A
brief roundup of some of the best releases and new labels to hit
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| Electronic | |
| Nathan Fake : Drowning in a Sea of Love (Border Community) | |
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The debut album from Nathan Fake, the new holder of the crown of laptop shoegaze and leading light of James Holden's Border Community imprint. Very much in thrall to 'Geogaddi'-era Boards of Canada and MBV's 'Loveless', it cannot really match those heights, but nonetheless is an seductive and addictive blend of fuzzy distorted electronics, simply composed and structured, that warrants a slot alongside those albums in any collection. Recommended. |
| Various : Advanced Public Listening (Laboratory Instinct) | |
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Excellent compilation on an excellent new label already making a name for itself. With mint artwork and a website by Universal Everything (Matt Pyke previously of TDR), the quality of the music is equally high. This comp features Luke Vibert's elusive 'Mechanical Man' (an outtake from the YosepH sessions), plus a very classy Soul Center track 'Snoopy' from Thomas Brinkmann. Other artists include Phoenecia, Atom, Daedalus and more. |
| Ghost Box | |
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The label launched by graphic designer Julian House (renowned for his sleeves for Broadcast, Stereolab, Primal Scream and others) inspired by British arcana, library music and vintage electronics. Releases on the label feature some non-credited appearances by members of Plone and Broadcast, and The Focus Group is Julian House himself. |
| Planet Mu, Dubstep | |
 
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Mike Paradinas' Planet Mu label is on a roll at the moment with a release schedule of 12"s and Eps that reads like a checklist of some of the very best work around in various fields of breakbeat science. From the Vibert/AFX-esque style of Boxcutter, to the chopped Amens of Equinox, Bizzy B and the forthcoming Soundmuderer and Sk1 (their best yet) with dubstep courtesy of Pinch and Vex'd thrown in for good measure, Planet Mu are nicely blurring the lines between the separate scenes of electronica, jungle and dubstep grime. Also on the Dubstep front, check the latest addition from the DMZ label, and new label additions Hotflush and Tectonic. |
| Experimental, Avant Garde, Electro-acoustic | |
| Keith Fullerton Whitman : Lisbon (Kranky) | |
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After last year's stunning 'Multiples', Whitman's latest for Kranky is a 42 minute document of a live performance in October last year at the Galeria ZŽ Dos Bois in the Portuguese capital. ".. a piece that, like Fennesz' Live in Japan, doesn't make much sense cut into smaller segments. The time commitment is an obstacle, but the payoff is substantial. It comes back to the trajectory. When I picture a successful long-form laptop set, the perfect arc is something launched low-- 35 degrees, say-- with great force and a heavy wind coefficient so the piece dies quickly after reaching its expressive peak. Whitman here has followed it to the letter, constructing a riveting piece of music with the organic drama of a three-act play." Pitchfork |
| Ryoji Ikeda : Dataplex (Raster Noton) | |
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One day, everyone will hear sounds like these in their ears once we are forced to wear mind-controlling bluetooth brain implants, but for now consider yourself privy to some of the most startlingly minimalist music you will ever hear. The pieces on Dataplex start off simply, sounding like raw data or machine code, but by track 8 or 9 gradually become more complex and intricate, at times taking on a rhythmic complexity akin to drum and bass or techno (Check 'data.superhelix'). As with the best minimalist work in any field, it is what is not there that makes it so effective, allowing the listener to fill in the spaces and create their own unique experience. |
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"Rhythmic
Denial is a reinterpretation of the melodic structure of 'Color Strip',
concentrating on other things besides the rhythm... its mostly beatless,
using direct tracks from all the songs in a seamless 30 minute mix."
Jimmy Edgar |
Electro & Techno |
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| Alex Smoke Paradolia (Soma) | |
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".. 'Paradolia' is a stunning success - Considering how difficult it is for techno producers to make complete, cohesive albums, his achievement is all the more notable. Smoke's work normally gets pigeonholed into the increasingly broad and meaningless category of 'minimal', but this album is anything but. His productions are lush affairs, brimming with layers and texture. With this release, Smoke has cemented his place at the forefront of techno today and 'Paradolia' is one of the best releases you will hear this year. Essential." Resident Advisor.net |
| Jimmy Edgar: Color Strip (Warp) | |
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Jimmy's debut LP for Warp, 'Color Strip' welds Jimmy's trademark beat programming to the bump n' grind of dancefloor electro and digital RnB sleaze. The result is bathed in a modernist sheen that reflects his various influences of super-stylized fashion, intercontinental nightlife and original Detroit techno futurism. |
| Lindstrom & Prins Thomas : Lindstrom & Prins Thomas (Eskimo) | |
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Brilliant album from 2005 just added to Bleep - Some of the best modern electronic disco ever made and totally essential for any lovers of Metro Area, Kerrier District/Luke Vibert, Passarani/Nature and the output of the Clone & Viewlexx labels. |
| Richard H Kirk : Fear (No Evil) (Dust Science) | |
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New EP
on Sheffield's Dust Science label (recently added to Bleep) from the
Cabaret Voltaire founder member, legendary Warp artist, and all round
electronic pioneer. 'Toned' sounds like a square-off between Surgeon
and LFO, with the bleeps from Kirk's own "Testone" thrown in for good
measure. The other tracks incorporate clipped afro rhythms reminiscent
of Richard's Sandoz work, or early Carl Craig. |
| Tampopo : Sellafield (Trapez) | |
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"Sellafield Two drips with dangerous eroticism and hidden desire. A builder of epic proportions, this is one of the most refined statements the label has made." Failme Plus: Full Trapez / Traum vinyl back catalogue added! |
| Isolee : Western Store (Playhouse) | |
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Compiled
by one half of Alter Ego, "Western Store" is a top compilation
of hard-to-find 12" works by Isolée (aka Rajko Muller). Some are from Isolée’s early days - the beautiful New Orderesque "Initiate II" or the hypnotic deep dub reggae disco on "Monitor" (both on Play 014). Other works include the maze-like and mystical "Lost", Rajko’s last Playhouse 12” before last year's "We are Monster" album, plus the Freeform Five mix of "Beau Mot Plage". |
| Guitar, Rock, Jazz | |
Belle & Sebastian: If You're Feeling Sinister (Live) (Rough Trade) |
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As part of the Don't Look Back series of concerts curated by All Tomorrow's Parties, B&S revisited their classic album for a one-off live performance at the Barbican Centre in London. |
| Mogwai : Mr Beast (PIAS) | |
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Utterly excellent return from Mogwai, satisfying the diehard fans and converting some newbies as well.
Veering from slightly oppressive neo-classical piano pieces to trademark wall of noise freakouts,
this is equal parts spine tingling horror and beauty.
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| Arthur Russell Calling Out of Context (Audika) | |
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A tight compilation of Russell's more abstract, free-jazz excursions assembled lovingly by Steve Knutson, previously of the Tommy Boy label. |
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