Bizet Boys - Ride 'Em Carmen

Bizet Boys - Ride 'Em Carmen 7"
(1989) Parlophone

This is a one-off single by Sigue Sigue Sputnik mastermind Tony James. As you can judge by it's name it's a pop tune with samples from Bizet's "Carmen". It sounds like M.A.R.R.S. "Pump Up The Volume" with opera samples, or maybe like Sigue Sigue Sputnik with less samples and no guitar.

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (The Paradise Edition) 2CD
2012 Interscope

I mostly like, and write about, somewhat underground artists. But not this time. This dark pop album was one of last years biggest surprises for me. I totally adore "Summertime Sadness"! But there are alot of good tracks on this 2CD special edition release. Tiamat did a great cover of the title song on the limited edition of "The Scarred People". Get this if you like your pop songs dark and beautiful!

Mental Discipline - Constellation

Mental Discipline - Constellation
(2012) skyQode

Wow! This must be THE futurepop album of 2012! Just like the Paralell Project CD "Fusion", this album is written by a single mastermind, in this case Alex Mental, but the vocals are sung by different artists. The 2011 EP "Falling Stars" had somewhat prepared me for a great follow up album, but not quite to this extent. Standout tracks are the Felix Marc sung "Fall To Pieces", "Disguise (Feat. Culture Kültur)" and "My Madhouse (Feat. Carved Souls)". The Paralell Project CD was very dynamic, holding different kind of songs and both male and female vocalists. This album, on the other hand, is only about club smashers. It's packed with potential futurepop hits! Note that the CD version holds an exclusive bonus track, not available on the download version. Get both versions on Bandcamp!

Ikon - The X-Files

Ikon - The X-Files (2012)
Not On Label

This is a special Ikon release in many ways. We can start with the most obvious thing - the cover; It's a reinterprenation of the artwork for the long deleted 1997 CD "The Final Experience". The record itself is a limited edition charity release where all proceeds from the sales goes to Very Special Kids. The CD contains rare tracks and cover versions that have not been included on the recent re-issues of "In The Shadow Of The Angel" and "Flowers For The Gathering".

Aaimon - Flatliner Remixes

Aaimon - Flatliner Remixes DD (2013)
Tundra Dubs

Released on January 1st this is a fitting first entry to begin the new year with. 28 different remixes of the seven original "Flatliner" tracks. I haven't had the time to find all my favorite tracks on this release yet, but one thing is sure - the Bites remix of "Current" is awesome!

Aaimon - Flatliner

Aaimon - Flatliner (2012)
Artoffact

∆Aimon, Aaimon or maybe you want to call them Daimon? It doesn't really matter. It's another one of Artoffact Records great releases! And maybe the nicest artwork of 2012. This is the first Witch house record I actually bought. I have been dowloading a great bit of Witch house releases from Bandcamp, just to check out what the fuzz was about. I don't like most of them, but there surely is some hidden gems out there! The thing I like about Aaimon is that they have vocals. I'm not to keen on instrumental music, which most of the Witch house stuff I found has been. This CD is a re-release of a six song vinyl EP, now packed with ten bonus tracks. Great value for money! There's both Witch hous remixes like "Current (▲NDRΛS Remix)" and "Mirrors Fade (Ceremonal Dagger Remix)", and some remixes by industrial bands like "Black Cross (Dead When I Found Her Remix)", "Flatliner (Encephalon Remix)" and "Flatliner (Haujobb Remix)".

Legend - Fearless

Legend - Fearless (2012)
Artoffact

This album is supposed to be the best electronic newcomer of the year. It's definately the grower of the year for me. It's getting better and better by each listen. But I rank Continues - "Continues" as the best newcomer of the year. Standout tracks are "Benjamite Bloodline", "City", "Runaway Train", "Sudden Stop", "Devil In Me", "Lust" - heck, almost all of the songs on this album are worth a mention!