SYNTHPOSIUM

Runners Up: Songs which were nearly selected for previous challenges

Lar's pick: Ismail YK - Facebook. Runner-up to Synthposium Vol. 14 Challenge 2: Synth in Turkey. A crazy music video and Turkish ode to the multi-billion user social media platform. Prepare for one WTF moment after the next!

Les' pick: Fake - Another Brick. Runner up to Synthposium Vol. 9: Challenge 3, Women in New Wave Music. Weirdo obscuro Swedish new wave group from the early 80's is remembered through this  gem - with slightly indiscernible lyrics. 

NEW DISCOVERIES OF 2013 (Whether released in 2013 or not)

Lar's pick: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti 

Pop-psychodelian Ariel Pink maintains a playful approach to music making, through the lo-fi vibes of 2002's House Arrest to the more polished production value of 2012's Mature Themes. House Arrest track "Alisa" is an upbeat but heart-wrenching homage to his ex-wife. 

Les' pick: Banks

Pigeonholed by bloggers as "Ellie Goulding singing songs written by The Weeknd," Banks tries to transcend current trends by bringing a soulful vulnerability to her lyrics and vocals. Everything comes together in "This is What it Feels Like," produced by Jamie Woon and Lil Silva. We're still waiting for her debut album to see if she really is greater than the sum of her influences. 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2013

Les' pick:  M.I.A. - Matangi

M.I.A's underrated fourth album Matangi combines harsh abrasive sounds with upbeat dance infusions, fearlessly addressing criticism and throwing it back with confidence

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Lar's pick:  Dirty Beaches - Drifters/Love Is The Devil

This double album combines sinister swagger and cinematic instrumentals, with fluid versatility and resonant emotion

SONG OF THE YEAR 2013

Lar's pick: Childhood friends Drake and producer Noah "40" Shebib channel the Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson dynamic for a timeless downtempo R&B jam Drake - Hold On, We're Going Home

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Les' pick: The unusual pairing of Daft Punk and Animal Collective member Noah Lennox results in a feel-good summer jam that combines the best of both of their capabilities Daft Punk feat. Panda Bear - Doin' It Right

MUSIC TRENDS of 2013

Les' pick: Blurred lines between feminism and oversexualization in music videos, Beyoncé - Flawless feat. Chimimanda Ngozi Adiche

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Lar's pick: Revision in pop music, Snoopzilla & Dâm-Funk - Do My Thang

SYNTH IN COMEDY: Find a film clip/standup comic/parody video where a synth is used for comedic effect

 Les' pick: Big Train - Keith Emerson

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Lar's pick: Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Sick Keyboard

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SYNTH REJECTION:  Find an artist who established themselves with synths, only to reject them later

Lar's pick: David Byrne - Make Believe Mambo

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Les' pick: Popol Vuh - Kyrie

BACK TO THE MAP!  SYNTH IN TURKEY

Les' pick: Ebru Gündes - Vazgeçmem  

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Lar's pick: Tülin ile Zafer - Helal Olsun

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SYNTH SIBLINGS:  Find the musical output of a lesser-known sibling to a well-known musician.

Lar's pick: Jermaine Jackson - Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming (feat. Michael Jackson)  

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Les' pick: Leslie Carter - Like Wow  

SYNTH SIBLINGS:  Find the musical output of a lesser known sibling to a well-known musician

BACK TO THE MAP:  Synth in Turkey!

SYNTH REJECTION:  Find an artist who established themselves with synths, only to reject them later

SYNTH IN COMEDY:  Find a film clip/standup comic/parody video where a synth is used for comedic effect

NEW DISCOVERIES OF 2012

Les' pick: Nicolas Jaar

No Regular Play - Owe Me (Nicolas Jaar mix) by Nicolas Jaar

Lara's pick: Snoop Dogg

Check out the commentary/discussion below!

Synthposium Vol. 13 2012 YEAR END - Challenge 4: New Discoveries by Synthposium5

FAVOURITE ALBUM OF 2012

Lara's pick:  TRUST - TRST

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Les' pick:  Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel...

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Check out our podcast below to hear our comments

FAVOURITE SONG OF 2012

Les' picks: (tie) Frank Ocean - Pyramids and Miguel - Adorn

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Lara's pick:  Janet Jackson - If (Kaytranada Remix)  

Check out our commentary/justifications here:

Synthposium Vol. 13 2012 YEAR END - Challenge 2: Song of the Year by Synthposium5

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MUSIC TRENDS of 2012

Lara's Picks: Return of the Recluses (i.e. Cat Power and Fiona Apple), contrasted with the "Dancing Till the World Ends" theme in Top 40 Music.  

Les' pick: The rise of streaming services. Drake's "Take Care" featuring Rihanna benefitted from a change in the Hot 100 formula which incorporated data from streaming services.

Tune into a more detailed analysis of musical trends in 2012 below!

Synthposium Vol. 13 2012 YEAR END - Challenge 1: Trends in 2012 by Synthposium5

B-SIDES/RARITIES:  Find a b-side to a top-40 single released in the synth era that deserves to be exposed

 Lara's pick:  Kraftwerk - Das Modell Originally released in 1978 on Kraftwerk's album The Man-Machine, EMI producers felt "Das Modell" was overlooked and when prepping Kraftwerk's UK single of "Computer Love" decided to attach it as a b-side, which caught the attention of radio DJs who played that track on such high rotation that it encouraged a release of "Das Modell" as a single in December 1981, which went on to reach #1 on the UK charts in Februrary 1982.  Fast-forward to 4:49 in this clip from the BBC documentary Synth Britannia to hear Wolfgang from Kraftwerk speak about this process:  

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Les' pick:  Prince - Erotic City   Prince's "Erotic City" was reportedly recorded after seeing a live show of  Parliament-Funkadelic play in Los Angeles, and was released as a b-side to "Let's Go Crazy" in 1984.  Envisioning a utopian metropolis, "make love not war erotic city come alive," "Erotic City" is a hyper-sexual dance jam which accrued broadcast fines for it's liberal use of "fuck" in the lyrics, but went on to become a #1 hit.  This marked the debut of his collaborations with Sheila E, who can be seen in this amazingly choreographed & costumed live performance:  

Check out our podcast here:

Synthposium Vol. 12 Challenge 4: B-side to synth single by Synthposium5

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