Synth Pop from LSSNS

Based between Helsinki and Leipzig, the trio known as LSSNS, formerly working as Lessons, is on a mission to redefine the boundaries of synth pop. Formed by Patrick Sudarski and brothers Samu and Ville Kuukka, who’ve already carved a name for themselves with their post-rock band The Gentleman Losers, LSSNS emerges as an exciting act in the sphere of dark electronic pop.

Following the success of their debut EP Tempest in 2016, a sting of concerts across Europe and noteworthy collaborations with artists like Adam Port and Magdalena, LSSNS have spent the last few years crafting their debut album, Transit.

Opened by “Before The Fire,” the album starts off with an ominous atmosphere of dark synth textures, underpinning playful synth shots, developing with bright synth melodies and a lightly thumping beat. Building up the drums, the song serves up an immersive synth-driven instrumental landscape, capped by a spacey vocal sample at its close.

“Gemini,” immediately grooves with pulsing synth bass tones, lifted by an array of stretching and peppered synth elements over a gently driving electronic beat. With the Patrick’s vocals entering, they thread soft melodies above the shuffling arrangement which builds with intricate guitar flutters and rising intensity in the synths and drums, crafting a catchy chorus on this epic track that bridges the gap between retro aesthetic and cutting edge sound.

“Prophets” opens with a downtempo beat and vibrating synth notes, joined by bold bass lines, setting up a subtly melancholic scene for elegant vocal leads to float above. It’s an atmospheric synth pop outing that maintains the steady march of rhythm while injecting urgency via shifting synth energy.

Other highlights on the record include one of the singles “Radical Eye,” with its lively synth stutters and hushed vocals, resulting in a riveting synth track full or energy and memorable writing about the unease felt when losing grip of your control and seeking help from someone else to take over.

Watch the music video for Radical Eye below

The album closes with “Slow Release,” starting with an airy atmosphere with a vocal sample as the gentle patter of synth shots and drums builds up. Patrick’s subdued vocals enter, surrounded by swelling synth textures, the rattle of the bass synth line and intricate guitar twangs, crafting an enveloping laid back synth pop outing, crafting a stunning finale to their superb debut record.

Listen to Transit below