Synthpop Symphony 268 Electropop, Synthpop, Synthwave, Italo + Red Flag and Decades Mix 268!

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You're listening to DDJ Matt Williams, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Welcome to Synth Pop Symphony. Pop Symphony. Playing the best new wave electropop. Synthwave, Italo Disco, and high-energy electronic dance music from the 80s to today. With your host, DJ Matt Williams.

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Your dance music Odyssey starts now.

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Welcome to Synth Pop Symphony episode 268. I'm your host, Matt Williams. Every week we bring you the very best in new and classic synthpop. And tonight is no exception. We're at the end of our March Madness month. We're going to close it all out with a very special March Madness mix, a seamless blend of reimagined 80s, 90s classics, and brand new synth-driven music that captures everything synthpop Symphony is all about. Also, coming up this week on our School of Synth Spotlight, we're going to get into a band Red Flag. I'll be sharing a bit of their backstory and playing a couple of their standout tracks you don't want to miss. Also, tonight I've got brand new music from Andy Bell of Erasure, fresh cuts from Alex Action, Blackbook, and Sun featuring James Knights, and I've got a mini mix of extended vinyl versions. I'm going to get right on the turntables and spend Duran Duran, Kaja Googu, and Thompson Twins because yes, we're going full retro. We've also got to cover tonight, so let's jump right into it, kicking things off with a Pesh mode and the new disco remix of their classic Strange Love right here on Scent Pop Symphony.

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Experience the evolution of electronic dance music only on Synth Pop Symphony.

unknown 3:38

Oh, I'm always willing to love it.

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This is Synth Bob Symphony.

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He is my devil. Don't look him in the eye. The one you'd never handle. The one who would destroy you from the inside. It's alright, it's alright. Don't look him in the eye. Don't cry for him. Don't make me sad. What can I say? And will you understand? You don't know everything. Be careful what you wish. Be careful what you wish for. Not all of you, my lonely ladies deserve more. Your dream will turn into a nightmare at your door. Be careful what you wish, be careful what you wish for.

unknown 9:05

Don't look him in the eye, no one who's never held up. No one who would destroy you from the inside. It's alright, it's alright.

SPEAKER_17 9:17

Don't look him in the eye. It is my devil. Don't look him in the eye. No one you've never held up. No one who won't destroy you from the inside.

unknown 9:29

It's alright, it's alright. Don't look him in the eye.

SPEAKER_17 9:52

You will never heal. His heart is made of fire, and bones are made of steel. Heart is made of fire, and bones are made of steel. It's just like a dream, you confuse it with life. Our bones are made of steel, and blood is pure wine. Bones are made of steel, and blood is pure wine.

unknown 10:23

Be careful what you don't look in. It is my devil. Don't look in the eye, but one that never held up.

SPEAKER_17 10:34

No one who would destroy you from where inside It's alright, it's alright. Don't look in the eye, it is my devil, don't look in the eye, but one that never held up.

unknown 10:50

No one who would destroy you from where inside it's alright, it's alright. Don't look in the eye.

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Brand new music from Andy Bell of Erasure. This is Dance for Mercy off his brand new album coming out next month called Ten Crowns.

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I went to heaven for the second time my feet never touched the ground. Walk through the tunnel went towards the light, but they said that it won't my time. Yeah, that's for must be must defend must death must take You gotta go back. You ain't ready, you gotta go back. You too wicked all this world, gotta go back. You ain't ready, you gotta go back. You too wicked all this world, gotta go back.

unknown 12:38

You gotta go back. You gotta go back. You gotta go back. You gotta go back.

SPEAKER_16 12:59

I dropped a bag on my shoulder, though I'm getting older. Thought I'd take a trip. Got money in my pocket, nothing to lose, except my technology To fall in love with the outside crowd on the other side of town. Oh my duck be inside out. You gotta go back. You already, you gotta go back. You to wake up all this work, gotta go back. You already, you gotta go back. You do it all this work, gotta go back.

unknown 13:48

You gotta go back. You gotta go back. You gotta go back. You gotta go back to the book.

SPEAKER_16 14:16

Yeah, tis on my song, yeah, yeah. Yeah, so my song, you gotta go back.

unknown 14:55

You gotta go back on the top, you gotta go back, you gotta go back. You gotta go back. You gotta go back.

