If you haven’t jumped on the Tesla Boy bandwagon yet, now would be time. This new wave powerhouse has been called the “best thing to come out of Russia since Vodka” and at this point it’s hard to disagree. Their debut album, Modern Thrills, comes on the heels of their hugely popular singles, “Electric Lady” and “Spirit of the Night,” and easily bests them both. Tesla Boy has crafted a patented blend of 80s energy and a distinctly modern “je ne sais quoi”. They sound as much like Tears for Fears as they do groups like Cut Copy, VHS or Beta, and The Faint. While the vocals lean toward the melancholic the beats are anything but. This is pool party music.
Tesla Boy – Synthetic Prince
My favorite track on the new album has got to be “Synthetic Prince”. It’s a shining example of their unique brand: a high octane synth-pop jam checked by hypnotic melodies and indie style vocals from lead, Anton Sevidov. It’s difficult right now to be both intensely 80s influenced and intensely original. There is always the looming danger of being labeled as “campy” or “uninspired”. Those of us who love that retro sound need groups like Tesla Boy to keep the 80s vibe fresh, evolved and rooted in a modern movement.
Anoraak – Nightdrive With You (Tesla Boy Remix)
Tesla Boy’s production prowess has translated well to several remixes not the least of which was their take on Anoraak’s 2008 hit, “Nightdrive With You”. Tesla’s remix is smooth, emotional, down tempo. Plus, I’m a sucker for anything Valerie related so I grabbed this without much deliberation. At very least, Tesla Boy hold their own with fellow remixers: Grum, SayCet, and Fear of Tigers. Ultimately, the title says it all; this is a track for racing down midnight roads with someone who makes your heart race just as fast.
Posted by: Evan
