I was originally going to review another album, but it mysteriously disappeared from bandcamp! Thankfully PTE Squad’s collaboration on ‘Weezer’s first album’ was on hand and even more awesome. ‘Pterodactyl Squad’ has been a long time net label supporter of 8bit, with many superb artists releasing so much awesome content, from the likes of ‘Please Lose Battle’ and (T-T)b. Their Weezer compilation is no different boasting a high number of prolific artists.

Naturally you can’t start a Weezer review without listing the ultimate track…

‘THE SWEATER SONG!’

Covered by ‘Please Lose Battle’, it features their classic NES style, whilst keeping the signature Weezer style intact. As soon as that sweet yet sarcastic & bright riff comes in at the start, you know you’re going to be in for a treat. The chorus is also especially good, with bass blasting through to give it some extra power. This comes in even more however during the outro, and not just keeps the same energy as Weezers original, but takes it a step further!

God dammit how does ‘Boy Without Batteries’ make a gameboy sound so crazy & energetic, yet managing to play all on one tiny device. PURE WIZARDRY! BWB’s cover on ‘Paperface’, is both melodic but also frighteningly scary, playing some sweets riffs whilst melting every channel on the gameboy. The outro is especially crazy & chaotic, the noodling on the Wavs & Pulse Channels almost screaming out.

There’s only a couple of tracks which feature vocals, but the one which stood out the most for me, is ‘Men of Mega’s’ rendition of ‘Surf Wax America’, which seems to keep both the goofy nature of nerd rock & grittiness of the guitars at fantastic level. You can immediately feel the energy radiating as soon the track begins, the WAV Channel perfectly simulating the gritty feel. Although the electronic mix of the chiptune makes the track sound more like Rave, the vocals keep it anchored to Weezer’s style is, whilst never letting the music control the show.

I could go on talking about the rest of the tracks on this compilation, but that would be one long review. Needless to say you should definitely check them all out as each one is unique, bringing both the artists & weezer’s styles together as one.

 ~ PTE SQUAD ~ 
Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Website

 ^^ Please Lose Battle ^^ 
Check out my review of their latest Album, Goodbye Joe
Bandcamp | Twitter | Soundcloud | Facebook | Website

 ^^ Boy Without Batteries ^^ 
Check out my review of BWB’s album, Young
Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Facebook

 ^^ Men of Mega ^^ 
 Bandcamp | Facebook

Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Soundcloud Group | Hypem

THE POP IS HYPER. THE POP IS ABSOLUTE. That’s the exact feeling that you get as soon as you start listening to SOUR LEMONADE, an absolute belter of a tune by, TOASTY.

It starts off very calm, building up until you’re blasted by the chaotic sound of the wavey keyboard as a variety of different instruments, from rolling pianos to god damned bubbles popping (cos, why not?). The number of summer tunes this year is almost endless. If you love this check the new label which released this track, ‘HYPERPOP COLLECTIVE’!

 ~ TOASTY ~ 
Soundcloud | Twitter | tumblr

 ^^ HYPERPOP COLLECTIVE ^^ 
 Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | Facebook | Tumblr

Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Soundcloud Group | Hypem

Going more into new wave waters this week, listening to ‘Glitches’ by french musician, ‘You Are Number Six’ and his latest EP, ‘VHS Dreams’.

As soon as you put your ears to this track, you can really feel the throwback to the 80s it touches on, everything from the dreamy keyboards, to the rather ‘David Bowie’ sounding vocals. If you loved ‘Glitches’, then make sure to put a pin in 16th July, as ‘VHS Dreams’ will be available to buy! YAN6 describes the ep as, ‘as sweet as a summer party with friend, drinking beers and kissing by the water!

Get VHS DREAMS here!

 ~ You Are Number Six ~ 
Bandcamp | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | itunes | Website

Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Soundcloud Group | Hypem

It’s the 100th post on ‘Chip Bit Sid’, so I thought I’d go deep into the collection chip and do a review on ‘Henry Homesweet’s’ album, ‘Luke’s Atari’. Most of the chip scene already know Henry, but for those who don’t, ‘Henry Homesweet’ is prolific artist who specialises in making music around mainly a Gameboy Advance using ‘Nanoloop’, whilst syncing drum machines to create some eclectic music.

‘Luke’s Atari’ is Henry’s latest release, before he started to go into other mediums, such as starting up the music duo ‘Cymba’. It’s sound is based upon the Atari soundchip whilst using the 808 drum machine, going over four tracks.

Luke’s Atari opens up with the fantastically pumped song, ‘Track to the sound’. It features some of the greatest square waves I’ve ever heard, as well as it’s signature voiced sample, ‘Dance to the sound of the underground’. The sounds of the 808 drum machine also help to push this song, through the use of it’s bright sounding claves & clicks, mixing in with the sounds of beatiful chip.

Although ‘Track to the sound’ is a very cool song, it can’t hold a candle to the title tune of ‘Luke’s Atari’, which I put up there with some of the best chiptune songs I’ve ever heard. The longest song off the ep at ‘6.47’, it has such a stoked intro, beginning with the use of squarewaves walking up & down. This then crescendoes into a rhythmic hook, balanced together with the use of the 808 drum machine, as well as the solemn use of bassy keys which help to fill in the atmosphere. Although being quite a techno housey track, Luke’s Atari also features a pumping wet solo at ‘4.05’, something you don’t normally see.

Luke’s Atari is one of the ultimate albums up there, that every chiptune enthusiast or techno lover should have. Every single track is superbly written and features some of the best creative working in chiptune.

 ~ Henry Homesweet ~ 
Youtube | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | Website

 ^^ Bleep Street Records ^^ 
 Bandcamp | Twitter | Soundcloud | Facebook | Website | Beatport

So here’s to 100 more reviews of Chip Bit Sid! Thanks to all you who have support me and the blog to get this far. It’s because of all you who read my articles, support me. It has helped so much, even going so far as getting an absolutely awesome chiptune event, ‘Chip Bit Day’ set up.

Thank you!