REVIEW: Lasse Soundblaster – On Tapahtumassa Räjähdys

February 28, 2025

By a stroke of some cosmic synchronicity, just as I finished writing the review of the latest solo album by the French sound designer and film composer, Thomas Barrandon, I was hit by the news of the freshly released debut by the Finnish sound designer, Lasse Soundblaster, of PIHKA IS MY NAME fame. Entitled in Finnish, “On Tapahtumassa Räjähdys,” and released on January 23rd, 2025, via his independent label Pihkasound, this solo entrée is a wild mix of vintage, 8-bit Nintendo sounds, organic band instruments, and haunting vocal harmonies. While the album is essentially a pop-tinged endeavor and rather upbeat at it, there is an overarching sense of melancholy weaved into the songs, sometimes popping to the forefront, sometimes resonating with a more subtle aura. Compared to PIHKA IS MY NAME, which I have seen dubbed as the Finnish equivalent of RÜFÜS DU SOL, Lasse‘s solo endeavor sounds like a closer match to the pedigree Finnish pop acts, such as PARIISIN KEVÄT and UUSI FANTASIA. For a synth nerd, the album is a true treasure trove of ear-tingling synth textures. As a nice bonus, those grainy chiptune sounds come from a real 8-bit Nintendo console. so for us old-school gamers, the songs are also littered with haunting sonic vignettes harkening back to the fantasy worlds of Hyrule and whatnot.

The album kicks off with one of the strongest tracks, “Pieni Valo Puiden Keskellä.” Both musically and lyrically, the opener is strongly reminiscent of the 2008 debut of PARIISIN KEVÄT. Lasse‘s vocal style is not that far from that of Arto Tuunela either. So, I cannot see a reason why this banger would not become a huge hit! Get this song on the radio! The song’s hook, that polyrhythmic synth motif pulsating in triplets against the 4/4 beat in the chorus, is diabolically catchy. So, shut up and take my money, already! What an excellent choice for an opener.

The following few tracks might not be as instantly catchy as the opener, because it IS such a punch in the face, but there is a certain appeal in these songs as well. The title track is a nice, upbeat synth-popper recalling the hits of the Finnish electro-pop act, REGINA, from yesteryear. Next, reminiscing on the 1990s, KENT, and techno raves, “PVC 1999” is another fine chapter accounting Lasse‘s love for electronically tinged melancholy – and, speaking of those Swedish melancholy rockers, “Silppuri” is charged with strong “Hagnesta Hill” vibes. Whereas KENT fleshed out their innermost sadness with electric guitars and Big Muffs, Lasse Soundblaster opts for using synths and circuit bending, instead.

This template of wistful electronica is in use for the next couple of tracks, as well. Then, being the darkest song on the album, “Homeinen ja Tunkkainen” became my instant favorite along with the opener. The song’s glitchy intro might even suggest something closer to the abrasive, industrial sound of NINE INCH NAILS until Lasse‘s cherubic vocals dissolve this vibe in favor of a less Gothic but still remarkably plaintive electro-pop.

Before the album is brought to a close with another rather PARIISIN KEVÄT-like banger, “Kotikylä,” the penultimate synth-pop track, “Kundit Kondikseen,” triggers those UUSI FANTASIA flashbacks I mentioned in the opening paragraph. Remember that collaboration track they did with Freeman back in the day? There is something similar in this song, mood-wise, albeit without sly references to losing your mind. So, once through the album, it is quite clear that Lasse Soundblaster is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to quality songwriting. Sure, some of these tracks might have worked as PIHKA IS MY NAME songs, too, but maybe performing them solo brings novel facets of his songcraft to the forefront. There are similarities as much as there are differences. Two tracks stand out, for me, as songs that are surely destined to enter the sacred realm of timelessness – the dark shades of “Homeinen ja Tunkkainen” and the eargasm of “Pieni Valo Puiden Keskellä.” If this debut does not become a huge mainstream success rather shortly, there must be something seriously wrong in this country. Mark my words.