Synth Pop - Tumblr Posts

Slightly niche Modern AU Rafal headcanon (Does anyone agree or have a different take?):

I had a random association and now, I'm almost certain Rafal would enjoy Russian doomer music, even solely for its vibes (assuming he is the fantasy equivalent of a Westerner who only speaks a Germanic language because most fairy tales in SGE are the Germanic ones. Honestly, one thing I wonder about, even if we have evidence of Spanish and other accents' existence, is how the Woods as we've seen them are rather monolingual, probably for plot convenience, but that depiction just strikes me as a little strange, like, too deeply suspect that their world is that unified, all by itself—unless the Storian is to blame as usual—maybe we're not meant to allot it any critical thought...), although I've looked up some English translations of this genre's lyrics and they are rather dark, so that fits him fairly well—unless being silent with his thoughts would be preferable.

Yet, one clarification to make: Even if the music might resonate with him, I think he wouldn't be a fatalist until much later in whatever character progression he'd have. Instead, I see him as a doomsday prepper, in probably a more I-will-live-against-all-odds, Western, literally every-man-for-himself, individualist sense as that might be more in line with his character in canon. He'd be obsessed with survivalism and TEOTWAWKI (The End of the World as We Know It) as a concept.

Here is an example of the music I found—I'm not sure if this is actually representative of the whole and I don't know much about it or the historical context though.

Also, here are some English lyrics from various songs under the cut that I just happened to like:

Again the spring has come, And warming rays of sun Are looking in my cell through window-panes Again the heart will ache The feelings will awake And memory recalls auld days

Those days will come to me And I shall feel and see The girl whom I loved so long ago That girl came and left That girl I can’t forget Her image’s always in my soul.

Vladimir prison-house Сold northern wind My transport came from Tver And all my evil deeds Lie on my heart like heavy weights

⸻

Stab me with that stare as i walk by It's like poison in my blood It trips me up just like a stone I'm just sick of people, and they're sick of everything

⸻

My ship is sailing straight ahead, avoiding the land The captain drunk and stubborn He'll protect it till the end Drowning to the right, drowning to the left Not enough lifeboats, there isn't help for everyone Swimming away, I'm swimming away somewhere straight, somewhere away

👽🔮

June 7, 2024

Song #120

I’m Still Standing by Elton John

It was released in 1983 in his album Too Low For Zero

Fun Fact: Although "I'm Still Standing" is often seen as a statement of John's resilience, Taupin wrote the lyrics with a specific person in mind.

“It's perhaps one more example of the original idea being interpreted by everyone into something quite different. I think people see it as an anthem based on Elton's strong sense of survival in the face of adversity. Which, believe me, is perfectly fine by me. In fact, it's probably infinitely more interesting, perhaps, than what it was initially written about. Which, if my memory serves me correctly, it was a sort of kiss off to an old girlfriend. You know the sort of thing, 'Don't you worry about me, I'll be perfectly fine.' Unlike George Jones' 'She Thinks I Still Care,' where, in fact, he really did, I really didn't."

June 7, 2024

Song #120

I’m Still Standing by Elton John

It was released in 1983 in his album Too Low For Zero

Fun Fact: Although "I'm Still Standing" is often seen as a statement of John's resilience, Taupin wrote the lyrics with a specific person in mind.

“It's perhaps one more example of the original idea being interpreted by everyone into something quite different. I think people see it as an anthem based on Elton's strong sense of survival in the face of adversity. Which, believe me, is perfectly fine by me. In fact, it's probably infinitely more interesting, perhaps, than what it was initially written about. Which, if my memory serves me correctly, it was a sort of kiss off to an old girlfriend. You know the sort of thing, 'Don't you worry about me, I'll be perfectly fine.' Unlike George Jones' 'She Thinks I Still Care,' where, in fact, he really did, I really didn't."