SPEAKER_16 15:18

You gotta go back. You gotta go.

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Wow, that's how you do it. Brand new music from Andy Bell of Erasure. The track is called Dance for Mercy, the third cut from his upcoming album, Ten Crowns. Now it's not going to be a single, but they dropped it just to give you a taste of what's coming. An incredible, awesome dance record on the way from Andy. Also, the song of the week from Alex Action and Mini Milk. The song was called Don't Look Her in the Eye, and I took the extended remix and the radio version, and I made an extended mix out of that. And we also kicked things off with a patch mode and the new disco rework of Strange Love and Classic Vibes with a fresh twist. Up next, a band called Zoo Politician that actually spelled Z-O-O-N with a track from 2017 called Summer Tale. Now the reason I'm playing this one today is it sounds exactly like Early Human League, especially in their being boiled era. Right after that, we're gonna have brand new music from Blackbook, one of our absolute favorites here at Simp Symphony. The track is called Suffer in Silence, and it's dark, sleek, and definitely unforgettable. And then we're gonna close out this set with something special. I have a son featuring James Knight. The track is called I Die for Love, and trust me, this one's gonna stay with you. It's all coming up right now on Simpop Symphony for Retro Meets of the Future.

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Simp Symphony. The sound of your past, the rhythm of your future.

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The time alone in here, so many days it worked without you here, but now it's time for one new atmosphere. Already dark, without you by my side, take me to granted. I feel we must improve. Time runs out, it's me you have to choose.

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Let me suffer in silence. Let me suffer in silence. I don't need a solution.

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All I need is I solution.

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Lovely suffered suffered.

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This is Simple Symphony.

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Tell me you like this. Say it before I leave you. I stay there the whole night. Wishing you were sorry. I'll leave. Can't stay. No way. I'll die with this love. I leave. Can't stay. No way. I'll die for this love. I thought you were crazy when you held me for the last time. But I couldn't stand it. You were so far away. I'll leave. Can't stay. No way. I'll die with this love. I'll die for this.

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Hey, a big thanks to James Knight for sending over his brand new track with Sun. It's called I Die for Love. It's an absolute banger. We also heard the latest from Blackbook. Suffer in Silence. It just dropped this week, so head over to Bandcamp and grab your copy. And while you're there, take a minute to support the artists who are keeping the scene alive. In 2025, it's more important than ever that we show up for the music we love, buy the tracks, grab the merch, and support the artist directly whenever we can. Let's keep the scene alive together. Before that, we took it back to 2017 with Summer Tale from Zoon Politician. A track that seriously channels those early human league vibes. So coming up next, it's time for a special mini mix. I'm diving into all original vinyl for the next three tracks. We've got Durand Rand Union of the Snake in the extended original night mix, the Thompson twins with the In the Name of Love Razormaid remix, and Kaja Goo Google's Too Shy. I just picked this up at the record store with a 12-inch single I'm gonna share it with you guys today. It's all vintage, it's all vinyl, and it's all in the mix right now on Sinpop Symphony.

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The best synth pop, synth wave, electrode pop, and it's allowed in the mix. Only on Synth Pop Symphony.

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What a ride that mini mix was, and honestly, it's incredible we made it through without a single skip or scratch. The vinyl held strong, and we wrapped it up with two shy, the original 12-inch extended mix, straight off the turntable for that the Thompson twins, with the extended Razor Main remix of In the Name of Love, and we've kicked it all off with Duran Duran's Union of the Snake, the original night version 12-inch remix. Now let's get into this week's edition of the School of Scent, where I spotlight the legends, the lost, and the overlooked pioneers of the Scent driven sound. Today we're diving into one of the most iconic yet underrated synthop acts of the late 80s and 90s, Red Flag. For my brothers Mark and Chris Reynolds in San Diego, red flag blended moody scent lines with emotional intensity, creating a dark yet. Melodic sound that earned them comparisons to the fresh mode with a voice all their own. Their 1988 debut Naive Art gave us underground anthem Russian radio a track that still resonates with synth fans today. And I actually got to meet the band back in early 1990 when some local DJs brought them to my hometown, and they did not disappoint. In fact, I still have my red vinyl copy signed by the band, and it's one of my most prized records. Chris Reynolds unfortunately passed away in 2003. Marcus kept the red flag legacy alive, and he continues to release new music that honors their original vision while embracing new Sonic territory. Tonight I'm gonna play two tracks that celebrate that legacy. First up, I've got a remix of If I Ever, the Visitor Mix by our favorite band here at Sinpop Symphony Lifelong Corporation, followed by a brand new cover of Russian radio by Christopher Anton and Nick James that was released earlier this year. Let's get into it right now with Red Flag, the School of Synth, right here on Sinpop Symphony.

