The Dark Energy Arcade - Love Torn
Rock, New Wave
California, U.S.
Overall Impression: Figurative, evocative, and pulsing with neon nostalgia, “Love Torn” is no mere retro homage—it’s a fully-realized, pulse-raising resurrection of new-wave and post-punk spirit, refracted through a modern lens that sharpens its edges without dulling its heart. The Dark Energy Arcade—composed of the magnetic duo Rob Shinno and Mitch Michelle—throws us headfirst into a sonic dreamscape that feels like wandering through a rain-drenched alleyway in 1983, yet with sneakers laced up from 2025. Rob Shinno and Mitch Michelle have managed the rarest feat: capturing the aching elegance of new-wave’s golden age without being trapped by it, whisking up a sonically vibrant, melody-drenched, and style-swept track that can only come from musicians who have a deep passion for the craft.
Strongest Point(s): There’s an infectious urgency to the track that is quite simply undeniable. Between the shimmering and swaying synths, driving bass, and relentless drum groove, listeners are instantly thrust into the world of "Love Torn" in a way that feels electrifying. There's always a risk of repetition when dealing with a tempo of this pace, but it works perfectly here, ensuring energy levels are kept firmly raised throughout, yet never at the expense of melody or feel. The arrangement itself and the way in which the various instrumental elements have been layered is also excellent. Shinno and Michelle capture the sound and character of new-wave and post-punk styles perfectly, combining ambiance-heavy electric guitar textures, sonically exciting synths, and understated vocals with that quintessential hint of melancholy, in a way that ensures each element is given adequate space to breathe in the track. Each one of these elements is treated with equal importance, and thanks to their natural complimentary tonal qualities between one another, the mix itself is able to come across as both richly detailed and thoroughly well balanced.
Target Audience Appeal: "Love Torn" is an engaging blast back to the heyday of new wave, post-punk, and pop-rock styles and I can see it strongly resonating with lovers of these genres.
Artist target suggestions: A Flock of Seagulls, Culture Club, Tanks and Tears, NightCrawl, Kindest Cuts, The Human League, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Cure, Erasure, Tears For Fears
Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session guitarist, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording.