Various – Future City Records Compilation Vol. VI

Now this was the moment when I thought "wow, the synthwave scene is getting very strong!". A large collection of mostly newcomers with a loose common trend of synthwave - with more Carpenterisms than disco as it was common on the genre (and I think that abuse is what ended up killing it) - but with many producers showing an uncanny touch for hooks and the unexpected guitar or sax attack. However, between the pulsating basslines that are so tropey, the highlights are the ones that deviate from that: the opening track is the best of the compilation, the hi nrg take on "Crystal City" is very much welcome as it sounds minimalistic in comparison, the Tokyo Rider track shows how much promise that producer had (most of their tracks are incredible) and "Skyfall" is the classic twisting arpeggiating ambient I really needed in there. I admire the craft of most of the people there, but I just wish the scene deviated a bit more from the slasher synth.