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Welcome to the Synth Pop Symphony School of Syntheso.

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I have no choice, my love was meant to stay with or without. As I spend my days searching by ways, coming down the go. So it's brain home, rushing out. Now that we've learned to deceive you, I hear a voice from 100 miles away, getting so much closer every day with or without It's easy for me without a doubt As I spend my days searching for ways of the go. So it's radio, rushing radio How will we ever believe you? Now that we've learned to deceive you There is a sound, it's underground Moving up all miles around. There is a sound, it's underground. Let's move it out, boys. I feel our love, it's only a smile away. We're getting so much closer to me every day. With or without it's easy for us without a doubt, as we spend our days touching our ways, love is on the go, so is way too rushing. Now that we've learned to see you.

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That version came out a few years back on the Retro Remixes 3 compilation, which you can still find over on the Lifeline Corporation Bandcamp. Definitely worth checking out if you like retro-styled remixes that are done right. And hey, coming up next, we've got brand new music from Minute Machine with party people. We're also introducing a brand new artist to Synpop Symphony, Lizette Lizette, with a track called Work. And I'm always scouring the internet to find you the best fresh sounds for your ears, so do not miss Nikon with That's How It Starts. It's all coming up right now on Synpop Symphony, and then we're gonna dive straight into the mix.

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Fresh new sounds and remixes and this is Synth Pop Symphony.

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Let the music move you on Synth Pop Symphony.

SPEAKER_18 57:19

I work so fine, console myself with wine, no gain, no growth, stuck in the same old blood. I work all day, can't stand this worthless game. It's far away. New York may be someday. I can't stand this anymore. Working hard without reward. I can't do this anymore.

unknown 58:25

Work, work, work, work, work.

SPEAKER_18 58:28

High hopes and dreams don't come with guarantees. They say, work hard and you will get reward. I'm way too fast.

unknown 58:49

My patience never lasts. I'm way behind.

SPEAKER_18 58:57

It messes with my mind. I can't stand this anymore. Working hard without reward. I can't do this anymore. Getting sick and getting bored. I can stand this anymore. Working hard without reward. I can do this anymore.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:34

Getting sick and getting more stuff. That sounds like a different thing for the same thing.

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This powerful brand new track is called That's How It Starts, and a new uh band to Synthop Symphony, or a new artist, Lizette Luzette, who just dropped a fierce new track called Work. Alright, folks, it's now time to get into the mix for the next hour. And as we wrap up our March Madness celebration, I wanted to close out the month with a mix that captures the very essence of what Synth Pop Symphony stands for. Playing the best new and classic synth driven music from across the era. Now don't worry.

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Burning bright in the night skies. We could get lost in this moment. Coming alive in the nighttime. In our close our eyes.

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Let it all go body and mine.

SPEAKER_15 1:08:39

Burning bright in the night sky. I said we could get lost in this moment. Coming alive in the nighttime. And oh no, star eyes.

SPEAKER_16 1:08:58

Let it all go, body and mind, burning and bright in a dark sky.

unknown 1:09:13

Let it all go, body and mind, becoming alive in the night time. Someone and your mama, but it's hell up. Let the receiver I'll make you a believer. This needs to be confessed, put me to the spectrum. It needs to be confessed. I want to be a wanna give up.

SPEAKER_16 1:12:32

Lift up the receiver, I'll make you a believer. I want to live up.

unknown 1:12:53

We got to tell you that.

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The best Sith pop, Synth Wave, Electro Pop, and Italo Dance in the Mix. Only on Sith Pop Symphony.

