🎵 Track Review: “Rebel in the Mirror” – Dean R. Chandler

Sometimes a song needs time to ferment — to sit quietly in the shadows until it’s ready to bare its teeth. “Rebel in the Mirror” is exactly that. Written around six years ago and tucked away under the humble working title “Ant”, Dean R. Chandler’s latest resurrection is a spirited nod to one of his early heroes — the one and only Adam Ant.

From the opening line “They stack the walls with mirrors tall / A thousand faces I don’t recall”, the track dives headfirst into a world of identity, rebellion, and self-reflection. It’s an anthem for those who refuse to shrink to fit — a battle cry for the outsiders who colour outside the lines. The pre-chorus slashes through conformity: “My stripes are sharp, my colours loud / I won’t kneel to the grey-washed crowd” — a lyrical swagger that would’ve felt right at home on Kings of the Wild Frontier.

Musically, it channels that vintage Ant energy — tribal drums, snarling guitars, and a vocal that dances between defiance and theatrical flair. You can almost see the face paint glinting under the lights. But beneath the bravado, there’s a deeper theme — a man confronting his own reflection, questioning who he’s become in a world that constantly tries to repaint him in grey.

Chandler describes this one as “a tune I’ve been chipping away at for years” — and that makes sense. “Rebel in the Mirror” feels lived-in, weathered, and real. It’s not nostalgia for the sake of it; it’s evolution — an echo of Ant’s flamboyant rebellion, reframed for the introspective age.

When finished, this could easily stand as one of the defining moments in Chandler’s Human Odyssey — a reminder that rebellion isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s the quiet act of refusing to forget who you are.

REBEL IN THE MIRROR

[Verse]
They stack the walls with mirrors tall
A thousand faces I don't recall
They want me to fit
To shrink
To crawl

[Prechorus]
But my stripes are sharp
My colors loud
I won't kneel to the grey-washed crowd

[Chorus]
Rebel in the mirror
Who do you see
A ghost of the past or a king breaking free
No chains
No leash
Just wild and free
Rebel in the mirror
That’s me
That's me

[Verse 2]
They sell the rules like cheap perfume
Try to mask the stink of a shrinking room
But my style's a sword
It cuts the gloom

[Chant – Crew] Hey-ho! Raise the flag!
[Lead – Snarl] No crown, no chain, no drag!

[Chant – Crew] Boom-boom! Beat that drum!
[Lead] Style’s the sword — here we come!

[Chant – Crew] Oi-oi! Paint your pride!
[Lead] Wild hearts never hide!

[Chant – Crew] Stand and deliver — loud and free!
[All – Shout] We’re the kings of anarchy!

(End chant – crowd fades under tom rolls and electric guitars)

[Prechorus]
The mask I wear
It’s my battle cry
I’ll dance till the stars fall out the sky

[Chorus]
Rebel in the mirror
Who do you see
A ghost of the past or a king breaking free
No chains
No leash
Just wild and free
Rebel in the mirror
That’s me
That's me

Rebel in the Mirror

Welcome to Apartment 404 — where sleep goes to die and the bass pays the rent. 🕺💀

Imagine you’re just trying to water your plants… but your fridge starts beatboxing, the DJ’s ghost spins in your sink, and Kafka’s ghost drops by to check your paperwork.
Yeah. That kind of night.

This track is what happens when Daft Punk forgets to take their antidepressants, Justice gets evicted, and the existential crisis department discovers Auto-Tune.
It’s French House for the philosophically unstable, Nu Disco for insomniac poets, and Funk for those who tried therapy but got redirected to Customer Support (Apartment 404).

🎧 Expect:

808s that overthink everything.

Synths that file emotional tax returns.

Lyrics that sound like your brain buffering at 3 AM.

And a bassline so catchy you’ll want to sue your subconscious.

If life gives you trauma — turn it into Trahlahlahlah. 💫

Lyrics:

Welcome to Apartment 404.
Silence unavailable.
Please hold while reality loads…

I rent a dream on the fifth floor high,
Below me the gods rehearse their lie.
They sing in circles, neon crimes,
The bassline files my wasted time.
My plants confess, the fridge replies,
I blink in Morse to my own demise.
Dark-pop insomnia, surreal groove of sighs.

Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah —
The ceiling breathes, the walls go ha-ha-ha!
Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah —
My landlord laughs from Apartment 404.
No God, no sleep, no door to bar —
Just Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah! 

The DJ’s ghost lives in my sink,
He plays my thoughts before I think.
The mailbox hums, the carpet moans,
The rent is due in dial tones.
I wrote to Heaven, the letter bounced —
The beat replied, “You’ve been pronounced.”
Cinematic synth nightmare, existential house announced.

Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah —
The universe claps in minor, ha-ha-ha!
Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah —
My sanity packed a suitcase for afar.
No soul refund, no seminar —
Just Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah! 

