Synthpop Symphony 208 - The Top 23 Synthpop Songs of 2023!

SPEAKER_00 0:39

Welcome to the first ever end of year celebration technology twenty-three amazing artists. Congratulations on everything created. What are the criteria for making it into the video show? First of all, look at it. You folks were winded and listened to over and over again. I also reviewed this playlist with other DJs and folks that I consider experts in the field. And it had to be a song that ignited the dance floor, and it also had to be in my own personal playlist. I won't be counting down to number one, but instead we'll be randomly playing each song drawn from a hat. So each and every song is number one in my life. Also stay tuned as I'm gonna have some special segments about myself and how I put together the show and about how Cynthia Symphony is made each and every week, including the software and technology that we use on the show. So stay tuned for that. And we'll see the special segments between the songs. Alright, folks, I made you wait long enough. So let's get into the show with number 23 Pick from the Hat, which is Softwave with Supernova. This is off their brand new album called The Things We've Done, released October 13th, 2023. Let's get right into it right now on the best of 2023.

SPEAKER_13 2:33

Since the very beginning, I had a dream of equal to reach. All this time I was left by you Oh, so many years with ups and downs and struggles. I struggled so hard, so hard, so hard to get this ball. All I ever wanted was small. Look at you, you're shiny, right to a star. All I ever did it was you just like you. I wanted to shining star. I'm with the crowd, you're in present. There is no doubt you now leave all those years if it can sound like you, you're shiny, right? You a star. All I want to do is shoot, just like you. I wanna be a star.

SPEAKER_15 6:37

We climbed the highest mountain We dive the deepest sea We saw the purest fountains there is no planet B And while we're walking on the moon, our home is dying, dying And while we're flying to the stars, our eyes are shut What goes around, comes around We're running out of time away Abandoning Yasley With fall feeling safe and sound We're seeking shout on the wild We're running out of time away Abandoning Yes Link We like the darkest jungle We make the biggest sales And so the cookie crumbles Too much we tip the scales And while the sun's melting the ice oceans are rising And while we're doomed left to dive these models What goes around It comes around Let's have ice and down We're running out of time while we're in gas leave We fall from feeling safe and sound We're speaking shell Underground We're running out of time while we're burning gasoline is dead We've taken away Miss Bless God is dead We've taken away Miss Place comes around, comes around with heads have high chips are down, we're running out of time, money Aburning yesterday We've fought feeling safe and sound We're speaking shout on the ground We're running out of time Huawei Burning Santa Absolutely amazing track.

SPEAKER_00 10:44

Next up, number 21 with Mello and Nikon with Ghost that was released on May 4th, 2023. Mello is half of Mars show, so let's get into it right now. I think that you're not let me be a host What's likely that not you're in a real ghost I think that you're not let me be a host What's likely that not you're in a row of ghost I think that you are lost Let me be ghost Yuri ghost I think that you are lost I ghost Yori any dance floor is safe from that track from Mello and Nikon that was Ghost released on May 4th. Next up, number 20, is Darwin McDee with maybe the Secret Space Program remix that was released in June. I have to say this is the only instrumental on this uh show today that it is worthy of a major, major track. It is an amazing track. Right here. That was the Secret Space Program remixed. Before that, we had Mellow and Nikon with Ghost, and we also had Beborn Baton with Burning Gasoline, and we started the show with Softwave and Supernova. Alright, before we get into number 19, people ask me all the time, hey Matt, how do you do this show and how do you do the technology and mix the songs together and all that stuff? So we'll start with actually how I put together the show. I actually use Adobe Audition. The show is actually created in a non-linear fashion. So basically, I can create the end of the show or the beginning of the show or the middle of the show or however I want to create it, and I can change things up quickly if I need to, and it makes it super easy to make the show. If I do it in a linear fashion and I screw it up, then I have to start over from the beginning. So this game makes the show super easy to make. I do it on a MacBook Pro 16, it's an i7. It's running uh the latest version of all the software. I also use an external audio device from M2 audio, and uh and a nice huge Ven Q uh 34-inch monitor to do the show. So that's how I actually do the radio program of the show, and then we'll get into the mixing part of it after the next set. But here we go. Number 19 is Ross Alexander with Wishing I Had a Photograph of You, the Flock of Seagulls cover, off his brand new album called The Long Journey Home, that was released on June 2nd. And I have to say, this is probably one of the best cover albums I've ever heard. It's been completely remixed by Matt Pop, and this song is just pretty much amazing. So let's get right into it. Number 19 is Ross Alexander with Wishing I Had a Photograph of You're the What's What's What's What's What's What's What's I'm Gotham It's not the Way You Look, It's Not The Way That You Smile I'm Proving Something To Bell It's Not The Way You Have Your Hair, It's Not That Certain Style It Could Be That With You're What You It's Something To Like Something Line That's Point

