Diamond Life “Neon Dreams” 2024. Triple Eye Industries, limited edition “Rosa Purple” vinyl. Milwaukee electronica/synthpop, Diamond Life is a collaboration by Martin Defatte (Tron Jovi, Guerrilla Ghost) on synths/drums and Bonnie Drinkard (Drinkard Sisters, Craig Brown Band). The debut LP purports to “transport you back to the neon-lit dance floors of the ’80s, where Italo Disco and HI-NRG reigned supreme,” though I find it to be more dream-poppy than Hi-NRG (but my baseline for that is Nitzer Ebb so my perspective could be a bit skewed). The synths are swirly and hypnotic; Drinkard’s vocals match that vibe perfectly with a sno-cone delivery (sweet n’icy). My top tracks are “Back 2 U” and “Love Light.”

I think there’s a hidden track on the album – though I couldn’t actually find it (or it’s only on the CD version): “Self Control” by Raf (1984), a song that “started the explosion and dominance of Italo disco-style recordings in continental European charts during the 1980s.” (Wiki). Weirdly the playlist I chose for this morning’s class was Reflex v. Control which has the Laura Branigan cover of “Self Control” (also 1984, #4 US, #5 UK) – I did not know that it would appear on today’s vinyl pull, especially because it is not listed on the record except for in the liner notes for writing credits. (Speaking of credits, I love that two neighborhood dudes are thanked: Dillon from RushMor Records and Chris from Vanguard/Wiggle Room). Next time I run into Martin I’ll have to ask him about “Self Control” – I can’t find a link anywhere for Diamond Life’s version.