Pabllo Vittar’s ‘Batidão Tropical Vol. 2’ Is Brazilian History You Can Dance To
Pabllo Vittar’s music echoes cultural movements and carries layers of Brazilian history in a package that requires no explanation to enjoy listening and dancing to.
synthpop
Call Me Spinster’s Debut Pleasantly Jumps Through Genres
Indie pop’s Call Me Spinster possess rock-solid songwriting. Regardless of genre, they have a strong command of melody and an ear for intriguing arrangements.
Bolis Pupul Offers Electronic Fusion for the Dancefloor
Bolis Pupul’s Chinese touches on Western dance beats are enticing. He belongs to both worlds and appreciates the connections and juxtapositions between them.
Craig Wedren’s Dreamy Synthpop Shines on ‘The Dream Dreaming’
Craig Wedren’s balance of pop sensibilities and experimentation on The Dream Dreaming is as well-matched to the times as his music has ever been.
Future Islands Give Hope with ‘People Who Aren’t There Anymore’
Future Islands’ new LP is that rare album where you might find yourself with the unusual but life-affirming compulsion to dance and quietly sob at the same time.
Jenn Champion Sings About Death With a Synthpop Vibe
Jenn Champion’s melodies and superb synths keep things lively on Last Night of Sadness, even when heavy. It’s a thoughtful, harrowing, and catchy album.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s ‘Bauhaus Staircase’ Shines
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark have honed their craft at creating towering, majestic synthscapes with bold analog melodies and shimmering sci-fi flourishes.
Troye Sivan’s ‘Something to Give Each Other’ Is Lost in Itself
Troye Sivan’s new album falls short of its own standards, set high by the success of its predecessor and is lost in its ecstasy and provocative imagination.
Howard Jones’ Artistry Is Given Its Due in Comprehensive New Set
Howard Jones isn’t just a trendy pop warbler but a gifted singer-songwriter who understands the craft behind the perfect pop song better than most.
‘Clics Modernos’ at 40: Charly García’s Problematic Post-Modern Masterpiece
With Clics Modernos, Charly García veered away from overt political commentary in favor of taking it to the dance floor. Puzzled fans – even the album cover screamed post-modernism – didn’t hold back their outrage.
Kylie Minogue Scores Another Dance Pop Classic with ‘Tension’
Kylie Minogue understands that the best kind of dance-pop is pure, undiluted joy. With Tension, she’s shown that nobody does it better than her.
Nation of Language Revel in Classic Synthpop on ‘Strange Disciple’
Strange Disciple finds Nation of Language’s devotion to their synthpop craft and the acts that inspired them admirably intact, even dogged.