Xyce - "Biscuit"

Retro Amiga pop duo Cerror and Xylo are back, together known as Xyce, with a brand new album. "Biscuit" is a twelve-track collection of pleasant Amiga and Atari ST tunes, available for a scant two Euros. In an interesting move, the album also includes a dubstep-influenced bonus track entitled "Rundown", which, while not strictly 8-bit, provides a notable close to the happily-styled chiptune release.

Stream or download the album here: http://xyce.bandcamp.com/album/biscuit

Feryl - "Aware"

"Aware" is a brief chip music EP with five tracks, pleasantly styled and thoughtfully composed.

Stream/download the release here: http://feryl.bandcamp.com/album/aware

Review - "Zeta Force" (Zabutom)

Niklas Sjosvard, commonly known under his music handle Zabutom, has been writing chip music for a good number of years, and has finally unveiled his debut album "Zeta Force" for chiptune fans everywhere. The seven-track, demoscene-influenced collection of mixed modules turns out to be a pleasant and melodic trip that is well worth taking.

The release starts off strong with "The Legend of Zeta Force", which sets the stage with a strong main theme and enough variance throughout its three-minute running time to keep things interesting. "Blast Off Into Space" is another gem, and even includes some hard-driving rock instrumentation along with the riveting melody. "Zeta Force (GameBoy Version)" takes the old conceptual theme that I remember from Zabutom's old titular module and revisions it as a solid GameBoy tune, even if it is an interesting change from the other tracks, which are all module chiptunes.

"Final Blast", while a bit long and perhaps not the artist's best effort, closes off the album in style. Overall, Zabutom's debut chip music release is a very solid and well-composed work, with enough oldschool module-tune influences and high production values to make it a worthy purchase.

The mixing is nice, the melodies are enjoyable, and the brief length gets the job done. Niklas makes a very nice return to form with the 8-bit journey through space which comprises "Zeta Force".

SCORE: 8.5 out of 10 - "Great"

Minusbaby - "BIAS"

Minusbaby's new eighteen-track release features remastered and extended versions of his previous EPs "Left" and "Derecha", which were originally released on the 8 Bit Peoples label in 2009 and 2010. The album is up for stream and download on BandCamp, with a physical release also available.

His music is highly unique, intelligent, and definitely worth checking out. Stream or download the album here: http://minusbaby.bandcamp.com/album/bias

Review - "Bunnymajs" (Bunnymajs)

The opening five tracks of Kristian Caldwell's self-titled album "Bunnymajs" serve to introduce a relatively unknown artist with style and energy. Despite not being a household name or going for typical dance vibes with LSDJ, Bunnymajs has clear talent when it comes to writing solidly composed, plugin-based chip music. Consequently, it's a bit of a stroke of misfortune that the rest of the album simply doesn't measure up to the laudable intro that Kristian provides.

The initial track "Blippblipp" is quite adequate with its lighthearted melodies and clever arpeggios, while the subsequent "Dreams" is more of a melancholic, trance sort of a track with memorable bass and drum work. "Reminder" is another solid effort with its dance-floor beats and staccato-based compositional style. Track five, simply titled "Reason", includes a fantastic buildup and solid vibe to keep the album rocking.

The next two tracks, however, usher in a bit of a change. Both attempts at being playful and lighthearted, they simply don't deliver on the high production values of the preceding tracks; but neither are they terrible songs in their own right. From there, it's a bit of a so-so journey with a couple standout tracks, including the bass-progressive "Masked Devil".

Kristian's debut release, while not flawless, is nevertheless a fairly firm step in the right direction. Though the majority of the album can't quite match the brilliant five-pronged opening, Bunnymajs has sufficiently proved his competence as a songwriter. His musical journey is worth a listen for those interested in unique and catchy chip music from a talented new musician on the rise.

SCORE: 7.3 out of 10 - "Decent"

Syphus - "pro.tect"

First announced nine months ago, British chip musician Syphus has finally unveiled "pro.tect"--a fourteen-track album which acts as a sort of pleasant love letter to tracker and chip music fans. Highlights include "Pennies", "Returns", "Minimammal", and the awesomely epic "Horizontal". The official description is listed below.

"pro.tect is a lovingly prepared collection of Syphus' work from 2007 to 2011 - almost entirely unheard, outside of his live shows. Though the tracks have been mastered for more ear-friendly and mp3-friendly listening, they were all made using AHX (Amiga), HivelyTracker (Amiga), Protracker (Amiga) and FastTracker2/MilkyTracker (PC)."

Stream or download the release here: http://syphus.bandcamp.com/album/pro-tect

Interview - Falling for a Square

Jason Sposa, commonly known by his music moniker Falling For A Square, has been crafting gentle chip music releases since 2010 with "XO", his unique debut. Since then, he has continued to broaden his musical horizons by employing the use of the GameBoy, vocoder, and even a bit of electric guitar for good measure. His musical style is soft and easy on the ears, with each new album ushering in a clever and innovative listening experience for chiptune fans.

