Move Extra Extra by John Rocca: A Synth-Pop Time Capsule That Still Kicks
Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into Move Extra Extra by John Rocca—a gem from 1987 that screams “neon legwarmers and shoulder pads for days.” Released on City Beat (UK), this album is pure synth-pop heaven with a side of electronic swagger. It’s the kind of record you’d find in your cool older cousin’s collection, the one who always smelled like patchouli and knew all the underground clubs.
Let’s talk tracks, shall we? First up, there’s “Move (Rude Boy Mix)”. Oh man, this one slaps harder than an ‘80s drum machine on steroids. The bassline grooves so deep it feels like it’s trying to hypnotize you into dancing whether you want to or not. And those synths? They’re shiny enough to blind you if you look directly at them. This remix has got attitude—like, “I’m here, I’m loud, and I don’t care what you think” vibes. You can practically hear the sweat dripping off the dancefloor while listening to it. Honestly, it’s impossible to forget because it’s just that catchy. Like, you’ll be humming it in the shower three days later wondering why you suddenly feel compelled to moonwalk across your bathroom tiles.
Then there’s “Extra Extra”, which is basically the theme song for anyone who ever wanted to live their best life but only had £5 in their pocket. It’s got this cheeky energy, like John Rocca was having way too much fun in the studio. The vocals are smooth as butter, and the beat bounces around like it’s late for an appointment but still stops to flirt with everyone along the way. There’s something delightfully unhinged about how upbeat and joyful it is—it makes you wanna grab your boombox, hoist it over your head, and strut down the street yelling, “Yeah, I’m extra, deal with it!”
And let’s not sleep on “Move (Roccapella)” either—it’s got layers, baby. Stripped-back beats meet soulful vocals, and it’s kinda magical how simple yet effective it is. Feels like eavesdropping on John Rocca freestyling during a coffee break, and honestly? That’s awesome.
So yeah, Move Extra Extra isn’t perfect—it’s a little rough around the edges, like someone spilled glitter on a polaroid—but that’s part of its charm. It’s unapologetically itself, full of quirky moments and earworm hooks that stick to your brain like gum under a chair.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album feels like stepping into a time machine, except instead of going back to the future, you’re landing smack dab in the middle of Thatcher-era Britain where people wore neon and thought shoulder pads were a good idea. But hey, maybe they were onto something. After all, sometimes looking back helps us figure out where we’re headed—even if we trip over our own nostalgia along the way.