The hallway dreams in 808s,
The lift reports my moral state.
Someone downstairs just got promoted to thunder.
Form A-19, “Request for Quiet” —
Status: Pending since eternity.

The cat’s a prophet, the chair’s a spy,
My calendar screams “comply, comply.”
I dance with paperwork till dawn,
Kafka smiles — the music’s on.
They say the rhythm sets you free,
But I’ve become the melody.
Existential electro, absurd reality.

At 404 the night won’t quit,
The walls file taxes, the lights commit.
The doorbell whispers “You still here?”
I nod — the bass becomes sincere.
My neighbour’s laughter signs my fate,
A disco bureaucrat of late.
Neon despair with a smiley rate.

Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah —
Apartment 404 is the beating scar.
Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah —
I am the tenant of the avant-garde.
No truth, no rest, no guiding star —
Just Boom Boom Trahlahlahlah! 

If you don’t come to the world…
The world moves in next door.
Boom… Boom… Trahlahlahlah.

Apartment 404

Strange World

Nu-Disco Love

Ever fallen in love with bread? Not just any bread — we’re talking about a seductive, late-night, Buenos Aires-born diva made of dough, cheese, and emotional chaos: Fugazza Argentina.

This chillwave-tango masterpiece is what happens when a synth meets a bandoneón in a smoky pizzeria at 2 AM, both slightly tipsy on Malbec and bad decisions. Somewhere between Gardel and Daft Punk, this song asks the eternal question: Can carbs break your heart? (Spoiler: yes, and they’ll do it in 4/4 time with extra onions.)

So grab your wine, light a candle, and let the rhythm butter your soul. This is not a diet song. This is an experience in gluten-based nostalgia.

🥖💔🕯️
Warning: May cause spontaneous hip movement, emotional hunger, and late-night pizza delivery orders.

Lyrics:

En la esquina de Corrientes, la neblina y el sabor,
un aroma que despierta lo que el alma olvidó.
Entre sombras y faroles, gira lento el corazón,
tus ojos — dos acordes — mi condena y mi canción.

Y el humo baila en la ventana,
la luna corta en la sartén,
tu risa — media milonga,
mi pena — pan también.

Fugazza Argentina,
la ciudad se derrite en miel.
Sabor a esquina,
a tus besos y papel.
Fugazza Argentina,
te sueño en cada bar,
entre el queso y la noche,
te empiezo a recordar.

En los cables del tranvía suena un eco de Gardel,
yo me pierdo en tu perfume — pizza, luna y papel.
Los fantasmas del pasado se disfrazan de café,
y mi sombra te acompaña aunque no te pueda ver.

Bandoneón y sintetizador,
tu voz flota entre los dos,
la nostalgia tiene olor
a masa, vino y adiós.

Fugazza Argentina,
mi condena y mi bien.
Tango y neblina,
se mezclan en tu piel.
se mezclan en tu piel.
Fugazza Argentina,
la ciudad respira en vos,
entre luces y harina

You’re not just bread, you’re emotion baked,
Every bite a dream I never faked.

Golden crust, divine design,
Fugazza love — you blow my mind.

Fugazza Argentina

🎹 Darkwave · Industrial · Electronic
👻 Halloween Special 2025

A dark tale unfolds…
Based on a 17th century broadside ballad (Public Domain), The Witch’s Curse combines haunting 80s Darkwave synths, Industrial elements and retro horror aesthetics into a cinematic music experience. Pulsating analog synths, deep bass and gated drums create a hypnotic atmosphere, while male and female vocals bring the ancient curse to life.

📺 Watch the official music video on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/lz0yAahUhSU

The Witch’s Curse

ITALOMATIC 2 delivers a striking sequel that dives deeper into the underground of Italo Disco, unearthing rare, nearly forgotten tracks—many so unique they can’t even be found by Shazam. The "unshazamable" nature of the songs adds an exclusive edge, making the mix a rare gem in today’s digital age.


I T A L O M A T I C  2

LoopsPacks Presets by the electro artist Modwaver for the VST Synth DIVA
https://loopspacks.gumroad.com/l/retrowave-impact-diva-presets

LoopsPacks "Retrowave Impact" Diva Presets Pack

🔥 LEGENDARY DJ Mix

💀 BOKADJ - THE BIT (2010)
🎵 Genre: DRUM & BASS
⚡ Status: WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Той самий мікс. Той самий експеримент, що став легендою.

2010 рік. D&B на піку. Фестивалі горять. Андеграунд вибухає.
Ламаний біт править світом. Бас розриває системи.
Це було скрізь:
• Warehouse рейви до ранку
• Festival main stages
• Underground клуби
• Pirate радіостанції

Від моторошного інтро, до пекельного дропу.
Це не просто мікс. Це документ епохи!

⬇️ ЗАВАНТАЖИТИ (320kbps):
🔊 t.me/bokadjofficial

🌐 Website: bokadj.com

Хто пам'ятає ці часи - ставте 🔥

The Bit (2010) [Drum&Bass]

Out on all platforms November 1st 2025

“Echoes of Tomorrow” is a cinematic blend of uplifting trance and synthwave energy — where nostalgia meets the future.

