Review: This is the first of two EPs leading up to Future Sound of London's much anticipated 2025 album and it is a powerful powering as you would expect of the electric pioneers. Side-A offers a dark ambient atmosphere as it weaves choral mists and ritualistic beats that evoke an eerie, swamp-like world before landing in an unsettling suburban scene. Side-B opens with reflective tones but shifts into a baroque minimalism that merges modular synths, breaks and drum machines. Layered with ambient field recordings and meticulously selected samples, the EP showcases FSOL's unique way of blending atmospheric depth and electronic experimentation into a hauntingly immersive experience.
Review: Scale and Scope is a set of four 7" and one-sided coloured flexidisc records where each one contains "an instantiation of an individual microtonal designer scale" all developed by Stefan Goldmann. These experimental sounds pair wispy fragments of melody, the hiss of static electricity, twisted drones and only just audible details that add a range of moods from psychedelic introspection to cosmic wonder. 'Series Y (Gamma)' sounds like the internal thoughts of R2D2, while 'Series D (Delta)' is a futuristic symphony of melody and harmony.
Review: Curiously, 'The Winning Streak' has nothing to do with Miami Vice the TV series - in fact, the artist was an alias of library music legend Alan Hawkshaw and the track was a piece he composed in the early 1980s that ended up being used as the theme for a long-forgotten UK drama about 'family business intrigue'. The track, presented on this Miss You reissue in extended and original forms, is however a far-sighted treat - a combination of Harold Flatermeyer style synthsesiser excellence, delay-laden drums, Martin Rushent-esque percussion, trippy melodic motifs and just the right amount of sonic intrigue. A slept-on delight for sure. To round off an excellent EP, we also get original bonus cut 'Roadrunner', a synth-heavy instrumental which was used as incidental music in the TV series.
Porter Brook - "Three Things You Can Watch Forever" (5:58)
Ayu - "Light & Reflection" (4:51)
Atavic - "Subconscious" (5:30)
Tammo Hesselink & DYL - "Accent Award" (5:10)
Plebeian - "Gowanus" (5:05)
Review: Aaron J's Sure Thing kicks on towards its tenth release with a superb new 12" packed with fresh techno jams. Myriad different mods, grooves and tempos are on offer here starting with the puling rhythmic depths of Vardae's 'Pahlevan' then moving on to Kick21's 'Bright Interface', a dark and haunting low-end wobbler. Atavic's 'Subconscious' is a heady one with ambient cosmic pads over deeply hurried, supple rhythms then while Tammo Hesselink & DYL combine to mesmeric effect on the carefully curated broken beat brilliance of 'Accent Award.' A forward-thinking EP for sure.
Review: Black Truffle's tenth-anniversary reissue of Oren Ambarchi's Quixotism brings renewed attention to this monumental 2014 release. Originally recorded with collaborators across Europe, Japan, Australia, and the U.S., Quixotism unfolds as a single, long-form piece split into five sections. Anchored by Thomas Brinkmann's steady, double-time electronic percussion, the piece gradually evolves from orchestral depth and subtle piano motifs (courtesy of John Tilbury) to a striking polyrhythmic shuffle, culminating in the final passages with U-zhaan's masterful tabla. Throughout its journey, Ambarchi weaves guitar textures that shift from clipped, sparse tones to lush, reverberated layers, creating an expansive yet cohesive sonic landscape. The interplay of acoustic and electronic elementsiranging from the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra's grandeur to Crys Cole's intimate contact-mic texturesiguides the listener through an otherworldly audio experience. Influenced by Cologne techno, Eliane Radigue's long-form compositions, and the fluidity of improvisation, Quixotism shifts in subtle, dreamlike transitions. Remastered by Joe Talia, this edition offers a clearer perspective on the album's intricate sound design, reaffirming its relevance while pointing forward to Ambarchi's future works like Hubris and Hence.
