At 1980 – Late Night Calls (2021)

At 1980, as a band, are relatively new in the synthwave scene – but their members are far from it. The duo is made up of noted music producer Adrian Quesada Michelena and his cohort, singer Josh Dally; the Brit synonymous with synthwave who has featured alongside timeless acts including Timecop1983 and FM-84.
We already featured here their 2020 debut album ‘A Thousand Lives’, and now At 1980 are back with an even better new effort titled ”Late Night Calls”, an emotionally charged display of creativity and passion.
It’s almost hard to think of ”Late Night Calls” as solely an album of the synthwave genre. Throughout each of the tracks At 1980 delivers really well composed songs crafted with that ’80s quality rock&pop / AOR feel, most of them backed up with electric guitars and real drums, elevating the sound to heights other artists in the genre haven’t even dared to reach.
A truly spectacular nostalgic-Eighties album that doesn’t pull any punches or falter at any step.

At 1980 is the wonder-duo of English singer/songwriter Josh Dally and Madrid-based Adrián Quesada Michelena. Michelena maned his project ‘At 1980’ because he was born in 1980. He contacted Dally to provide vocals to some of his songs and the two enjoyed working together so much that they began producing the first album.
Dally is known for his amazing ‘Eighties-style’ vocals, and continues to deliver on track after track on “Late Night Calls.” Frequently featured alongside Timecop1983’s wonderfully well-produced synthwave, Dally has also worked with a number of other heavy hitters. He’s been featured on numerous classics like FM84’s “Atlas.”

Since the song titles on the new album you know this is pure ’80s material.
Opener ‘Maria’ calls for a reunion with a lost love in a stunning chorus that deserves to be played in the dead of night alongside a teenage crush, followed by ‘California Nights’ which has one of the most sublime melodies & choruses around. On top of being evocative and catchy, every part of it has a subtle outrun nostalgia – as is required of every synthwave act – but with an entirely new feel.

‘We Were On Fire’ is a tearjerker of a track that nestles within the party hits of Late Night Calls. Dally’s utterly astounding vocals break through towards the end of the song before a saxophone solo launches the song into legendary status. Truly a track for the ages, and one that ought not to be slept on.
Wholly, Late Night Calls is brilliant because it takes the time to explore different pieces of Dally and Michelena’s artistry. Tracks like ‘In Your Eyes’ show off a really inspiring set of songwriting expertise.

‘Still On Your Side’ is a straight-up ballad with a simple piano backing and more care in it than some entire synthwave albums. Dally’s voice is impeccable and the pair’s production is flawless.
These instances of due care and attention aren’t contained to just the ballads and anthems of the album. Michelena is given the opportunity to flex his production muscles on songs like ‘You & I (Interlude)’ and ‘Somewhere’.
The producer’s power is fully realised in ‘Somewhere’, though. The instrumental track feels like it has been ripped straight out of a 1984 movie soundtrack, and is one of the strongest pieces on the record. It’s moody and relentless. Subtle yet powerful. Somewhere sends listeners on a journey they will be hitting repeat on.

At 1980’s ”Late Night Calls” is a great piece of retro ’80s music. It perfectly blends the greatest aspects of synthwave and classic rock&pop together into a beautiful record that does not quit.
Josh Dally has been in the genre for a long time, but his vocals have never been given such a spotlight – for the better. Hits like ‘Caroline’ and ‘Hotel Crowne’ prove he has what it takes to perform, but his voice’s idiosyncrasies in ‘Still On Your Side’ and ‘In Your Eyes’ show he has a real talent.
Meanwhile Adrian Quesada Michelena blows a lot of other producers in the retro genre out of the water. His unique sense of style makes his solo tracks and the rest of the album really feel unique, in a scene bogged down by mimicry.
Highly Recommended

01 – Maria
02 – California Nights
03 – Caroline
04 – We Were on Fire
05 – Hotel Crowne
06 – In Your Eyes
07 – You & I (Interlude)
08 – Nothing Left to Say
09 – Somewhere
10 – Still on Your Side
11 – End of the Line

Josh Dally – lead vocals, harmonies
Adrian Quesada Michelena – keys, guitar, bass, synths

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