SELECT THE ARTISTS SLEEVE FOR THEIR CURRENT/PRE-SAVE LINK.
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
FONOPTIKON - OUTLAND DELUXE
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
PROLETARIAN POETRY - Shouting In Despair
ARTIST : R.Missing
TRACK : UNBENIGHTED
RELEASED : 9/10/2026
R. Missing return with Unbenighted, a compelling new single that draws listeners into a world of uncertainty, psychological tension and dark electronic intrigue.
Featuring vocalist Sharon Shy and musician Henry Frost, the New York project has carved out a distinctive identity within the alternative electronic scene, blending shadowy synth textures with an unmistakable darkwave and coldwave sensibility.
With Unbenighted, the duo explore a troubling narrative centred on Kelly, a character drawn into a dangerous situation despite warnings of the consequences. Themes of trust, manipulation and personal responsibility run beneath the surface, creating a story that feels more like a psychological thriller than a conventional pop song.
The title itself adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting a journey out of ignorance and darkness. Yet the story leaves us wondering whether discovering the truth is always a good thing.
R. Missing excel at creating an atmosphere where not everything is explained, allowing the listener to draw their own conclusions. Unbenighted continues that tradition, offering an intriguing blend of electronic moodiness and enigmatic storytelling.
ARTIST : LONELYKLOWN
ALBUM TITLE : PODLOAD THE DOWNCAST
RELEASED : 9/10/2026
A soundtrack for the everyday dreamers, the late-night wanderers and those who find music in the ordinary moments of life.
Dave Baker, the creative force behind lonelyklown, returns with Podload The Downcast, a ten-track album that explores the many shades of electronic pop. Released on 9 October 2026, this latest collection brings together synthesiser-driven melodies, thoughtful songwriting and a distinctly British perspective on modern life.
Baker will be familiar to followers of the electronic music underground through his involvement with projects including I Start Counting, Fortran 5 and Komputer. With lonelyklown, however, he has another musical outlet through which to explore his own ideas, combining an affection for classic electronic sounds with observations drawn from the world around him.
The album opens with ‘N19 2 N5’, a track whose title suggests a journey across London, setting the scene for a collection rooted in real places and recognisable experiences. From there, Podload The Downcast moves between personal reflection, melodic electronica and more rhythmically driven material.
On ‘See How Hard A Heart Can Break’, the mood turns inward, while ‘All The Summers Gone’ looks towards memories and the passing of time. These titles alone suggest the emotional thread running through the record: an awareness that life rarely stands still, and that even familiar surroundings can take on a different meaning when viewed through the lens of memory.
There is also room for a lighter touch. ‘Another Journey, Another Place’ offers a change of pace, while ‘Ice Creams In The Rain’ hints at the curious, sometimes surreal charm that can emerge when everyday British life meets an electronic imagination. Baker doesn't need to escape into an elaborate science-fiction universe to find inspiration; there is plenty of material in the streets, weather and characters encountered along the way.
The album also turns its attention towards society. ‘Sunday Papered People’ brings a sharper edge to the collection, suggesting that these songs are not simply exercises in nostalgia or electronic escapism. Beneath the synthesiser melodies lies a songwriter willing to examine attitudes, contradictions and the behaviour of those around him.
As the record progresses, ‘Last Train Home’ and ‘We Were Never Promised Tomorrow’ bring a stronger sense of movement and urgency. They sit comfortably alongside the more contemplative moments, giving the album a varied pace rather than allowing it to settle into one mood for too long.
The closing pair, ‘Misty Monday Morning’ and ‘Just A Day’, bring the journey towards its conclusion with a sense of reflection. There is something fitting about ending a record that draws inspiration from everyday life with titles that suggest the ordinary passage of time. Sometimes the smallest moments leave the most lasting impressions.
What makes Podload The Downcast an appealing proposition for electronic music listeners is its balance between melody, atmosphere and observation. Rather than relying solely on retro sounds for their own sake, lonelyklown uses the electronic palette to frame stories and feelings that remain recognisably human.
For followers of independent synthpop, post-punk-influenced electronics and melodic alternative music, this is an album worth investigating. It offers a reminder that synthesiser music can be playful, thoughtful, socially aware and emotionally resonant, all without losing sight of the importance of a good tune.
You can also catch Dave having fun with the singalong punters at The Great Northern Railway Tavern in London.
