Geoff Westen's MUSIC FOR MY FRIENDS is one of those records that shows up, entirely uninvited, kicks down the door of your carefully curated lo-fi playlist, and loudly declares, "Remember when songs used to be songs?" And before you can reply, it's already halfway through a synth solo. It's loud. It's glossy. It's borderline ridiculous. And yes, it's glorious.

Westen calls it "Hard Pop for our new world order," which sounds like something a lesser artist would use to name a crypto project, but in this case, it's actually…accurate? Imagine the musical lovechild of late-night MTV, the Tron soundtrack, and a midlife crisis wrapped in a leather jacket and aviators. This isn't music for passive listening while you do your taxes. This is music that bursts through your headphones like it's auditioning for Top Gun 3: Goose's Revenge.

The vibe? Think '80s, but not the corporate, beige, "let's slap a synth on this for Stranger Things" version of the '80s we're currently being fed. No, this is the real stuff. The high-octane, over-the-top, earnestly emotional, weirdly theatrical wave of pop that believed in the power of hooks so massive they needed their own zip code. Westen doesn't just imitate that era; he builds a time machine out of MIDI and lives in it.

Let's be clear: this album isn't chasing trends. It's chasing structure, and not in a boring, "let's follow the formula" kind of way. No, this is structure as defiance. Verse, chorus, bridge, key change. Westen remembers that a song can have dynamics. It can start in one emotional place and end up somewhere completely different without needing a Spotify-friendly fadeout after two minutes and thirty seconds. Shocking, I know.

Take It's Not Over; this track is like being handed a cassette tape by your coolest friend in 1984 who insists that you listen to it immediately. It sounds like Thomas Dolby and The Buggles got locked in a room with a stack of vintage drum machines and a shared existential crisis, and somehow emerged with a perfect synth-pop banger. It's the soundtrack to a montage of you learning how to rollerblade again after a bad breakup, blasting through your emotional baggage at 30 miles per hour. Glossy, punchy, and full of those razor-sharp synth stabs that make you want to drive too fast in a video game.

And then there's Headed For A Fantasy, which I can only describe as the theme song to a cartoon that never existed but somehow shaped your entire personality. It's got that cartoonish optimism, that sense of stakes and wonder you used to feel as a kid when the hero finally powered up for the last battle. It's sweet without being saccharine, nostalgic without being patronizing.

Closing out the album is You're Too Good For Me, which should be ridiculous but also manages to land with surprising emotional weight. It's like Eddie Winter woke up in the middle of an arena show, found out he was fronting A Flock of Seagulls, and just went with it. It's all soaring vocals, dramatic synths, and a genuine ache beneath the glitz. There's no ironic distance here. Westen means it. And that sincerity, in 2025, feels almost revolutionary.

What sets MUSIC FOR MY FRIENDS apart is its complete lack of self-consciousness. This isn't "pop music but sad" or "pop music but on purpose bad." This is pop music that believes in itself. It's not posturing. It's not chasing TikTok trends. It's not pretending to be low-effort while secretly being run by a team of brand consultants. It's just a guy, some massive melodies, and a belief that music should do something.

This album doesn't care about being cool. That's what makes it cool.

Ian Ureta - ANTI POP PUNK POP PUNK CLUB/Philippines

Music For My Friends by GEOFF WESTEN is an indie rock project about stripping back the nonsense in an ever changing world. The energy this album brings to the table from beginning to end is impressive. The boldness and confidence manifests from the first track. Bye Bye Bebe is passionate and bold. The vocals are aggressive and excitable while managing to convey emotion at the same time. It's a beautiful combination of energy and meticulous attention to detail.

The drums crash with a bold hiss and intense distortion. They create a sound that introduces you to the energy of the project beautifully. The vocals prioritise raw authenticity over perfect technique and breath control. That rebellious spirit feels like a core part of the project's DNA Overall. It's Not Over, the next track on the project takes the sound and evolves it into a more positive direction with an ethereal melody that morphs and evolves throughout the track. The vocals are de-emphasised here, allowing the sonic tapestry of the music to take centre stage.

The next track that stood out to me was Why? Why Not!. With a title that perfectly encapsulates the rebellious nature of the project as a whole, this one is off to a good start. The vocals here are also confident and expressive, getting their point across effectively and heightening the groove with their infectious energy. The drums are also fantastic. Instead of simply acting as the backbone and structure of the track's rhythm, they add texturally to its landscape and evolve a personality of their own that exists in the same world as the other melodic elements. It is incredibly cathartic to see the aggressive and animated personality of the drums interact with the vocals, both elements bouncing off one another and heightening the energy with their contrast.

The level of musical chemistry in this project is commendable and the energy is infectious. Music For My Friends is a deeply personal and raw exploration of the indie rock genre from GEOFF WESTEN.

