- Electronic music
- Synth-pop
- Psychedelic
- Chiptune
- Sampledelic
- Avant-garde
- Experimental electronica
- 8-bit
- Bitpop
- Progressive
- Experimental pop
- Minimal synth
- Art pop
Comment: A Catalan called Aleix Pitarch is behind the nom de plume Ashbrg who has been releasing albums under the imprint Hamsterloco. The label and the project of him is intended to cross chiptune/8-bit/tracker music with more conventional styles. Mostly they succeed in their intention. For instance, the recent issue is a shift between silence and rough pixels of sound, between exquisite synthesised incantations and childish, playful interlude-alike progressions. Maybe I am wrong – maybe it is all about new progressive music? For instance, a track entitled Old Sounds. Pux perros is the main hit for me on this 18-notch outing – it reminds of the organ-led, catchy acid punk of The Stranglers by the main gear being varied with artsy prog music elements. Snap To Grid is more (warped) indie than many bands being called by this tag. Submarine is a great laid-back glimpse into subconscious dreams and heavy memories. Comoperros ya is a cheerful minimal synth number which does mean lots of acerbic effects rotating around the groovy yet obsessive rhythmic backbone. Doggystyle is about more poppy synthesised developments with regard to the previous track. Yeah, all is an enjoyable ear fare.
