Album Review: Danny Glover by 80s Stallone – A Synthwave Love Letter from the UK
Alright, buckle up, because this one’s a neon-lit joyride through the retro-fueled brain of 80s Stallone. Released back in 2015, Danny Glover is a self-released gem that screams “I watched too many John Carpenter flicks and loved every second of it.” The album falls squarely in the Synthwave genre, which, if you’re unfamiliar, is like if your childhood dreams had a soundtrack—and that soundtrack wore Ray-Bans.
Let’s cut to the chase: this album slaps. Not in a pretentious way, but more like when you’re chilling in your room, staring at a poster of a DeLorean, and suddenly everything feels right with the world. It’s pure escapism, wrapped up in lush synths and beats that make you want to fist-pump while driving nowhere in particular.
The title track, “Danny Glover,” hits hard. I mean, what’s not to love about a song named after the guy who played Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon? It’s got this pulsing bassline that feels like it could power a cyberpunk cityscape. You can almost picture Stallone (the artist, not the actor) hunched over his keyboard, muttering, “Yeah, this is gonna slap,” while tweaking some knobs. There’s something oddly cinematic about it—it’s moody, atmospheric, and kinda makes you feel like you’re the protagonist in your own low-budget action movie. Plus, naming a track after Danny Glover? Bold move. Respect.
Then there’s another standout—let’s call it “Track X” for now, because honestly, I’m not flipping back to check the exact name. This one throws you into a time machine straight to 1986, complete with gated reverb drums and shimmering pads. It’s the kind of tune that plays during the montage where the hero fixes their car/learns karate/wins back their ex. Whatever your personal drama is, this track will soundtrack it perfectly. Every layer builds on the last until you’re just sitting there thinking, “Man, why don’t they make movies like this anymore?”
What really sticks with me about Danny Glover is how unapologetically DIY it feels. Self-released under “Not On Label,” it’s clear 80s Stallone wasn’t trying to impress anyone but himself—and maybe a few synth nerds lurking in Reddit threads. That authenticity gives the album a raw charm that polished big-label releases often lack. It’s like finding a mixtape at a thrift store and realizing it’s secretly amazing.
So yeah, Danny Glover isn’t perfect. Some tracks wander off into territory that might test your patience if you’re not vibing with the vibe. But hey, neither is Danny Glover himself, and look how far he’s come! At its core, this album is a love letter to all things retro-electronic, delivered with heart and a healthy dose of British quirkiness.
Final thought: Listening to this record feels like eating Pop Rocks dipped in nostalgia. And honestly, isn’t that what music should do? Make you feel something weird and wonderful? Now excuse me while I go find my old VHS player and pretend I’m starring in my own late-night TV special.
