RETROSPECTS are an Ottawa, Canada based bunch of synth-driven maniacs around vocalist Ian Manhire. Known as the front guy – a legend – of THE WHITE WIRES and THE SEDATIVES and one of our fave punk rock power pop songwriters of the early 2000s. After the WHITE WIRES there has been NEW CALLING, and this was already a warning sign to hold our breath, but the RETROSPECTS are overwhelmingly stunning. This is the new wave synthpunk on catchy hooks and infectious melodies – did he hold them back in the front pocket for a decade or what? The RETROSPECTS are the band which would play nightly in the-soon-to-be-established ALIEN SNATCH! abandoned beach disco branch! The band members gotta be 80's synthpop wizards. According to our unpaid Canadian gig agents it's THREE (!!) synth players on stage, this is a pure midi-magic universe with fascinating ultra sharp pop songwriting. The album has twelve originals and you name anyone, it's a hit! One song is instrumental only, "Bank Street Punks", and an absolute banger. RETROSPECTS didn't use computer programs, it's just analog synthesizers and hardware gear. Recorded in a historic 1850s stone church in rural Canada at the legendary Studio Cimitière, and you can hear the ancient aesthetic for sure. Reissue of their self-titled debut record from 2025, lim. 100 copies on the band's own VINTAGE VOLTAGE label. The vinyl pressing has a pounding bass, don't dare listening on an app! Shout out for the French FISH & CHEAP Records, releasing "Shattered" and "In My Dreams Before" on the way in a 50 edition lathe cut. New artwork by Sam Torzina and A-Hule-Hule. Recolored vinyl pressing of 461 copies.

Ottawa's The RETROSPECTS brand-spankin' new & loud one – soon after their debut album they got their second album out and "Vaporwaves" is a new wave masterpiece. Dozens of synths and drum machines have been carried to the church again (and its chimney). They-Obviously-Really-Really-Mean-It! Twelve new originals full of infectious harmonies and a big urge to dance and slide away. RETROSPECTS are a five piece synth pop outfit around singer Ian Manhire (THE WHITE WIRES and THE SEDATIVES). Following ALIEN SNATCH! you may have noticed that we adore the synthdoom of EERIE FAMILY, but apart from this HEX DISPENSERS side band we're not trust funding in electro-eggpunk-a-like genres. We're curving around the 80's and we love punk rock without muscles or shoulder pads. It's the knack for catchy songs. The RETROSPECTS came along with their Oberheims and polyphonic wizard-gear and threw in the colorful aspects of '79 power pop in the high time of 80s ghostbustin' chupacabra commercial jingles on a VHS tape. Are we obsessed already? This album is wall-to-wall a permanent part of our mental furniture. Maybe they're called The Maniac Manson & Alien Mindbenders; they unlocked, on Level One, the constant feeling of listening to the songs like the very first time, again and again. The whole thing is just totally over the top and they are meant to be on stage for the big times and big fun. Voyage, Voyage! Reissue of their new album, original vinyl was released early 2026 on the band's own VINTAGE VOLTAGE label in a limited edition of 100 copies. Originally killer artwork by Ken J. Maxx, slightly adjusted for ALIEN SNATCH! and worldwide consumer needs. Mixed original Planeteria color vinyl pressing of 472 copies.