At 1980 – A Thousand Lives (2020) *0dayrox EXCLUSIVE*

After the very good new TimeCop1983 album featuring the smooth lead vocals of Englishman Josh Dally, here we a have a wonderful band also formed by Dally and Adrian Quesada Michelena from Spain.
The band is named At 1980, and this alone give you an idea of the music packed inside their debut album “A Thousand Lives“. Additionally, there’s two female vocalists doing lead on one track each to provide variation.
This is a delicious collection of ’80s inspired synth-pop-rock tunes bringing back all the magic and atmosphere from that decade.

Filled with catchy vocals, perfectly produced synthesizers & plenty of gated reverb, At 1980 explode with nostalgia – a good one – and melodies.
The album title track is a fantastic and soothing introduction featuring the amazing vocal talents of Dana Jean Phoenix (who also sung in the recent Michael Oakley album featured here), a rewind to 1984 lovely song.
‘In The Air’ is incredibly upbeat and brings the record to life with Dally showcasing his amazing vocals and Timecop1983 providing a guest appearance. ‘Missing You’ introduces a more guitar orientated sound and is insanely catchy.

‘Have A Heart’ continues the vibe with pumping melodic rhythm where you just wanna get off your ass and dance the night away. We find an instrumental in ‘Oblivion’ with a vicious beat that kick starts the half way point of the album.
‘Play It (On The Radio)’ explains where this album should be played with its laidback vibe. The next song, ‘Now’, follows the last in atmosphere with a powerful chorus.

‘Drifting Away’ is a track you would hear at an ’80s prom; it’s a funky, heartfelt ballad that you will stick on repeat consistently.
Camille Glemet provides her brilliant vocals to ‘Run Away’ which is enough to get your lighters out in the air and swing it from side to side. ‘Neon Sun’ is the second and last instrumental on the album and is a perfect way to end such an accomplished album.

At 1980’s ‘A Thousand Lives’ is such an excellent debut album that you will get hooked on. The musical and vocal talents showcased on this record are at the highest professional level with the mixing and mastering spot on. It’s a gentle listen with some catchy songs that will remain in your head.
The fact there’s so few guest appearances makes this album better; in fact, with no disrespect to the guest musicians, this album would still be as good if it were just the duo.
”A Thousand Lives” is one of the best retro-synthwave debuts we’ve heard in a very long time, perfect for fans of the The Midnight, Michael Oakley, TimeCop1983, etc.
It’s pure ’80s indeed.

01 – A Thousand Lives (feat. Dana Jean Phoenix)
02 – In the Air (feat. Timecop1983)
03 – Missing You
04 – Have a Heart
05 – Oblivion
06 – Play It (On the Radio)
07 – Now
08 – Drifting Away
09 – Run Away (feat. Camille Glemet)
10 – Neon Sun

Josh Dally – lead vocals, harmonies
Adrian Quesada Michelena – keys, synth guitar, bass, synths
Timecop1983 – guest synths
Dana Jean Phoenix – guest lead vocals
Camille Glemet – guest lead vocals