SPEAKER_09 22:13

It's not the makeup and it's not the way that you dance And it's not the units cry It's more the way your eyes are laughing as they glance Across the big division If I had a photo I'm a view It's something to remind me if we can't believe it's a very important thing to do It's not the things you say, it's not the things you do It must be something wrong And if I feel this way for so long Tell me is it all for nothing? Just don't walk out the door If I had a photograph of you It's something to remind me I wouldn't spend my life just wish the way you make up a 2020 Number 19 with Ross Alexander and Wishing I Had a Photograph of You.

SPEAKER_00 26:23

Now, number 18 in a band that needs no introduction is Duran Duran. These guys have had an amazing, huge 2023. They released a brand new album just on October 27th called Dance Macabre, and it's got a bunch of great videos on YouTube. You guys can't miss them, but the song is called Black Moonlight with Niall Rogers right here on Synth Pop Symphony. Number 18 was Duran Duran in Black Moonlight. That was an amazing track. Now up next at number 17 is Neon Spaceman. This track came out all the way back in January 20th, 2023. It was called Follow Me, the Rob Dust Remix, and I have to say this blew me out of the water when this came out. We have another new song that just came out last month called Feet of Love, which is also equally fantastic. But I have to go back to Follow Me because of the way I felt about it when I first heard it. It just actually floored me on the greatest draft. Right here, number 17. Congratulations, Leon Feedman, with Follow Me, the Raw Death Remakes.

SPEAKER_02 30:36

Be afraid, it's your last drive into his night.

unknown 30:50

Into the deepest sea. We write through the night, soon we'll be free. You will die this dream, still lie. Into the deepest sea. We live out a dream that's a destiny. You dart this love, still lie, it's a lie.

SPEAKER_02 31:25

Loneliness is what you find. You're feeling line Dreams will give you space to cry.

unknown 31:40

Just another way to fly You fly along. We write through the night so we'll be free. You dump this dream, still the night, fall alone into the deep the sea. We live on a dream that's a destiny. You drive this love, still night, it's a night.

SPEAKER_10 33:20

We run through the night, so we'll be free. You will have this dream still night.

unknown 33:35

We run through the night, and we'll be free. You will have this dream to the night.

SPEAKER_00 34:34

So it was really hard to actually pick the right song for this album. I would just say, go listen to this album. They also released these things called retro remixes that I didn't think we trained exclusively, which is all these eating songs and remixes. Check those out too on the end of it. Here we go.

SPEAKER_18 35:29

I don't know what destination Now camping out is very slow there.

SPEAKER_19 35:44

I must inside them too low there. Now go ahead now.

SPEAKER_18 35:53

I trust the scared, go away from this town. Another place is waiting for me. All my dreams will be come through.

SPEAKER_19 36:25

I'm not the only one who is cares. I can say it in their faces. Now it's right now.

SPEAKER_18 36:38

I truth is scared, away from this town. Another day is waiting for me. All my dreams will come. Away from here, it's waiting for me. All my dreams will come true.

SPEAKER_10 38:29

It's waiting for me. All my dreams will come.

SPEAKER_18 38:44

It's waiting for me.

SPEAKER_10 38:46

All my dreams will come.

