Nouvelle Vague :: A Date with Depeche Mode

French bossa nova band Nouvelle Vague are getting ready to release a covers album A Date with Depeche Mode on October the 30th. In it they cover 13 tracks from these synthpop legends from the ones you'd expect to hear ("Enjoy the Silence", "Personal Jesus") to more obscure tracks like ("Ice Machine", "Leave in Silence"). The first taste we've gotten so far from the album is for "Enjoy the Silence" and "Never Let Me Down Again". Loving both of the covers! I will definitely be playing these out at home. Super chill and soothing renditions.

Check out those two tracks below, then be sure to mark your calenders for that Oct 30th release date.

Nation of Language :: Dance Called Memory + Miami Show

 

One my favorite bands from recent years NYC's Nation of Language is gonna be in Miami this Friday 1.16.26 playing a show at Zey Zey right in my hood! So excited to catch them live for the first time and in their first headlining show in Miami. Been a fan since 2023's 'Strange Disciple' and recently in 2025 they released the excellent 'A Dance Called Memory' featuring one of my favorite tracks from them "Inept Apollo". I literally played that track on repeat for months. So good!

Check out their video for "Inept Apollo" and "Sole Obsession" one of my faves from 'Strange Disciple' below. Enjoy and see you at the show! 

The Presets :: Do What You Want

The Presets are back!! They just released new single "Do What You Want" yesterday on Halloween and it is classic high energy synth them. I remember seeing them play live in South Beach sometime in the 00's and they blew me away. So much energy! I kinda hope they push their comfort zone a bit on their hopefully soon to follow new album.

Zoot Woman :: Solid Gold

Free new single by Zoot Woman?!?! Well if you twist my arm. Seriously, Zoot Woman is giving away their new single "Solid Gold" via their soundcloud. New album Absence is out June 16th.

Paris Radio :: Tangled Shadow

Got sent this new track "Tangled Shadow" by LA artist Paris Radio. Paris Radio is the solo project of Tony Aguiar formerly of LA rock band Voxhaul Broadcast. For this new project he wanted to venture more into the electronic side of music that he loves and didn't get to explore much with his previous band. I have to say he is off to a great start! "Tangled Shadow" is an exquisite electronic pop song that was inspired by the nervous anticipation of his first date with his future wife. It is filled with guitars, synths and soaring melodies, as well as those underrated pauses that he uses to great affect. I think he captured that feeling of falling for someone just right.  

Check out that tune via his soundcloud below. We will be keeping our eyes and ears out for this up and comer. So should you.

Bella Luz :: Summer Breeze ft Maryell Epps

Miami's own Bella Luz is getting ready to release a new EP soon. They sent over the first track from it "Summer Breeze" ft Maryell Epps and it is excellent! A solid piece of dark synthpop deliciousness. Gil's vocals are on point and the beats by Jean Espiritusanto and pulsating synths are bumping, like totally jumping out of your speakers. Can't wait to play this out at one of the darker parties I DJ at. It will fit in perfectly.

Check out "Summer Breeze" below and be on the lookout for the video coming soon, plus the rest of that EP which I'm sure will not disappoint. If you live in South Florida I highly recommend catching one (or more) of their live shows. Totally worth it! Next one's on the 28th at Churchill's.

Purse Candy :: Bar Fight

Talk about smooth... Check out this amazing jam "Bar Fight" (complete with a sax solo) sent our way by Portland's Purse Candy. It is from their upcoming debut album 'Visions of a Healed Kingdom' which comes out October 28th. I can put this track on a loop and play it over and over, in fact I've been doing just that. Can't wait to play this out in my DJ sets and check out the rest of their album. For now this track will hold us off nicely.

Check out "Bar Fight" via their soundcloud below, and if you like what you hear you can grab the mp3 on their bandcamp as a pay what you like option. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Miami Horror :: Colours in the Sky (Cleopold Remix)

As I was looking for new music the other day I ran into this Cleopold remix for a track he helped co-write with Miami Horror called "Colours in the Sky". It is one of the prettiest tunes I've heard in quite a while. Makes me feel like I'm floating in space. Those synths lines are to die for. Best part is they are offering the remix as a free download in exchange for a like of Cleopold's facebook page. Well worth the price of admission. I for one will be pressing repeat on this many, many times.  Enjoy!

The Chain Gang of 1974 :: Daydream Forever

Digging the new single "You" from LA's The Chain Gang of 1974. So good it got me downloading their new album 'Daydream Forever' that was just released this week. The track reminds me of artists like M83 or Twin Shadow. A big and powerful tune, especially when the chorus kicks in. They also have a track "Sleepwalking" which is darker and gothier that was featured in the recent Grand Theft Auto V game. Considering how much those games sell it must have been a big boost for their career.

Check out those two tunes below and if you are as impressed as I am, I'd look into acquiring the rest of 'Daydream Forever', just as I am about to do right,,,, now.

X Priest X :: Samurai

Yay, I'm finally back to posting after my several month sabbatical having been busy introducing my now three month old son to the world. Thought I'd make my comeback by introducing you all to this great little synth-pop, super 80's throwback, debut track "Samurai" from Orlando, FL based trio X Priest X. Lord knows I love me some retro synth, and this ultra smooth jam screams hot summer, city nights.

