Elegant Machinery &#8211; SIDE-LINE

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

Elegant Machinery re-release ‘A soft exchange’ on limited red vinyl with 2 bonus tracks

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:37:26 +0000

The iconic Swedish synth-pop band Elegant Machinery is set to re-release their legendary album “A Soft Exchange” in mid-November. Originally launched in 2008, the album will be available on vinyl for the first time. This limited edition will feature just 500 copies on blood-red vinyl and will include a full-colour inner sleeve containing all the song lyrics.

In addition to the original tracks, this vinyl edition will offer two bonus songs not found on the original CD. These include the track “Why” from the long-out-of-print hit single “Move,” as well as the song “Beautiful World” from the equally elusive “Feel The Silence” single.

About Elegant Machinery

Drawing significant inspiration from Depeche Mode, Elegant Machinery is among the few contemporary bands committed to producing traditional synthpop music. Alongside other groups like Page, S.P.O.C.K, Sista Mannen På Jorden, and Kiethevez, they have been instrumental in shaping the Swedish synthpop scene.

The band was initially formed in 1988 by Robert Enforsen, Richard Jomshof, and Leslie Bayne, under the name Pole Position. Robert Enforsen took on the role of lead vocalist in 1989, and it was around this time that they released their first demo and changed their name to Elegant Machinery. The name was inspired by an album from DATA, an ’80s British synthpop group led by Norwegian Georg Kajanus.

Johan Malmgren joined the group as a touring musician in 1992 due to Leslie Bayne’s stage fright and later became a permanent member. The band enjoyed considerable success in Sweden, releasing multiple hit singles and winning various awards. In the rest of Europe, their most significant mainstream breakthrough came with the single “Process.”

Elegant Machinery disbanded in 1999 but temporarily reunited in 2001, making their first-ever appearance in the United States and performing in Mexico. Johan was temporarily replaced by Jarmo Ollila of Daily Planet for this stint. Over the subsequent years, they performed several times across Europe. By the end of 2004, they decided to create new music, with original member Leslie Bayne rejoining Johan, Richard, and Robert.

The band disbanded once more in 2011 but was reformed in 2016 by Robert Enforsen and Leslie Bayne, along with new part-time member Jonas Kröjtz. They released a new EP on 14 October 2016, titled “I.”

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

Swedish Synthpop pioneers, Page, unveil upcoming album for September: ‘En ny våg’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:15:28 +0000

The pioneering Swedish synthpop group, Page, has unveiled their latest album, “En ny våg” which translates to “A New Wave” in English. This new studio album will be released through Energy Rekords on September 29. The album will be available on vinyl with a limited edition of 300 copies, and on CD with 500 copies featuring an extra track titled “Ashes – Cold Connection”.

The album, consisting of 10 tracks, was recorded between 2022 and 2023.

For this album, Eddie Bengtsson and Marina Schiptjenko teamed up with renowned guest musicians such as Chris Payne and Rrussell Bell, notable for their contributions to UK bands Dramatis, Tubeway Army, and their collaboration with Gary Numan in the 1980s.

About Page

Page holds the distinction of being one of the first bands to introduce synthpop music to Sweden. Their musical style and band members, especially Eddie Bengtsson, have played a pivotal role in shaping the Swedish synthpop scene, inspiring acts like Elegant Machinery, S.P.O.C.K, Sista Mannen På Jorden, and KieTheVez.

Established in 1980 by Eddie Bengtsson and Marina Schiptjenko, and later joined by Anders Eliasson, the band rapidly achieved underground cult status, releasing iconic singles such as “Dansande man”, “Som skjuten ur en kanon”, “Blå fötter”, and “Som en vind”. Although much of their influential work came out in the 1980s, their debut album, the eponymous “Page”, only saw its release in 1991.

While Page continued their musical journey throughout the 90s, they took a hiatus in the 2000s. They made a return in 2010 with a new album titled “Nu”. 2013 saw the release of “Hemma” under the Swedish label, Wonderland Records. They later rejoined Energy Rekords for the EPs “Är Det Jag Som Är En Idiot? / Sånt Som Inte Går” and “Lägger av”. The latter was soon followed by the album “Det Är Ingen Vacker Värld Men Det Råkar Vara Så Det Ser Ut” in 2017. Their 2019 offering was the album “Fakta För Alla”.

Blackbook – Confessions Of The Innocent (Album – darktunes Music Group)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Electro-Wave-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Blackbook is a new Swiss duo which has been introduced as having composed famous hits and even the title song for a famous Netflix series. However, who they are remains unknown. They released several singles during the past four years and are now unleashing their debut album.

Content: Blackbook is clearly driven by good-old Electro-Wave/Pop influences. It sounds like the common thread throughout the entire album. Most of the songs sound like ‘happy-pop’ music although I also noticed a few harder passages driven by EBM-orientated bass lines. It’s a catchy and danceable production which might appeal to Elegant Machinery fans although I don’t want to make any further comparison.

+ + + : Blackbook took me by surprise. The album is a succession of great and fully accomplished songs. This is an outstanding production moving from catchy, happy, sounding tunes to harder, danceable cuts carried by menacing bass lines. The global spirit however remains ‘happy-pop’-like. The songs have been meticulously crafted revealing maturity and creative writing. The choruses mainly have an elevating effect. Last but not least there also is a talented and experienced singer on top of the work.

– – – : We get 14 songs but only both last cuts can’t totally convince me. I don’t have any single reason to complain!

Conclusion: “Confessions Of The Innocent” sounds like a blast in Electro-Pop land. This album definitely belongs to the very restricted list of ‘best of’ Synth-Pop albums of the year.

Best songs: “Lab Rats”, “Love Is A Crime”, “Minefield”, “My Beautiful Witch”, “Minefield”, “I Dance Alone”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.blackbookmusic.ch / www.facebook.com/blackbook

Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic

Saft – Dansar Med Satan (Album – Progress Productions)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Twenty five years after their debut single, Swedish Saft now released their fifth studio album -the third one released by Progress Productions.Notice by the way there’s also a limited edition featuring an extra disc with remixes and extra songs.

Content: “Dansar Med Satan” (English “Dance With Satan”) sounds as ‘pure’ Synth-Pop music in the truest Swedish tradition. The vocals are in Swedish while the music is evoking famous and legendary names like Erasure, Depeche Mode, The Eurythmics, and Elegant Machinery.