SPEAKER_00 39:02

Number 16, Lifelong Corporation with Supersonic Train. That came out on June 18th. Getting back into our segment about how synctop symphony is made, let's get into the mixes because we do a lot of mixing on this show. We have a lot of different DJs, but on this show, I actually use a DDJ 1000 pioneer mixer. So we can do mixing and analog and digital. We also have record software on a magical. We also use a couple different software programs out there. Every week. Alright, next crack number 15 introduction as well. It is Blacklight and the final coma came out of February 10th, 2023. They also released another amazing track called Craig. And I don't actually love just as much as Coma, but I'm gonna go back to Coma because of the way I felt about it when it came out of this year. Not only does Blacklight have a lot of music coming out next year, but also Brian and these other projects and filter scene and mine machine also have music coming out of 2024. Well, let's get into it right now. Black Light and Coma at number 15 on the Fynth Pop Symphony best of 23 I can feel just to choose. What a beautiful dance track. That was Black Light with Coma. That was released on February 10th. Now, next up is number 14 with a band called Hist and Damp. These guys came out on the scene in 2020 with a song called Something in the Me. Honestly, that kind of got me through the pandemic. If you really want to be honest, it was an awesome track. And now on November 17th, they released a brand new song called I'm Losing You. And it's just as great. And I'm really looking forward to seeing some new Hist and Damp in 2024. But here you go. Number 14, I'm Losing You by Hist and Damp.

SPEAKER_10 47:10

Once again, I feel it down. Once again, you stole my crown. Once again, I lost control. I'm in another hole. For a time I felt so good. And for a time I think you understood. Yeah, I was that naive. I can say in my defense that I forgot the consequence. And now I know that there's another week with you, not me. I am single. Don't say the gate. Twisting your mind is painful you would hate. I wanna find you to get you a lie. Trying to see what I confess. Trying to see, it's all a mess. Try it to see and try to feel This is so unreal. I would say in my defense, I know I come across as being too intense. But see, I know that there's another week with you, but not me. I am losing you to the other side to the other side Those against the start watching the gate. Twisting your mind, it's gonna fill you with hate and light. To the other side It's all in my head and my life on the light. I will defend you until you want my eye. To the other side.

SPEAKER_00 50:59

The brand new album came out on February 24th. It was called Nord Disco, and the song is on the radio. I have to say Talo Connection is one of our favorite games on Synth Top Symphony, and it seems like Synthop Symphony is one of the few shows that played a Tello Disco music. So I'm really happy to be playing a teleconnection. Number thirteen, the teleconnection. Now let's get into number 12 in a band, again, that needs no introduction. It is OMD or Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark. Their brand new album came out this year on October 27th. It's called Valhaus Staircase. And it is absolutely one of the best albums they put out in years. It's got a lot of great fanfare. The fans love it. I love it too. And the first track off the album is called Don't Go. It is number 12, right here, on Fenth Fox Symphony. And that lands in number 12. On number 11, it's a track that came out fairly recently, October 23rd, is the Matt Hop remix of Eden and Feature of the Devil, right here on Synthesis.

SPEAKER_27 1:01:42

Fall I see it on the streets as she left her mind. Loneliness sets in. You see me coming at the walls. And time to move so slow. She had so much, yes, she took it all. Speak of the damn, speak of the damn, she called.

SPEAKER_10 1:02:05

She told us, you better run. Speak of the damn.

SPEAKER_27 1:02:34

One light all over the world. There's a test of light. It's weak to light. Ordinary light. In extraordinary tides. She taught us all the five. She took it. Speak of the damn speaker.

SPEAKER_10 1:02:59

She taught me.

unknown 1:03:02

You better run. You better run. Speak of the damn.

SPEAKER_10 1:03:12

It's a time to be.

unknown 1:06:02

Energia quiere libertare display sour Weel do everything we want to do Still can you feel the power? We are true, we are coming for you Maybe we can stop the fire, we'll be the liar, still we are both that you will be so dangerous, I think. Maybe we can start we are so bringing those flowers. Would you rather try to see those? It's too late to see the out of the baby stones. Tell me all the post that you will be so high and don't be trying.

SPEAKER_10 1:13:37

You're telling me the truth.

SPEAKER_00 1:17:28

Now, number eight, a band that I've just now become familiar with this year. It is Xmark The Pedlock. This new album is called Superstition, and it is just absolutely wild how great this album is. I totally recommend you get out there and check it out. The song is I Can't Let You Go, and it's number eight right here on the number twenty-three.

