Various – All The Young Droids - Junkshop Synth Pop 1978-1985 (2xLP)

All The Young Droids: Junkshop Synth Pop 1978–1985 is a lovingly curated dive into synth pop’s eccentric fringe, compiled by Philip King (of All The Young Droogs and Boobs fame). Spanning 24 tracks, it captures the hunger and ingenuity of artists working with borrowed gear and big dreams—channelling the spirit of Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, and early Mute Records, but from bedrooms and basements.

The compilation uncovers minimal synth gems, fizzing DIY pop, and bold chart stabs. Standouts include Ian North’s lost classic ‘We’re Not Lonely’, Andreas Dorau’s English version of ‘Fred Vom Jupiter’, and feminist performance artist Peta Lilly’s stark ‘I Am A Time Bomb’. Elsewhere, Harry Kakoulli (formerly of Squeeze) blasts off on ‘I’m On A Rocket’, while Incandescent Luminaire channel OMD-like melancholy on ‘Famous Names’.

Far from a coldwave footnote, All The Young Droids offers a rich, genre-blurring portrait of synth pop’s formative years—where naive label punts, outsider art and failed futurist hits collide. Mastered by Simon Murphy, it includes extensive sleevenotes and rare images, celebrating a generation of sonic tinkerers and dreamers.