NIИ | The Hand That Feeds | Halo 18 | Released March 28, 2005 | Directed by Rob Sheridan and Trent Reznor

NIИ | The Hand That Feeds | Halo 18 | Released March 28, 2005 | official & alternate cover art | Artwork by Rob Sheridan | Nothing records

Created with damaged scanner glitching techniques, and hand-drawn digital pixel linework

NIИ | [WITH_TEETH] | Halo 19 | Released on May 3, 2005 | Design: Rob Sheridan | Nothing Records

titled/untitled & different color variants of the album art + Rob Sheriimdan’s myriad concepts

For anon

This user loves Marina and the Diamonds/Marina Diamandis

This user loves Jack Stauber 

For @skelet00nz

I figured here of all places would be the best to share the best photos I’d gotten during my Depeche Mode concert :) camera quality isn’t great and I apologize for that but I still think they’re gorgeous and amazing memories!

Germany's In Strict Confidence happen to be one of my favorite Dark Electro/ Synth- Pop bands, and I really love the Utopia album.

I've been listening to this one a lot while writing my Thesis, as it tends to have a calming effect on me. It's beautiful, ethereal, upbeat, and even a touch angsty. The dual vocals are always on point, and mix seamlessly. It has a softer approach than genres like industrial, but elicits a great deal of emotion instead.

As it seems rather hard to find the whole thing on Youtube, I'll leave you with some of the music videos from it. However, I do strongly suggest checking out the full album sometime, especially if you like darker electronic music.

Obscured

BlutEngel + Hocico

Well it finally happened, an alliance between two prominent dark electronic acts that really should have been done ages ago.

Chris Pohl of BlutEngel has been busier than ever it seems. He released two albums as BlutEngel last year, just dropped this, and has a new project, She Hates Emotions, that just released material. But I digress, back to the track at hand.

I find the song has a decidedly more Hocico sound to the music, but a very BlutEngel bend to the vocal work. It makes for a nice blend, and frankly I'd actually be up for a whole album of it. All three vocalists present lend their easily identifiable twist on their respective parts, and the combination of Pohl and Agroyam as music composers is fantastic, a mix of dark melody and harsh beats. Honestly this single is a superb combination of these bands and their sounds, and they really outdid themselves ensuring it blended well.

The other tracks present are remixes by each band that showcases their personal styles more, and an additional remix by Rasco Agroyam's side project Dulce Liquido that has a very minimalist Aggrotech sound. If you get the digital version there is a bonus remix by German electronic act S.I.T.D., with a bit more ebm/ industrial sound.

As of this writing there's a handful of physical copies left, however it is also available digitally on the Out of Line Music Bandcamp page, and probably other digital platforms as well.

The Mark Inside EP

Yellow Lazarus

Released in January of this year, this smorgasbord of various electronic styles by new German group Yellow Lazarus probably should not appeal to me as much as it has. However, I tend to try most things Out of Line Music Label puts out, so I gave it a go. There's a lot going on here, style-wise, and it definitely pulls from several electronic styles I've never been into. However there's a catchy aggressiveness to this EP that has really gotten to me, and I've found myself listening to it a lot.

Consisting of 5 tracks, the release is all over the spectrum sonically, pulling influences from everything like dub to hardstyle, ebm, and synthpunk, just to list a few. I think part of it's appeal is that everything is mixed together so well, alternating from one stylistic influence to another seamlessly. The EP also tends to have an aggressive delivery that reminds me a bit of groups like Atari Teenage Riot or Mindless Self Indulgence, however it maintains a poppy catchiness as well. The variations between the three vocalists also keeps things fresh, and mixes melody, growls, and screams wonderfully.

My favorite track is the last one, "Half a Cigarette", though "Dead Slot Machines" is a close second. I really find all of the tracks great though, and have serious respect for how well they've brought various styles together. The EP is melodic, raw, poppy, groovy, fun, catchy, hard, and all around awesome.Honestly my unfamiliarity with many of the electronic styles utilized means my ability to describe the tracks is limited, unfortunately. Which just means you should listen to it!

Their full length was supposedly in the works, however I do not know if there have been delays due to current events. As of January it was slated to be released later this year.

You can pick up the digital album via Bandcamp and probably most other digital music retailers. I don't know of a physical version existing, if it does it would probably be found at Out of Line Music's webstore.

Covenant 4/3/23

Elysium

Photos by me.