+ + + : Happy tunes and melodies to dance on and forget horror of life. This is a ‘classical’ Electro-Pop production which is typified by a mature writing process featuring vintage sound treatments. The retro-like sound however has a refreshing effect. This is music that will make you happy. I especially recommend listening to “Kallt Liv” which is one of the most danceable cuts and also recommend “Känns Som December” and the very Eurythmics-driven title song.

– – – : If you’re in search of ‘progressive’ Synth-Pop you better avoid this record. The Swedish language is maybe a reason why Saft is not that more famous outside their homeland.

Conclusion: Warm Pop tunes from the high North; a totally accomplished production!

Best songs: “Kallt Liv”, “Känns Som December”, “Dansar Med Satan”, “Glömma, Ge Och Ta”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/saftswe

Label: www.progress-productions.com / www.facebook.com/progresspro

N-Frequency – What I Say (EP – Infacted Recordings)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: German formation N-Frequency released their official debut album “Signs Of Evolution” in 2020 and last year struck back with this totally new work featuring next to the title song three more songs and four remixes.

Content: N-Frequency moves on dealing with ‘classical’ Electro-Pop. The songs are easy listening pieces carried by catchy lyrics and strong leads. Nex to the “Club Version” of the title song they again asked Rob Dust to make a remix. Some passages remind me a bit of Elegant Machinery. Other remixes have been made by Mental exile and Technomancer while there’s also a remix of “Precious Live” (originally released at the debut album) by British formation Promenade cinema.

+ + + : It’s cool to get an EP featuring 4 different new songs plus a couple of remixes. The title song is a cool one -and especially the “Club Version”, which sounds a bit harder, but I prefer “I’m Not Sorry” for its elevating chorus while there are also cool sweeps and bleeps. Among the remixes I have a preference for the ‘power-pop’, boosted version of Technomancer.

– – – : This is a pleasant listening featuring cool songs -which is promising for the band’s next full length, but I can’t get away from the idea there’s nothing really new and original running through this work.

Conclusion: If you like typical, well-crafted Electro-Pop music you for sure are going to like this new N-Frequency work.

Best songs: ‘I’m Not Sorry”, “What I Say – Club Version”, “What I Say – Rob Dust’s New Single Mix”.

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.facebook.com/nfrequency.de

Label: www.infacted-recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted-Recordings/124099254321690

The 10 best synthpop / electropop albums of all times (and 5 more)

Eldrina Mich — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:38:36 +0000

Electropop is a hybrid music genre combining elements of electronic and pop genres. During the late 1970s bands such as the Human League, Kraftwerk, and later on Gary Numan, Soft Cell and John Foxx helped pioneer a new synth-pop style that drew more heavily from electronic music and emphasized primary usage of synthesizers. Developed in the late 1970s it has seen several revival periods up until now.

We picked out the best synthpop albums from the past 4 decades (!!!). Here’s our list.

The Human League – “Dare” (1981)

The Human League are ‘oldies’ when it comes to synthpop. Formed in Sheffield in 1977 and initially an experimental electronic outfit, the group attained widespread commercial success with their third album “Dare” in 1981. The album contained four hit singles, including the UK/US number one hit “Don’t You Want Me”. The band’s third studio album, it was recorded between March and September 1981 following the departure of founding members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, and saw the band shift direction from their prior avant-garde electronic style toward a more pop-friendly, commercial sound led by frontman Philip Oakey. A remix album based on “Dare”, “Love and Dancing”, was released in 1982.

Talk Talk – “It’s My Life” (1984)

Talk Talk were an English band formed in 1981, led by Mark Hollis (vocals, guitar, piano), Lee Harris (drums), and Paul Webb (bass). The group achieved early chart success with the synth-pop singles “Talk Talk” (1982), “It’s My Life”, and “Such a Shame” (both 1984) before moving towards a more experimental approach in the mid-1980s. Not surprisingly that our next pick is “It’s My Life”, the second studio album by Talk Talk, released in 1984. The album enjoyed an enormous succes thanks to the big international success of its singles (notably “Such a Shame”). We have a soft spot for the tracks “Dum Dum Girl”, “Such a Shame”, “Renée”, “It’s My Life” and “It’s You” although the entire album is just extremely enjoyable.

Alphaville – “Forever Young” (1984)

The German synth-pop band Alphaville, which formed in Münster in 1982, achieved chart success with the singles “Forever Young”, “Big in Japan”, “Sounds Like a Melody”. All these were taken from their 1984 debut album “Forever Young” which was produced by Colin Pearson, Wolfgang Loos and Andreas Budde. Despite the success of the album and its singles, the band did not tour as they felt more like ‘studio rats’. It remains the band’s best output to date.

a-ha – “Scoundrel Days” (1986)

The Norwegian synth-pop band a-ha was formed in Oslo in 1982 by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitars), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards and guitars), and Morten Harket (vocals). “Scoundrel Days” is the second studio album by the trio and offered a more mature sound compared to their debut “Hunting High and Low” (1985). “Scoundrel Days”, recorded in England in early 1986 and produced by Alan Tarney, sported such singles as “I’ve Been Losing You”, “Cry Wolf” and “Maybe, Maybe” which was released solely in Bolivia. “Manhattan Skyline” was the forth and final single released from the long-player.

Erasure – “Wonderland” (1986)

“Wonderland” is the debut studio album by the English synth-pop duo Erasure and was released in 1986. Although it was not an immediate success, the three singles released from it did become cult tracks overtime: “Who Needs Love Like That”, “Oh L’amour” and “Heavenly Action”. Although “Wonderland” was considered a failure, especially when comparing it to Clarke’s prior successes with Depeche Mode and Yazoo, the album became an all time favourite that laid the fundament of what was to follow in 1987 with the release of “The Circus”. The album was produced by Flood who would become a long-time collaborator.

Pet Shop Boys – “Actually” (1987)

Pet Shop Boys, the English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1981, broke all records when they released “Actually”, their second studio album, in 1987. It was pushed forward by such great tracks as “One More Chance”, “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” (with Dusty Springfield), “Shopping”, “Rent”, “It Couldn’t Happen Here”, “It’s a Sin”, “Heart” and the majestic “King’s Cross”. In short an album filled with hits.

