Obstacle Navigation by Synthetic Villains

Album #2 - File under: Synth Pop / Electronica / Hauntological

As played by DJ Justin Robertson:

www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/justin-robertsons-temple-of-wonders-10012024/

Thanks to Chris Jones who made this incredible video for 'Sunbeam Flyer':
https://youtu.be/OQ8fBwAoQxs

Thanks to Alex Pearl who has made stunning videos for 'Energy Exchange' and 'No Funfair' that you can see here:

https://vimeo.com/619831949
https://vimeo.com/642964019

www.instagram.com/tv/CTR6Bc5H442

www.alexpearl.co.uk

Some kind words about this album:

"a sparkling collection of instrumentals" Bob Fischer, Electronic Sound Magazine

"an enjoyable record, brimming with reference points but also able to represent itself as a great album. It is well produced, finely honed and full of tasteful texture and interesting sound palates. This is good, thoughtfully created music...an album that works on a Friday night or a Sunday morning."

Bobby Gant,
iniquitousglory.wordpress.com/2021/07/30/review-synthetic-villains-obstacle-navigation/

"an inventive and very relaxing album...it will take you on a soothing and rewarding journey to the centre of your own psyche."

monolithcocktail.com/2021/06/28/our-daily-bread-455-cathal-coughlan-the-early-mornings-paragon-cause-salem-trials-synthetic-villains/

"great synth-pop, with lots of emphasis on the beat, mixed up with great hooks and an array of different instruments which creates a nuanced musical landscape that repays repeated listens."
Mark Ray, Louder Than War
louderthanwar.com/synthetic-villains-obstacle-navigation-album-review/

"Reminiscent in parts of an early 80's Tomorrow's World episode about programming a BBC Acorn computer...playful and mysterious"
Robin Webb, NARC Magazine

Grateful for radio support from Kate Bosworth's Dark Train, Sunrise Ocean Bender, Gareth Jones on Dandelion Radio, Blue Star Radio, Homebrew Electronica Show, Synth City and Space is the Place.

Obstacle Navigation (so named to describe the determination required in life, journeys, and even the process of getting to make the album itself), the aim was to get things more finely honed than the 2020 debut self-release.

The result is 10 tracks in just under 45 minutes made with various analogue drum machines, synths and an eclectic collection of electronic percussion (including the rare MPC Tymp and a homemade drum station). This is augmented by electric and acoustic guitars (processed via violin bows, Ebows, effects pedals) as well as electrified zithers, bass guitar, an Early Learning Centre keyboard and a transistor organ old enough to have been made in the GDR.

Defying easy categorisation, the album is a kind of instrumental synth pop but with an updated emphasis on bass and beats, plus the addition of an unusual blend of synth strings and bowed guitars on several tracks. Great care has been taken to use textures in new ways by blending several sources and DI'd, amped and room-mic'd sounds. Electronic sounds are layered with more organic sources, radio frequencies are mangled through tape machines, sent into rooms via guitar amps, early 80s analogue and digital keyboards combine with the latest technology.

Regardless of the sounds used, at the heart of the album is an unashamed love of riffs, hooks and melodies.

Tracklist

1.	Valentina	5:31

2.	Arcade	3:55

3.	Ghostly Shadows	5:14

4.	Computertune	3:20

5.	I Can Hardly Wait	4:37

6.	Panic Attack Kids	3:09

7.	Sunbeam Flyer	6:25

8.	No Funfair	2:24

9.	Energy Exchange	3:35

10.	Wander Off, Wondering	5:36

Credits

released August 2, 2021

WRITTEN, ARRANGED & PLAYED BY RICHARD J TURNER.

RECORDED, MIXED & MASTERED BY SAM PARKINSON AT STONEGATE STUDIOS.

FLOOD OF SOUND RECORDINGS - FOS002-CD

License