Jason recently took the time to participate in a brief interview I conducted, in which he discusses his passions and love for the genre.

1. Tell us a little about your unique compositional style. What convinced you to write gentle chip music in a world full of noisy GameBoy tracks?

"To be honest, when I first started to write chipmusic I tried composing for a more elaborate or what you term 'noisy' sound, and simply am not capable of doing it.  Thus,  have a great deal of respect for fellow chiptune artists that can pull it off and pull it off well.

"Sitting down and writing songs for Falling For A Square is oddly enough pretty formulated. Whether I am writing songs on a Gameboy or using my iPhone, I tend to have an idea or a story I want to tell and use this as a template for how I want to mold each song. I have been writing music since high school and now am a father in my 30’s so, you can imagine I have seen my own musical style and preference change with age.  These days I seek to write and listen to simpler, mellow tunes to complement my current rush of city life and juggling of fatherhood, marriage and personal interests.  When I was younger, I engrossed myself and my songs with varying modulations since life was a bit more carefree - I suppose I was subconsciously seeking something to juggle."

2. “Compute for You”, the second track from your first release “XO”, is one of my favorite songs of yours. What was the inspiration and process behind this track?

"Thank you for your kind words - I believe there is something very special about 'xo'.  The album was 95% accident.   I was just starting to learn how to compose with the tracker style of Nanoloop for iPhone, and I was pumping out these little songs that seemed to carry a lot of emotion so the album came together rather quickly. 'Compute For You' is about a crush.  It is also the first song I composed that uses a vocoder for vocals.   At first I thought it was a really cheesy idea, but putting words to some of these songs is exactly what they needed for true completion.  The vocoder has definitely become a staple for my particular set-up and I am really glad.  The inspiration for this particular song and all of my 'love songs' are about my wife.  She definitely puts up with all the 'bleeps and bloops' in the house, on commutes, and late at night.  Her patience for my passion is amazing."

3. What do you think is the biggest problem facing the chiptune community today, and how can it be most easily rectified?

"You know, I generally like the community.  I like that it’s a bit obscure, separated from the mainstream and not trying to become the next big genre. It’s almost like the bridge between my own generation before the internet, GarageBand’s, and phone apps and the generation today – and that’s a pretty big gap with varying age ranges.  The best part of it is sharing this secret gem with anyone who is willing to listen and learning that they enjoyed it, too – whether on a lounge-y/club level for sheer ambience or on a more nostalgic level for the more ‘old school’ console-type styles."

 4. Tell us a little about your new full-length studio album that will be hitting BandCamp later this year.

"The new album, which is currently untitled, will be out this Fall and I am really excited about it!  It's going to be a Nanoloop for iPhone driven record.  I will include a couple of guest appearances on vocals, but overall, it's pretty upbeat compared to my last full length release. I will be using some electric guitar, real drums, loads of neat iPad and iPhone applications; however, do not be fooled - it will still  have a very nice 'fakebit' feel to it.  I am in the process of recording in my little home studio and later will have it shipped off to Atlanta to be mixed and mastered by a good friend of mine.  In addition, I will be releasing various EPs over the course of the year.  I find it very therapeutic to release EPs of similar mediums just to keep the flow of this project active for me and hopefully for others."

5. What are some of your favorite chip musicians and albums, and why?

"Here is a list of my current chiptune crushes:

1. I Am Still Breathing by Little Scale  

Little Scale is a constant inspiration to Falling For A Square's material.  I love the sounds he obtains on these very simple cartridges and he makes me want to push harder in this genre continuously. 

2. Fake Music by Computerization

I have been collaborating with Derek of Computerization on some vocal work for my new record.  I love Derek's style and vocoder usage. His lyrics and storyline are just terrific.

3. 101030 by Coova

If you're into Nanoloop v.1.1 - 1.5, then Coova will definitely inspire you.  Her compositions are very soft and complex. Admittedly, I am super jealous every time I spin her records.  

4. Information Chase  by Bit Shifter

I actually heard this record after recording a couple of my own releases and remember saying to myself:  'What the what?!'. In my opinion, Information Chase is like the Pinkerton of chipmusic.  It is well thought out, innovative, and an essential to the scene as well as to any beginner who wants to get into composing this type of music.  Finally, he is a local New Yorker, is constantly at shows, and an overall very humble and nice guy." 

6. Lastly, what is the number one message you’d like to bring the chip music community through your music?

"I would hope that people who stumble across Falling For A Square would be inspired enough to learn more about this genre of music and start creating similar sounds.   To me, this genre and the way it is growing is one of the best kept secrets around and I would be honoured to have played a small part in that. xo"

Falling For A Square's website and music can be browsed here: www.fallingforasquare.com