Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Last year Brian Olsen and Brian Belknap (who’s now also involved with BlakLight) wanted to go back on stage. Because of the pandemic concerts got cancelled and the American duo got the idea to rework older songs. The title song is one from the early days (1990), which has never been released.

Content: This EP feels a bit like a time-machine getting us back to the magic of the 80s Electro-Wave and Pop music. It sounds totally retro-like evoking Electro-Pop icons such as Erasure and Depeche Mode. The songs are catchy and danceable. All tracks are carried by great synth lines and low resonating bass lines with the perfect singing of Brian Belknap on top. You’ll rediscover more recent songs in a pure vintage outfit.

+ + + : The originality of this duo is hard to find, but they simply compose great Electro-Pop in the purest vintage style. “Saying Sorry” stands for this good-old spirit and is an excellent title song. But all other tracks left have been masterly reworked featuring danceable vibes and melodic leads. The EP is more a kind of mini-album of 6 cool songs and there’s not one single cut to throw away. If you don’t know Mind Machine and you like Electro-Pop in the good-old vein, you definitely have to give it a try!

– – – : I don’t have any real minus point to mention, this EP being the best work I’ve heard from Mind Machine.

Conclusion: Refreshing old-styled Electro-Pop music!

Best songs: “Swimming Pool – Deep End Version”, “Saying Sorry”, “Frustration – Vent Version”, “Face The Nation – Pearl Version”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/mindmachineband