA-3KPDLovely track! Waveshaper is my go-to synthwaver (I have all of his compositions), but Sunglasses Kid is probably in my top 10 now, of those subgenre composers.
By the way, totally bummed that Brian Wilson died yesterday. As my first post attests to, The Beach Boys is one of my top 10 favourite bands/artists.
I have to admit I never explored the Beach Boys besides knowing their hits. I remember I once had Pet Sounds from the library years ago but it didn’t really click with me. So much music to expore and so little time…
This 1972 double album is a considered a classic in prog rock circles, but even as a prog rock head myself (and Vangelis fan, obviously), I’ve always struggled a bit getting into it. It’s rather “lo-fi” compared to the prog rock/art rock I normally listen to. But it’s growing on me.
I am currently intrgued by Jonathan Jeremiah.
That voice, that vintage sound and these brillant string arrangements.
Any other fans around?Never heard of him, but great channeling of 60s and 70s soul. Reminds me a bit of the elegant retro stylings of Forever Pavot (only without the singing).
For a change I was listening again to Roger Hodgson’s album Hai Hai and I was wondering if it is a coincidence that the song London ist so similar in style and subject to Sting’s English Man in New York. Both songs came out in the same year. But it wouldn’t make me wonder if Sting was inspired by this.
By the way, no idea why both, Supertramp and Roger, went for such a terrible synthetic sound for their second album after the split. Both albums, Free As A Bird and Hai Hai, contain good songs. But I can hardly stand that high pitched synthetic 80s pop sound.
Love those glitzy, slick, late 80s production values myself. Shame Roger hasn’t released a new album in 25 years. Now he doesn’t even tour anymore, which he used to love. He seems to have turned complete eremite after covid happened.
Speaking of Roger songs that sound like other things, I can’t hear “Lovers in the Wind” anymore, and not hear Silvestri’s “Seeing is Believing” from THE POLAR EXPRESS (or rather, perhaps, vice versa). Pure coincidence, I don’t think Silvestri stole anything, but they have the same vibe.
Supertramp’s opener It’s Alright from Free As A Bird sounds like a Matt Bianco song, not like Supertramp.
For a change I was listening again to Roger Hodgson’s album Hai Hai and I was wondering if it is a coincidence that the song London ist so similar in style and subject to Sting’s English Man in New York. Both songs came out in the same year. But it wouldn’t make me wonder if Sting was inspired by this.
I hear a similar Reggea(?) inspired beat but otherwise I find it not that much similar actually.
I see what you mean. Those synthetic Latino sounds. «It’s Alright» is more jazz rock, though.
There are lots of songs with similar Latino sounds in the 80s, aren’t they. I remember Miami Sound Machine as a more known band with those. But would always be interesing to know who actually was first.
There are lots of songs with similar Latino sounds in the 80s, aren’t they. I remember Miami Sound Machine as a more known band with those. But would always be interesing to know who actually was first.
The sound of It’s Alright reminds me of Matt Bianco in particular. And I knew Matt Bianco first since their first album. I didn’t see them in the first place as a Latino Band but as part of the British New Jazz movement together with Style Council, Working Week, Sade etc.
Miami Sound Machine was really a latino pop Band. Was interesting to just find out, that they existed since 1977 znder that name. They became famous with Dr. Beat and Conga around the same time Matt.Bianco came out.
Good times musically.Didn’t know Matt Bianco consciousnly. Interessting, that Miami Sound Machine existed since the 70s already. Didn’t know that either.
Orbital – IN SIDES (1996). Orbital is a bit hit/miss to me. I don’t care for their first two albums. Too “crude”. But I dig DIVERSIONS (a remix/compilation, sort of), SNIVILISATION, THE BLUE ALBUM and the THE PUSHER soundtrack. Now giving a second chance to some of those other albums again.
Oh, I love Orbital’s second album, the brown one. First one, Snivilisation and Middle Of Nowhere are decent. In Sides is good. I don’t have any of their albums from this century.
You should get THE BLUE ALBUM from 2004 – it’s their best work, I think, taking both studio albums and scores into consideration. And with both Sparks and Lisa Gerrard adding their contributions!
I finished my walkthrough of the other albums again, up to 2023’s OPTICAL DELUSION, and I still can’t connect with any of them like I can the four mentioned. But they have potential, and I’ll no doubt continue to give them chances.
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