“Redline Rival” — A Nostalgic Synthwave Ride from Arcade Knights’ Upcoming Album Neon Vice

image

Canadian producer and musician Arcade — the creative mind behind the electronic project Arcade Knights — returns with a new synthwave single, “Redline Rival.” Blending cinematic electronic textures with a cyberpunk edge, the track is a pulse-pounding ride through neon-lit streets and high-stakes tension. Built like a midnight car chase at full throttle, the track fuses thunderous basslines, syncopated rhythms, and razor-sharp synths into a high-octane blend of retro-futuristic grit and cinematic flair.

“Redline Rival” isn’t just a song — it’s a statement in speed, style, and sonic storytelling. It isn’t just about cars — it’s about the unrelenting push to outpace betrayal, outrun the law, and stay alive long enough to see the city lights fade in the rearview mirror.

“This single was the first track I wrote, and I knew it had to be fast-paced and punchy — like you never quite know what's coming next. There’s a moment where the drums drop out and you just get this crash — it’s in 4/4 time, then shifts into a kind of 5-count rhythm. It felt like scoring an action sequence — like that point in a movie where everything hangs in the balance, and you're just waiting to see what happens next,” shared Arcade.

“Redline Rival” is just the beginning. The track serves as a pulse-check for Neon Vice, the forthcoming album from Arcade Knights, dropping September 19 — a date intentionally chosen to mark the 41st anniversary of the TV series, Miami Vice. To celebrate the release, Arcade is also unveiling a short, two-minute visual — an 80s-inspired montage video that brings the world of “Redline Rival” to life. Drawing inspiration from iconic '80s television and soaked in a nostalgic synthwave atmosphere, Neon Vice captures the raw adrenaline of speed and danger — the sound of engines screaming down highways where pride, power, and survival are all on the line.

It’s a pulse-pounding duel between cops and cartel racers, a midnight chase where every gear shift feels like a gamble with fate. At its core, Neon Vice explores the tension between temptation and risk: the glowing pull of nostalgia wrapped around something darker. The neon light may look inviting, but there’s danger lurking in the shadows — and beneath every shimmering surface lies a decision you can’t take back.

“The whole album was inspired by watching Miami Vice — the fast cars, the danger, the neon lights — but also that romantic tension underneath it all,” says Arcade. “This record is me going back to everything that shaped me, that raised me: TerminatorThe Lost BoysRoboCopRambo, Lethal Weapon. Each track is its own story — following an undercover cop trying to do good in a city that doesn’t care. It’s a hard life. He’s up all night, fighting the good fight, and when the sun rises, he disappears; he rests. At night, he gears up and gets right back to it.”

Arcade’s commitment to detail and storytelling runs deep throughout Neon Vice. Every element — from the synth textures to the rhythm shifts — was carefully crafted by hand, with Arcade writing and tuning each instrument himself. The album came together quickly in its raw form, with the base tracks written in just three weeks, followed by months of fine-tuning, long nights, and a steady rotation of '80s films playing in the background for inspiration.

“When I write, I start with a concept in my head — like a full narrative arc,” explains Arcade. “Then I build out eight to eleven tracks that tell that story start to finish. I choose the right key, the mode, the tempo — everything down to the sound design — to make sure it all fits together like scenes in a film.”

The journey begins with the title track, “Neon Vice,” which opens on a cinematic monologue that sets the tone: a crumbling city, a fading sense of order, and a cop still fighting to pull things back from the brink. “This is our war,” the voice declares. “And in this city... wars are won by going deep undercover…into the neon.” It’s a world of blurred lines, constant pressure, and the kind of quiet heroism that never sees the sunlight.

“I wanted to capture something permanent — a record of the sounds and memories I grew up with, like what Jan Hammer did on Miami Vice or John Carpenter in Halloween,” said Arcade.

