Miniature Tigers - Oblivious 6.3/10

Miniature Tigers are an indie pop rock/synth band now based in New York, USA. This track is taken from their forthcoming album Cruel Runnings which will be released by Modern Art Records in June 2014. After 2012's Mia Pharaoh album turned sharply away from guitar pop towards a glistening synth-pop future, there was some speculation about whether it was a one-album deviation or where the band were really headed for the long term. The first singles released from Cruel Runnings confirm that the synths are (unfortunately) here to stay. As a big fan of their first two predominantly guitar-driven albums I don't see why they've decided to jump into the thoroughly saturated synth band pool and churn out tracks that could be made by almost anyone. The formerly witty, sharp as a whip lyrics and revenge fantasy imaginings just aren't there anymore - lead singer Charlie Brand is still singing about failed relationships using self-deprecating metaphors, but they just don't bite the way they used to. The melody of this pop track is also just a little too, dare I say it, bland to draw more than a cursory listen. The Tigers may be in a bold new synth world but this just doesn't live up to their former standards and doesn't bode well for the new album which is shaping up to be Mia Pharaoh part two.

Trust - Bulbform 8.5/10

Trust is Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski, a dark electronic synthpop duo from Toronto, Canada. This track is taken from their album TRST which was released by Arts and Crafts Records in 2012. Trust is a side-project of the band Austra, and their approach is similar to that of the parent group, though with a greater emphasis on danceable rhythms and Robert Alfons' voice. The lyrics offer little to enlighten why this song is called 'bulbform', with the repeated refrains of 'it won't last the season in bulbform', and 'seems to me its suffocation'. The spooky tone doesn't detract from the tune's overall danceability; this is dark house music for goths that could persuade people to rise from the dead and dance wildly long after midnight.

Neon Indian - Local Joke 9.3/10

Neon Indian is an indie electronic project by Alan Palomo from Denton, Texas. This track is taken from his album Psychic Chasms which was released by Lefse Records in 2009. This was the track which hooked me on the chillwave genre and made me realise that it could be much more than just lightweight nostalgia. The pummeling synth beats sound straight from a 1985 time warp, but the crisp production and layers of complex sampling make sure the mood is thoroughly grounded in the present. Palomo sings of a girl who doesn't care for him anymore and the inevitability of a looming breakup, intoning in the last line that 'she needs an excuse to end things and become the things you hate'. This is certainly one of my favourite songs of all time, a track that I can put on no matter what the occasion and immediately feel rejuvenated.

Architecture in Helsinki - Escapee 8.3/10

Architecture in Helsinki is an indie electronic band from Melbourne, Australia. This track is taken from their album Moment Bends which was released by Cooperative Music in 2011. This is a fun, danceable track that makes me think of late night revelry under the stars. Frontman Cameron Bird's lyrics offer little clue as to who or what the 'escapee' is escaping, though it may be from a troubled relationship. His words are chosen more for the sounds the rhymes elicit than for any coherent images they create. The strident synths and bouncy rhythm make it almost impossible not to move your body in time with the beats, so expect to find yourself putting this one on repeat. The album Moment Bends is patchy with a few great individual songs, but Escapee is the record's undisputed highlight.

Brothertiger - Back To Us 8.5/10

Brothertiger is an indie electronic project by John Jagos from Athens, Ohio. This track is taken from his EP called Point of View which was released by Collective Crowd Records in 2011. For those who enjoy sunny, poppy chillwave, look no further than the work of Brothertiger. This is a warm, relaxing track with classic synths and echoing custard cream vocals. Jagos sings of his longing to be near someone he misses; he name-drops The Police's Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, a song which seems to serve as his muse for this track. This is as syrupy as chillwave gets, feel good music ready to brighten up a rainy day.

Geographer - Verona 8.7/10

Geographer is an indie electronic pop band based in San Francisco, USA. This track is taken from their EP called Animal Shapes which was released by Tricycle Records in 2010. Although the song Kites from the Animal Shapes EP is better known, I've always felt this was the superior track from the EP and the best song so far produced by Geographer. The genius of this track is all in the subtle touches and the timing; take for example how lead singer Michael Deni slows down his delivery of the line "You told such simple lies" at the end of the chorus (at 2:04 and again at 4:36) while the synth beats stop just long enough to let his words sink in before starting up again. The counterpoint percussion used during the verses also adds some depth to offset the trance-inducing rhythm of the synth beats. This is chillout music to put on and fall asleep to after getting home at 3am, a late-night lullaby to play on repeat.

Flash/Lights - Scarves 8.6/10

Flash/Lights are an indie electronic group from Denver, Colorado, USA. They are often confused with another band from Florida called Flashlights. This track is taken from a two-track single called Scarves released by Hug Records in 2012. Stuttering synths are the icing that make this sugary synth-pop track extra sweet, and the echoing, breathy vocals sound straight out of 1983. This could be played on 80's retro night at your local club and nobody would bat an eye when this track followed New Order and Talk Talk, putting it in impressive company. Emulating a specific era's style like this can often lead to mixed results, but Flash/Lights nail this one to the wall, creating a song worthy of their Yamaha DX7-weilding forebears.

Small Black - No Stranger 7.7/10

Small Black is an indie electronic band from New York City, USA. This track is taken from their album Limits of Desire released by Jagjaguwar in May 2013. Josh Kolenick's shy voice carries this track as he sings of a need for commitment and acceptance. Shimmering waves of synths, heavy reverb effects and jumpy beats speed the track along, with a huge wash of lush sound following the chorus line of "You're no stranger to me." While Small Black's updated chillwave style can grow rather predictable over the length of the full album Limits of Desire, taken on its own a track like No Stranger provides simple pleasures and a warm, blissed out sensation, which sometimes is all we really need.