The new powersynth compilation features eighteen tracks of top-notch electronic music.
Jet Set Trash (JST) Records from London, UK has been producing and publishing high quality synthwave music since 2011. While there is a myriad of sub-generes under the umbrella of “synthwave”, JST is known for their adept powersynth artists. Powersynth is a more aggressive style of synthwave. It features the signature driving beats, electronic keyboards, frequently guitars and overall nostalgic feel. However, it doesn’t go as far into the abrasive elements of darksynth or other, more dissonant forms of EDM.
According to a recent press release from JST Records, Powersynth Vol.1 is , “A collection of some favorite tracks by artists you might have heard of.”
CEO and Manager of JST Records , Zak Deligiannis, is more passionate than ever about Powersynth music, the artists, and the overall creative process. According to Deligiannis, the world is the better place with good music. As he stated in a recent socially-distanced email, “To put it as simple as I can, life is better with music.”
Deligiannis elaborated on how life is improved with high-quality sonic creations, and why music lovers need to support the artists:
Music is everything, can you imagine being in lockdown (to use a current example) without music? I don’t want to even imagine it personally… Weddings, funerals, birthdays, there’s the equivalent music to go with every emotion and big event in life pretty much, you know? So yeah, support the creators. Zak Deligiannis, 2020.
Music has always had a close counterpart with visual elements. The task of handling the visuals for Powersynth Vol 1. fell to Anthony Galatis. He took care of all the visuals and artwork. The results speak for themselves. Although in the modern era of mass online music, it can be difficult to understand that artwork, liner notes and packaging of music was just as important as the songs contained on the LP, Galatis rises to occasion. His cover for Powersynth Vol. 1 captures the cyberpunk, dystopian themes that fans of the genre love, but he never loses sight of keeping the artwork fun.
Featuring new as well as previously released material, this compilation was specially curated to feature 18 artists deemed worthy of the description “powersynth”.
One of the great things about a compilation album is the support it gives the artists and the exposure of their music to people who may not have already known of their work. Some of the artists on Powersynth Vol. 1 may be familiar to the readers of Slickster Magazine. For example, check out the in-depth interview with French synthwave artist M.A.D.E.S.. Other of the names on the list may be lesser known, but each is equally worthy of the compilation.