Synthwave

In Search of Gemini

Website → http://empathytest.com
Facebook → http://facebook.com/empathytest
Twitter → http://twitter.com/empathytest
SoundCloud → @empathytest

The empathy test in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is based on the premise that machines, no matter how advanced, lack compassion. But for childhood friends, Isaac Howlett (vocals) and Adam Relf (production), Empathy Test is all about wearing their hearts on their digital sleeves. With soaring synthetic chords, precision beats, and jubilant 80s melodies — all coated in soft, irresistible melancholy — the London-based duo takes inspiration as much from modern acts like CHVRCHES and Purity Ring, as it does from Vangelis and Depeche Mode. But, instead of sounding like a mere update of 80s’ electro, Empathy Test produce a mesmerizing and immersive identity which sets them apart from pretty much everything else currently on the scene. Shadows envelop hymns, a note sustains too long, a lyric confesses too much: It’s the heart of darkness, not compassion, that beats slow and steady.

While the lingering nighttime aesthetic that Relf conjures up provides the initial hook, Howlett’s vocal mastery pushes the stakes ever higher, providing the urgency and romanticism to Relf’s crystalline production. Little wonder that the duo has amassed a sizable and passionate online following: With an insistence on glorious hooks and instantly memorable vocal lines, Empathy Test are refreshingly unafraid to be pop music. Since self-releasing their debut EP “Losing Touch” in February, Empathy Test have picked up thousands of fans via sheer word-of-mouth and late-night tweets, and collaborated with Richard Swarbrick on numerous viral animation videos for ESPN and Liverpool FC. Empathy Test signed to Brooklyn’s Stars & Letters Records in the spring of 2014, with their follow-up EP “Throwing Stones” releasing December 9th, 2014.

© 2014 Stars & Letters Records
℗ 2014 Empathy Test

Losing Touch

Throwing Stones EP

Empathy Test - Throwing Stones

In Your Love

Empathy Test - Throwing Stones - Lost Years Remix

Neon Ghosts is our little detour into a completely different world – away from the dark realms, diving into a synthetic ocean of neon lights, retro beats, and cyberpunk melancholy. This synthwave–electro–ambient album is a passion project by Raphaela Hartmann, Sascha Häusler, and Thomas Kaiser – all devoted fans of synthwave and cyberpunk culture.

We simply couldn’t resist exploring this genre ourselves – painting glitch-stars across the digital sky and creating soundscapes that feel like neon rain, chrome dreams, and distant cityscapes.

This is just our first step – an experiment, a side project made with love and pure fun.
If you enjoy our little venture and the feedback is positive, we’ll continue building and expanding this journey.

Welcome aboard – the city never sleeps, and neither do we.

Pixel Noir

Air Motion

dangermode.bandcamp.com/track/meridian-cruisin

Meridian Cruisin'

Be With Me

Buy Now

ZAYAZ - Control The Night

Promo video: https://youtu.be/hsyMn-W7__A

Jacked In

Track written, produced and mixed by Jordan Faeghi
Mastered by Danny Bonnici at Liquid Mixes
Design by Mizucat

Buy on Bandcamp

Final Flash

Encounters is available to purchase from
https://nostoppingepoch.bandcamp.com/album/encounters

See you in the void, Newtypes.

Learn about Encounters in Epoch's own words
www.retropromenade.com/2019/02/05/epoch-encounters/

Follow Epoch
soundcloud.com/nostoppingepoch
twitter.com/nostoppingepoch

Music written, performed and recorded by Barry Topping

Special Thanks
Retro Promenade; Calzo Houdini; Kyle Murray-Dickson; Thomas Temple; Drew Millar; Jamie MacKinnon; Owen O'Donnell; Ria Jenkins;
Chopemon; Jim Purvis; Zack Frost; Mike Mendoza; Rick Shithouse; David Smith, & Texas Tom

Barry Topping ⋆ Keys, guitars, drums, programming
Kyle Murray-Dickson ⋆ Keys
Drew Millar ⋆ Keys
Thomas Temple ⋆ Lead Guitar
Calzo ⋆ Lead Guitar
Jamie MacKinnon ⋆ Lead Guitar

Owen O'Donnell ⋆ Artwork

© Barry Topping 2020

In Search of Gemini

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