Solitude: New Atmospheric Darkwave from Before After Again

March 4, 2024

It’s New Release Day here at Overlook Hotel Records! We are proud to present “Solitude,” the latest darkwave track from Before After Again.

An Atmosphere of Isolation

This isn’t just a song; it’s an atmosphere. “Solitude” captures the suffocating feeling of being trapped within one’s own mind, where the silence is loud and the walls are closing in. With driving synth lines and melancholic vocals, the track explores the tension between wanting to escape the “twisted mind” and finding comfort in the isolation.

Lyrics

Ten years of solitude
I’ve spent my time with you
Watch as these walls all fall down

Don’t know if I can be
Alone inside my empty mind
The time unfolds

Don’t notice this silence for long
Can’t escape I’ve nowhere to run
Suffering inside I brings me down

Don’t worry it comes and it goes
Hidden deep so nobody knows
I’ll keep you safely inside

Confine my every move
Clenched hands but let me go too soon
The grip won’t do

I’m running out of time
You’re always right in back of my
Twisted mind

Listen & Support

Perfect for late-night listening in the dark, alone, or in the basement of an abandoned building, “Solitude” 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 Winds of March by Plastic Horizon

Winds of March: New Cinematic Synthwave from Plastic Horizon

March 1, 2024

Plastic Horizon returns to Overlook Hotel Records with “Winds of March,” a track that bridges the gap between atmospheric soundscapes and driving synth-rock energy.

A Cinematic Slow Burn

Drawing heavily from the visual language of Blade Runner and the nostalgic adrenaline of the Outrun aesthetic, this single is a study in tension and release. It does not rush; instead, it invites the listener into a dark, cinematic space.

The track begins with a “dark and easy” introduction, a slow burn of brooding pads and distant melodies that evoke the feeling of a solitary walk through a rain-slicked futuristic city. But as the “winds” pick up, so does the intensity. The composition patiently layers its elements, building a wall of sound that eventually breaks into a full-throttle synthwave rock anthem.

Listen & Support

This dynamic shift makes “Winds of March” the perfect companion for a late-night drive. It captures that specific moment when the empty road stretches out before you, the city lights blur into streaks of neon, and the only option is to turn the volume up and drive.

“Winds of March” 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 Decay by Before After Again

Decay: New Driving Synthpop from Before After Again

February 26, 2024

It’s New Release Day here at Overlook Hotel Records! We are proud to present “Decay,” the latest high-energy track from Before After Again.

The Sound of Decay

“Decay” is a study in contrast. It opens with a stripped-down, fairly quick pulse, a driving beat that feels urgent and immediate. This minimal approach in the verses creates a tension that demands release, which arrives in the form of a rich, expansive chorus.

The production here leans heavily into the “wall of sound” aesthetic during the bridge and chorus, utilizing layered synths to create a feeling of overwhelming motion. It is a track that sounds best when cranked up loud, allowing the listener to get lost in the “spin.”

Lyrics

Hold on this won’t take but a moment
Your head spins like a top goes round, round, round
Please understand this is intention
Not necessarily I’m down, down, down

I love the way you drop
The pieces on the floor
Decay of every touch
A slip away into nothing

You bind the ties that take us under
My grip it squeezes you for more, more, more
Shake lips and let me know when it’s over
You know it’s what we have in store, store, store

I love the way you drop
The pieces on the floor
Decay of every touch
A slip away into nothing

Listen & Support

“Decay” 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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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.

Listen & Support

“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

Listen & Support

“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.

Listen & Support

“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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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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