synthpop Tag

Soft Control by Syntheticult - Cover Art

Syntheticult – Soft Control | Industrial & Darkwave

Soft Control by Syntheticult - Cover Art

Syntheticult – Soft Control

A disciplined blend of mechanical precision and human performance.

Jason Whitcomb and Kevin Hartnell return with Syntheticult – Soft Control. Syntheticult is a direct offshoot of both the Before After Again and Sinistrad projects. This latest track combines a steady electronic pulse with a darker, abrasive surface, blending shades of industrial, metal, and synthpop into a heavy, cohesive atmosphere.

Released through Overlook Hotel Records as catalog number R237-129, the arrangement is highly disciplined. Rather than relying on many abrupt changes, it develops patiently through accumulation. The composition opens with a brief electronic build before locking into a sustained groove, gradually increasing its weight and presence until reaching the energy peak of the breakdown, then heading into the outro.

The Architecture of Syntheticult’s Soft Control

The production supports the title entirely. There is a distinct sense of pressure throughout the piece, but it remains controlled. The electronic elements provide a rigid structure while the guitar-driven layers introduce variation and movement. The mix stays perfectly clear even as additional layers are introduced, ensuring neither the mechanical nor the human elements dominate the other.

At just under four minutes, the track is available to stream on Spotify as well as download directly from Bandcamp below.

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Fear Not by Before After Again - cover art

Before After Again Fear Not | Darkwave & Synthpop

Fear Not by Before After Again - cover art

Before After Again Fear Not

A tense, 134 bpm descent into cinematic tragedy.

Jason Whitcomb and Kevin Hartnell return with Before After Again Fear Not, the first new single of the year from the project. Running at a driving 134 bpm, the track blends darkwave, post-punk, and synthpop into a tense, cinematic piece built around stark imagery, pulsing movement, and emotional collapse in slow motion.

Released through Overlook Hotel Records as catalog number R237-130, “Fear Not” marks the 23rd overall Before After Again release. It also arrives 110 catalog numbers after the project’s 2020 self-titled debut LP, continuing the shadowed electronic and post-punk thread that has run through the project from the beginning.

Flashing Lights and Slow Motion

The refrain of the song, “Cinematic in slow-mo / Flashing lights as she falls down,” provides the central image of the track. Everything feels suspended in a moment of impact. The lyrics move through brokenness, disconnection, locked hearts, physical vulnerability, and the uneasy knowledge that the future may not offer a rescue.

Visualizing Before After Again Fear Not

The cover art reinforces that exact feeling. The stark black and white portrait, angular slashes, halftone texture, and severe typography create a visual language that feels cold, graphic, and confrontational. It suits the atmosphere of the song: direct, minimal, dramatic, and slightly dangerous.

The track is available to stream and download directly from Bandcamp below. A Spotify embed will be added when available.

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Plastic Horizon Summer Never Lasts: A Sunset Synthwave Anthem

Summer Never Lasts by Plastic Horizon - Cover Art

Plastic Horizon: “Summer Never Lasts”

A sunset synthwave track built for late-summer drives and fading light.

The newest Plastic Horizon single, “Summer Never Lasts,” is officially available now. Released via Overlook Hotel Records, this track represents a unique shift in sound, blending the cinematic, retro-futuristic textures of synthwave with the massive, melodic guitar work of classic AOR rock.

Sunset Synthwave Meets AOR

Driven by a steady 120bpm pulse, “Summer Never Lasts” starts by establishing a warm, cinematic atmosphere before building into an emotional, guitar-driven groove. It avoids the frantic velocity of high-speed outrun, opting instead for a reflective, anthemic structure.

True to the Plastic Horizon aesthetic, beneath the bright synths and stadium rock guitars lies a distinct shade of melancholy. The arrangement captures the exact feeling of a season ending, a memory fading, and the bittersweet drive forward. It feels like the last stretch of road before the summer disappears behind you.

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If you are a fan of sunset synths, night drives, and melodic guitar solos, this release is for you. You can support the project directly by purchasing the high-quality download from Bandcamp below. Streaming on Spotify and other major platforms will be available in the coming days.

#PlasticHorizon #SummerNeverLasts #Synthwave #Synthpop #Outrun #AOR #Retrowave #ElectronicMusic

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Before After Again self titled vinyl LP promo gif

Before After Again: Self-Titled 15-Year Collection Arrives on Vinyl

Before After Again self-titled vinyl LP cover art

After 15 years of collaboration, the darkwave and synthpop project Before After Again has reached a massive milestone. We are thrilled to announce the release of our very first physical vinyl record. This self-titled album is a carefully curated collection of singles that is now officially available on both vinyl and CD.

