Synthwave has become the music genre that perhaps better recaptured the ’80s fun. What initially started as nostalgic video game-like sounds, in recent years Synthwave artists developed into full-band products.
One of the leaders in this matter is ULTRABOSS, basically a duo of vocalist Robert Beachgrove and songwriter / multi-performer PJ d’Atri, which plays electric guitar and bass, while their albums always feature guests performing real saxophone, piano, etc. – ‘real’ mean actual instruments, not programming.
So ULTRABOSS albums sound like a real rock&pop band, and their new offering “Slow Motion Rider” should be their best: 14 tracks in total with 4 being instrumentals. The secret of ULTRABOSS success is simple: strong songwriting. The songs are good, very good.
Imagine if Kenny Loggins had recorded another album in 1984: this is “Slow Motion Rider”. Robert Beachgrove is a wonderful, colorful singer with that ’80s training, and despite this being a synthwave / rock&pop album, d’Atri play more guitar solos here than many hard rock acts did in their recent albums.
Take notice; in the credits of “Slow Motion Rider” ULTRABOSS wrote: ”This album is dedicated to Randy Rhoads, Jason Becker, Eddie Van Halen and Johann Sebastian Bach”.
Oh yeah: if you’re a fan of Synthwave you need this album, if you’re a fan of AOR you need this album, if you’re fan of ’80s culture, you need to hear “Slow Motion Rider”.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
1. Get The Heart In (04:14)
2. Calling On Forever (03:28)
3. Vienna Nightdrive (02:32)
4. Slow Motion Rider (05:01)
5. Back To Love (feat. Lazer Club) (04:27)
6. Run To You (03:42)
7. Hard Limits (04:08)
8. I Hold The Light (04:25)
9. Stellarossa (03:47)
10. All Reason Is Lost (05:01)
11. Calling All The Angels (03:39)
12. Amalfitana (02:49)
13. In Another Life (04:11)
14. The Carpenter (02:57)
Ultraboss – Slow Motion Rider (2024)
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