We recently had the most excellent opportunity to check out the new single “Just Pretend” from Boston chiptune electronic-pop trio Battlemode and we can’t stop smiling and grooving. You can listen to the musical Picasso that is “Just Pretend” on Spotify Here on Apple Music Here and on Bandcamp Here

Let us start by saying that from the moment we pressed played on “Just Pretend” from Battlemode we fell instantly in love with. “Just Pretend” iis everything that is right and good about music . “Just Pretend” gave us literal goosebumps from the first note so freaking good.

Where July single “Playlist” – declared an undisputed “Song of the Summer” by Boston media – was a broken-hearted breakup song and the digital impressions we leave behind, the pulsating 8-bit sophistication of “Just Pretend” suggests a new level of life and love awaits just around the corner for Astrologic (Astro), Bifflecup (Biff), and Sam Mulligan. It’s a restart of the game of love, just when everyone around them is feeling reborn. 

“Just Pretend’ is about two people starting a possible new relationship, but still having reservations because of past love trauma. They ultimately decide to ‘Just Pretend’ that stuff doesn’t matter and to live for the moment. The theme and lyrics were inspired by a relationship I was in where we both were scarred by the past, but we wanted to pretend we were normal people, and could have a fresh start.” – Astro 

Battlemode, will make an appearance at a special 35mm screening of Hackers at the Somerville Theatre on September 15’s Hack The Planet Day (an event curated by Battlemode themselves), the idea of starting over – and leaving the past behind – rings clear across a cool wave of Game Boy bleeps and bloops. You can find more information Here

“Musically, the center of gravity on ‘Just Pretend’ is the chiptune solo section,” says Biff. “The idea was to present a digital pop song that doesn’t initially reek of chiptune. The solo acts like a hair-metal guitar solo – slightly virtuosic, dramatic, and shows-off what a Game Boy can really do.”    

Battlemode make vibrant and meaningful music that touches your soul and makes you move your feet and “Just Pretend “ is a shining example of this.