“Versus” was always an enticing prospect. A collaboration between two of the best producers currently working in synthwave. Well, I say “collaboration”. It really isn’t as simple as that. This is also a duel.
Void Stare is the darksynth passion project of VS, lead singer of Australian metal band Spire. Like a lot of metal musicians, VS was able to move into this heavier form of synthwave comfortably.
Faster tempos and bass-heavy electro-industrial stylings are signatures of this genre. This contrasts superbly against the more traditional retrowave approach of Meryl S. Kavanagh, aka Eyeshadow 2600 FM.
The exchanges between the two artists aren’t discordant, however. Even those with only a passing familiarity with their work can tell when the switches happen. But it all flows together so well in the mix. There’s a genuine back and forth here, which helps to emphasise the best qualities of both forms of synthwave.
“Versus” is punchy, sharp, and very exciting. Hopefully, it also heralds many more collaborations to come.
You can find Void Stare here:
Eyeshadow 2600 FM:
