Back catalogue: Coldwave/Synth

Review: The world seems to be rapidly splitting in two again, or perhaps separating into 200 or so pieces, division driven by simple minds. So Vision's Checkpoint Charlie is certainly a release for our times. After just two decades in which planet and people at least pretended to be actively striving to unite, the rhetoric of nationalism, distrust, and imperialistic ambitions has returned to the main stage.

At times like this, what do you need? How about a huge synth pop anthem that sounds like it was created in the latter stages of the Cold War, boasting lyrics like "Don't fight love now", an apocalyptic air to the melodic refrains, and these huge, punchy drum beats? Instantly impactful, if the music industry was as it used to be when Checkpoint Charlie was in operation as one of the few places to legally cross from East to West Berlin, this would likely be the week's highest new Top 40 entry.

Review: A world of brutal beats and hard edge techno rhythms beckons on this new min album, vocals often obstructed by brushing synths and comprised textural sounds, tortured leads and fizzing apocalyptic energies that make it perfect for gritty warehouse raves. Opener 'The Brain Plays With Me' sets a powerful tone from the off, while 'Claroscuro' slips into a slower but just as caustic world of sound. 'Don't Trust In The First Whispers' is a paranoid chamber of reflected vocals and crashing hits that has you looking over your shoulder and 'Melted Doubts' is doom laden drone from the end of the world.

Review: The music of Russian producer Volta Cab is known for is blend of post-punk, synthwave and downtempo elements, resulting in a dark and cosmetic plod though nightmarish yet cartoonish sonic backstreets. Like living somewhere sun-soaked in the 1980s and bowling down the road in the the driver's seat of a car that converts into a giant mechanised owl at night, the tracks here are at once sinister and sultry. Catch the tonal shift on the B-side, however, where the EP undergoes a sea-change into Meat-Beat style electro.