Arkansas one-man army delivers the synthwave anthem this side of 1985
There’s something immediately compelling about “High (Still Not Sorry),” the latest from SPECIAL EFFECTS that dropped September 1st. After a few listens, it’s clear this Arkansas-based talent has found his groove in a big way.
SPECIAL EFFECTS has been quietly perfecting his electronic sound for over a decade now, and “High” feels like a breakthrough moment. The track opens with this pulsing synth line that builds into something genuinely captivating – part dance floor anthem, part rock song, all attitude.
The production immediately grabs your attention. Those opening drums hit with that classic gated reverb punch, while the bassline carries this mechanical throb that feels both retro and completely current. When the talk-box vocals come in, the whole thing takes on this confidence that’s been missing from music lately.
Lyrically, the guy doesn’t hold back. Lines like “My eyes see you my knees get weak” are delivered with this robotic swagger that manages to be both vulnerable and commanding. It’s theatrical without being ridiculous, committed without being campy. Not an easy balance to strike.
The backstory is pretty straightforward – kid grows up obsessing over music, dreams of radio play. But instead of chasing mainstream success, he went in a completely different direction, crafting this unique blend of electronic and rock elements that sounds like nothing else out there right now.
“I want listeners to feel better about themselves,” he explains, and “High” definitely delivers on that promise. This is feel-good music with an edge, the kind of track that makes you want to turn it up and move around. There’s an infectious energy here that’s hard to resist.
This isn’t some bedroom producer throwing ideas at the wall – every element has its place. The guitar work cuts through the electronic landscape perfectly, the drums punch without overwhelming, and that bass just rumbles along underneath everything, holding it all together.
The timing works in his favor too. With synthwave having its moment and rock music needing some fresh energy, SPECIAL EFFECTS arrives with something that bridges both worlds effectively. It’s nostalgic without being backward-looking, modern without losing that retro charm.
There’s no irony here, no winking at the audience. This is straightforward music made by someone who clearly loves what he does. The result feels both familiar and fresh, like discovering a classic you somehow missed the first time around.
The hook is genuinely catchy. By the time those “You getting me high” vocals come in, you’re already hooked. This is music for people who remember when songs had personality, when artists weren’t afraid to commit fully to their vision. SPECIAL EFFECTS gets that balance right – taking the best elements from the past and updating them for today’s listeners.
Early word is spreading through the electronic music community, and people are taking notice. For an independent artist, that’s exactly the kind of organic growth you want to see. The track works on multiple levels – it’s got enough electronic elements to satisfy dance music fans, enough rock DNA to appeal to guitar music lovers, and enough pure pop sensibility to work for casual listeners. And that’s not easy to pull off. For an artist who dreamed of radio play as a kid, this might just be the track that gets him there – if radio is ready for something this good.
High (Still Not Sorry) is available on all streaming platforms.