New Order – “Technique” (1989)

New Order was formed in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris. The band formed after the demise of Joy Division, following the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis and were joined by Gillian Gilbert on keyboards later that year. Their experience of the early 1980s New York club scene saw them increasingly incorporate dance rhythms and electronic instrumentation into their work which resulted in their 1983 hit “Blue Monday” becoming and absolute monster hit. However, we picked out “Technique”, their fifth studio album. Released in 1989 by Factory Records, the album incorporates Balearic beat and acid house influences into the group’s dance-rock sound. “Technique” was the first New Order album to reach the number one spot on the UK charts and had such excellent singles as “Fine Time”, “Round and Round” and “Run 2”.

Depeche Mode – “Violator” (1990)

“Violator” is the seventh studio album by England’s Depeche Mode. It was first released on 19 March 1990 through Mute Records internationally, and through Sire and Reprise Records in the United States. Preceded by the singles “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence” (a top-10 entry in both the United Kingdom and the United States), the album propelled the band into international stardom, and also yielded the singles “Policy of Truth” and “World in My Eyes”. The album is generally considered as their most accomplisched electropop album before they encorporated more rock elements in the next album, “Songs of Faith and Devotion”. The role of Alan Wilder was crucial in “Violator”, you only have to compare the first and final version of “Enjoy The Silence” to notice the huge difference.

Bel Canto – “Birds of Passage” (1990)

Bel Canto is a Norwegian music duo, originally a trio, fronted by vocalist Anneli Drecker and musically powered by Geir Jenssen and Nils Johansen. Signed originally to Crammed Discs, their second album “Birds of Passage” is considered as an absolute pearl holding an excellent production (aided by Giles Martin) and a long list of guest musicians who added acoustic elements to the cold nordic synths Jenssen and multi-instrumentalist Johansen. It was also the last album featuring Geir Jenssen. It holds the hits “Intravenous”, “Birds of Passage”, “A Shoulder to the Wheel”, “Time Without End”, “Continuum” and “The Suffering”. The band remains an often well-hidden pearl in electropopland.

De/Vision – “Fairyland?” (1996)

De/Vision, a German synthpop act formed in 1988, was at the peak of its electropop stardom around the mid-nineties culiminating in the outstanding “Fairyland?” album which had such great tracks as “I Regret”, “Sweet Life”, “Today’s Life” or “Bleed Me White”. The band was fronting a new wave of electropop bands in Germany but was generally considered to be the most consistent one as far as quality and output. Sadly enough the release, and also the band’s earlier material, are no longer available on Spotify.

Wolfsheim – “Spectators” (1999)

Wolfsheim was a synthpop duo from Hamburg, Germany, that consisted of Markus Reinhardt and Peter Heppner. Their fourth studio album was “Spectators” (1999) preceeded by two ‘pre-release’ singles from the album. “Once in a Lifetime” was released on October 16, 1998 and “It’s Hurting For The First Time” followed on November 30th. The LP was produced by Wolfsheim and José Alvarez-Brill and held 11 new songs. To this day, “Spectators” is the best-selling album by Wolfsheim with over 250,000 copies sold. The third single, “Künstliche Welten”, was released in 1999.

Iris – “Disconnect” (2000)

“Disconnect” is the debut album by the electropop group Iris. Released in 2000 via the US label A Different Drum, the synthpop label by excellence, its success was guaranteed by the now cult synthpop jewels “Annie, Would I Lie to You?”, “Lose In Wanting” and “Danger Is The Shame”. Originally formed by Reagan Jones and Mat Morris in 1993, after the release of their first album “Disconnect”, Matthew Morris was replaced with Andrew Sega, who pushed the band’s sound in a more experimental electronic direction. Sadly enough the release, and also the band’s earlier material, are no longer available on Spotify.

Elegant Machinery – “A Soft Exchange” (2008)

The Swedish synthpop band Elegant Machinery defined the Swedish synthpop movement along with such bands as Page, S.P.O.C.K, Sista Mannen På Jorden and Kiethevez. Heavily influenced by acts like Yazoo, The Human League, Depeche Mode and Rational Youth, the trio Robert Enforsen, Richard Jomshof and Leslie Bayne started the band in 1988 under the name Pole Position. The band was very successful in Sweden, with a number of successful singles and various awards. But it is their 2008 album “A Soft Exchange” that earned them a place in our list. The album was extremely mature yet very melodic and features such pearls a “With Grace”, “Do You Know”, “Feel The Silence”, “Bleeding Words” and “Is This The Way”.

Electro Spectre – “Dangerous Game” (2012)

The Norwegian electronic music duo Electro Spectre fronts the 3rd electropop wave. Isak Rypdal (writer-producer) and Alexander Björneboe (writer-singer) debuted in 2009 with the album “Watch It All Turn” (which was later reproduced and re-released in 2010). The duo has secured us from a steady and consistent output ever since. In our list we picked the band’s 2012 release, which is their second studio album entitled “Dangerous Game”. Included are such pearls as “Love Thief”, “Dancing Girl”, “World Keeps Turning” and “Tokyo Shuffle”.

Mondträume – “Empty” (2014)

Mondträume is the creative outlet of 2 Spanish talented artists Pikotto Vond Mond and Damasius Venys. In only a few years, the duo rapidly caught the attention of concert organizers, released several songs on compilations, and secured a label contract with Belgium’s electronic label Alfa Matrix where they debuted with the album “Empty”. The hits “Life Is Short”, “Parasite” and especially the synth pop pearl “Far From Pain” showcase why this band became one of the strongholders in the 3rd electropop wave together with such bands as Electro Spectre, and more.

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

Swedish cult synthpop act Page finally release early singles on digital platforms on October 22nd

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:40:02 +0000

Good news for fans of the Swedish cult synthpop act Page. Their since long out of print eighties singles on Accelerating Blue Fish will finally get their digital releases via SSC (Subspace Communications). First out is the four track EP “Som en vind” to be released on October 22, followed by “Blå fötter”/”Sorg Flyg bort” (the latter by XL which was Eddie Bengtsson and Katarina Larke) out on November 5, and “Som skjuten ur en kanon” out on November 19.

Below is the cover artwork you can expect.

