If you like the recent wave of synth-infused rock and pop, ‘Neon Circuits and the Mission of Hope‘ by Blueprint Tokyo might be a record you’ll enjoy. Hailing from Oklahoma City, Blueprint Tokyo is a five-piece band that builds their sound from the ground up with synth-heavy textures. We also hear flanger-soaked guitar coupled with moody emotional storytelling. There’s everything here. Cinematic sonic landscapes. Beautiful sounds. Good riffs, Catchy drums. So let’s dive in.
You May Also Enjoy > SEGANA’s ‘Mercy’: A Groovy Pop Gem with 80s Flair and Gospel Soul
Across 16 tracks and 51 minutes, Blueprint Tokyo dive deep into a modern haunting nostalgic sound. Might remind you of bands like The Cure and Interpol. There are also shades of modern indie rock and even some post-grunge touches that keep things fresh. At times, I was even reminded of Mumford and Sons during their ‘Wilder Mind’ era. That same wide-open, searching energy, but translated through some beautiful synths.
Let’s get to the songs. The opener “Say Anything” sets the mood with a late-night spiral through fear and self-doubt. It’s a slow burn with moody guitar lines and just enough restraint in the vocals to keep you hanging on every word. “Replicants” flips the switch with a more upbeat synth rock track with layered vocals and a guitar solo that buzzes with that fuzzy, neon-toned electricity. Love the texture here, this one hits the sweet spot.
An unexpected pleasure was “Take My Breath”, with its crisp drum snap to start things off. And the magic of the Saxophone! It cuts through the track in a way that gives you a kick. “A Whole New Life” dials things up again with lush, flanger-heavy guitars that sound like they were made for night drives and introspective walks under city lights.
For me, though, “Mission Control” is the track of the album. The groove is tight, the guitars are on fire, and the chorus is just flat-out addictive. There’s a choral swell to the vocals that gives it real lift. The kind of track that makes you want to loop back and play it again and again. Elsewhere, Blueprint Tokyo show off their range. “Closed Door Drama” opens with a thick snare and filtered, spoken vocals. “Stranger Things” leans into haunting piano riffs, while “Invisible Year” punches harder with a more rock-forward sound. Then you get songs like “Connected Lines” and “Infused,” which are synth rock gems with killer drum grooves and impeccable production. Not a bad track on this record.
While some of the vocal melodies across the album aren’t the most catchy, they get overshadowed by the sheer beauty of the arrangements, vocal layering and harmonies, and overall brilliant songwriting. The synth work is stellar throughout, coupled with inventive riffs. The rhythm section is just chef’s kiss for an album in this genre. ‘Neon Circuits and the Mission of Hope’ is a lush, confident statement from Blueprint Tokyo. If you’re into synth rock, post-punk, or just want to hear a band stretch themselves across a wide sonic palette in this space, this album is worth a spin or a dozen.
Be sure to check out and follow their Instagram page.
You May Also Enjoy > Revolutionary Rhythms: The 1960s -70s Counter-Culture, Music and Impact
Check out our Spotify playlists.
Visit our YouTube channel for music reviews, playlists, podcasts, and more!
Promotional Disclaimer: The content in this post has been sponsored by the artist, label, or PR representative to help promote their work.
