Over of spread of EP’s and albums, Plastic Frog have explored—and released—some excellent synth, electro pop and EBM. It can be quite a mission to find labels promoting quality synth wave and minimal analogue; it’s tricky to find such quality.
The world of electronic music has always been an underground affair. The scene thrives on the shrouded vista of subterranean clubs and poorly light turntables. But, it is the realm of angular fringes, darkened attire and a vintage Korg that is perhaps the most hidden. Synth wave is having a serious second coming, but in the form of re-issues. Those releasing new material are less well known. The covert operations of modern wave are taking place on labels speckled across Europe (mostly) with staunch synth soldiers rallying to the cause. Such a bastion of partisan synth is Germany’s Plastic Frog Records.
Atomic Neon stepped out of the fallout a couple of years back with A Desperate Dream. This EBM infused namesake slowly construct a light sapping piece of sombre darkwave. Shard of industrial foreshadow haunting vocals.
MassendefeCt, previously releasing on Kernkrach, return with Sicht Der Dinge. The title piece throws up memories of Das M, but a much rawer aspect hiding in the C64 whispers. Synth poppers The Rorschach Garden arrive on the flip on remix duty. A clever and addictive EP
Im Namen Des Volkes, aka Matthias Schuster of Bal Paré, is a name from the past, first releasing in 1980 but returning to activity in 2006. For Plastic Frog Schuster emits a claustrophobic 80’s electro wave. Distortion folds in on itself. Vocals unsettle as reverberations judder. Eclipsed electronics from the bygone.
Relative Kälte recently featured on the epic Doppelhertz, releasing Neonlicht soon after. The group expound a clinical minimal pop. Female vocals are emotionless for the title piece with a superbly simple melody slicing through the piece. The EP draws you in with a distant catchiness, hooks of minimal synth and alienated analogue sounds.
For ten years Plastic Frog have been honing their sound and the above is but a sample of this imprint. Over of spread of EP’s and albums, Plastic Frog have explored—and released—some excellent synth, electro pop and EBM. It can be quite a mission to find labels promoting quality synth wave and minimal analogue; it’s tricky to find such quality. Part of the enjoyment is in the search, but the satisfaction is in the finding and ultimately the vinyl on the platter.
Visit Plastic Frog at www.plasticfrogrecords.com.