About Page

Page is a Swedish synthpop band and were basically the first band to bring synthpop music to Sweden. Their music and band members (particularly Eddie Bengtsson) influenced many subsequent Swedish synthpop acts, including Elegant Machinery, S.P.O.C.K, Sista Mannen På Jorden and KieTheVez.

Formed in 1980 by Eddie Bengtsson and Marina Schiptjenko, soon joined by Anders Eliasson, the band quickly gained underground cult-status releasing many singles such as “Dansande man”, “Som skjuten ur en kanon”, “Blå fötter” and “Som en vind”. Though most of their important influential work was released in the 1980s their first album, the self-titled “Page”, was released in 1991.

A compilation covering their two decades of work was released in 2000. After a decade of silence, in 2010 Page released an album of newly recorded material called “Nu”. In 2013, Page released “Hemma” on the Swedish label, Wonderland Records. In 2018, Page released the “Adapted” EP followed a year later by a live recording of the band’s performance in Gothenburg, Sweden, in October 2019. The release was released by the online magazine Cold War Night Life (a magazine powered by our nice colleague Simon Helm) as “Fakta för alla Göteborg”, available here.

Swedish electronic pop pioneers Page return with brand new EP ‘Aska’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 13:46:28 +0000

The pioneers in Swedish electronic pop, Page (aka Eddie Bengtsson and Marina Schiptjenko) are back with a (strictly 500) limited new EPCD consisting of 6 brand new tracks + 4 bonustracks. The 4 bonus tracks are reduxes from Datapop and Social Amibitions and a coverversion of “Under mitt Skinn” made by classic Swedish punk pioneers Attentat.

Besides the EPCD version, there is also a vinyl, titled “Aska Under mitt Skinn” which is equally issued as a limited edition (300 copies). It combines the tracks from the recent sold out “Under mitt Skinn” EP with the new tracks of the “Aska” EPCD resulting in a full length 11-track vinyl album.

About Page

Page is often credited with being the first band to bring synthpop music to Sweden. Their music and band members (particularly Eddie Bengtsson) influenced many subsequent Swedish synthpop acts, including Elegant Machinery, S.P.O.C.K, Sista Mannen På Jorden and KieTheVez.

Formed in 1980 by Eddie Bengtsson and Marina Schiptjenko, and soon joined by Anders Eliasson, the band quickly gained underground cult-status releasing many singles such as the cult tracks “Dansande man”, “Som skjuten ur en kanon”, “Blå fötter” and “Som en vind”. Though most of their important influential work was released in the 1980s their first album, the self-titled “Page”, was only released in 1991.

Page continued releasing music throughout the 90’s but after a decade of silence, Page resurrected in 2010 releasing an album of newly recorded material called “Nu”. In 2013, Page released “Hemma” on the Swedish label, Wonderland Records. But they would return back to Energy Rekords to release the EPs “Är Det Jag Som Är En Idiot? / Sånt Som Inte Går” and “Lägger av”. The latter was released followed by the album “Det Är Ingen Vacker Värld Men Det Råkar Vara Så Det Ser Ut” in 2017. In 2019 the album “Fakta För Alla” was released.

Subject.2 – Love Betrayal Deceit (Album – Electro Shock Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 19:30:20 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Gary Starky and Sandra Tully are back with their second opus, which just as “Forward/Return” is driven by good-old 80s electro-pop music. The British duo has composed ten new songs while the work has been completed by five remixes.

Content: The album takes off with a rather atypical song, which sounds more into minimalism and still an intelligent experimental pop format. But quite rapidly Subject.2 moves towards classical electro-pop music; songs that will make you feel good. Songs you can sing along and getting you a big smile on the face. Gary and Sandra are singing, often alternating the songs, but still singing together.

The song “Nobody’s There” has been remixed by Daniel Zieske, Diskodiktator, Substaat and two remixes by Frohm.

+ + + : This is music that will give you happiness; catchy songs with cool melodies and danceable vibes. There’s nothing innovative here, but it reminds me to some songs of Erasure while other cuts are more into the Elegant Machinery style. The debut song is a kind of intro, but still a great and intelligent piece of music, which sounds more personal than the rest of the tracklist. I also noticed songs with great sound treatments like “Come Back To Me” and “Nobody’s There”.

– – – : I can’t say that I’ve been disappointed by the remixes, which are okay, but not exactly adding that little more to the work.

Conclusion: If you like the good-old synth-pop music from the 80s, Subject.2 is for sure a devoted servant, transposing the original influences into a refreshing sonic outfit.

Best songs: “Inspiration”, “Come Back To Me”, “These Things”, “Nobody’s There”, “The subject Is 2”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.subject2music.com / www.facebook.com/Subject2Music

Label: www.electro-shock-records.mozello.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Electro-Shock-Records/105471026168220

Uncreated – Leaving Now (EP – Conzoom Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 19:00:00 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Patrik Hansson who’s known as Vanguard member unleashed the debut-album “Eternal” of his electro-pop solo-project Uncreated last year . The album plus several EP’s were all real good surprises. With “Leaving Now” Hansson serves us an appetizer for his next album “Symbiosis”. Robert Enforsen (Elegant Machinery) and Helena Wigeborn (Train To Spain) contributed as guest singers to this EP.

Content: Next to the title song -featuring Robert Enforsen plus 4 remixes, this EP also features another song featuring Enforsen, one song featuring Helena Wigeborn and 3 more songs.

The title track is a catchy electro-pop track with a cool melody line. “Fast Forward” featuring Helena Wigeborn sounds even more catchy. Among the other new songs I heard a mix between melancholia on “Ta Över Nu”, sung in Swedish and the harder, but still melodic side “I Was Wrong”. “Pushing Borders” featuring Robert Enforsen is a soft cut.

Remixes have been made by Vanguard, Electro Spectre and Caisaron while there also is a cool “Extended Remix” of “Leaving Now”. The last song is a kind of outro with the matching title “The Last Goodbye”.

+ + + : Patrik Hansson has created next to Vanguard a real promising electro-pop project. This new EP only features new stuff and the contribution from guest singer of Robert Enforsen for sure is a noticeable element. But there’s also something to say about Helena Wigeborn who’s an interesting vocalist as well. The title song is cool, but I definitely prefer the somewhat more elaborated “Extended Remix”. Another cool cut is the harder beating “I Was Wrong”. Among the remixes I want to mention the punchy edit of Vanguard. Uncreated sounds more electro-pop driven than Vanguard revealing Hansson as a talented melody maker.

