Rings of Saturn: New Astronomy-Inspired Synthpop from Plastic Horizon

February 24, 2024

Cover art for Rings of Saturn by Plastic Horizon

Synthwave artist Plastic Horizon takes a slight departure from the standard retrowave formula to bring us to the “Rings of Saturn” in this astronomy-inspired composition.

Breaking the Orbit

While the genre of synthwave is often highly codified with specific rules regarding tempo and instrumentation, breaking those rules can yield interesting results. “Rings of Saturn” feels less like a drive down a neon highway and more like a drift through zero gravity. The production is clean and crystalline, utilizing bright bell tones and arpeggiators that mimic the icy, vast nature of the planet’s rings.

The Bridge at 1:41

The track really shines in its structural evolution. It establishes a hypnotic groove early on, but listeners should pay close attention to the bridge at the 1:41 mark. Here, the song shifts gears, introducing a melodic counterpoint that elevates the composition from a simple loop to a complex musical narrative. It is a moment of clarity and “lift” that defines the track.

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“Rings of Saturn” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Scars by Before After Again

Scars: New Post-Punk Single from Before After Again

February 19, 2024

Before After Again releases “Scars” today on all major streaming sites. This track is a love letter to the golden era of post-punk, blending the driving energy of modern darkwave with the melodic sensibilities of the 80s.

Influences and Atmosphere

You may hear the influences of bands like Killing Joke, She Wants Revenge, and The Cure just below the surface. “Scars” is built on a relentless, driving bassline and drums that demand movement. It balances this kinetic energy with melancholic vocals and atmospheric synths, creating a soundscape that is both nostalgic and fresh.

It is a song about running away, the healing process, and the realization that sometimes, when you find “something else,” you might realize there is nothing left inside.

Lyrics

Hiding like a kiss from the side of the road
Put your face down let the water unfold
Everyone knows that there’s nothing to hold so let’s go

Pretty one feels like there’s nothing to hide
Holding back the tears while the feelings subside
Maybe should have thought would have opened her eyes but no

Don’t stop running you’ll find out for yourself
The time heals wounds and the scars that you felt
Everyone knows that you’re out of your mind
If you found something else now there’s nothing inside

Feeling takes a toll but the humming in time
Faking all the smiles so that no one will find
All the hate boiling up so deep down inside it grows

She can be sure that her ending is near
Turn your head away and let the wind hit your face
Everything falls into place when you just let it go

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“Scars” is available now. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Cybernetic Dreams by Plastic Horizon

Cybernetic Dreams: New Robotic Synthwave from Plastic Horizon

February 16, 2024

Plastic Horizon ventures into a blend of Synthwave, Synthpop, and Downtempo vibes with the latest single, “Cybernetic Dreams.” It is a track that feels less like a human composition and more like a transmission from a machine soul.

The Ghost in the Machine

Somewhere hidden in this composition, there are shades of bands like Kraftwerk and early Ministry. The track is defined by its precision, clean, robotic melodic lines floating over a steady, mechanical beat. It captures the essence of the “computer world” aesthetic, where emotion is filtered through circuitry.

Unlike the high-speed chase energy of typical Outrun tracks, “Cybernetic Dreams” settles into a hypnotic groove. It is the perfect soundtrack for late-night coding sessions, digital art creation, or simply drifting through the neon-lit corridors of your own mind.

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“Cybernetic Dreams” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Alchimia Sonora – “1978”

February 14, 2024

Alchimia Sonora has just released a new single titled “1978.” For those who enjoy late 70s and early 80s horror films and Italian Giallo horror, this prog-rock inspired track is perfect for late-night listening in your local cemetery.

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Plastic Horizon: Hex – A Slow-Burn Horror Synth Anthem

February 9, 2024

Plastic Horizon: “Hex” – A Slow-Burn Horror Synth Anthem

Plastic Horizon delivers a mesmerizing blend of retro nostalgia and eerie ambiance inspired by late 70s and early 80s horror films.

Step into the haunting world of synthwave with Plastic Horizon’s single, “Hex.” This track represents a distinct shift in tone for the project, moving away from high-speed chases and neon sunsets to explore the darker, grittier side of the genre. It delivers a mesmerizing blend of retro nostalgia and eerie ambiance, directly inspired by the golden age of late 70s and early 80s horror films.

The Inspiration: Carpenter, Frizzi, and Sabbath

Drawing influence from iconic musicians like John Carpenter, Fabio Frizzi, and even the doom-laden riffs of Black Sabbath, “Hex” immerses listeners in a slow, brooding soundscape.

The goal was to capture the feeling of those quiet moments in horror cinema. Think of the long drive to an isolated cabin, the shadow moving in the background, or the tension before the jump scare. It isn’t about the release of terror. It is about the anticipation of it. The track utilizes heavy basslines that plod forward with a zombie-like persistence, overlaid with sharp, crystalline synth leads that cut through the mix like a knife.

Sonic Architecture

“Hex” is built on simplicity. Unlike modern electronic music that often clutters the frequency spectrum with hundreds of layers, this track exercises restraint. It relies on:

Cold Digital Precision: The synthesizers are sharp and icy, contrasting with the heavy low-end to create a sense of unease.
Minimalist Composition: By leaving space in the mix, the silence becomes just as important as the notes, allowing the ominous atmosphere to breathe.

Part of the 2024 Weekly Series

As the sixth installment in Plastic Horizon’s ambitious weekly series of releases for 2024, “Hex” showcases the artist’s ability to captivate audiences with evocative melodies and spine-chilling compositions. This weekly challenge has pushed the project to explore new sub-genres, from high-octane Outrun to this slow-burn Horror Synth.

