The issue of the second act of Cyberpunkers'EP trilogie Epic suits the astonishing success of their worldtour - feedbacks from their first European stages have been enthusiastic as Cyberpunkers themselves reported while describing crowd's reaction by using meaningful adjectives like wonderful, exalting and rich of funny episodes such as the loss of mask from one of them, which was instantly returned by fans - to the ground by an attendant selection of four remixes. All the hothead followers of this duo of Italian masked gladiators of the beat box, made up of djs and producers Massi Arena and Fabio Liuzzi, will be delighted likewise by proposed treatments as they mainly keep the energy of what these guys consider as the next evolutionary step of the so-called Moombahton (an hybrid of house music and reggaeton, whose paternity should belong to Washington DC-based Dave Nada) they called it Moombahpunk. I particularly enjoyed remix of "Dungeon" by Oli Cash aka Far Too Loud - an authentic uplifter with nice slapping beats, funky spots, housey chords, sudden accelerations and brakings as well as some rhythmical and sonic tricks taken from the glorious tradition of some Dutch tech-house acts - and the one of "Are You Ready" by Belzebass, focused on a bizarre intertwining of different steps - from dubstep to traditional breakbeat and phat electro -, but trance-oriented version of the same track by The Boomzers and the fire-starting remix of "Epic" by The S - a remarkable and straightforward electro anthem with the addiction of military snares and some melodic italo-house allures - are smashing anyway. While on the waiting line for the final chapter of the trilogie, enjoy this one, also available on live format (maybe it's the best format!) by intercepting them during their globetrottering on various stages. Cyberpunkers have already announced they will take part to a number of forthcoming summer festivals such as Beatpatrol, Arenal, Nature One, Creamfields and many others, sharing their stage with important names of the scene such as Steve Aoki, Crookers, Digitalism and so on. Check it out!

Some people say that many regressive processes could have been explained by a troublesome approach to difficult times (so troublesome that it could flow into its refusal), so that it's no coincidence that nowadays many fields of music and art in general are getting sprinkled with references to childish feelings, as the result of the communication between the artist and a sort of uncorrupted inner voice, subliminally forcing imagination and sensitivity to interposing in between any cognitive moments through intuition. This new album by Noise Under Dreaming, a project from Milan-based musicians Michele Ricciardi and Matteo Chiamenti looks like springing from this feeling or I'd rather call it a kind of prophylaxis, strictly filtered by memory's meshes, a kind of return to intimate innocence and a claim of a certain candour. It's therefore that some sonic choices such as some toy electronics which look like coming from cheap synths, the recording of some sessions with external microphones (so that it seems instruments are part of a field recording), plain melodies and basic rhythmic patterns make sense. In spite of the interesting conceptual premises, the first part of the record could induce some yawns: with the exception of the nice acapella dadaism of "Lullaby For Lovers" and the good vocal performace in "Noise Under My Wish", where the singer perfectly renders the idea of an ignored word to the wise, most of songs look like bad copies of music, which could be vaguely associated with theabove-mentioned kind of poetics such as Sigur Ros ("For Nothing") or even some teeny pop wails like Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You", whose melodic line seems to have been quoted in "Placebo". On the other hand, the second part of "In Mine" shows more appreciable stuff even if the band doesn't move away from the same skinny compositional approach since the three graceful and airy movements of "Sinfonia Per Menti Distratte" (meaning "symphony for careless minds"): there are some catchy tracks such as "In Deep", whose sonic clues with sounds from MSN's chat reminds it could refer to some intense "contemporary" love affair, "Better Story" - emphazised by the lovely insert of violin by Sara Primiterra - and the sluice gate of "Monochroma".

When I reviewed the split LFY/War 7" I knew I was right and I had to wait a full length release to judge. Lust For Youth, aren't a band made to make hit singles. You have to dive into their distortions and stay there for a while, to be able to feel the taste. "Growing Seeds" is their second album and Hannes Norrvide, now, is the only band member left, after Amanda decided to quit. On this new album, Hannes, opted for a more clearer sound and thanks to this vocals are more enjoyable and everything sounds more balanced. The ten tracks of the album are always characterized by an heavy use of analog synth, powerful drum beats and distortion but now the tracks span from the minimal synthpop of "Behind Curtains" and "It's You", to the 80s electronic industrial of "We Planted A Seed" and "La Rouge", passing through the post punk attitude of "Cover Their Faces". Nice melodies are overwhelmed by distorted monophonic synth sounds creating cold atmospheres with warm sounds. Hard beats, upbeat tempos and a fresh attitude, make of this a nice album you'll enjoy if into minimal wave and electronic music. At the moment the album is available on vinyl only, but the Russian label Other Voices will issue the CD really soon. You can check all the tracks here: http://avantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lust-for-youth-growing-seeds-lp.

It shudders me, if I have to read in a bio, that a music-project has started as a college room project, because in 99,127 % of all cases this means to receive an Alternative- / Rock- / or Metal-related project. Things luckily differ with The New Division, as this Californian-based 4-men-outfit around the mastermind John Kunkel counts cult projects like Joy Division, Now Order and Depeche Mode to their main influences. The music proves to be inspired by this demanding row of idols and the band integrates successfully a strong 80s Romantic-Pop reference into their compositions. 'Shadows' as a whole drifts a bit away from the usual, sugar-sweet Synthpop-formula, so often discovered with mostly Scandinavian-based music-projects. It sounds here and there may a bit old-fashioned produced, which belongs in the unusual integration of reverb effects on vocals and drum patterns ' while this kind on the other hand spends a more bombastic outfit to the sound. However, it isn't the freshest water in use here, but it has charisma and authenticity. A guitar isn't a forbidden instrument, just check the tracks 'Sense' or 'Munich', which nearly sound like Britpop-inspired tunes. But definitely the better ones are those richly produced, Synthpop-driven tracks like 'Opium', 'Soft' or 'Hearts for Sale', which offer a melodic song-progression with an easy singing-along-the-line behavior. A good pick for the Swedish Progress Productions label and a constant force in the field of the Synth-/Futurepop-genre. The New Division and the talent behind this project aren't to underestimate.

We have to go back to 2009 to find the previous Empire State Human album "Audio Gothic" which has been release by Ninthwave Records. During these years Aidan Casserly didn't rest on his laurels as released other two albums under his own name. After starting their own label House Of Analogue, Aidan and Lar Kiernan, released a new Empire State Human single the last December. That single had two songs you won't find on this new album titled "The Art". "The Art" has ten new songs that will make you feel like at home: comfy and cool. It opens and closes with two ballads: "Killer In Me" and "The Pioneers". Two passionate songs with orchestral arrangements that with a bit of melancholy point toward a brighter future. In the middle the duo give their best creating synthpop dance hits like "Search For Love", "My Passion", "Easy Colour" or catchy mid tempos like "The Secret Life Of Artists" or "Apollo (Extended)". I think that "The Art" is a blast. It sounds more balanced and powerful compared to "Audio Gothic" and it has no flaws or rip off songs (and I'm not telling that the previous one had some). Empire State Human is one of those few bands that you can purchase with no hesitation as they do their best to bring you the finest melodies. Like craftsmen they make their songs putting all their love and after three times I listen to their album in a row, you can trust me!