Platforms: The Future That Never Happened (self-released, 2020)

It’s no secret I’ve been way into the retro synthwave sound lately, especially bands like Magic Dance and Lebrock where the synth-pop elements are paired with strong melodic rock elements, so when I heard guitarist/keboardist Michael Palace (of Palace, of course) had a new synthwave-inspired project, I knew I had to check it out. It’s called Platforms, and it pairs Palace with vocalist Jordan Cox. Their debut album is titled The Future That Never Happened.

This is really fun stuff, weaving all over classic ’80s synth-pop, melodic rock, modern pop and synthwave. Sort of Pet Shop Boys meets Glass Tiger meets The 1975 meets Glass Apple Bonzai. It’s super-poppy, extremely catchy, and is very well-written. The synths are gorgeously retro (like an eternally happy The Midnight) and Cox’s vocals are perfect for the dancier tracks like “Sweetness” and “Go All Night” as well as the more rock(ish) “River In The Dark” and “Higher Ground.”

<a href="http://platformstheband.bandcamp.com/album/the-future-that-never-happened">The Future That Never Happened by Platforms</a>

It takes about three spins through The Future That Never Happened to go from “hey, this is really good” to “OMG why doesn’t everything sound like this!?!” Platforms is a fantastic new synthwave/synth-pop/melodic rock project that fits perfectly alongside bands like The Midnight, Glass Apple Bonzai, Lebrock, The 1975, Magic Dance and FM-84. If you’re into that sort of thing, check them out.

Format notes: While a physical release is planned, currently The Future That Never Happened is only available digitally. Check it out on Bandcamp and if you like what you hear, buy it and put some dollars directly in the artists’ pockets.