– – – : I expected a bit more from the other song featuring Robert Enforsen while the remixes by Electro Spectre and Caisaron don’t really add a bonus.

Conclusion: Uncreated confirms its strong potential revealed at “Eternal” so this is possibly a new Swedish electro-pop sensation.

Best songs: “Leaving Now – Extended Remix”, “Leaving Now”, “I Was Wrong”, “Fast Forward”, “Leaving Now – Vanguard Remix”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/uncreatedofficial

Label: www.conzoomrecords.de / www.facebook.com/conzoomofficial

New Uncreated EP with Robert Enforsen from Elegant Machinery out on June 5th – check out the previews

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 26 May 2020 15:08:25 +0000

On June 5th Conzoom Records will be the newest Uncreated EP “Leaving Now”. For the occasion Swedish electro artist Patrik Hansson (also known as the Vanguard frontman) invited guest singers for many of his new songs. Included on the EP for instance are Elegant Machinery frontman Robert Enforsen and Train To Spain singer Helena Wigeborn.

In addition to the original version of the title track there is also a “Leaving Now (Extended Version)” and remixes by Vanguard, Electro Spectre and Caisaron. The EP is rounded off by 4 more tracks. Robert Enforsen sings on “Pushing Borders” and on the other songs, one of which is sung in Swedish for the first time with Uncreated mastermind Patrik Hansson doing the vocals himself.

This is the track listing of the EP:

Leaving Now (feat. Robert Enforsen) 3:34
Fast Forward (feat. Helena Wigeborn) 4:28
Pushing Borders (feat. Robert Enforsen) 3:41
I was wrong 3:49
Ta över nu 4:45
Leaving Now (feat. Robert Enforsen) (Vanguard Remix) 3:52
Leaving Now (feat. Robert Enforsen) (Electro Spectre Remix) 3:38
Leaving Now (feat. Robert Enforsen) (Caisaron Remix) 3:26
Leaving Now (feat. Robert Enforsen) (Extended Remix) 4:45
The Last Goodbye 4:21

You can preview the EP below.

https://soundcloud.com/conzoomrecords/sets/uncreated-leaving-now-ep

Swedish cult act Cultivated Bimbo revisits the past on ‘Prequel’ album

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 12 May 2020 07:17:30 +0000

When in 1991 the Depeche Mode tribute album “I Sometimes Wish I Was Famous: A Swedish Tribute to Depeche Mode”, the very first Depeche Mode tribute album ever, was released via the Swedish label Energy Rekords, many non-Scandinavian electronic music fans suddenly got acces to a series of good Swedish bands they had never heard of before, except for Cat Rapes Dog who were by then already distributed by the now defunct KK Records. Bands like S.P.O.C.K., Scapa Flow, Elegant Machinery, Page, Pouppée Fabrikk, Inside Treatment, etc. had gotten quite a big platform (the compilation sold over 70.000 copies if memory serves us right) to represent their sound.

Another band was also present on that compilation, the Uppsala-based duo Cultivated Bimbo with their cover of “New Life”. The band debuted with their 12″ “Configuration 1” on the classic label Electronic Beat Association which later became part of Energy Rekords. Cultivated Bimbo alwasy has been quite an unpredictable band with a sounds constantly changing: they started out as a synthpop / industrial duo but switched to hip hop, rap and even metal and hardcore. The first EPs “Configuration 1 + 2” (1991) were typical synthpop / EBM while the first album “Tunes From A High Wire” (1991) was more industrial. But one year later when the EP “Blasting In Progress” (1992) was released they had switched to hip-hop a direction continued on the full length “Your Useful Guide To Life” (1993). From “98.66” (1994) on they went for a metal sound and on their last album “Album. 1995.” (1995) we got a mix of straight rock / hardcore / rap.

Unpredictable, we told you. And there’s more, on the above picture you see Joacim Thenander (Wallin at the time) and Heidi Martens. Heidi sang on the 2 Depeche Mode covers the band recorded (“New Life” and “Something To Do”). She was however never a member of the band. Ö-dahl simply couldn’t join the photo session, so Heidi was dressed in toilet paper to cover her up.

The past revisited on new album

But the band is back now with the album “Prequel” (limited to 500 copies). For the occasion Joacim Thenander (who is nowadays also the band Maschine Brennt) has taken 12 classic tracks and totally remade and reshaped them to fit into a more of a 2020 standard.

Included on the this release you’ll find new versions of “Impulzus”, “Slaugher House”, “Brutalize”, “Walking on Acid”, “Pain”, “Corruption”, “Horst”, “Brain Diggers”, “Assassin”, “Take No.5”, “Fascisma” and “Mr Rubber”.

Here’s a teaser for the album:

And here’s the track “Corruption” in its original version as the older readers will remember.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT0Y34i62Ms

Tobias Bernstrup – Technophobic (CD Album – Nadanna)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 20:00:05 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: “Technophobic” must be the sixth full length album by Swedish artist Tobias Bernstrup. Every single album has been released on a different label so for “Technophobic” the artist joined hands together with Nadanna. Notice by the way the work is also available as vinyl format.

Content: Tobias Bersntrup is a talented electro-pop artist who’s also linked to disco-pop. “Technophobic” is pure electro-pop, getting us back to the great 80s with something contemporary on top. But you also can hear this artist belongs to the great ‘Swedish electro-pop class’. The songs might remind you of Elegant Machinery, but also has something pretty refreshing.

The CD format features remixes by some great artists such as Covenant, Makina Girgir, Techniques Berlin, Confrontational, Noa Katafushi, Italoconnection, Flemming Dalum and 23^RD Underpass.

+ + + : I’m first of all deeply impressed by the great production skills revealed on this work. There’s a great mix and sound quality. The songs have been meticulously crafted, mixing vintage parts together with a more refreshing approach. The result is a genius piece of music featuring multiple outstanding cuts. I want to tip “Utopia” (also released as single), “Night In The Science Zone” and “Hear Me Calling”. The title song is another noticeable cut. Among the remixes I noticed some real interesting contributions. My favorites we’re accomplished by Techniques Berlin, Confrontational and Italoconnection.

– – – : From a very personal point of view I would have liked to get less remixes and more extra songs.

