Neuroticfish - A Sign of Life (2015)

 

I’ve been eagerly waiting for this album since last years excellent EP Limited Behaviour and Neuroticfish have not disappointed me. A Sign of Life is an excellent album of very danceable future-pop, an absolute must for fans of future-pop and electronic music.

You can listen to the album and support the band on their BandCamp page here

Covenant - Leaving Babylon (2013)

Originating from Sweden, Covenant have been around since the early 90s. Leaving Babylon is their eighth album and despite its ups and downs there's certainly a lot to like here.

The album opens with the title track Leaving Babylon, which is a repetitive and hypnotic song. It's a decent song that walks you into the album and acts as an intro.

The second track, Prime Movers, leaves the introduction behind and suddenly the album comes to live. From then on, the album has its ups and downs but generally delivers excellent beats and melodies. 

Prime Movers and Four Our Time are great examples of simple, hypnotic and fascinating future-pop. There's a little harshness to the beats but a very gentle and mellow side to the music that creates a perfect balance to the songs. 

But the two standout songs of the album are Ignorance and Bliss and Last Dance. Both of them are really powerful songs that manage to combine classic and retro synth sounds with very solid future-pop beats. Both tracks are perfectly crafted and memorable; the kind of song that I can't get enough of and I know I'll be coming back for again and again.

Overall, this is a very uneven album with some decent tracks, some good tracks and some of the best electronic music this year.

Rating: Good Vibrations

Ayria - Plastic Makes Perfect (2013)

Originating from Canada Ayria's music is a mix of future pop and EBM with hints of electro-industrial aggressiveness here and there. Plastic Makes Perfect is her fourth album and it's a pretty solid release.

The highlights of the album are, at least to me, her more aggressive tracks, particularly opener Hunger and Plastic Makes Perfect (see video below). On the lighter, more melodic side I'd highlight Three Months, Missed the Mark and the particularly danceable Big City Lullaby. 

The album has it's ups and downs but there's plenty to enjoy here and the mix of future pop, EBM and more aggressive moments is well balanced.   

Rating: Good Vibrations

Neuroticfish - Limited Behaviour EP (2013)

Originating from Germany, Neuroticfish is an excellent future-pop/EBM, one man band. 

The four songs in this EP are very danceable, with strong beats and great melodies. The focus here is on danceable future-pop beats and all four songs are incredibly infectious.

I honestly can't wait for Neuroticfish to release the new album because if this is a sign of things to come it's going to be a killer.

Rating: Heavy Rotation