A fresh release from The Frixion comes through with a massive and vast synth-pop approach that takes loads of elements from vintage and classic '80s and early 90s synthwave, outrun, and even some dream pop, and men's them all together to create an atmosphere that you end up getting engulfed in.
"Back When We Started" is an absolute blast and wastes no time delivering this thick atmosphere that you end up falling right into and getting attached to as the synth and keys grow with the song's intensity.
One of the most fun aspects about this track is its ability to genre bend throughout its unfolding. You definitely have those synth-based elements which also include coldwave, but you also get this post-punk and almost industrial undertone. It's like this edginess is just peeking through or hidden just below the surface of this track.
The combination of color, expansive underbelly and edginess really make for an outstanding track that wraps itself around you and keeps you right where it wants to.
Part of the cold wave, industrial, or even post-punk sounds come from the vocals.
The way the vocals are laid down is genius. You get this classic, vintage aesthetic, and that fits perfectly, and you end up finding yourself getting wrapped up even in the lyrics as well.
The textural presence and balance between the vocals and the music is outstanding here. There are layers to this track and as it grows, you get more and more attracted to the allure of the lyrics and how they are performed.
This is very cinematic in my opinion. It's something I could picture in the scene or end credits of a film from the mid to late 1980s without question.
It's got that outrun undertone that pushes through and gives it a little bit of extra drive but it's not overpowering.
The dreamy and vaster soundscape is really what takes over here. Yes, there is that edginess and a little bit of dark overtone but the synth pads and notes that add distance and reverb to the song are really what makes it so intense at times.
One of the things I loved about this release is that two remixes of this single follow it.
Each one of these shows a different approach and adds to certain aspects of the original in such a brilliant way.
The first is a remix called "Mark Reeder's Return To The Future Remix" which is edgier and heavier with dirtier synths that come in sharper and stronger giving it an added push in a certain direction.
You also get some other symptoms here and new layers that build a different sort of atmosphere that still portrays the same aesthetic and certain ways but also has a bit more darkness to it if you ask me. There's a bit more post-punk in this mix and even in the original.
Then you have the third remix of the track which is the "Circuit3 Remix" which has a completely different approach. There is more color, and instrumentation that's outside the box of the original and the second remix, and it's got this pop overtone that stands out.
This one is very attractive because it features all this different instrumentation like Sitara, guitars, and a lot more that offer a lusher feel and approach.
Now, I will have to say that of all the remixes, the original is really where it's at for me. I grew up in the '80s listening to classic synthwave, outrun, and watching tons of '80s films on VHS including sci-fi and action films. I can tell you that the original version of this track hits that aesthetic so well that it gives me bouts of nostalgia.
Having said that, all three of these versions have something very unique to offer and this release is something that I'm going to hold on to for quite some time.
This is for genuine fans of synthwave and synth pop all the way through but also for people that love the edgier cold wave and post-punk elements to their music.
A stellar release and I'm certainly looking forward to more from The Frixion, and will be keeping my eye out for whatever is coming next.
Don't just take my word for it though, definitely listen to these tracks and do it with headphones on.
Remember where you heard this first.
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