Bright analog synths, driving basslines, and soaring melodies capture the optimism of moving forward while honoring the past. It’s a journey through light, sound, and emotion — the soundtrack to a world reborn in color and rhythm.

✨ Join the sonic voyage. 

🎧 #Trance #Synthwave #Electronic

Dr. Clarke - Echoes Of Tomorrow

A wild ride through Swedish rock’n’roll and raggare culture - roaring engines, laughter, and late-night freedom. “Raggare på Vägen” mixes garage rock grit, punk humor, and vintage attitude into one loud, nostalgic anthem. Best played with windows down and volume up. 🚗🔥🎸

Raggare på Vägen

I’m a soul singer & songwriter with a broad bass-baritone range. Somewhat curious about other music styles; you'll hear a broad array, from inspirational house progressive to nujazz. 

I work another job full-time, so I don't have a lot of time to crank out much music. I don't have a lot of polished music. I use this account like a lab. I’ve got 50+ originals ready for vocals and hundreds of drafts abound, so you’ll see me posting plenty, even multiple rough  versions of the same song. I’m my own remixer & I'm testing stuff out. 

I find I have to write something down to connect my thoughts and feelings to something solid, like original music or journaling, otherwise I am going to spend my entire day in my head and not create anything. That's the primary reason why I got into music, and why there's tons of it! 

✅ I love listening & commenting on tracks because that’s how I grow as a musician — by learning from others & staying grateful. LLC. Visit my SoundCloud for updates coming soon! PEACE always 🪘🤟🏻❗

9000 has been deeply embedded in the fabric of the global club scene since the mid-80s. At a remarkably young age, he found himself drawn to London’s vibrant nightlife, frequenting iconic spots like the Electric Ballroom and the Kit Cat Club in Westbourne Grove. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his eclectic musical tastes and relentless pursuit of sonic exploration.

Since 1991, 9000 has been a key figure in the nightlife of Berlin. His wide-ranging musical spectrum moves fluidly between new wave, post-punk, and Italo disco to techno, electroclash, and even the roaring sounds of the 2020s. As a resident of Berlin and a citizen of the world, 9000’s performances reflect his deep connection to both the local underground and global club culture. 

With over three decades of experience, 9000 continues his uniquely curated journeys that blend nostalgia with modernity, taking listeners on a timeless musical voyage.

About

I’m Dean R. Chandler — a London based songwriter, recording artist, and storyteller. My music is rooted in a lifelong search for meaning, weaving together themes of love, loss, faith, alien contact, and humanity’s future.

My upcoming double concept album Human Odyssey (set for release in January 2027) is the culmination of decades of writing and reflection. It’s a narrative journey that begins with a search for God and ends with an encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence — exploring not only what it means to be human, but also where we might be heading as a species. Musically, it draws inspiration from the epic storytelling of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, the synth-driven edge of Gary Numan, and the emotional depth of artists like Tori Amos and Chris de Burgh.

I previously released Time Machine – Reflecting Shattered Dreams (2014) and continue to revisit my archive of songs written across 35 years, reimagining them with today’s tools and sounds. Some pieces remain intimate and acoustic, while others expand into dark rock, industrial, or orchestral landscapes — but all are connected by a focus on emotional honesty and cinematic storytelling.

Beyond music, I’m fascinated by the intersection of creativity and technology. I’ve been experimenting with AI-driven composition and production to bring old demos to life and to spark entirely new works. For me, these tools are not replacements for human artistry but extensions of it — ways of unlocking stories and emotions that otherwise might have remained hidden.

At its heart, my work is about connection: to the past, to the future, and to the unseen mysteries of existence. Music, for me, isn’t just entertainment — it’s a chronicle of transformation, a conversation between spirit, science, and sound.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-r-chandler-b19715382/
www.deanrchandler.co.uk

Quality synth presets and sounds loops
https://loopspacks.gumroad.com

Greatings Earthlings !

https://www.dr-clarke-official.com

Trance Music; Psy Trance; Psychedelic Trance; Oriental Trance; Uplifting Trance; Progressive Trance; Melting Pot of Trance !

Other projects: The Utmost Limit

Find my music on all streaming platforms.

X-BlueDivision.com - Rock powered. AI driven.

Hi there — welcome to my corner of the web.

I’m here for one simple reason: to share my music with you.
Take a listen, explore, and I hope something here resonates with you. Enjoy the vibe!

UnchartedNomad is a boundary crossing sound traveler. Blending language, culture, instruments, and genres into immersive, soul-stirring journeys. From ancient echoes to modern rhythms, each track explores the spaces between the known and the unknown, the outer world and inner mind. With a signature hat and an ear for the unspoken, UnchartedNomad maps new terrain through raw, timeless and poetic creation.

New tracks tagged #RetroVibes