George - MUSIC TASTE/UK

GEOFF WESTEN'S MUSIC FOR MY FRIENDS FEELS LIKE OPENING A TIME CAPSULE PACKED WITH SYNTHS, NEON FLASHES, AND FUTURE-FACING INSTINCTS.

IT'S A COLLECTION OF TRACKS THAT DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST, ESPECIALLY THE NEON-GLOW PULSE OF THE 1980S, WHILE NEVER SOUNDING DATED. THERE'S A SENSE OF FUN, YES, BUT ALSO INTENTION. THIS IS THE WORK OF AN ARTIST WHO KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE'S DOING.

The album kicks off with "Bye Bye Bebe," a brisk track with an upbeat groove that instantly recalls vintage pop-radio anthems. It rides.a catchy vocal melody that flirts with nostalgia without leaning on it too heavily. There's a warmth to the synths, a brightness to the drums — like a mirrorball spinning under pink and blue lights.

"It's Not Over" pushes things toward darker territory. Driven by a Berlin-club-style rhythm, it plays like the soundtrack to a neon-drenched dystopia, blending dance floor momentum with a feeling of simmering tension.

Then comes "Technicolor Dream," which adds crunchy guitars and steps confidently into alt-rock territory, yet still retains that electronic backbone that runs through the record. It's playful and strange in all the right ways.

"Wut U Gon Do Bout It?" Takes a sharp turn into arcade-land, conjuring memories of retro video games while keeping the beat sharp and the mood light. It's the kind of track that feels built for late nights and flashing lights. Meanwhile, "Headed For A Fantasy" stays upbeat and bouncy another showcase of Westen's knack for melody and rhythmic precision.

But it's "Night Ride" that steals the spotlight. There's something off-kilter about it — in the best way. The bass pulses with menace, the vocals drift like transmissions from a forgotten sci-fi broadcast, and the synth work suggests an avant-garde bent. It wouldn't feel out of place in a John Carpenter score, yet it still feels undeniably pop.

The album closes with "You're Too Good For Me," a track that bounces along with freshness and hooks that practically invite a sing-along. It ties up the record with a satisfying wink — playful, sharp, and addictive.

With Music For My Friends, Geoff Westen has crafted a record that nods to club nights, VHS memories, and synth nostalgia, all without losing sight of modern production and crisp arrangements. It's retro-futurism done right — personal, eccentric, and fun.

Chris Mariotti - EDGAR ALLAN POETS

I've been a fan of Geoffs from the beginning. Every few years he releases another musical gem. I say "gem" because I really connect with his music. He is very clever with how he puts his music together and how perfect (to my ears) it all is.

As for his newest release, "MUSIC FOR MY FRIENDS," - without sounding like a broken record - although I don't think they exist anymore - I just love it. Right from the start with BYE BYE BEBE, it's 100% Westen. The minute I heard the first few seconds of that track - I knew who it was.

IT'S NOT OVER sucked me in right away and hypnotized me. I didn't want it to end. Same for NIGHT RIDE. The vocal stood out to me. And the storyline is very cool. I also connected with a few rockers like TECHNICOLOR DREAM and I HATE THE CITY and YOU'RE TOO GOOD FOR ME.

One thing I noticed after the first hearing is that this album is very much uptempo - not a ballad in the batch. OK with me. I'm into the idea of an album that gets me on my feet and keeps me there. I think Geoff did exactly that.

Also, let me point out that I have always admired Geoff's lead guitar work. His solos are well thought out. Kind of "old school" a la Harrison. They always lift the track and have a melodic "soar" going on - not a thousand notes of doodling dribble.

LIVING ON THE METRO. Come on! Is that not cool or what. Who is this "Lady in Gray"? She shows up in more than one song. Hmmm. WUT U GON DO BOUT IT is a slight deparure having intertwining melodies and background discussions. You have to listen closely to pick out what is being said in this song. And the track rocks in it's own chaotic way. Good stuff. Love it.

BTW - On second listening - I got into the bassist and drummer on this album. I don't know if they are real or machines - but their combined partnership really is impressive.

And while I'm thinking about it, and since I have the floor, there is one area where Geoff seems to get little comment - and that is his lyrics. I think he is a brilliant lyricist and let me be the first to recommend checking out his writing. The lyrics are inside the booklet of every CD he has produced. Really - check it out.

What's left? WHY? WHY NOT! and HEADED FOR A FANTASY. HFAF is so Westen Sounding. Give it a listen and you'll hear what I mean. And I really like the way the song steam-rolls far into the depths of the fade.

There really isn't a weak performance on this disc. But, I'm a fan and I expect brilliance. I believe he got it this time around. Maybe that's because I KNOW his music. I actually listen to (now 8) his CDs all the time. Not just at "release time." Hey folks - I think you owe it to yourself to check out MUSIC FOR MY FRIENDS.

Left Elbow - BODY PARTS

"This new album sets a new mark for excellence in your legacy. The mix and track selection is par excellence. Incredible songs. Each new album is better than the last. Bien jou!"

Jean-Louis Janssen