Nostalgia is high for the TV shows, fashion, and lifestyles we grew up loving before the Internet Age. Gone are the days when disco was dead and hipster chic reigned supreme. Today, young creatives are making fresh, timeless music and visuals that feel much older than they are. Synth-pop singer LeTrainiump is doing just that with his debut EP, Purity. His retro-wave sound—and matching aesthetic—meshes the best of ’80s and early ’90s pop and R&B with contemporary feelings of angst, uncertainty, love and growth.
It’s fitting that his feature on glbl wrmng’s compilation album in 2021 was titled “Technicolor.” The neon colors he wears match the bright melodies and optimistic lyrics across all his music. The singer brings out a young and fun spirit where being yourself is encouraged and dancing is a must.
With happy chords and plenty of synth, all seven tracks are produced or coproduced by LeTrainiump. The latest single from Purity is the standout track “Lost?” featuring SaxKixAve. The duo added an extra texture to the conversation with a verse from legendary lyricist Alfred Banks and riffs from Grammy-nominated saxophonist Albert Allenback. LeTrainiump and SaxKixAve actually performed the track to be submitted to the NPR program Tiny Desk and was featured as Desk of The Day.
The rest of the project flows like a movie soundtrack. “So Alive” could’ve been a top pop song of the 1980s. “Belong” feels like an R&B love ballad from the 1991 Billboard charts. It’s remarkable how LeTrainiump brings a fresh perspective to an undying moment in our culture.
On “Lost?” he sings the sentiment many have about New Orleans, romantic love today and trends from the past alike: “Just because we’re down doesn’t mean we’re out/and I’ve got so much fight left to give.” For anyone seeking new music from a past life, this EP is for you.
On “Lost?” he sings the sentiment many have about New Orleans, romantic love today, and trends from the past alike: “Just because we’re down doesn’t mean we’re out/and I’ve got so much fight left to give.” For anyone seeking new music from a past life, this EP is for you
