Columns

RETROCUTION: Billy Mays Band premieres new track, “Videostore”!

DanLeave a comment
Billy Mays Band’s new album, Introspection, releases on August 30 via Lazerdiscs Records.

On Friday, Lazerdiscs Records announced Introspection, the debut album from French synth act Billy Mays Band. Over the album’s eight tracks, producer Kevin — nope, he’s not actually named Billy Mays — concocts an entertaining blend of synthwave and retro guitar rock. In an increasingly crowded synth landscape, it winds up being quite a memorable listen.

Ahead of the album’s release on August 30, Nine Circles is pleased to share a premiere of Introspection‘s second track, “Videostore.” Hit the jump to give it a listen!

Continue reading →

RETROCUTION: FM-84’s Ollie Wride goes solo with “Thanks in Advance”

DanLeave a comment

Welcome back to Retrocution, everyone. If you’re as much of a synthwave junkie as I am, you’ll be well aware that I’m just a bit behind with the subject of this week’s post. See, FM-84 vocalist Ollie Wride released his solo debut, Thanks in Advance, on NewRetroWave Records way back on July 19. And while I listened to it…okay, basically right at midnight when it hit Bandcamp…formulating my opinion on it has taken a bit longer. In the end, though, I think taking a bit of extra time with the album paid off.

Continue reading →

Circle Pit: Albums We Missed Q2, 2019

ninecirclesadminLeave a comment

nine circles circle pit

And just like that, we’re halfway through 2019. Also, nearly into August at this point – late is the name of the game, folks. Anyway, catch our most recent entries into some favorites we have at the halfway point, here, here, and here, then scroll below for a few more we had left to highlight from the second quarter that we either missed or needed to discuss again. It’s been that kind of year to where some things just warrant extra discussion and it shows no stopping or letting up either. Consider this a Circle Pit of two, two enter and two leave…wait. Just do it and maybe you’ll come away with a new favorite.  Continue reading →

RETROCUTION: The Affirmation’s “My Way Home” helped me dig deeper into synthwave. Plus: a NewRetroWave Records charity bundle!

DanLeave a comment

Do you ever just look at an album cover and know you’re gonna like what’s inside? Now, I realize this doesn’t actually make much sense — the cover art, despite what a certain weekly feature of mine would suggest, ultimately has no bearing on the music that comprises its album. Coincidence or not, it’s been happening to me a lot lately, and you can add The Affirmation in as the latest example. The Blade Runner-esque cover of their debut full-length, My Way Home, instantly caught my eye, setting the table perfectly for what ended up being a pretty excellent collection of tunes within.

Continue reading →

Retrocution: A “Slave to the Passion” two-fer from Ultraboss!

DanLeave a comment

So, yeah, I guess Rosso Corsa’s well and truly back, aren’t they? After a gap of nearly a year between releases, the label’s returned for the second (and third!) time in a month with an absolutely stellar 1-2 punch from Vienna-based producer and guitar virtuoso, Ultraboss, titled Slave to the Passion. Released a week apart on June 23 and 30, the two albums in this set contain some of the catchiest synth jams you’ll hear this year, and make for an absolutely terrific, combined listen. So let’s dissect, shall we?

Continue reading →