Anecdata’s record Syzygy, released 30 September, 2022, is a mix of blazing synthesizers, uncompromising lyrics and fuzzed-up guitars.

Essentially, it’s the sound 1993 inviting 1981 over for a jam – and beating the shit out of it. While that might describe much of Anecdata’s previous output, everything on Syzygy is turned up to 11.

Lead single ‘Believe in Anything’ blasts along at 420km/h from the very first note, piling on Muse-style riffage, Devo synths and lyrics that take on the rise of conspiracy theory culture, referencing the likes of QAnon, Pizzagate and the “insane quatrains” behind it all.

The title track uses harmonies and Siamese Dream guitars to take listeners on a spacey trip; ‘Church’ tackles the likes of Destiny and other so-called prosperity churches and their unbiblical ways; while ‘It Was Me or Him’ tells the true story of catching and beating COVID.

It’s the culmination of Anecdata’s on-again, off-again, now very much back on-again love affair with the likes of Smashing Pumpkins and other groups that peaked in or around 1993, mixed in with the ever-present influence of bands like Devo, New Order and Ultravox, who knew how to rock a keyboard. Real amps, real drums (via the computer – it’s 2022, after all!) and real rock.