To fully realize the world of Neon Vice, Arcade abandoned modern production tools in favor of the vintage hardware that gave the '80s its signature grit and warmth. Sourcing the same instruments used to score the soundtracks that inspired him, he built the album using authentic tones from gear like the Roland Juno, Yamaha DX7, Prophet, Oberheim, LinnDrum, and the TR-707 and TR-808 drum machines, along with '80s electric guitars, E pianos, and keytars. Each element was selected not as an imitation, but for full immersion into the era’s sonic palette.

“I almost felt like I was done writing because I couldn’t develop that nostalgic sound that I love. Until I thought, ‘Why not switch to the hardware from the 80s?’ Now, with the knobs, buttons, dials - I have that tactile feel, that romantic grit,” enthused Arcade.

Neon Vice marks the fifth full-length release from Arcade Knights in just two years, with each album expanding the project’s retro-futuristic universe. The debut, Justice, introduced a sound steeped in ’80s action cinema, paired with a companion graphic novel. High Score followed, drawing inspiration from Tron, while Dark Fate explored moodier territory via Stranger Things, with a graphic novel dropping November 6 — officially “Stranger Things Day.” Cyber Hack, the fourth release, dives into the dystopian worlds of Blade Runner and Cyberpunk 2077.

Looking ahead, Arcade is set to headline the Halloween Show at Avalon Expo in Newfoundland on October 31 and November 1, performing the full Dark Fate album live. Fans of ’80s film and TV, high-energy music, all things synthwave, and cyberpunk won’t want to miss it. To stay up-to-date on upcoming releases, including lore-driven content like graphic novels and other narrative expansions, follow Arcade Knights on social media and be sure to check out “Redline Rival” and the full Neon Vice album — available now on all major streaming platforms.

“‘Arcade’ represents me growing up in the ’80s, while ‘Knights’ symbolizes being the hero of my own story — taking control and owning my narrative. With this album, I wanted to capture the energy of that era, and with ‘Redline Rival,’ I hope listeners feel that rush, the chase, the pursuit, and ultimately, that justice wins in the end,” shared Arcade.

 

COMMENTS

Leave a comment

California Artist Phaze Releases “Vengo De Nada” - A Bilingual Hip-Hop Anthem of Resilience

image

California-based bilingual hip-hop artist Phaze has released his new single “Vengo De Nada,” featuring David Rolas and produced by Choko Beats. The track is a bold statement of resilience and ambition that bridges cultures and sounds. Driven by a dark, bass-heavy beat layered with eerie synths and sharp trap percussion, it highlights Phaze’s ability to shift seamlessly between English and Spanish, delivering verses that feel both intimate and resonant.

“Here’s how it all came together: I had a studio session with Choko, and we had recorded one song already, when we were done, David Rolas came into the room, and we were going to work on a song, and David was taking the initiative until he had to go drop off his cousin. In the meantime Choko played another four bar drum pattern and I preferred that so we decided to do that and in 20 minutes Choko worked his magic and my vocals were laid out already and that’s when David Rolas comes back into the studio and listened to the song and stayed in awe and said to me ‘Phaze, I know it’s your song, but could I get on it?’ I told him, hell yeah, of course, that was the whole reason for this, and the rest is history,” explained Phaze.

With a cadence that is at once conversational and commanding, Phaze rides the beat in tight pockets, building momentum through bursts of intensity that amplify the song’s raw urgency. Delivered largely as a freestyle, “Vengo De Nada” captures his unfiltered energy in the moment, framing his journey as both personal testimony and a universal come-up anthem — a declaration of starting from nothing and pushing forward with unshakable determination.

“‘Vengo De Nada’ really means ‘I come from nothing’ — not in life, but in music. I started from ground zero with no connections, just a dream. The song is meant to be inspirational, to show people that they can do it too. I’m also a recovering addict — I’ve been fentanyl-free for three years now — and part of my mission is to give people hope,” continued Phaze. “I want them to know they’re not alone, that God’s got them, and that they have a purpose. If they see someone like me, who struggled with addiction, pushing forward and succeeding, maybe it motivates them to believe they can turn their lives around too.”