Conclusion: Tobias Bernstrup remains one of those less recognized artists from the electro-pop scene. He’s a real great talent who maybe has never found the right label to promote his work a decent way. I hope for him Nadanna will make things change because this is a great piece of music.

Best songs: “Utopia”, “Hear Me Calling”, “Night In The Science Zone”, “Technophobic” + “Technophobia – Techniques Berlin Remix”, “Utopia – Italoconnection Remix”.

Rate: (8½).

Artist: www .bernstrup .com / www .facebook .com /TOBIASBERNSTRUPOfficial

Label: www .facebook .com /NadannaItaloSynthRecords

www.facebook.com/jrstange

Side-Line presents Infest UK 2018 feat. Empirion, Cubanate, Mesh, Actors, …

Filip Wildhoney — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:10:49 +0000

Infest is the UK’s premier festival of alternative electronic music. This year the 20th edition takes place from 23-26 August with an amazing line-up featuring: Empirion, Peter Hook & The Light, Zeitgeist Zero, Grave Diggers Union, Cubanate, Iszoloscope, Siva Six, Def Neon, SΛRIN, Mesh, Liebknecht, ACTORS, YURA YURA, Adam Is A Girl, Flesh Eating Foundation, Aesthetic Perfection, This Morn’ Omina, Strvngers, Elegant Machinery, VaLHaLL, Massenhysterie and Promenade Cinema.

The venue is the University of Bradford Students’ Union, in the City of Bradford (near Leeds), West Yorkshire, UK. Besides concerts there are also afterparties featuring renowned DJ’s from all over the world.

Additional info on the official website
Tickets are available here

Page releases EP “Start”, includes Apoptygma Berzerk remix

Jan Ronald Stange — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 17:52:17 +0000

(By our Norwegian correspondent Jan Ronald Stange)
Swedish electropop band Page releases their EP “Start” June 29th (July 6th in Sweden), consisting of three new songs and a remix of “Krasch” by Norwegian colleague Stephan Groth of Apoptygma Berzerk. The long-time Side-Line friend Per Aksel Lundgreen tipped me about this release, and after doing a parallel e-mail interview with both Eddie Bengtsson of Page and Stephan the result show a collaboration of mutual admiration and respect across the Norwegian-Swedish border, and maybe also something else down the road…
Check out the teaser video of the EP after the interview.

First Eddie starts with how this came about:

Eddie: This summer Page is going to release a new EP, and on that release there is a very nice redux made by Stephen Groth. Its an redux of the Page song “Krasch”.

Side-Line: What’s your relation to each other prior to this collaboration? Just heard the music, been at live shows, been touring/played together or something else?

Eddie: I have always known what and who Apoptygma Berzerk was, but I was never interested in their music. The first time I heard them it sounded EBM to me, and that was it, I never listened again.
I understand now that Apop has done many different things, ranging from EBM to electronic pop to indietronica, and some of that are really, really good.
Last spring I got Apoptygma’s new album from Per Aksel Lundgreen. It was a gift and I said “thank you very much”, and at the same time I thought “I’m never going to listen to this”.
This was during Electronic Summer in Gothenburg, and on the way home I thought “what the heck”, and put the CD in my car CD-player…

The first seconds of the first song made me think “Ah, now they have gone Industrial Noise”. And then, “Oh My God!”
Here came the most wonderful retro vintage electronica I have (almost) ever heard. Fantastic! It brought tears to my eyes, and I’m not kidding about that.
That someone can make electronic music like that these days, I just didn’t believe. It was the best electronic (and any) album that I heard 2017. And one of the sweetest electronica album I have ever heard, and that says a lot. Just wonderful.
It made me believe in modern electronic music again, in a time when most of it is junk. It also made me think that synthesizers still CAN be cool in a time when its mostly not.

Stephan: I grew up in Denmark, and moved to Norway in 1987, so I never heard of PAGE living in DK. It was not until I heard their self-titled compilation “PAGE” that came out in 1992 on Energy Rekords that I really discovered them. I was working in a record shop at the time and immediately bought a copy of it on LP. I still have it in my collection and I also frequently give it a spin, as it’s classic synthpop at it’s best!

S-L: Per Aksel mentioned something about «Swedisch Norwegische Freundschaft» – a label, project name or what??

Stp: This was just a joke, but it’s cool to cooperate with Swedish musicians, as they have a completely different approach and tradition when it comes to electronic music compared to Norway and Denmark. Also, there’s always been close connections between the synth scene in Sweden and the one in Østfold. We had Pouppee Fabrikk, Elegant Machinery, S.P.O.C.K, Inside Treatment, COMP C3 and Political Assasination over here in Fredrikstad already in the early 1990’s, and the 3 first Apoptygma Berzerk shows was together with Swedish bands.

Eddie: I think that he said that as a joke. But at the same time, it could be something that could be reality in the future.

S-L: Stephan, whats your role in this release?

Stp: I was asked to do a remix for Page, and Eddie sent me the track “Krasch”. I’ve have added an APOP-touch to the track in the remix, as I felt there was no point in making an “early 80’s type mix”, because Eddie’s already the master of this. So I pushed it more in the direction of a sound that appeared later that decade.

S-L: Plans for more? Releases of this kind, other collaborations etc.?

Eddie: I’m open for that, yes.

Stp: I would love to do more musical collaboration with Eddie, and hopefully even gigs together! We’ve been talking about doing a gig together in Norway, bringing Page over here for the first time, and we’d of course love to come and play with them in Sweden too!

S-L: Other events/plans for Page and/or yourself this year?

Eddie: No, not really. We are planning to go to London for a show, and it would be nice to play in Norway too – long time since last time! Maybe together with Apop?