The Definitive Collection

This album serves as a definitive showcase of the signature sound we have spent over a decade refining. Featuring 12 tracks, the record includes fan favorites like “Concrete,” “Solitude,” and “Catatonia,” alongside deep atmospheric cuts such as “The Water That Pulls You Underneath” and “These Are Not Men.”

From the driving rhythm of “Vice Grip” and “Touch” to the brooding weight of “Black Screen,” and “Fade,” this collection captures the pure essence of what Jason Whitcomb and Kevin Hartnell have been building together since the beginning. Hearing these tracks sequenced together on a physical format brings a completely new life to the music.

Where to Find the Record

For collectors and audiophiles, there is nothing quite like dropping the needle on a fresh record. You can currently find physical copies locally at Zia Records, Stinkweeds, and Vinyl Record Dude in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.

If you are outside of the Phoenix area, do not worry. The album will soon be hitting record store shelves in Nashville, Cincinnati, and Tampa. You can also order your copy on vinyl or CD directly through ElasticStage.

Stream and Support

If you haven’t heard the tracks yet or want to take them on the go, you can stream the collection below. Thank you to everyone who has supported the band over the last 15 years to make this physical release a reality.

#BeforeAfterAgain #VinylRelease #Darkwave #Synthpop #PhysicalMedia #OverlookHotelRecords

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If you enjoy the darkwave and synthpop sounds of Before After Again, you might also enjoy these tracks from our artists roster:

Before After Again returns with "These Are Not Men," a darkwave anthem about the machinery of power and dehumanization. Stream it now.

These Are Not Men: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - These Are Not Men cover art

Before After Again returns with a stark new release titled These Are Not Men. This track is a darkwave transmission from the edges of control and collapse, blending icy analog synthesis with a precise, mechanical rhythmic structure.

The Machinery of Power

Lyrically blunt and sonically sharpened, These Are Not Men examines the machinery of power and the erosion of identity in its wake. The song channels themes of dehumanization, spectacle, and decay into a hypnotic synth-laced performance. It is not a song for dancing away the end of the world; it is a soundtrack for those who sit still and watch it burn.

The refrain, “I’ll be here standing down, smiling while we watch you die…” captures the cold detachment of the observer. There is no catharsis here, only the quiet certainty that what we are witnessing isn’t human anymore. It is a harsh anthem for collapsing systems and the monsters they breed.

Release Information

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, this single solidifies the band’s reputation for crafting dense, thought-provoking electronic music. It is a must-listen for fans of minimal synthpop and industrial-tinged darkwave.

Stream These Are Not Men Now

These Are Not Men is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the band directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Weakness single cover art by Before After Again

Weakness: New Synthpop Single by Before After Again

Before After Again has released a powerful new single titled Weakness. This track seamlessly blends the structural hooks of classic synthpop with the emotional weight of darkwave, creating a soundscape that obsesses over collapse, control, and finding beauty within the wreckage.

Deconstructing “Weakness”

From the opening notes, Weakness establishes a mood of tension. The lyrics paint a picture of internal conflict and external chaos. Lines like “Loss of all security” and “Blinded eyes that can’t believe what’s happened” speak to a sudden, jarring shift in reality, a moment where the ground falls out from underneath you.

Musically, the track mirrors this instability. While the beat is driving and danceable, the synth textures are laced with melancholy. It is a song for the dancefloor at the end of the world, where the only option left is to let the music take you down.

Lyrical Themes

The chorus, “You’re my weakness, come and take me,” acts as both a confession and a surrender. It explores the dangerous allure of vulnerability. Is it a person, a habit, or a memory that serves as the weakness? The ambiguity allows the listener to project their own struggles onto the track, making it a deeply personal listening experience.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, Weakness is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the band directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Before After Again - Weakness cover art animation

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Before After Again - Control cover art animated

Control: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - Control cover art

The third installment of Before After Again singles for 2025 has arrived. Titled Control, this new release is a deceivingly upbeat slice of electronic music that is available on all major streaming and download sites today.

A Tale of Two Tempos

Musically, Control is built around a distinct structural shift that sets it apart from standard synthpop fare. The verses drive forward at a frenetic 240 BPM, creating a sense of urgency and anxious energy. However, when the chorus hits, the track cuts the time in half, dropping into a locked-in 120 BPM groove.

This shift transforms the song into a disco-influenced anthem, nodding to the melodic sensibilities of Kraftwerk and the experimental edge of Cabaret Voltaire. The juxtaposition of post-punk aggression with dancefloor-ready rhythms creates a unique tension, it demands that you move, even while the lyrics suggest paralysis.

“Everything is Perfect in the End”

Lyrically, the song stands in stark contrast to the upbeat instrumentation. It paints a picture of manipulation and disconnected pain. The line “The pavement hits your face” delivers a visceral blow that cuts through the disco sheen. The chorus serves as an ironic counterpoint, claiming “Everything is perfect in the end” while the narrator is clearly being “brushed aside.”