Poliça :: Tiff (feat Justin Vernon)

Oh Mondays… someone has to play the villain. However, here is a little track from Poliça. “Tiff” is a sexy and sultry little track from the Minnesota band. The band fuses synth-pop with a bit of R&B with the ending result being a really chill, almost baby-making music that will definitely have you tuned in.

Tesla Boy :: The Universe Made of Darkness

Another great album that dropped yesterday is The Universe Made of Darkness, the sophomore album from Russian dream wave act Tesla Boy. We covered their excellent single "Fantasy" last year here. Universe continues with Tesla's 80's new wave inspired synthpop sound with a bit of an r&b twist on a few of the tracks. Digging the record! Some of my early favorites include :: "Stars", "Broken Doll" ft Tyson, "Dream Machine", "M.C.H.T.E." and "Fantasy", but really they're all pretty sweet.

Check out a few of those tracks below, if you need further convincing you can preview the entire album on their soundcloud.

Client Liaison :: End of the Earth

Client Liaison are an Australian duo from Melbourne. "End of the Earth" is a beautifully, good synth-pop song.  The song borrows from 80's new wave and synth sounds mixed with a tribal and African influence. The music video is composed of Australian TV clips and such, but it has such a bad early 80's design that it is great.

Knocking Ghost :: Distractions

Seems it's a London kinda day today on OTR. Another track that caught my attention in our inbox today is "Distractions" by London band Knocking Ghost. A great subdued synth track. The video really sealed the deal in me digging the track. That's why videos are so important these days, especially for up and coming bands trying to get noticed. Kinda puts a face to the music.

Check out the goods below and if you like what you hear the entire five track Distractions EP (which is all excellent) is available as a free download on their soundcloud.

Living Days :: Let My Love Open The Door (Cover)

Got sent this great cover for Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door" by Brooklyn band Living Days. Uber catchy new wave sounding dance tune means of course I love it! They've been getting a lot of press love recently including a great plug from Bats for Lashes lead singer Natasha Khan who says "And then there is this singer called Stephonik Youth. She’s so amazing. She’s literally I think the most amazing artist I’ve ever seen, and her voice is incredible." Not too shabby endorsement and after hearing this track it only makes me crave more.

We can expect to get a new album from them in early 2013. For now check out the soundcloud/video for "Let My Love Open the Door" which uses footage from the 1985 Sam Raimi movie Crimewave.

Work Drugs :: Young Lungs

Gotta say I've been a fan of pretty much everything Work Drugs has put out, and this new single "Young Lungs" from the Philly duo does not disappoint. Its a shining example of synth-pop at its finest, with some bonus sexy sax thrown in at the end for good measure. Best part is its being given away as a free download! So check out/pick up the track below, and enjoy the single's entertaining extreme sports video as well.

Future Islands :: Balance

On Tuesday of last week, Future Islands played a show in Miami. The band from Baltimore is composed of three members: William Cashion (bass, acoustic and electric guitars), Gerrit Welmers (keyboards and programming) and Samuel Herring (lyrics and vocals).

Before the show, Herring was just sitting on the couch checking the election coverage. I talked to him for a bit. He was very approachable and even introduced himself. He was wearing a light olive, long sleeved button up shirt, with blue dress pants - very not rock and roll.

They played through their catalog of songs, with the animated singer showing his very theatrical postures and moves. The crowd was very much into it. The intimate setting at the bar made the occasion even better. During the middle of the concert someone screamed, "Obama won!" to loud cheers from the crowd.

Future Islands is a good band to see live. The band projects a high level of enthusiasm and it just makes you want to be a part of it. If you were there, I hope you enjoyed the concert as much as I did. Check out their track/video for "Balance".

Movement Ten

UK duo Movement Ten are getting ready to release their self titled debut album November 5th. They sent along some of their tracks for us to review and am I am digging their sound. A great mixture of electronics and traditional instruments. From synthpop to brit-pop, I can hear a bunch of different styles and influences. The future's looking bright for these fellows. Check out their soundcloud player below with four tracks from the upcoming album, then be on the lookout for that release come next week.

Parenthetical Girls :: Curtains

Portland-based experimental pop darlings Parenthetical Girls are releasing the final installment of their "Privilege" 12'' series. To celebrate this, they've released a new music video for "Curtains".

See striking images of a viking funeral procession going through Portland, Oregon. Complete with beautiful greek goddesses and set to a luscious new track that's dripping with shoegaze, synth honey. I love it and I think you will too.

The Mystic Underground :: Remember Me

The Mystic Underground are a Brooklyn, NYC electronic duo. Recently they sent us their latest single "Remember Me" from their upcoming EP Dreamers and Lovers coming out in August. Digging the track! Their sound reminds me of a cross between TV on the Radio and Twin Shadow and should appeal to fans of both those bands. Check out the track/video below and if you like what you hear you can download the track for free simply by liking their Facebook page here. Sounds like a deal to me.

The Mystic Underground - Remember Me by TheMysticUnderground