SPEAKER_24 1:18:43

I'm afraid of life. Let's change my life. Try to face I can let you go.

unknown 1:19:14

A longing for a dream. I was alright to call you a liar.

SPEAKER_23 1:19:39

I can let you go.

SPEAKER_24 1:20:12

I'm afraid of mine.

unknown 1:20:15

Let's change the light. Try to face the light. I can let you go.

SPEAKER_00 1:20:40

You just heard my ex marks the pedwalk with I Can't Let You Go, that is number eight right here on Synth Pop Symphony. I'm sure you folks have heard my little tagline saying I've been playing hand cap claps and cowbells since 1987, but that is actually true. I actually started DJing in 1987, and I have a record collection of about 15 or so crates. It's not as big as it once was. It used to be huge. The uh actual record holder of the most records goes to DJ. Matt D actually has 14 walls of records, it's absolutely ridiculous. The guy has every record you've ever seen in the entire world. Matt and I actually met at a team club in the fall of 1987, and we've been DJing and been friends ever since. Also, DJ Robert Anthony and I met in 1988. So we got a long history of us DJing together and putting out some really good stuff for folks to listen to. But speaking of 1987 or the 80s in general, the band that actually got me into this music in the first place, and probably a lot of you too, was Dapesh Mode. And Gapesh Mode has obviously been putting out some pretty inconsistent records over the last few years. But Memento Mori finally came out in 2023 and it dispelled all the rumors about is the pesh mode actually done? Can they actually create new music that's actually amazing? And is it consistent? And I think Memento Mori actually did that. It just came off a huge tour in Los Angeles, selling out five nights in a row. And the song that kind of spoke to me uh in this album was actually the song that Speak to Me. I actually thought this was one of the better songs on Memento Moria, and it's actually one of the more dancy tracks that actually fits better with Cynthia Pop Symphony. So, right here, let's get into Depeche Moda number seven with Speak to Me, the high low remix right here on Cynthia Pop Symphony.

SPEAKER_17 1:23:19

Listen, I hear yourself speak to me in a language that I can understand. Tell me that you listen. Give me some kind of mind. Give me something, you be my driver choice. You lead me, I follow your voice.

SPEAKER_00 1:25:53

Number seven, that was Depeche Mode and Speak to Me, that is from the Memento Mori album, and Speak to Me was released on August 11th, 2023. Now number six, back to another Atello band, Atello, with Chasing Ghost. This is the title track off their Chasing Ghost EP that came out on July 28th. And the song itself is absolutely fantastic. But I think the one that really elevated it was the actual sound factory remix. So here you go at number six, Atello, and Chasing Ghost on the best 23 of 23 I'm here in the darkness where the flame is forever.

SPEAKER_11 1:26:48

I'm missing the starlight, I'm the devil, my shades are all Cause I am just a ghost No matter what you're told Someone you choose to know.

unknown 1:27:07

Whoa, I cannot make you old. Don't turn around, don't make for me. I'm not the one I used to be When you're alone, just carry on. You know I'm a flex one. Don't turn around and chase it. Be full again by a wander in a gesture hat The surface is shiny, but the inside an eye cat's one day I will show what you already know.

SPEAKER_11 1:28:57

Don't wait for me. I'm not the one.

SPEAKER_00 1:29:30

I absolutely love that Sound Factory 1990 sample in there. It sounds really, really cool. It works really well. That was a Tal Love with Chasing Ghosts. That's off the Chasing Ghost LP that was released on July 28th. Now, number five, Neon Capital! Their brand new album is called 1985. It was released on July 7th. And the song that really did it for me was Open Doors of the Capital. The album that is held in 1985. It is a journey from beginning to end. And if you guys love the really good emotional synthesis, I definitely think it'll be amazing. And it's right here on the video number five in the capital open door.