It is a classic darkwave trick: hiding a story of alienation inside a song that forces you to dance. The demons are real, but the beat goes on.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can stream Control now on Spotify, Apple Music, and more. To support the band directly, head over to Bandcamp to purchase the high-quality download.

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Fade animation

Fade: New Darkwave Single by Before After Again

Fade single cover art by Before After Again

Before After Again continues their 2025 release schedule with the arrival of their second single of the year, Fade. Available today on all major streaming platforms, this track deepens the band’s exploration of atmospheric darkwave and emotive synthpop.

“I Felt Alone in Your Arms”

Lyrically, Fade tackles the painful paradox of feeling isolated while in the presence of another person. The verse “And as we grow apart, remind me of the times / I felt alone in your arms” serves as the emotional core of the song. It suggests that the end of the relationship isn’t a sudden break, but a slow realization that physical proximity never guaranteed emotional connection.

The narrator expresses a desire to escape this disconnect entirely, wondering if they could “fall into something else” or “completely fade away from view.” It captures the specific heartbreak of wanting to disappear rather than face the “twisted and beautiful knots” of a failing dynamic.

The Inevitability of Change

The chorus introduces a sense of powerlessness with the refrain: “Then there’s a change / It comes my way / Not mine.” This repetition highlights that the shifts occurring in the narrator’s life are external and unwanted. However, the song concludes with a surprising note of acceptance. The final lines describe a “long and winding road” that feels like going home, offering a glimmer of hope that “this emptiness will soon pass.”

The Sound of Decay

Musically, the production mirrors these themes of distance and time. The synth textures are lush but melancholic, creating a “fading” atmosphere with washed-out reverb and decaying echoes. It fits perfectly into the Before After Again canon, offering a darker, more introspective counterpoint to their more upbeat tracks.

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Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can listen to Fade right now. Support the band by adding the track to your playlists or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp.

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Before After Again - Touch cover art

Touch: New Post-Punk Single by Before After Again

Before After Again - Touch cover art

After a year-long wait, Before After Again returns with a vengeance. The new single, Touch, is available today on all major streaming and download sites. This track marks a sonic evolution for the project, aggressively combining elements of darkwave, post-punk, synthpop, and industrial music into a singular, cohesive sound.

“The Noose You Tighten”

Lyrically, Touch explores the disturbing intersection of physical intimacy and psychological manipulation. The narrator describes a relationship defined by control, yet there is a defiant undercurrent of immunity to that control. The key line, “The noose you tighten / Still feels loose on my end,” suggests a power dynamic where the aggressor believes they are in charge, but the victim has become too numb to be hurt.

The imagery is visceral, leaning into the song’s industrial influences. Phrases like “Warm tongue / Slithers down my throat” depict love as an invasive, choking force. The refrain asks to fill the void with “lies,” speaking to a cynical acceptance of betrayal as the only way to feel complete.

Controlled Chaos: 169 BPM

Musically, the track is built on a jarring structural shift that mirrors this psychological tension. The verses sprint forward at a blistering 169.2 BPM, driven by frenetic percussion and anxious post-punk energy. It mimics the feeling of a racing heart or the “flight” response kicked into overdrive.

However, when the chorus hits, the track drops into a grooving half-time groove. This sudden deceleration gives the refrain a sludge-like weight, emphasizing the “tightening noose” described in the lyrics. It trades speed for power, creating a sonic assault that feels both frantic and oppressive at the same time.

Listen Now

Released via Overlook Hotel Records, you can stream Touch right now. Support the band by adding the track to your playlists or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp.

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In the Mist header

Plastic Horizon: “In the Mist” – Hauntology & Synthwave Single

Plastic Horizon - In the Mist cover art

Plastic Horizon: “In the Mist”

Overlook Hotel Records presents “In the Mist,” a new single from Plastic Horizon blending Hauntology and Synthwave.

Surprise! Back to back new release days! “In the Mist” is a new single from Plastic Horizon (Catalog R237-087), released July 5, 2024.

This track serves as a sonic exploration of the “Public Broadcast” soundset for the TAL-Pha synthesizer by Oblivion Sound Lab. It was originally created to demonstrate the analog character of these patches, which celebrate the nostalgic electronic sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Sound of “In the Mist”

Finding inspiration in vintage library music, VHS idents, and synth-heavy television scores, “In the Mist” channels the same dusty aesthetic popularized by artists like Boards of Canada, Pye Corner Audio, and HOME. It is a trip back in time to the heyday of analog synthesis.

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“In the Mist” is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Plastic Horizon - In The Mist cover art animated

Credits

©2024 Overlook Hotel Records