SPEAKER_16 1:15:27

Nunca se preguntas, siempre recordarte, hay que ser un cielo. Estar en silencio porque ya no se veré. Yo nunca seré. Ya no seré. No lo sabéis.

SPEAKER_17 1:17:49

Ya que esta sociedad no soy la libertad. Y ahora son las que un futuro y se va.

SPEAKER_16 1:18:03

Y el progreso prometido nunca lo vive en mí.

unknown 1:18:11

Pero solo salir, no más seguir.

SPEAKER_05 1:19:59

I don't know why, I don't know how. What I loved you by, I'm not sure now. Seen you look a stranger too many times. The love you want is a lot, a different kind. Remember when we felt the sun. A love life now. How was it done? That's a distance and up, the sky was red.

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We want you always when every hand. Watch the mall for the middle dancing. Watch the mole fall.

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I was to play. Now I know you play a different game. Watch you dance with Jane God's goal to the star. When you look around, you wonder, do you play the win? Or are you just a bad loser?

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The sound of the past combined with the sounds of the future, only on Cinepop Symphony.

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Last night a little dancer came dancing to my door. Last night the little angel came pumping on my floor. She said it come, baby. You got a license for love. And if it expires, pray help from above because here the red night now.

SPEAKER_16 1:30:03

She cried more.

unknown 1:30:08

We're the rebellious. She cried more. We're the red night out there.

SPEAKER_07 1:30:38

She don't like sleeping, she won't sit and bed. But when I'm tired alone, she sees me too big. What set you free? I'm brought you to me today. What sets you free?

SPEAKER_16 1:31:03

I leave you here by me. Because she cried more, more With the Rebellion.

unknown 1:31:18

She cried more, more in the midnight hour.

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With the rebellious collection eleven Well, it's our own not to collect all the submissions.

unknown 1:36:09

Dreaming of the future. Anything to reach the moon in life.

SPEAKER_14 1:36:20

Unicles and rainbow.

SPEAKER_16 1:36:24

Cubicles and eat rows. It's everything you want so the time.

unknown 1:36:35

Everybody's happy. And we actually can find the bank and shape the battle. Everybody's working.

SPEAKER_14 1:37:54

Working for the weekend. I just wanna feel like I'm alive. Stare at the computer. You pixelated future.

SPEAKER_16 1:38:12

So now you never feel like you brought everybody stealthy.

unknown 1:38:35

Everybody's happy.

SPEAKER_16 1:40:05

Is everybody happy? Is everybody happy? Is everybody happy? Is everybody happy? Is everybody happy? Is everybody that be?

unknown 1:43:16

I got multiple titles because the regular struggle. Let's go crazy. What the rest is on the rest then? I'm the remote side of the full on the ground wall. And the trouble of four. And you wonder is it a yankee? No one's on that. Tell me the rest of the pretty room. Yes. You know, the one that's been like that. Don't want it. Let me take you on a journey of this book. I'm a whole sole, know how to feel.

SPEAKER_08 1:45:31

Get down to the brand new mist now. Back to the whole style. This is the next sound. Real You know what it is.

SPEAKER_16 1:45:47

The level tea is weak. Into the night In pursuit of love I got to make this dream into reality I see your face it moves my soul But you say love is just a fantasy And even though I do confess your body makes me high This gather should be much more than makes me I desire Justi Burning like a flame growing high up Justice I am your arms escape this in mind But I can't be content with just a touch of you I close my eyes to make believe that I can be a part of everything you do Whether it's right or whether it's wrong I need love to survive But you don't want no more than makes the eye Is I up Justice I am burning like a flame growing high up Is I am not sure how to do that, whoever's wrong, and left to survive But you don't know who meets the Lisa Justice I am Burning like a play going higher Justice I am Love is not your own though I do confess the body makes me high there's got to be much more than meets the eye desire Justice Lane hire Desire Justice I am too Justice I'm gonna be able to do it.

unknown 1:56:46

When you got your desire till your heart is on the fire who love the cause with my lonely heart life is a sturger than God, my life is a circle the dark world I ever do.

SPEAKER_16 1:58:17

My life is a successful life is a circle Bring, my life is a success.