SPEAKER_06 1:30:20

There's a hole in my heart that's where you used to be, and I can't seem to hide what you're doing to me. I get lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely now. In this cold, four heart stones and a chance. Please unwind your app, please. I oh, I just want you to rise. And I keep calling your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name. See what you did, what you made me become, made me lose all my wits when you left me alone. I'm so lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely now. In this house, well, heart stones and a chance. Please unwind your output. I oh, I just want you to rise. And I keep calling your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name too fast, moving to open books.

unknown 1:32:34

I keep going to us, keep moving to open door. I keep going, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name, your name.

SPEAKER_00 1:33:38

What an absolutely beautiful song. That was Neon Capital with open doors off their new album called 1985. So get over there and check it out. Next up is number four. This was a big shocker for me because when I first saw that Frontline Assembly had put out a new track, you know, Frontline Assembly goes back 30 plus years. They've been out since the 80s, and I've had a bunch of stuff that I listened to from them, and it's been very dark, very dark, dark wave. So this was kind of a shocker. Mech Virus, the Sebastian Coma remix was released on October 27th, and I had more than a few people reach out to me and go, who the hell was that? So here it is. Frontline Assembly with Mech Virus number four on St. Pop Symphony Fest of 2023.

SPEAKER_05 1:35:09

You watch on to prove your thoughts. Look at the whole There is no one, there is no cue.

SPEAKER_07 1:39:06

Come with the machine I'm ready to bring you. You're a machine of all.

SPEAKER_10 1:40:49

It's all a dream because you bright brown. Only a man show enjoy the game wonder. It's all here.

SPEAKER_05 1:42:00

It's being weather when you wanted all this blue sky.

unknown 1:42:08

Ever great. It's alright, it's a paradise. You derive that supply. How do you feel?

SPEAKER_26 1:43:30

How do you feel today?

unknown 1:43:32

How do you justify anything?

SPEAKER_00 1:44:48

That was Allison Goldfrab with Never Stop off the Love Invention album that was released earlier this year, and also Love Reinvention is just came out on December 8th, so make sure you check those two out. Next up is a number two, Train to Spain. I love this band. Brand new album just came out on December 8th called Nothing to Land. And I gotta tell you folks, I listened to this album from beginning to end, and it's just a dance floor assault, so I definitely think you should check it out. The song that I picked this year is the best of twenty twenty-three from Train to Spain is Prisoner, and it's number two, right here.

SPEAKER_28 1:45:55

Made a choice, obligations holding me back. Door locks, blown again, same reasons. No friends, obligations from me here. I can't deny I am a Princetoner Waiting for my example. Living alone life Christon there. Don't know instead, not sure, and you taste it. All I do don't get Don't Fred Offlication brought me here Can I am Princeton? Waiting for my time Living alone life for Princeton Cancer Waiting for my time, living alone life for Princeton.

SPEAKER_00 1:47:32

This is for another I can't deny I am a prisoner Waiting for my top to come Living alone life a prisoner Committed to what I'm talking about Waiting for my top to come Living alone life a prisoner This is where I now belong At number two was Train to Spain and Prisoner that's off their album called Nothing to Win and was released on December 8th, 2023, and is available on all streaming services and bandcamp. Hey, before I play the last song of the evening, I wanted to give a big shout out to the folks who have helped keep Synth Pop Symphony fresh by helping me curate a good portion of the playlist and they send me the tracks every week that they think I shouldn't miss. And that would be Paul Thomas Bernard RPTV. Thank you so much, Paul, for helping me the last couple of years. And also a big shout out to all the DJs that have contributed to Synthop Symphony in 2023, including DJ Robert Anthony, DJ Matt D, Jason Burton, Fergie Elias, TSF, and Fred Ventura. Thank you guys so much for contributing this year. And I also want to give a big, big shout out to Valley 104.9 FM in Seattle, who's been airing syntop symphony since 2021. And a big, huge, huge thank you to Big Satsumer Radio and the folks behind the curtain, including Stuart Calder, Bridget Gray, and Johnny Normal, thank you so much for giving me a home here on Syntop Symphony with folks that actually share my passion for music. Thank you so much. And speaking of passion, you know, this year I actually put my podcast on all streaming services except for Spotify. For some reason, Spotify won't add it. But I got my streaming statistics this year, and I was prepared in over forty countries, so it's pretty amazing. United States being number one, UK being a close second, Mexico, Germany, and the Netherlands were the top five people that listen to Cynthia Symphony all over the world. So I think all the regular listeners who've been sticking with me since 2017, you know who you are, and anyone makes a cloud. Since day one, I really appreciate your loyalty and keeping Sinfop Symphony in your playlist each and every week. Next up is the number one track of 2023, and actually, I left this one out of the hat. Actually, as I was making the show, I realized that I loved this song so much and the band behind it that I actually had to pick a number one. So, my number one track of the year is by Breathe of My Leaves. Congratulations, you guys are the number one song of the year with perfect defeat. These guys put out an amazing album this year called Radiant Believers. It was a synth pop masterpiece, as far as most of the people in the community think so. They also put out an amazing song called Clark and Bell, which stood on its own, but then they put out a map pop remix on top of that, which was just completely blew my mind. But the song that really did it for me was Perfect Defeat. Mainly because it wasn't a remix, it stood on its own as its own track, and it was just a high-energy song from beginning to end, a dance four filler, a one that really makes you smile, and I think this is a great song. So number one song of the year is Perfect Defeat by Breathe of My Leaves, and I want to give a big thank you to Stefano Barberas and Jordan Grant of Breathe of My Leaves for putting out an amazing synthpop album and an amazing synth pop track. Here you guys go, number one of 2023, Perfect Defeat by Breathe of My Leaves My Harmony, my deepest friend.

