FoxxyNewport - Neutral (International Edition)

Synthpop can be soulful music that's able to both heal and put the body and mind to rest. Simple and steady rhythms that flow with you instead of against you make you groove and move unlike any other form of music can. The best synthpop is able to do all this for you with simplistic rhythms and beats without crowding itself all too much. I think San Francisco's Jesse James Alexander understands this all too well, and for that he has attracted attention to himself and his solo project FoxxyNewport. 

FoxxyNewport started out in 2012 but didn't really get the ball rolling until 2014's BLVCKLODGE EP released. Even from the start his potential was noted as legendary producer Mr.Kitty became Alexander's mentor. With such heartfelt tones on the album that dealt with personal issues, Alexander transformed his project into a stress reliever that has made him cry, scream, and break down. With his debut album Neutral, FoxxyNewport explored himself and themes of sex, seduction, control, sadness, death, and insecurity. It was also with this album that the world got to see Alexander's true potential; dance, synthpop, and darkwave all flirted with one another on the album with grace and glam. 

However, that album released in 2015 and would be old news if it weren't for AnalogueTrash's excellent eyes spotting FoxxyNewport. Falling in love with FoxxyNewport's style and handsome baritone vocals, AnalogueTrash decided to give Neutral a reissue in an International Edition. However, when it comes to reissued or re-released albums I always find myself asking: What is going to make me want to buy this new version? Well, AnalogueTrash has an answer to that and it's quite lovely. 

For starters, Neutral (International Edition) is being released on a limited cassette. A lot of people, myself included, go bonkers for special and nifty little releases such as this on cassette. CDs are nice, but considering CDs are more of a collectible anymore, I always love grabbing a cassette or vinyl every once in a while. I prefer cassette, though, since they are tiny and easily stacked and stored. I'm into aesthetics like that. So, there are already points in my book for that bit. 

However, the album also comes along with three brand new remixes from Cora and label mates IIOIOIOII and Atomzero. These aren't tacky add-on remixes like I've seen in the past, either; these are very well thought out and grandly produced re-imaginations. The attached remixers really put their hearts into the remixes and didn't just see it as another job that pays - or at least that's the way it seems.

Synthpop/industrial master IIOIOIOII took his recent outing of down tempo beats to reimagine 'Rebirth' into a very chilled out song. In all honesty, this sounded like yet another collaboration that was born to happen; the remix sounds natural. Atomzero's touch on 'Neutral' brought the track into more tech savvy electro territory. Lastly, Cora's remix took the song and pushed it into more dance friendly territory. I would say that the remix has at least five or six different segments in it, including a very fun drum'n'bass section. On a technical level Cora's remix of 'Neutral' was outstanding. 

So, if you're asking yourself whether or not this version of Neutral is worth picking up, the answer is abso-fucking-lutely yes. Not only will you be getting FoxxyNewport's original debut album, but you'll also be getting it in a lovely cassette with three fantastic remixes attached. There are no downsides to this as far as I'm concerned. 
Feb 16 2016