Positronic is the synthpop project of Michael McDannold, who has had a passion for making music since 1986 and has released 3 albums, now he unleashes a new album called "Into The Blue", which features 10 new tracks.
The album opens with the title track, which sets the tone of the album, in so much as, you know Michael has a passion for the music of Vince Clarke and Erasure. I like the marching drum pattern that punches through some really nice warm synths and pads, Michaels passionate vocals shine through on this opener.
"Falling In Love With You Again" is a strong upbeat synthpop track, some excellent sequenced parts, I like how the song builds towards the chorus, fabulous melodic touches too, a track I really like.
"A Long Goodbye" is a really strong highlight on this album and has been rightly chosen as a single, wonderful soundscape and outstanding chorus and melody lines, good strong vocal too, this would grace any Erasure album, really impressive track.
Following that we have the track "Freedom", a mid paced track with a great rhythm track and I just love those Pad sounds and bass-line, reminded me of early Erasure, especially the "Wonderland", a very impressive vocal performance too by Michael, again a strong chorus, his music has matured over time, that is something that struck me as soon as I listened to the album for tyhe first time, another candidate for a single in my book, I love it!
"Flames Of Love" has effective use of pads to draw emotion in the song, again some lovely sequenced parts in a well constructed song, I also think Michael has developed his skill at lyric writing, this song is such a pleasure to listen too, really is excellent.
Next we have another track that was released as a single, "Close To You", again he uses pad sounds to great effect as they dictate the mood of the track, not sure about the bass-line, it seems a bit grating and doesn't quite work with the rest of the music, that said, he has done a dam fine vocal on the track, probably my least favourite track on the album.
"Jump In", that's more like it! Pure synthpop with bubbling sequencers and dance beat, love the synth sounds, plenty of melodic highlights too, this is what makes a great synthpop song, heavy Erasure influence, the track even has some Vince Clarke type synbth sounds, excellent track, another candidate for a single.
"Losing Control" is another upbeat track, great bass-line and sequencers are on top form again, pure pop again, with Michael giving a heartfelt vocal, another fabulous chorus too, another strong track.
Back on the dancefloor....."Shimmer" has a full on dance beat and imposing bass-line, a chorus with an impact and fabulous use of pads again, he does make excellent use of pad sounds on his music, plenty of catchy sequencer parts and the whole track seems to build and build, the middle 8 ar 2 mins 34 secs is outstanding and unexpected, a brilliant song.
The album closes with the track "Blue Song" and oh that sequenced intro, a thing of beauty, grabs you instantly, a synth ballad that delivers both musically and vocally, what a way top close the album, one of the best tracks on the album, leaves you wanting more, outstanding.
Michael has delivered a solid and impressive synthpop album, he has developed his skill as a songwriter and produced a scintilating album of top quality songs, superbly produced too, the sound is amazing.
If you are a fan of Synthpop and especially Erasure this is an album you need to check out.
9/10
The album is released on April 14th and is available on both CD and as a digital download from Bandcamp, you can also check out all of Positronics previous releases on there too:
https://iampositronic.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-blue
Found out more about Positronic by visiting the official homepage
https://iampositronic.wixsite.com/website
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