“Forbidden Love” - Man vs Synth drop new single
Four piece Naarm/Melbourne rock band Man vs Synth have returned with their first single of 2025: Forbidden Love. Two-odd minutes of layered, synthy bliss, the track takes listeners on a sonic odyssey through dynamic changes and empowered vocals. The track marks the band’s fourth and final single from their imminent full-length debut Voiceless Faces, due later this year
Formed in the tail end of the 2010s, Man vs Synth is fronted by vocalist and guitarist Mathew El Fakhry, and joined by bass player Leigh Biggerstaff, drummer Hamish Cocks and keyboardist Roy Trebilco.
Influenced by his Middle Eastern background, El Fakhry blends international influences like Fairuz and Ziad Rahbani with Western rock icons Nine Inch Nails and Tame Impala to create a swell of new noise.
Singing of love, rejection, introspection and doubt, El Fakhry washes his voice with layers of effects. With contrasting verse sections reminiscent of Buzzcocks Ever Fallen in Love the band parallels the messaging through reflective playing.
A wash of Lonerism-era Tame Impala production builds a massive chorus, propelling the song into a wide-screen feeling of depth - jumping between filtered out passages and full-powered moments.
Refreshing in a whole new way, Forbidden Love teases a year of excitement for Man vs Synth - keep your heads to the ground for more from the sonic explorers.
Out now on Spotify, give the single a listen here.