Neuroc - Street Smart

Every time I go to the gym there is usually a standard radio station playing with classic rock'n'roll hits, pop music, or the contemporary radio station singles. Though there is nothing wrong with enjoying such music, I always have my earbuds at the ready to plug'n'play the wide variety of alternative electronic music I so adore. Just before I began my routine I got an E-Mail from Neuroc stating that his debut EP "Street Smart" released. The soundtrack to my gains-inducing workout just slapped me in the face and I hit the play button. While most of the time I find music to just use as background noise to focus, I was slowly overtaken by the cyberpunk riddled synthwave Neuroc has been slowly perfecting for the past couple of years. 

Neuroc may be a familiar name to you by now due to his participation on two of our compilations "Music for the Murdered" as well as "We Love Industrial". His synthetic jams have always been a pleasure to have on our compilations and showed his flexibility from pure horror based indulges to his more familiar sci-fi territory. However, "Street Smart" is his magnum opus through and through. 

We got a taste of "Street Smart" when the digital single 'Jacked In' released back in February. This single also serves as the start to "Street Smart" and sent shivers down my spine as a slow roll of retro synths came in with the sound of lightning. 'Jacked In' serves its purpose as a killer dance floor tune that sets the mood for the rest of the EP. 'Street Smart' slows down the pace and shows technical prowess and continues to build the unfriendly setting of Neuroc's futuristic setting of 2007. 

'Chiba City Station' begins off with an East Asian flute that one would normally find in a martial arts film. The influences do not end there as plenty of Asian instruments are given an electronic and synthwave makeover to fit well within the song. As can be imagined by the sheer title of the song, 'Cyberstalker' comes in with a darker preset in mind. The mood-fitting material keeps up the suspense and imminent threat of danger. The final song on the EP finds us in 'Club Diablo'. If the music presented in Club Diablo portrays what this gathering spot should sound like, then it sure sounds like the premiere place to be. 

And so I come to an end of my journey with Neuroc's "Street Smart" and felt revitalized. This will be rotating on my playlist for years to come both inside the Gym and when I'm taking casual rides. But, just remember, "If you want to survive, it's not enough to be smart. You need to be... 

Apr 03 2018