Rooted in his El Monte, California upbringing but reaching toward a global audience, Phaze blends West Coast hip-hop grit with modern Latin trap edge, crafting a sound that is fresh, authentic, and undeniably his own. Even his stage name, Phaze, reflects that journey of growth and transformation.

“I went through all kinds of phases — wanting to be a DJ, a rocker, a singer, a drummer, and then back to hip-hop,” he recalled. His logo, featuring three pyramids set against a purple haze, carries deeper meaning as well: as a Third Degree Mason, it symbolizes mystery, resilience, and evolution — themes that echo throughout his music.

“Vengo De Nada” also marks the first single off Phaze’s first debut album, If It Weren’t For You — a deeply personal body of work released under his own label, Purple Pyramids. While his last project was a mixtape back in 2016, this album represents a major milestone, featuring 17 tracks drawn from true stories and life lessons. Each song reflects pivotal experiences that have shaped him — from struggles with addiction to heartbreak, faith, and redemption. As Phaze explains through the album’s title, If It Weren’t For You is about acknowledging the people, moments, and challenges — good and bad — that made him who he is today.

“If it weren’t for these situations, for this substance, for this girl, for being in dark spaces, for God’s help, for my parents…I wouldn’t know what I know today — it can apply to anybody,” shared Phaze.

Releasing on September 14, If It Weren’t For You carries added meaning for Phaze. The date marks both the album and single’s release, chosen in memory of his late best friend, Michael Fabacher, whose birthday falls on the same day. The project also pays tribute to Phaze’s roots — with a father from Matagalpa, Nicaragua, and a mother from Guadalajara, Mexico — grounding his music in a sense of heritage and identity. Though If It Weren’t For You is his official debut album, Phaze has been dedicated to music for two decades, beginning at just 15 years old.

“Actually, now that we’re talking about it, I’ve been playing around with music since I was a young kid,” said Phaze. “My mom was the first to really get me into it — she encouraged me to start writing. Over time, I discovered Eminem; he became my idol. He’s the reason I fell in love with hip-hop.”

In addition to hip-hop and rap, If It Weren’t For You expands Phaze’s sound across genres, weaving in Latin urban, Spanish hip-hop, reggaeton, trap, and even corridos. The album also brings together a range of collaborators who add their own unique voices to the project. Krypto of AK47 Boys Sucios lends his raw energy to “Smoking On All In My Zone,” while singer Jiana appears on “I Do.” Angelito joins Phaze on the corrido-inspired “El Angelito,” and Los Angeles rapper Swifty Blue is featured on “First You Make It Big.” David Rolas also makes a feature appearance in the album on “Vengo De Nada.”

“I’m everything in one — I manage, I write, I produce, I mix, and engineer. The only thing I don’t really do is make my own beats. I’ve done it before, but it’s not my strength. All the lyrics are mine, while the beats come from different producers,” Phaze noted, underscoring the hands-on approach that defines his work.

To complete the process, the album was mastered by longtime collaborator Choko Beats, ensuring a cohesive sound across all 17 tracks. Together, these collaborations highlight the album’s versatility and Phaze’s ability to bridge different corners of the Latin and hip-hop markets.

“I really encourage people to listen all the way through,” remarked Phaze. “I grew up on albums where every track flowed into the next and together, they told a complete story. That’s what I wanted to create with If It Weren’t For You — something you experience from beginning to end, where each song adds another layer to the bigger picture.”

With the official music video for “Vengo De Nada” currently in the works and slated for release in the coming weeks, Phaze shows no signs of slowing down. Fans can stream his music on all major streaming platforms and stay tuned for updates, new releases, and appearances by following him on his social media.

“This single and album are about blessings, about the past, and about finding the strength to keep moving forward while spreading a positive message,” Phaze reflected. “I want to thank my family, my mom and dad, and my close friends for always supporting me. And to all my people out there in the streets — with God’s help, you can find your way back home. Drugs are nothing to play with; they open doors you can’t close. But there’s always hope, and there’s always a way forward.”

Socials: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | Youtube

 

COMMENTS

Leave a comment