Stp: Currently I’m working on a new APOP studio-album that I hope to finish this year, where I go and explore my electronic pop roots. Also, a couple of gigs are booked for this summer in Poland (Castle Party) and in Germany (M’era Luna). There’s also a couple of other gigs currently in the making, but not 100% confirmed yet.
When you’re reading this, we’re also launching an official APOP web-store in the US.
On top of this, our debut album, “Soli Deo Gloria” has it’s 25th Anniversary this year, so we’ve got some ideas and thoughts on how to celebrate this, but maybe we can discuss this at a later stage? 😉

“Start” @ Spotify:

Teaser video for “Start” EP:

Jan Ronald Stange

Sometimes – when I’m not cooking, biking, listening to music or attending concerts, I write stuff for Side-Line.com. Mostly about Norwegian bands, but it’s been some Swedish, English, American, Danish, German and others too… 😉

Spreading Point – Momentum Part II (EP CD – ScentAir Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Mon, 14 May 2018 19:30:36 +0000

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: Spreading Point is a German duo that saw the daylight in 1993. After a few self-released productions they went in ‘hibernation’ for more than 10 years, but reactivated the project in 2010. New stuff has been released and this EP completed a 2-volume mini-album series. “Momentum Part II” reveals 5 new songs plus 5 remixes.

Content: There are clearly 2 parts featured on this EP (or mini-album). You first of all get 5 captivating electro-pop songs, which are merging evasive passages together with catchy song structures. The songs sometimes remind me of Elegant Machinery and Spock. There’s a similar, captivating and catchy sound approach with great choruses on top. Next to a great opening song, “The Blitz Kids” coming next is a typical poppy electro-pop song that will catch the attention of numerous pop fans.

The remixes have been accomplished by Psyche, People’s Theatre, Wave In Head, The Dynamic Master and Shiny Darkness.

+ + + : If you like classical synth-pop without real surprises, but maximum efficiency I can only, but recommend this “Momentum”-series. Among the 5 original tracks there are 3 brilliant cuts. This is electro-pop music with a great retro-touch, but first of all a well-crafted and accomplished production with great synth sounds. The remixes feature interesting names and Psyche definitely sounds as a cool contributor to this work. I however prefer the remixes by People’s Theatre and The Dynamic Master.

– – – : Next to the 3 outstanding original songs, both cuts left are nothing more than simply poorly-inspired B-sides track. But you don’t hear me to complain as I’ve been more disappointed by the remixes, which bring some diversity, but no real bonus to this EP. I especially expect more from Psyche!

Conclusion: “Momentum – Part II” stands for great original versions and rather disappointing remixes. So in the end it would have been better releasing a real full length with all original versions from both “Momentum”-EP’s instead of 2 EP’s.

Best songs: “ The Blitz Kids”, “Kühle Eleganz”, “Behind Your Mask”, “The Blitz Kids – People’s Theatre Katz Mix”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www .facebook .com /spreadingpoint

Label: www .scent –air .com / www .facebook .com /ScentairRecords

Orders for this rare gem can be placed right here.

Psyche compîled on mega limited CD ‘Under the radar’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:34:13 +0000

Released in collaboration with Other Voices records is the digipak (limited to 300 copies) “Under the radar” by Psyche. The Cd is a compilation of rare, out of print and unreleased tracks, including alternative versions of Psyche’s biggest hits such as “Unveilling the Secret”, “Uncivillized” or “Sanctuary”.

All tracks have been remasterd for this special release. You’ll discover lots of highly sought-after tracks for the collector but also a good starting point for the new fan. It includes – among others – also the excellent The Human League cover of “Things that Dreams are made of”, featuring the lead vocalist of Elegenat Machinery and other cover-versions of songs by Joy Division, Depeche Mode and Visage, collaborations with Red Industrie and Luminance and more.

The complete tracklist can be viewed here.

This track with Luminance will also be on this release: “Left Out”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhjZgLFduIM

Elegant Machinery – I (CD EP – Electro Shock Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 18:30:46 +0000

Genre/Influences: Synth-pop.

Background/Info: Swedish electro-pop band Elegant Machinery became one of the most praised and famous bands in the genre during the 90s. They split at the end of the 90s, but came back to life around 2005-2006 to unleash a new full length “A Soft Exchange” in 2008 on Out Of Line. Again the band was put in standby and is now back again with this new EP, which is announced as the first of a trilogy. Elegant Machinery is still driven by Robert Enforsen, Lesly Bayne and the help of Jonas kröjtz (writing, mixing, mastering and production).

Content: Elegant Machinery remains faithful to their electro-pop sound, which now and then has been reinforced with somewhat EBM bass lines. The main strength of the songs remains the carrying choruses. Elegant Machinery remains catchy, but still powerful and always carried by the charismatic vocals of Robert Enforsen.

Some passages are pure vintage-like and one band, which comes into mind is Heaven 17 on “Wheels In Motion”.

+ + + : “I” sounds like a good-old EP featuring 4 different tracks. There’s not one single remix and that’s an approach I really like. The sound of this Swedish formation remains driven by the real true-old spirit of electro-pop with a few 80s elements on top. The vocals totally fit into the work and Enforsen hasn’t lost his magic effect. The opening song “I Say” is one of the most noticeable cuts, but I also like the last and sweeter song “Future Breakup”.

– – – : The comeback of Elegant Machinery is a damn good thing, but I still want more. The tracks are pretty short (all are just going over 3 minutes) and even if it concerns cool tracks there’s no real new mega-hit!

Conclusion: Elegant Machinery is already back on track and that’s great news. “I” is a cool return although not their best production ever.

Best songs: “I Say”, “Future Breakup”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www .facebook .com /Elegant –Machinery -176101722542118

Label: www .facebook .com /pages /Electro –Shock –Records /105471026168220

Eddie Bengtsson (S.P.O.C.K, Page) reworks 10 My God Damn Territory tracks for vinyl only release ‘Kasjer und Marit’

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:30:30 +0000

Here’s an interesting collaboration. The Swedish act My God Damn Territory, a duo (Kajsa Olofsson and Mark Kjahart Pettersson) from Stockholm which started out as a lo-fi indie band, has joined up with Swedish electronic pop pioneer Eddie Bengtsson (S.P.O.C.K, Page, Sista mannen på jorden). Bengtsson transformed 10 My God Damn Territory songs into indietronica versions and these have ended up on the “Kasjer und Marit” album, an album which has gotten a vinyl release only – you can order your copy right here.

For those unfamiliar with Eddie Bengtsson, he is THE electropop pioneer from Sweden. He formed Sweden’s influential electropop act Page in 1980 together with Marina Schiptjenko with whom he quickly gained underground cult-status releasing many singles such as “Dansande man”, “Som skjuten ur en kanon”, “Blå fötter” and “Som en vind”. Page influenced many subsequent Swedish synthpop acts, including Elegant Machinery, KieTheVez and of course the acts S.P.O.C.K and Sista Mannen På Jorden in which Bengtsson played an import role as co-founder.

