Ninthwave Records Presents Electropop 2012

Like any compilation of this kind, this one's a little hit-and-miss. You'll find a spectrum of stuff ranging from more upbeat tracks that'll make you wanna get up & dance to more moody, ethereal fare. Not every song is going to appeal to everyone. My personal favorites include the funky nu disco track "What Were You Thinking" by Davidmahr, Liquid Diet's catchy & clever pop jam "Hand Dance", "Do You Remember My Name" by Space March, and the hard-hitting electro-rock gem "Ghost In This Town" by Not Ordinary Dead. Overall, a nice selection of electropop tunes from up-and-coming artists.

*1. Resignation by Cosmicity - mellow song, interesting back and forth between two voices and background rhythms
2. Cold by Alien Skin - this song makes me snicker. The lyrics are a little simple, and the way the singer pronounces the word "memories" makes it sound like "mammaries," which amuses me in a bad way. Not a horrible song. Just sort of dull.
3. End Of My Existence (Clean Mix) by Neuroactive - I like the opening beats--driving sound, interesting rhythms . . . and then the singer sounds sort of like Michael Jackson and that was enough for me.
*4. What Were You Thinking by Davidmahr - groovy little song; it'd make good driving or studying music; pleasant
5. Wintersong by Somegirl - Not really my favorite. The melody is odd and changes between minor and major almost like the singer isn't aware of what she's doing. The lyrics, on the other hand, are slightly incomprehensible.
*6. Hand Dance by Liquid Diet - This is the greatest song on here, I think. Brilliant lyrics, driving beat; makes me want to dance.
*7. Do You Remember My Name by Space March - This is one of the best songs on here, I think. Catchy melody, good vocals, clear lyrics . . .
*8. Higher Ground by Tenek - Smooth sound; I like the vocals, they have sort of an 80s feel; lyrics are a bit dull, but the underlying synthesizer action makes up for it.
*9. B4 The Red by Elmancho the Man From - It would be a boring song, but the rhythm is quirky enough that it makes for a fun little tune.
*10. My Passion by Empire State Human - groovy intro, and then the vocals soar out and things pick up.
*11. Into The Night by Isgaard & Loic, Scarlet Soho - this band understands how to make complex layers of sound (and good too); that mixed with soaring vocals makes this song really interesting
*12. Trailblazer by Capital X - slow intro, but then driving underlying beat starts up and vocalist's range expands and suddenly I can see myself moving to this.
13. Too Much Too Handle by Opium - I like the opening beats; singer has a somewhat syrupy sound to their voice. It's not my favorite.
*14. Sunlight by Eight To Infinity - mellow piano intros into driving beats, definite 80s feel, cool synthesizer action, interesting lyrics, singer has a good voice
*15. Respect (Remix) by Leonard T., Starfunk - FUN! Fast rhythm, catchy refrain, meaningful lyrics
16. What It Means To Be Me by Protege Reign - Unusual beginning. They did something to make the vocals sound sort of far off/distorted, but that doesn't excuse the fact that the melody is pretty monotonous.
17. Phone Me by Jon Baz - repetitious blah.
*18. The Russians by A Terrible Splendour - cool story told in the song; could be a theme song for a spy or something, almost
*19. Over the Other Side by i European - Harmony??? Do my ears deceive me? Nice melodic progression, perky tune but not too over the top, chromatic motion makes it a little more interesting than the typical pop song. Yes, I like this one.
*20. Vince Clarke by Gary Flanagan - slow beginning, sort of like the start of an 80s scifi movie; vocalist reminds me vaguely of David Bowie (especially at the beginning), gradual build up and give and take of various rhythmic sounds
21. Ghost In This Town by Not Ordinary Dead - If you like music that only changes one or two notes during the course of the song, and uses too much synthesizer, then you might like this. It's almost rap, especially towards the end. Not my cup of tea.

I'm keeping over half of this album, so yeah, I'd say this is a good one!

I only give this two stars instead of one because it is free. If I had paid for these songs I would be sorely disappointed. For the most part they are pretty terrible. The productions do not feel inspired, and the vocals on most of these tracks puts the hammer in the coffin.
There are only 3 tracks in this compilation that I think deserve repeat listenings; 11. Into the Night - Isgaard & Loic, Scarlet Soho. 13. Too Much Too Handle - Opium. and 15. Respect (Remix) - Leonard T., Starfunk.