Artist: Pillar Point Album: Pillar Point Label: Polyvinyl Records Release Date: Out Now  (iTunes | AmazonMP3| Spotify | LP/CD/Cassette) RIYL: Depeche Mode, Throw Me the Statue, M83, Washed Out

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For me, synth-pop and electronica has been hit or miss. Few electronic albums turn my head and most of them annoy the hell out of me, which is why Pillar Point’s debut self-titled album is such a stand-out. The tinge of 80′s synth mixed with Scott Reitherman’s smooth, slightly processed vocals are reminiscent of early Depeche Mode, but it doesn’t feel like an experiment in nostalgia. Pillar Point is Scott Reitherman, with the album produced by long time collaberator Charlie Smith. The album is a departure from their past projects. “Part of what steered me toward the textures and beats of dance music was the feeling of catharsis you can experience through dance,” explains Reitherman. The upbeat sounds of Pillar Point are in direct contrast with the album’s themes of heartbreak, loneliness, aging and isolation in an increasingly connected world. This approach works fantastically, especially on the song “Eyeballs” which is a song dealing with our digital connection with people in our lives, but our disconnection with friends and loved ones in real life. Other stand out tracks include the smooth electronic grooves of “Cherry” and “Echoes.” Scott Reitherman and Charlie Smith have collaborated in the past with the indie-pop outfit Throw Me the Statue, but Reitherman considers Pillar Point his most intimate work yet. “Writing darker songs with dance elements helped me to process the confusion and change I was experiencing in my own life, because within the confines of a pop song I could control little moments of clarity and redemption,” he says. “And for the listener it adds depth to what might otherwise be just dance music.” This honesty and intimacy push each song on the album to a deeper level. It’s easy to enjoy a song for it’s tune, but discovering depth beneath the surface level elements of each song add for a richer experience. While certain tracks do stand out more than others, Pillar Point’s debut self titled album is a fantastic listen from beginning to end. Reitherman does a great job of blending a certain genuine nostalgia for 80′s Synth-pop, but goes above and beyond in still creating something new. The album’s sensibilities don’t feel like a cheap gimmick. Instead, Pillar Point is an fun, engaging and memorable introduction to a project that I hope continues for many more years. *This review originally appeared at PopSyn.com