Dive into the depths of that long, dark drive home, crank up the music, and experience the sinister allure of “Hex.” It is the perfect soundtrack for your next midnight drive. Just make sure you check the backseat first.

Stream “Hex” Now

You can listen to “Hex” on all major streaming platforms. Support independent horror-synth by streaming on Spotify or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp below.

#HorrorSynth #JohnCarpenter #Retrowave #Darkwave #PlasticHorizon

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Welcome to the New Overlook Hotel Records Website!

February 6, 2024

Thank you for stopping by the new home of the independent record label Overlook Hotel Records! Overlook Hotel Records was founded in 1999 in Cincinnati, Ohio by Kevin Hartnell and features over 50 releases and counting.

Synthwave (Plastic Horizon)
Post-Punk (Cambium)
Darkwave (Before After Again)
Progressive Rock (NGC 891, The Antoni Tashev Project)
Pop/Indie (Dronefly, Mothsounds)
Disco (Future Circuit)
Psychedelic Rock (Trinity & Triage)
Giallo (Alchimia Sonora)
Sludge/Doom (THAL, Ironleaf)
Glam Rock/Metal (V1CTOR, Plassgard)
Dark Ambient (Kevin Hartnell)
Classic Rock (The Three Minstrels)
Folk/Traditional (Trakia)
Industrial (Sinistrad)
Instrumental/Soundtrack/Score (Kevin Hartnell)

Check out the discography and find something new to listen to today!

https://overlookhotelrecords.bandcamp.com/

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Cover art for Hell of a Friend by Before After Again

Hell of a Friend: New Industrial Darkwave from Before After Again

February 5, 2024

Before After Again turns up the grit with “Hell of a Friend,” a track that leans heavily into the industrial side of the darkwave spectrum.

Demons Within

“Hell of a Friend” is driven by a distorted, mechanical beat and aggressive synth textures. It explores the darker corners of the psyche, specifically the “demons within” that we run from, only to find them waiting for us again. The lyrics paint a picture of a cyclical struggle, where the darkness isn’t just an enemy, but a familiar, albeit destructive, companion.

With influences ranging from early industrial rock to modern dark synth, this track is dense, heavy, and perfect for those who prefer their electronic music with a bit of an edge.

Lyrics

Don’t say a word they won’t understand
Everything ends and it starts again
Everyone runs from the demons within
Then we go back to bed it’s a hell of a friend

Take what is yours and break while you bend
Fading away while the past comes again
Falling on down on the darkness within
Never coming back it’s a hell of a friend

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“Hell of a Friend” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Aeon: New 80s-Inspired Synthpop from Plastic Horizon

February 2, 2024

Plastic Horizon delivers a dynamic listening experience with “Aeon,” a track that takes the listener on a journey through the sounds of the early 80s.

Big Energy, Classic Vibes

“Aeon” doesn’t ease you in; it opens with a bombastic, larger-than-life intro that immediately grabs your attention. From there, it shifts gears into an uptempo, New Wave synthpop rhythm reminiscent of bands like Berlin. The driving bass and shimmering synths create a sense of urgency and excitement that defines the golden era of the genre.

The Breakdown and Outro

Just when you settle into the groove, the track returns to the massive scale of the introduction, creating a powerful peak before fading out. The song wraps up with a soft, gentle arpeggio sequence, a perfect “cool down” after the high-energy ride.

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“Aeon” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Black Screen by Before After Again

Black Screen: New Industrial Darkwave from Before After Again

January 29, 2024

Before After Again turns up the tension with “Black Screen,” a track that channels the aggression of industrial rock through a post-punk lens.

A Driving Industrial Groove

“Black Screen” is built on a relentless, mid-tempo groove that feels like a march toward the inevitable. The vibe is undeniably angry, yet the vocal delivery remains deceptively smooth, creating a chilling contrast with the bite of the lyrics. It touches on themes of obsolescence, media saturation (“teleprompter weapons”), and the surreal feeling of being trapped in a loop.

With its gritty textures and driving bass, this track is perfect for fans who prefer their darkwave with a heavier, more aggressive edge.

Lyrics

You know it’s right
I can’t partake
In this constant push and pull
These empty streets
Are fully charged
Intake the soul off the floor

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

So please don’t fight
It makes you weak
We want you down on your knees
It’s so surreal
When we look back
At all the pain that you bring

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

Don’t shed those tears salty

Now face the fact
You’re obsolete
It’s time you’ve taken your bow
Hide if you like
We’re close behind
Oh can’t you taste this disease?

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

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“Black Screen” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Mirage: New Cinematic Dreamwave from Plastic Horizon

January 26, 2024

Plastic Horizon slows the tempo and deepens the mood with “Mirage,” a short but evocative track that drifts into the territory of dreamwave and chill synthpop.

A Melancholic Waltz

“Mirage” stands out immediately due to its time signature. Written in 12/8 time, the track has a swaying, waltz-like feel that separates it from the driving 4/4 beats of typical synthwave. This rhythmic choice, combined with lush pads and a gentle melody, creates a distinctively melancholic vibe, like a memory fading in the heat.

From the Score of “Gerald”

This composition has dramatic roots. It was originally composed as a theme for the Campfire Radio Theater episode “Gerald,” serving as part of a larger score featuring around 30 pieces of music. While it works perfectly as a standalone single for late-night listening, its cinematic origins are clear in the way it builds atmosphere and emotion in a short runtime.

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“Mirage” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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