Reykjavik Kids’ “Hyper Etrian (Gleaming Universe)” is a Buoyant and Immersive Synth Pop Song About Unplugging From the Attention Economy

Reykjavik Kids, photo courtesy the artists

Reykjavik Kids offer their usual richly rendered synth melodies on “Hyper Etrian (Gleaming Universe).” With a mix by James Aparicio, the song seems to make a commentary on the mediated nature of how we often interact with the larger world these days and how there is an impulse to break with that and the pressures of presenting an image to be judged and consumed. Maybe it’s not a commentary on how always performing or the social inducement to do so is ultimately unsustainable and corrosive to the human psyche and to our relationships with each other. Whatever the origins of the song’s lyrics the layers of saturated synth tone and a retro synth pop aesthetic and modern, vivid production with strong low end is immersive and carries you along with in its buoyant energy and vibrant tones from beginning to end. Fans of MGMT and M83 will appreciate the sonic and emotional places the song goes. Listen to “Hyper Etrian (Gleaming Universe)” on Spotify and follow Reykjavik Kids from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and not in fact Iceland, at the links below.

Reykjavik Kids on Facebook

Reykjavik Kids on Instagram

Reykjavik Kids on Bandcamp

Reykjavik Kids’ Big Beat Synthpop Single “Sanctimony” is a Triumphant Shaking Off of Anonymous Judgment

Reykjavik Kids, photo courtesy the artists

With the breakbeats and 8-bit style synth tones sprinkled in Reykjavik Kids’ “Sanctimony” has a massive sound like a fusion of 90s electro-Britpop and 2010s indie electronic pop circa Crystal Castles and M83. Except this band with this song has a triumphant spirit even with the even keeled and clear-eyed lead vocals and the call and response harmonies. The rich tonality in the production makes the song a standout even if its subject matter seems to be about anonymous and vicious judgment that can come at you out of nowhere in great numbers in the social media environment. The song feels like a shaking off of that mood. Listen to “Sanctimony” on Spotify and follow the UK band based in Newcastle upon Tyne at the links below.

Reykjavik Kids on Facebook

Reykjavik Kids on Instagram

Reykjavik Kids on Bandcamp