The album ”Kajser und Marit” is exclusively available on vinyl right here. Here are 2 tracks to show you how that collaboration exactly sounds like:

3 new Elegant Machinery EPs in the making

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 18:35:03 +0000

Great news from the Swedish electropop legend Elegant Machinery, the band is working on not just one but 3 (!!) new EPs. The first one is being mixed right now in Gothenburg by Swedish producer Jonas Kröjtz (together with a producer/engineer of that well known rock act Europe as it seems).

The EPs will the first new releases from the band since 2008’s “Move” single and 2008’s excellent “A Soft Exchange” album.

We quickly caught Robert (while he was on the bus in Malmö) for a quick chat and told him it was about freaking time some new Elegant Machinery material being released. His response: “What?!!! (Laughs) You know, when Depeche Mode took 3 years to release “SOFAD” I was like – why does it have to be too long? Now I understand them!”

The 3 EPs will be offering 3 different styles, but all electronic. Joining Robert will be bass player Rickard Gunnarsson (son of Rutger Gunnarsson who went on to work with ABBA, playing on all their albums) and keyboard player Jimmy Machon (Godheads, Lights Of Euphoria, Mind Resuscitate).

The first of 3 EPs will be out in November. More news coming up!

Elegant Machinery is a Swedish synthpop band and are dedicated to making traditional synthpop music. Along with such bands as Page, S.P.O.C.K, Sista Mannen På Jorden and Kiethevez they defined the sound of the Swedish synthpop movement. Robert Enforsen joined the band as lead vocalist in 1989, and the band released their first demo, at which point they changed their name to Elegant Machinery, a name derived from the album by DATA, a British synthpop group of the 1980s led by Norwegian Georg Kajanus.

The band will be playing a few shows in Sweden, Germany and several South American cities.

Boytronic returns after 10 years of silence with new single ‘Time After Midnight’ – watch it here

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:44:07 +0000

The German trio Boytronic returns with a brand new video, “Time After Midnight”, featuring vocals from James Knights (of Scarlet Soho and Knight$). “Time After Midnight” is the band’s comeback anthem featuring Hayo Lewerentz and Alberto Hauss and is the band’s first new output since they released the “Dependence” album in 2006.

The track reminds a lot of the most recent Elegant Machinery output actually, so you know what to expect.

Boytronic became widely known for their hit “You” (with vocalist Holger Wobker) which reached #10 in the German charts in 1983. The hugely popular club track “Don’t Let Me Down” and a cover version of “I Will Survive” followed in the late eighties (featuring vocals from Marc Wade).

Here’s the video for you to check out:

Good to know, Boytronic was founded in 1983 by Holger Wobker and Peter Sawatzki in Hamburg, Germany as Kapitän Sehnsucht. The original Boytronic released two synthpop albums: “The Working Model” (1983) and “The Continental” (1985). The record company, claiming rights to the band name, put together a completely different line-up in 1986 which was headed by Hayo Lewerentz (Hayo Panarinfo) and continued to record under the Boytronic name until the mid-90’s. In 2002, Boytronic was revived by Wobker from the original group and Panarinfo from the second incarnation.

Plazmabeat – Plazmapop / Selection 2011 – 2015 (CD Album – Advoxya Records)

Inferno Sound Diaries — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 20:05:12 +0000

Genre/Influences: Synth-pop.

Background/Info: Plazmabeat is a Hungarian duo set up by Niki Laczó (vocals) and Grag Velvet (music & lyrics). The band has been busy for a couple of years now and have mainly produced self-releases. “Plazmapop” is a kind of ‘best of’ taken from both previously released digital albums.

Content: Plazmabeat deals with a kind of ‘happy’ synth-pop music. You now and then will notice a melancholic touch, but globally speaking this is a catchy production that makes you feel good. There’re some interesting and artistic elements added by real instruments like guitar, saxophone ao. The composition sounds sweet and delicate, and features all the essential ingredients to achieve an alluring electro-pop work.

Some of their most catchy parts remind me a bit of Elegant Machinery, which is more than simply a reference in the genre. There’s this little retro feeling that brings us back to late 80s music. The happy-pop style at “Ajándék” reminds me of Sandra for some of the arrangements.

One of the most noticeable characteristics however appears to be the vocals and especially the Hungarian language. It’s really particular and not that typical, but it’s appreciable.

+ + + : This is a mature and accomplished work, which thanks to Advoxya Records will be hopefully discovered by numerous synth-pop lovers. Plazmabeat is a real cool surprise.

– – – : This album is missing a potential hit. There are several cool songs, but not the kind of synth-pop tune you’ll keep in mind and a catchy chorus inviting you to sing together with the band.

Conclusion: Hungary and synth-pop music was a rather surreal match until I discovered Plazmabeat revealing a fully enjoyable work.

Best songs: “Lelkünk Könyvei, “Ráncok – 2015 Re-mix”, “Napkelet”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www .plazmabeat .hu / www .facebook .com /plazmabeat

Label: www .advoxya –records .com / www .facebook .com /pages /Advoxya –Records /265765706059

Robert Enforsen (Elegant Machinery) working on new solo album + first tourdates announced

Bernard - Side-Line Staff — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 20:31:52 +0000

Elegant Machinery’s frontman Robert Enforsen is recording a solo album or as he puts it when we contacted him: “I’m slowly writing a solo album.”

Side-Line got in touch with Enforsen to find out a bit more: “With the current working tempo it’ll take some time to compose and record it all, so I’m scheduling to release it sometime next year.” As for the sound, he had this to say: “I’m doing an electronic album, but I’m striving to get the production updated. Then still, it (editor’s note: the sound of Elegant machinery) will of course be hard to wash away completely, since I’m the voice of Elegant Machinery (smiles).”

But before that you’ll be able to see the Elegant Machinery frontman live at work (and let’s hope you will also get to hear some of the Hype material). Here are the gigs confirmed so far with more being planned.

September 11th – Open Air Festival in Hoyerswerda, Germany together with Auto Auto
September 12th – Leipzig, Germany with Auto Auto
November 28th – UltraPop Festival in Barcelona, Spain together with OBK, De/Vision and Mesh