CUE UP YOUR MUSIC TRANSMITTER OF CHOICE AND GET READY TO LEAVE THE CHARTS FAR BEHIND AS WE EMBARK UPON A JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDER, STRANGER AND – YES! – MORE REWARDING REGIONS OF THE GENRE WE HOLD SO DEAR, WITH STOP-OFFS IN SUCH LOCATIONS AS CHICAGO, NEW YORK, HANOVER, GLASGOW, GHENT, FLORENCE, TOKYO, SHEFFIELD AND CHELMSFORD…

In Synthpop Vol. 1 we highlighted some of the choicest records that synth-pop has to offer, from its rudimentary early stirrings through to its tech-happy mainstream pinnacle. For this follow-up edition we’ve decided to dig a little deeper into the record bag to spotlight some of the lesser-spun magic that has dipped below the radar for one reason or other, but deserves the right to be cherished by all fans of synth-pop. What follows is intended as a snapshot of what’s available, a playlist that draws together the proto-synth-pop sounds of electronic experimentation that first lit up the world’s circuitboards, stunning underground sounds known only to those in the know, as well as some decidedly oddball treasures – and one or two should’ve-been hits.

Prospecting the synth-pop periphery throws up an almost unending wealth of incredible music, from off-kilter pioneers and high strangeness to breezy machinemade pop and commercially-minded lost masterpieces – obviously (and thankfully) far too much to fit into a 20-song countdown. Assembled to be played in this order, here’s our personal score of unsung favourites. Get in touch and tell us which cult classics float your boat.

20 PSYCHE UNVEILING THE SECRET NEW ROSE (1986)

Brothers Darrin and Stephen Huss appeared from a shady corner of Vancouver in the early 80s as darkwave synth duo Psyche, with their early arthouse performances characterised by Darrin lurking on stage fully starkers with only shaving cream to preserve his modesty. Debut 45 Thundershowers (In Ivory Towers) was a pulsing, restless affair, indicative of their caliginous debut LP Insomnia Theatre, while the title track to follow-up Unveiling The Secret built on those dark materials. By the late 80s and third album Mystery Hotel, they had gone full-on synth-pop: check out the Soft Cell-esque dream-pop vista, Eternal.

19 MINISTRY EVERYDAY (IS HALLOWEEN) WAX TRAX (1985)

Before they mutated to front the industrial (music) revolution, impressively-haired frontman Al Jourgensen’s band Ministry sat amongst the new wavers with the sort of outsider-synth records that helped define the early movement, from 1981’s excellent I’m Falling and on. On first listen Everyday… is all spooky imagery conjured up over one monstrously intense bassline, but between the lines you’ll find stinging satire that turned the ‘Halloween’ taunts on their head, in a time when ostentatious, often black, outfits led to abuse in the street. Released on Wax Trax!, this went from B-side to paean for the disaffected.