2010 is shaping up to be another great year for synthpop and electropop. Following big-league releases from Hot Chip and Goldfrapp, here are five new young synthpop and nu wave bands to look out for this year. Introducing: Future Perfect, The Mirrors, Slave Republic, The Golden Filter, and Bunny Lake.
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Future Perfect
- futureperfect.org.uk
- On Spotify?Yes, the album’s here!
I’ve been keeping tabs on Welsh synth duo Future Perfect for a few months now, ever since seeing their impressive video for debut single Hunter last year. They write catchy synthpop and electro of the finest kind: I’m very much looking forward to debut album Dirty Little Secrets, due this summer. From the sound of the excerpts and demos on their website, this is shaping up to be one of my most eagerly anticipated releases of the year.
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The Mirrors
- myspace.com/mirrorsmirrorsmirrors
- On Spotify? Yes, three tracks here
Discovered by Matt from Northern Kind and recently championed by OMD, Mirrors have only three songs on Spotify but each one is an electro masterpiece: their recent B-side track Lights and Offerings is probably the best song I’ve heard this year. If 2009 re-wound to 1981, then 2010 moves on to 1983: The Mirrors sound like a mix of OMD, Echo & the Bunnymen and Tears for Fears, but with their own post-80s noir take and a thrillingly good song-writing ability. The Mirror‘s songs sends shivers down my spine and that doesn’t happen too often these days!
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Slave Republic
- myspace.com/slaverepublic
- On Spotify? Yes, new album here
This German duo are signed to the Accession Records label, home to futurepop artists Assemblage 23 and SITD. They’ve supported the likes of Assemblage 23 and SONO and are currently touring with De/Vision. Slave Republic’s debut album Electric One mixes a Duran Duran and IAMX sound with a dash of futurepop: it’s an excellent debut and well worth checking out.
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The Golden Filter
- myspace.com/thegoldenfilter
- On Spotify? Yes, here’s a playlist
The hype has been growing for the The Golden Filter, and justifiably so. They’re the missing link between the European synthpop of Marsheaux and the American discotronica of Glass Candy. After several hotly received singles and remixes for Little Boots and Empire of the Sun, the debut Golder Filter album VOLUSPA is due for release at the end of April. UPDATE: pre-order the album now and receive instant mp3 downloads of the full album!
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Bunny Lake
- myspace.com/bunnylakeworld
- On Spotify? Yes, here’s the latest single
Bunny Lake have quietly been growing an army of fans in their native Austria thanks to a series of singles, an album, and a bit of help from Christopher Just. Their style is electronic dance and synthpop, so it’s no surprise they’re being published by the legendary Mute Records. The Bunnies new album The Beautiful Fall is out about now: should be good! Thanks to @jesuisEandP for pointing out this band on his excellent synthpop blog Electro And Pop.
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