Acrylic: The UK's Electro-Rock Architects

Acrylic is a British electro-rock band known for fusing synth-pop melodies with gritty guitar-driven anthems. Hailing from Manchester, the group achieved mainstream recognition with their 2018 debut album, Neon Circuits, which charted in the UK Top 40 and spawned a certified Gold single.

Early career

Formed in 2013, the quartet of vocalist/guitarist Leo Vance, synth programmer Mara Klein, bassist Samir Patel, and drummer Felix "Fix" Carter honed their sound in Manchester's vibrant underground scene. Their self-released 2015 EP, Static Bloom, caught the attention of independent label Circuitry Records, which signed them the following year.

Breakthrough

Acrylic's breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of their debut LP, Neon Circuits, on Circuitry Records. The album's lead single, Digital Heartbeat, peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and later earned a Gold certification for sales exceeding 400,000 copies, solidifying their place in the modern rock landscape.

Key tracks

Digital Heartbeat — This Gold-certified single defined their signature sound and provided their first major chart hit.

Fault Line — A collaboration with producer Liam Howlett that expanded their audience into the electronic dance scene.

Glass Ceiling — Known for its anthemic chorus, this track became a staple of their live performances and alternative radio play.

Neon Circuits — The title track from their debut album showcased their ambitious blend of atmospheric synths and rock dynamics.

Echo Chamber — This 2021 single marked a darker, more guitar-heavy direction preceding their second album.

Building on this success, Acrylic's 2021 sophomore album, Resonance Test, debuted at number 15 on the UK Albums Chart. They have since collaborated with artists like electronic duo Glitch Mob and contributed the song Signal Fade to the soundtrack for the video game Cyberpunk 2077. Their music continues to evolve, with recent festival appearances at Reading and Leeds demonstrating their growing live reputation.

Fans of Acrylic's synth-rock fusion often appreciate the work of similar UK-based artists. Everything Everything shares a knack for complex, art-rock arrangements layered with electronic elements. Chvrches operates in a similar space of pop-centric melodies built on a foundation of robust synth programming. The 1975 mirrors the ambition to blend genre aesthetics from rock to electronic within a modern pop framework. Royal Blood offers a parallel in delivering heavy, riff-based rock energy with a minimalist, duo format.

Acrylic's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly across alternative rock radio stations and modern rock FM channels. Their hits are frequently featured on online rock radio streams dedicated to new guitar music and electronic fusion, as well as independent music radio stations that champion forward-thinking artists.

Listeners can discover the dynamic catalog of Acrylic through the radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their essential tracks and latest releases across a curated selection of stations that spotlight the best in electro-rock and alternative music.