Minimal Synth

A buried, minimal synth gem from this short-lived Cornwall-based group from the 1980s. Like many groups doing DIY synth music at this time across the globe they offer a hidden flash of brilliance with this track.

Having had interactions with members of this band over the years — whether it’s being in the same tour van or in friendship — here’s look at an interesting track from an incredibly underrated post-industrial album Ugashia by the this group formed in London UK out another group, Noi Kabát.

A great track by this Vancouver-based synth alchemist (and a friend of mine from back in the day) from his latest album Myth And Murmur — one full of lush, electronic kosmische soundscapes.

A stand-out, unique track from the recent album Vanishing Point by UK synthesizer artist This Is The Bridge, adding to his catalogue of prolific output.

During a recent visit to Vancouver that’s currently wrapping up, a nice haul of records was found, including a number of Canadian underground classics such as this early EP and its title track “Rotting Geraniums” by Moev.

From the band’s groundbreaking 1982 self-titled release, “NCR” merges post-punk attitude with rhythmic electronics in a tense, sombre yet serene tone and has been a favourite for a long time.

A classic minimal wave track from 1985 by Sweden’s Tres called “Operator”, posted here ahead of their set at this year’s Waveteef festival.

A look at one of my fave tracks from the album The Absence Of A Canary (1981) by Canadian electronic duo Ceramic Hello and how I came to find it.

The sole LP by the short-lived Beautiful Skin, an American electronic duo working with sounds preceding the minimal wave revival, from hardcore roots.

A space-y yet ominous electro synth number from the only LP of American/German collaboration Jyl, released in 1984 and re-released in 2020.

With darker post-punk music being spoken more and more in many different languages, the band Eirin Peryglus is one of the few I know of sung in Welsh.

“Varsavia” is a one-off, melancholy italo/synth classic from the mysterious Ein-st-ein, who received the re-issue treatment in 2012.

Some serious square wave bassline action from classic minimal wave group Victrola, more well known for their classic track “Maritime Tatami”.

An underground minimal synth classic by Swedish artist Lars Falk (also of Twice A man) from his debut release that employs a nice EQ trick.