Heartbreak City – ‘Heartbreak City’

(Aztec Records)

Heartbreak City is the self-titled album from South Wales’ newest synthwave contenders. This is a record that wears its influences proudly but never feels like cosplay. Instead, it sounds like a band who’ve taken the neon glow of synthwave, blended it with the melodic muscle of AOR and the smooth emotional pull of West Coast rock and made something that feels both familiar and refreshingly alive.

From the opening moments, Heartbreak City establishes its sonic landscape, widescreen synths, steady mid-tempo grooves and melodies that feel engineered to stick around long after the final fade out. This isn’t the darker, dystopian end of synthwave; it’s the cinematic, sunset-chasing side of the genre, where heartbreak comes wrapped in warm pads and chorused guitars rather than cold digital edges. Think less rain-soaked alleyways, more late-night drives with the city lights stretching endlessly ahead.

What really elevates the album is how naturally the AOR and West Coast elements are woven into the synthwave framework. You can hear the DNA of bands like Toto, Journey and late-era Foreigner in the chord choices and vocal phrasing, but it never feels like pastiche. The guitars, when they arrive, are tasteful and restrained, adding texture rather than dominating the mix. They shimmer and soar in all the right places, giving the songs a human warmth that many synth-led records struggle to achieve.

The Vocals on this album are a major strength. There’s a smooth, emotive delivery at the heart of these songs that suits the material perfectly. The vocals never overreach, but they’re full of quiet conviction, carrying themes of longing, reflection, and emotional fallout with a maturity that belies this being a debut release. These aren’t overwrought breakup anthems; they’re songs about the spaces after the drama, where you’re left alone with your thoughts, replaying conversations and wondering how things ended the way they did.

Lyrically, Heartbreak City sticks closely to its emotional core, but that focus works in its favour. The album feels cohesive, like a late-night conversation stretched across ten tracks. There’s a strong sense of place throughout, not necessarily a literal city, but an emotional one, where memories echo and feelings linger longer than they should. It’s an album that understands the power of restraint, often saying more by what it leaves unsaid.

Production-wise, this is a polished affair, but not a sterile one. The synths are lush without being overwhelming, the rhythm section is solid and unfussy, and everything sits comfortably in the mix. There’s a clarity here that allows the melodies to breathe, and that’s crucial for a record so dependent on atmosphere and mood. It sounds modern, but it also feels timeless, which is no small achievement in a genre so closely tied to retro aesthetics.

One of the album’s biggest successes is its pacing. Rather than front-loading all the obvious hooks, Heartbreak City unfolds gradually. Some tracks reveal their strengths immediately, while others grow with repeated listens, their subtle shifts and melodic nuances becoming more rewarding over time. This gives the album real replay value, it’s the kind of record you find yourself returning to, not because it demands attention, but because it earns it.

There’s also something particularly satisfying about hearing a band from South Wales delivering this kind of sun-kissed, West Coast-infused sound so convincingly. It adds an extra layer of charm to the album, proving once again that great music isn’t bound by geography. Heartbreak City don’t sound like they’re chasing trends; they sound like they’re following instincts, and that authenticity comes through in every track.

If there’s a criticism to be made, it’s that some listeners might wish for a little more risk-taking, a moment where the album really pushes beyond its comfort zone. But that feels less like a flaw and more like an indication of where the band could go next. As a debut statement of intent, Heartbreak City does exactly what it needs to do: it introduces a sound, establishes a mood, and leaves you wanting to hear how it evolves.

The album opens with ‘Imagine’ and straight away Heartbreak City set their stall out. A slow-building, synth-led introduction eases you into their world, with warm pads and a sense of anticipation that feels deliberately cinematic. This is classic scene-setting rather than a grab-you-by-the-collar opener, and it works. The melody unfurls patiently, the vocals arriving with a calm assurance that signals confidence rather than flash. As openers go, ‘Imagine’ feels like dusk falling over the city, the lights are just coming on, and you know there’s a journey ahead.

‘Run To You’ brings the tempo up and introduces the album’s AOR heartbeat in earnest. There’s a propulsive rhythm here that recalls classic West Coast rock, but filtered through shimmering synths and modern production. The chorus is immediate and emotionally direct, the kind of hook that feels effortless rather than forced. This is Heartbreak City showing they can do accessibility without sacrificing atmosphere, and it’s one of the album’s most instantly engaging moments.

With ‘Spencer Street’ the band lean heavily into storytelling. There’s a strong sense of place here, both lyrically and musically, as if the song itself is walking you down a memory-laden road. The arrangement is beautifully balanced with restrained verses, a gently lifting chorus, and subtle instrumental flourishes that reward close listening. It’s reflective rather than dramatic, and that restraint gives it real emotional weight.

One of the album’s emotional high points ‘A Thousand Tears’ is where the heartbreak in Heartbreak City truly comes to the surface. The melody is lush and melancholic, with synths that feel like they’re sighing rather than soaring. Vocally, this is a standout performance, measured, sincere, and quietly devastating. It’s not a song that begs for attention, but it lingers long after it ends, which is often the mark of the strongest material.

‘Horizon’ shifts the mood subtly, offering a sense of cautious optimism after the emotional depth of the previous track. There’s a forward motion here, carried by a steady groove and a chorus that feels expansive without being bombastic. The West Coast influence is particularly noticeable in the chord progression and overall feel.

‘Pamela’ brings a touch of nostalgia soaked charm to the album. This is where the band’s love for classic AOR really shines, with a melody that feels timeless and a chorus that’s quietly infectious. There’s a warmth here that feels almost conversational, like revisiting an old photograph and remembering not just the moment, but how it felt to be there. It’s one of the album’s most personable tracks.

The exclamation mark in the title is well-earned. ‘What’s It Gonna Be!’ injects a burst of energy and urgency into the album, with a punchier arrangement and a chorus that leans into pop sensibilities without losing its rock foundations. It’s confident, hook-driven, and arguably the most radio friendly moment on the record. Importantly, it still fits the album’s emotional arc rather than feeling like a stylistic detour.

‘Sleeping Awake’ slows things down again. This is a beautifully atmospheric track, built on mood as much as melody. The synth textures are particularly rich here, creating a dreamlike quality that matches the song’s themes of emotional limbo. It’s introspective, understated, and deeply immersive, it’s the kind of track that reveals more with each listen.

The album closes with ‘Macy’ and it’s a fitting finale. There’s a sense of resolution here, not necessarily happiness, but acceptance. The arrangement feels spacious, allowing the melody and vocals room to breathe, and there’s a quiet confidence in how the song unfolds. Rather than ending on a dramatic high, Heartbreak City choose something more human and reflective, bringing the album full circle and leaving a lasting impression.

Heartbreak City is an album that understands the power of melody, mood, and emotional honesty. It’s smooth without being soft, nostalgic without being trapped in the past, and polished without losing its heart. For fans of synthwave with a love for classic AOR and West Coast vibes, this is an easy recommendation, it’s the kind of record that feels like a trusted companion on those long drives where the music matters just as much as the destination.

9/10

Essential Track – ‘Pamela’

Review By Woody