After becoming a father, loosing plenty of hair on your head and then seeing some wrinkles slowly creep up on you, the question becomes obvious – can you still start a band at 35 years of age in Sweden? And what if this band played electronic music with themes and styles harking back to the 80’s synth era and included acid house and techno influences? Now what if this project was called AfterParty and they produced an album entitled, “SYNTHESIZER NIGHT HITS, VOL.1”, would this all be plausible in 2015?
Well, not only is this plausible – it is exactly what Andreas has gone and done! “SYNTHESIZER NIGHT HITS, VOL.1”, sounds like a hybrid blend of classic Pet Shop Boys rhythms and the latest eclectic Aviccii crossover collaborations meets the legendary vocal melodies of Abba and the choral soundscapes created by Clannad. I have been listening to this for a couple of days and I’m contemplating whether I should superglue it into my media player so that it’s always there!
Andreas, with this latest release proves that this kind of crossover electronic music can survive decades and will be still always be very interesting to listen to. Exploring the beautifully structured music of AfterParty is like being on a hypnotic, futuristic trip to retro-dreamland. The melancholy and uplifting energy on this album makes you dance, cry and fly at the same time!
The album is packed with mood changing pieces of pop art from the start to the end. Smooth but clever arrangement of the songs and superb female vocals, keeps your attention span engaged throughout the 6 songs. From the very moving and emotional “Retro” and “Crystal Clear”, to the pulsating rhythms of “Leaving Town” and “Apocalyptica”, AfterParty leaves you breathless and pushing replay!
The whole album is nicely tied together with a similar theme you’ll hear from time to time, running through each song. Andreas is a master at blending highly complex layers of vocal arrangements with dance beats, world sounds, chants and pop sensibilities. Though meticulous, clean and polished, “SYNTHESIZER NIGHT HITS, VOL.1”, has an underlying raw energy that will have you swaying to the groove and stomping your feet in some places, while on others you will pensively be contemplating its darker mood.
AfterParty claims their rightful place among the eclectic artists of electronica, offering well-crafted material that could elevate the genre to a new level of creativity and mainstream credibility, beyond being confined exclusively to the club circuits.
The question is, what is the next step for this 35-year-old, balding and newly wrinkled man from Sweden, who produces gorgeous electronic music – the Billboard Dance Charts or a trip to Disneyland with the family?
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