Back catalogue: Coldwave/Synth

Review: Echo & The Bunnymen's first ever best-of compilation, first released in 1985, gets a reissue. Accruing all the hits, we begin with the seminal 'Rescue' before careening through 'Never Stop', 'The Killing Moon' and 'Seven Seas', recalling the new wave band's emotive drawl and gushing instrumentals, coinciding with the time in which their contemporaneous album, 'Songs To Learn and Sing', was released.

Review: British synth-pop supergroup Electronic consisted of Bernard Sumner of New Order, Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys and Karl Bartos of Kraftwerk. The combined clout of these names surely amounted to enough credit to patent the name "Electronic", which always to us felt partially like an attempt to become synonymous with the music genre itself (as if these guys weren't synonymous with it already). On Get The Message, a 2006 compilation named after the second single from their debut album, we hear a thorough checking of their contribution to the golden decade that is the 1990s, cycling chronologically through the group's greatest hits, as well as some extra rarities and tidbits for curious fans.

Review: The brilliant Dark Entries celebrates its 15th anniversary by going back to its roots and offering up a reissue of its inaugural release: New York collective Eleven Pond's 1986 classic, 'Bas Relief'. This mega-rare record has become a stone-cold cult classic album revered by dark pop devotees. It features James Tabbi, Jeff Gallea, Jack Schaeffer, and Dan Brumley on a mix of guitars, synths, vocoders and drum machines and is a sound inspired by seminal labels like 4AD and Factory Records, and moody acts like Joy Division and Fad Gadget. For this reissue, it has been remastered to correct previous reissue flaws and comes in a screen-printed jacket with a lyric sheet, postcards, and a bookmark. Only 500 copies have been pressed so don't sleep on this one.

Review: Empire of the Sun's Two Vines envisions a city reclaimed by nature, blending lush, tropical imagery with their signature electro-glam pop sound. Recorded in Hawaii and Los Angeles, the album features contributions from notable artists such as David Bowie's Blackstar band members and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham. The album opens with the serene 'Before' and the enchanting 'ZZZ,' showcasing Luke Steele's ethereal falsetto and the band's seamless fusion of beats and melodies. Tracks like 'High and Low' and 'Friends' feature catchy EDM choruses, while the title track, 'Two Vines,' stands out with its acoustic sound and prominent vocals. Two Vines is another arrow in Empire of the Sun's artistic vision, combining futuristic themes with natural beauty. This reissue on beautiful green vinyl matches the awesome artwork to the tee.

Review: Empire of the Sun's Ice on the Dune is a dazzling follow-up that solidifies the duo's place in the electro-pop pantheon. With a title that perfectly encapsulates the album's blend of glacial synths and summery pop, this record is a shimmering spectacle from start to finish. Frontman Luke Steele and bandmate Nick Littlemore have refined their sound, delivering leaner, more club-ready tracks while retaining the infectious energy that defined their debut. Songs like 'DNA' and 'Alive' showcase the duo's ability to craft irresistible hooks and dynamic arrangements, with 'Alive' standing out as a life-affirming electro-fuzz anthem. The juxtaposition of breezy acoustic strumming and throbbing synths on 'DNA' echoes the best moments of their previous hits. 'Concert Pitch' is another highlight, offering punchy disco pulses and a wistfully breathy chorus. Slower tracks like 'I'll Be Around' provide a warm, sensual counterpoint, demonstrating Steele's delicate vocal prowess. The album closes with the epic 'Keep a Watch,' blending poised piano balladry with grandiose flourishes, perfectly embodying the duo's larger-than-life personas. With Ice on the Dune, Empire of the Sun delivers a vibrant and cohesive album, cementing their status as one of the most exciting electro-pop acts of all time.