Fronted by two masked producers, Fantome is without a doubt one of the most promising projects from the Subcarpati camp in a while, mixing folk elements, contemporary influences, and a great live appeal.
Just like the opening track, Their debut LP “Micul Paris” (Little Paris), which you can stream here, is nostalgic and modern at the same time, escaping any easy descriptions.
Fantome on Facebook, Soundcloud, YouTube.
For Fine, It’s Pink, it all started in a karaoke bar in Iasi, Romania, when actress Ioana Lefter realized she could sing really well. There she met the other members of the band, who were looking for a singer.
Fast forward two years and Fine, It’s Pink is one of the most talented and promising young bands in the country. With a sound that combines simple song structures with psychedelic and even proggy passages, they have every chance of becoming a stand-out act outside of their native country.
Fine It’s Pink on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Soundcloud.
Bucharest-based trio Golan strikes a perfect balance between great music and commercial value, and their last year’s viral song “Abel” proved just that.
Having all the potential in the world for mass appeal, they remain a truly inspiring band just waiting for well-deserved international recognition.
We have a feeling they won’t need to wait too long for that. And in the meantime, you should also check out “Abel” in its symphonic incarnation.
Golan on Soundcloud, YouTube, Facebook.
This is manelelectronics at its peak. A combination of manele music and electronic beats. A truly unique approach. It is also how a cover should sound. The original track was recorded by a band called Azur in the 90s, and it sounds nothing like this version. That’s why it’s so good.
The Bucharest label Future Nuggets co-founded by Ion Din Dorobanți is really killing it right now, and it’s one of the better ones in Romania for fans of experimental music. And when I say experimental music, I mean it, because you won’t hear this type of music everyday.
Future Nuggets on Soundcloud, Facebook.
Bucharest-based duo of Valeriu Borcos and Eduard Gabia describe their sound as “a musical game of action and reaction between drums and keyboards.” And indeed, it’s like a chess match, and it’s quite an experience.
More addictive than anything last year, “Mechanical Turk” comes off of the “Soundtrack for a Game of Chess“, an amazing record that you don’t need to like chess to appreciate.
Karpov not Kasparov on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, www.
For my money, Bucharest-based producer Liar is one of the most underrated producers in the game right now. Even in his home country. He can tackle every genre of electronic music.
His recent release, an outstanding EP of four tracks titled “Genesis Dubs“, is just a sample of what this very diverse musician can do. His back catalogue proves it, and I’m sure his future output will be just as exciting.
Liar on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, YouTube.
Bucharest-based trio with an Italian saxophone player will quickly convince you that putting this instrument in the middle of a house track is the best idea ever.
“Smetto Quando Voglio” combines all kinds of influences from funk to electronica and it’s a good introduction to the group’s music. Their new EP is on the way.
Nopame on Facebook, Soundcloud.
Calm but ear-catching voice floating over a repetitive but evolving beat made “Neverending” one of the most memorable tracks of the last year, and a great example of the Bucharest-based group’s overall sound.
Musically subtle, lyrically it’s a straightforward love piece with a welcome happy ending. It’s also a perfect introduction to Otherside’s just-released debut album, also called “Neverending“.
Otherside on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.
You can’t talk about the Romanian electronic music scene without mentioning Silent Strike (real name Ioan Titu). The 33 year-old has been releasing music for well over a decade, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
He’s been producing everything from IDM to hip-hop beats and even some film score. On his new EP, titled “Quasar”, Silent Strike is once again experimenting with new sounds, which is truly the defining mark of a great artist.
This is truly a unique band in our local scene. They put out their first record, “Everyday Paradise”, in January last year and have unquestionably raised the bar for all 2015 releases.
I suppose you could call them a techno band, but there is so much more to their sound. From jazz to pop and even some psychedelic passages, no other group in Romania does it quite like Soundopamine.
Soundopamine on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Soundcloud.
Temple Invisible are finally coming into their own. After a very good first EP called “ENTER_”, the trio came back last year with a new track that slightly shifts into new territory.
They are still combining various genres of electronic music into dark and oddly catchy tunes, but this time the band’s lead singer Irina Bucescu takes center stage with a powerful vocal performance. It’s a knockout.
Temple Invisible on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp.
The Cluj-Napoca-based quartet led by Bosinceanu brothers connects the dots between dream pop, psychedelia and 90s-inspired songwriting on their new album, “Inner Friend“.
The title track is its best part, with straightforward lyrics and a memorable chorus you’ll quickly find yourself humming along with the frontman Vladimir Bosinceanu. It’s interesting how you can seem so honest while not really saying anything.
Theory Of Mind on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.