Laserboy is a duo from Japan that is, in their own words, "seeking vocoder sound beyond new wave music". They refrain from giving their real names, using only the pseudonyms InDeo boy & caSio boy. 2005 saw the Japan-only release of their debut album "Sizuoka Sity" which they tell us “won a widely acclaim”. Their sound is a pleasant and dreamlike yet somehow frantic blend of electro and synth-pop, with engagingly incomprehensible lyrics translated by computer from japanese to english. Serotonin chose a few tracks to license for release and remix and made a deal with this mysterious duo. Two of those tracks are featured on SER018, the label's first new release since 1999 (SER0 first ever to release Fischerspooner's "Emerge"). "Video Boy" is presented in the form of an extended DJ-friendly edit by John Selway, under his Brinton McKay alias. Positive and fully nostalgic, it draws equally from mid-80's synth-pop, italo disco and freestyle. It certainly has the potential to inspire a friendly and uplifted dance floor. "It's Painful By You" is a hypnotizing and bittersweet electro love song incorporating beautifully layered echoing melodies. It is a perfect representation of Laserboy at it's best. The digital release of SER018 will include two additional tracks, the original demo of "Video Boy" and "China It's Technology" The second artist featured on the EP is the very talented and prolific Stephen Arnold, known professionally as Espion. Hailing from Glasgow, UK he has been producing a variety of styles of electronic music since 1994 and has performed his "dark, intricate and emotive electro" live sets in venues all over the UK and Europe. He has released originals and remixes on noteworthy labels such as Soma Recordings and also produces music for TV and film. Espion’s track "Scalex" harkens back to earlier days of Serotonin, giving up a energetic fusion of danceable electro, sophisticated melody, bone shaking bass and synapse-tweaking sounds that maintains a deep root of funk. It’s an ideal track to mark both the label's past and current directions. An expertly freaked-out, highly syncopated acidic remix of "Scalex" comes to us from Finland's Tatu Metsätähti, one half of the accomplished electro duo Mr. Velcro Fastener. He appears here under his solo project name Mesak, which he also uses for his releases on the outstanding Dutch label Klakson. Serotonin is honored to have this remix from one of their favorite producers in recent years.