SPEAKER_04 1:51:49

I wish you well, but all we bend, and easy out, my darkest out, the time was right for your darkest low, my melodies. I wanna be your fantasy. My arm queen, my everything, my everyone sabotage, I'll push down well to well, I'll take a story, sabotage my belly, stay with me, my skill of me, for a meet, get my perfect Don't you have a song to sing until you ruin it? Find some other plans. It always seems to me that you're getting in the way, but without you, I'm a single man.

SPEAKER_00 1:54:52

And the guy behind the synthpop music is Stefano Barberas, and he's also got vocals from Jordan Grant. A little history here. Stefano is actually an award-winning director. He actually directed the visuals for Racer's The Knee on Tour. That's pretty cool stuff. Alright, folks, so that wraps up the best of 2023 right here on Synth Pop Symphony. It's the very first time I've ever done one of these countdowns. I'm really happy with how it turned out. And I want to thank all the bands who actually were awarded the top billing of 2023. Neon Faith Man, Lifelong Corporation, Duran Duran, Frontline Assembly, X Mark of the Pedlock, Roth Alexander, Darwin McVeigh, Breathe of My Leaf, Melo and Nikon, Fifth and Game, Gatty Squad, Hello Connection, Neon Capital, Luka Lilu, Be Born of the Khan, Eden, Train the Fame, Hello, Black Light, Softwave, Capitol Code, OMD, and Alison Goldwraft. Make sure you support these artists, folks. They all work very, very hard and we all put this music out. Hopefully you guys will buy it and support them. Don't rip it, don't feel it. Go out and actually buy it and support these artists. They really, really work hard. Put out some of the best music I think I've ever heard. 2023 was an amazing, amazing year for fifth pop, fifth wave, hollow, dark wave, electropop, and alternative electronic dance music. I'm really, really happy to be a part of this in 2023. Here's the 2024, and I'm gonna leave you guys right now with one last song, and it is a preview of my Christmas show that I'm gonna be doing on Big Saturn Radio that'll be airing between Christmas and New Year's. And it'll be all in the mix, so I hope you guys enjoy it. But the song I'm gonna be playing for you right now is Pet Shop Boys, and it often doesn't snow at Christmas. This will be one of the songs in the mix along with a bunch of others during the Christmas show, so hopefully you guys will stay tuned for that. Hey guys, thank you so much. I'll see you guys next year, 2024. It's gonna be an exciting year for Synth Pop Symphony. We've got a lot of new stuff coming up, and we'll see you guys then. Bye-bye.

SPEAKER_10 1:57:17

It's wonderful to be every spinning on the last day tree. Nothing wants to be that you want to see. And it's holiday of the snowing, always meant to be like a Christmas chapter. Are you telling me?