Los Angeles

Released in 2015, Los Angeles served as the definitive introduction to FM-84, the project of Col Bennett. While Bennett would later find massive success with vocal-led tracks on the 'Atlas' LP, this debut EP is a purely instrumental affair that established his signature 'cinematic' sound. The title and track names - referencing 'Back to the Future' and urban nightscapes - firmly plant the record in the retrowave movement. Critically, it is often cited alongside The Midnight's early work as the gold standard for the 'dreamwave' subgenre. The production relies heavily on emulating analog hardware, using specific synth textures that evoke the mid-80s work of Jan Hammer and Tangerine Dream. Despite its short four-track runtime, the EP is considered a foundational text in the modern synthwave community for its ability to balance nostalgic tropes with high-end contemporary production values.