Alright, let’s dive into Synergy EP Interactive by Reflected Image. This little gem from 1998 is one of those albums that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It’s synth-pop with a German twist—released under the radar on Not On Label—and honestly, it’s got this raw charm that feels like finding an old VHS tape in your attic. You know, the kind where you’re not sure what’s gonna pop up but end up loving anyway.
First off, I gotta talk about “Find A Way.” Man, this track just sticks to your brain like gum under a table. The synths are all sparkly and retro-futuristic (yeah, I said it), while the beat has this driving energy that makes you wanna move even if you're just sitting at your desk pretending to work. There’s something about how the melody builds—it’s simple yet super catchy. Like, you’ll hum it later without realizing why. It’s the perfect opener because it sets the vibe for the whole album: unpretentious, fun, and kinda nostalgic.
Then there’s “Phrenetic Symphony” (yep, they spelled "frenetic" wrong, but who cares?). This one hits different—it’s more experimental and moody compared to the other tracks. The layers of sound feel like stepping into a neon-lit maze at night. You don’t know where you’re going, but damn does it look cool along the way. There’s this moment halfway through where everything drops out except for this eerie keyboard line—it gives me chills every time. Feels like peeking behind the curtain of some secret sci-fi world.
The rest of the tracks hold their own too. “Grow In Fire” has this uplifting vibe that could soundtrack any late-night drive, and “Before The Fight Begins” sounds like the calm before the storm—literally. Oh, and shoutout to “Interview At Tele 5,” which is basically exactly what it says: someone talking over music. Weird flex, but it works somehow.
What’s wild about this album is how unpolished it feels. Nowadays, everything’s so overproduced, but here you get these rough edges that make it feel human. Like, yeah, maybe the mix isn’t perfect, and sure, some transitions are janky, but that’s part of its charm. It’s like hanging out with a friend who doesn’t care about being cool—they just wanna have fun.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this now feels almost like time travel. Back then, no one was thinking, “Hey, let’s make future blog fodder!” They were just messing around with synths in Germany, doing their thing. And yet here we are, talking about it decades later. Funny how art can do that, huh? So go ahead, give Synergy EP Interactive a spin—it might surprise you. Or it might not. Either way, it’s worth a shot.
