“Nora” is a melodic new single from Famous Friend, the project of Los Angeles-based artist Zachariah Carlson. Murky guitars and a subdued bass pulse traverses into a spacey synth line, bridging new-wave and post-punk nostalgia. Dreamy vocal engrossment follows, escalating into bouncy guitar twangs and a more expressive vocal soaring. The title-touting punctuation there exudes a compelling yearning, set against a stellar array of jangly guitar atmospherics and lush synth adornments. “Nora” is another success from Famous Friend, coming off a hot 2023 that included praised single “Tanlines ..read more

An infectious new-wave and power-pop composure emanates within “It’s not the first one that counts,” a new single from UK-based band Noise Factory United. Their second single offers a poignant introspection on modern perils, including AI’s increasing prevalence and the greater need for political literacy in an algorithm-directed age. There’s a particular eloquence in the “why am I so allergic to me?” refrain — reminding of the correlation between social media identity and self-worth for some. Ardent guitar pulses and reflective bouncy synths drive into that refrain, following the “algorithms ..read more

Synth pulses and debonair vocals consume on the catching “The Best,” a new single from Los Angeles-based artist Andy Clockwise. The production conjures a New Order-esque pull in its blend of pop accessibility and moody synth-fronted constructions, complete with an unmistakable ’80s nostalgia. Splitting his time the past three years between Australia and the USA, Andy Clockwise is continuing to release singles that will comprise his 4-volume opus, War Stories. The first two volumes are set to release this year. Bolstered by a music video that captures the late-night danceability of the track ..read more

Photo Credit: Hush Bewlay A consuming single from Los Angeles-based artist Hush Bewlay, “Bring It Down” meshes melodic synth-laden new-wave with a ruminating post-punk rhythmic tint. The artist describes the release as “a song about dealing with the ‘monsters’ in our relationships.” I’m reminded fondly of acts like Pulp and Psychedelic Furs in the synth-laden peppiness alongside vocal suaveness. Wordless vocal flashes, a bass-y bustle, and bright synths invoke a nostalgic sophisti-pop pull. The aesthetic compels right away. “It’s just a matter of time,” the vocals let out suavely. The bass ..read more

“Make It Matter” is a hypnotic synth-pop delight from Malibu Hot Flush, a collaborative project from Italian singer/guitarist Luigi Tiberio and English modular artist Tim Bleasdale. Their melding of new-wave, post-punk, and disco make for a melodic sound that balances bright synths with moody vocal and rhythmic dispositions. Tiberio’s vocals exude a soaring, dynamic quality reminiscent of MGMT’s recent, psych-inclined material. Bleasdale’s synths add a colorful, atmospheric grounding throughout — its natural and spontaneous feeling propelled by the modular analogue system setup — “all cables ..read more

Phoenix-based trio Rare Kreature enthrall with a driving ’80s nostalgia on new track “Nowhere Seen,” which showcases the band’s consuming post-punk revivalism and synth-laden integrations. New-wave and goth-rock inspirations play enjoyably throughout, meshing well with lyrics that echo David Lynch’s Twin Peaks and its sense of forest-shrouded mystery. A lonesome guitar progression finds fellowship in a buzzing synth reflection and percussive pulse. Moody vocals follow with a suavely nostalgic tint, reminiscent of Twin Shadow. Chiming synths upon the “keeps me warm when the skies are gray,” add ..read more

“Here We Go!” is the newest track from The Wavos, who impressed with their Five on the Floor! EP last year. Playful vocals and synth-laden charisma lead into the “here we go!” pep-up, crafting an opening with a hooky power-pop and new-wave persona. The buzzing synths and funky guitars converge around the vocal refrain for a distinctively ’80s nostalgia. The track also releases alongside a Spanish language version, “¡Aqui Vamo!” — This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of September 2022’ Spotify playlist. The post The Wavos – “Here We ..read more

An intimate synth-pop crooner from Seance Crasher, “Back in Time” engrosses with its nocturnal yearning and nostalgic production. Touting a commanding vocal presence and knack for melodic yet atmospheric songwriting, Portland-based artist Kevin Rafn fronts the project, alongside Lia Gist and Scott Harlan. The spoken-word temptations and melancholic synth pulsations, past the three-minute mark, craft a hypnotically engrossing feel with a throwback new-wave quality. “Wish we could go back in time,” the vocals yearn, aesthetically reminiscent of Twin Shadow. “Back in Time” captivates with its t ..read more

Stark by Stark The eponymous debut album from Illinois-based band Stark presents intrigue throughout, casting a spell with its touching of post-punk, shoegaze, and grunge — within a nostalgic New Romantic tint. Among its highlights, “Every Day” touts an atmospheric post-punk sound, providing a hypnotic pull throughout. Bass-hopping verses and shimmering, eerie string-laden backing gear toward a rise in vocal emotion, reminding fondly of Television (while the strings feel quite Pulp-esque). Certainly, “Every Day” is a captivating, fitting opener to the album. “One Way to the Bottom” is another ..read more

“Heaven” is a stylish take on the Talking Heads’ classic, from Soft People, the queer indie pop duo from California comprising of Caleb Nichols and John Metz. First catching my ear with the track “Ramon” last October, off the stellar album Absolute Boys. “Heaven” builds with climatic, atmospheric appeal to the classic “heaven is a place,” chorus. A galloping bass complements fervent vocal escalation, traversing seamlessly back into the verses, capturing David Byrne’s hybrid of spoken-word and melodic whimsy. In addition to this successful take on “Heaven,” Soft People’s new EP also features a ..read more