"synthpop" programming

[elephant stone]

I'm still in love with those nice synths sounds and phrases from the nineties, Saint Etienne style synths.
How it is programmed: arpeggiator ? sequencers ? delays ? compression ?
Now: with my virtual synths (Korg Legacy Collection, Emu Proteus X, plus freewares) and sequencer (Tracktion) I never succeeded to get close to it.
Any ressource or tip to share highly appreciated...