Review: William Gibson's Neuromancer celebrates its 40th anniversary and revisiting this seminal work reveals the depth of its world-building and the haunting cultural echoes that resonate with our modern experience. Gibson's vision of a future, envisioned in an era when the internet was just emerging, intertwines optimism with a palpable sense of anxiety. In 1994, to mark the book's tenth anniversary, New York duo Black Rain was invited to create a soundtrack for the audiobook, narrated by Gibson himself. Initially released on a series of cassettes, this project offered a rare insight into Gibson's interpretation of the novel's characters and settings. Following a phase of expansion, core members Stuart Argabright and Shinichi Shimokawa shifted their focus to a more streamlined duo format, leading to innovative studio practices and a unique sonic language. While the audiobook achieved notable success, the soundtrack faded into obscurity, with only a few tracks appearing in compilations. Now, drawing from the original master tapes, this edition encapsulates the atmospheric essence of Neuromancer, crafting an immersive auditory experience that echoes the novel's surreal landscape.
Review: James William Blades' score Pare De Sufrir comes via AD 93 and serves as the official soundtrack to A.G. Rojas' film of the same name. Known for directing music videos for artists like Jamie xx and Mitski, Spanish-born, California-raised filmmaker Rojas crafted his first independent film and it's a quiet, 48-minute meditation on grief and healing. Blades' composition captures Rojas' vision without ever having watched the film and he does a fine job of creating an evocative, operatic soundscape of orchestral and choral elements. Drawing from shared personal narratives, Blades layers field recordings, strings and voices that mirror the unspoken, fragile nature of loss and renewal into an intriguing long player.
Review: Blue Chemise's debut LP, Influence On Dusk, re-emerges after its original 2017 release of only 105 copies as this vital reissue. BAADM makes the sought-after album widely available with remastered sound by Christophe Albertijn and updated artwork that stays true to the artist's vision. Influence On Dusk is a unique cycle of fourteen electroacoustic compositions that are mysterious, sometimes haunting, and always filled with a gentle melancholy. This reissue marks Australian artist Mark Gomes' second release on BAADM following the more romantic Flower Studies in 2021 and is one that captures his evocative, introspective style in a new light.
Review: The reissue of Cagnet's Love Generation soundtrack is a nostalgic treasure for fans of 90s Japanese drama music. Originally composed for the hit series Love Generation (1997), starring Takuya Kimura and Takako Matsu, this soundtrack beautifully captures the show's emotional depth. Cagnet. led by Daisuke Hinata, crafted a unique blend of smooth jazz, pop, and wistful melodies that perfectly mirror the highs and lows of the drama's love story. Ahead of the time for then, now fits well with the Japanese reissue focus on smooth City Pop sounds. What sets this soundtrack apart is its balance between atmospheric background music and catchy, memorable tunes, which play an integral role in heightening the emotional resonance of key scenes. These tracks show Cagnet's ability to weave together soulful rhythms with melodic sophistication, making this reissue a perfect trip down memory lane. Now available on clear red double vinyl, Love Generation is an ideal piece to fit in with the classic Japanese drama soundtracks.
Review: Nicola Cruz's third studio album Kinesia blends intricate studio sessions with rich analogue synthesis to create a deeply introspective soundscape. This album serves as an "antenna" that allows you to tune into ancient messages, words and rhythms. Opening with a unique 5/4 rhythm, Cruz conjures a textural, almost meditative world where tracks like 'Perma' and 'Telepathine' evoke both mysticism and movement. Each piece is woven with chants, subtle percussion and expansive textures that draw you in ever deeper to Cruz's evolving, kinetic sound, making it perfect for both reflective listening and the dancefloor.
Review: Current 93's latest album, Sketches of My Nightmares, is a collection of fractured musical scribblings that evoke a sense of dreamlike wonder and disorientation. The album is a tapestry of skittering sounds, strange tape loops, and other outlandish noises that weave together to create a haunting and evocative atmosphere. One of the highlights of Sketches of My Nightmares is Tibet's haunting vocals. His voice is both ethereal and powerful, conveying a sense of vulnerability and longing. The lyrics, which are often cryptic and enigmatic, add to the album's dreamlike quality. Overall, Sketches of My Nightmares is a masterpiece of avant-garde music. It is a record that is both challenging and rewarding, and one that will leave a lasting impression on the listener.
Review: Karl D'Silva's debut album, Love Is A Flame In The Dark, is an evocative exploration of sound that challenges conventional boundaries. Over two years of recording, D'Silva has created a compelling landscape where industrial grit meets tender melodies. Self-recorded in Rotherham and meticulously mixed in Leeds by Ross Halden, this album stands as a testament to D'Silva's ability to craft a distinctive pop language rooted in a post-industrial ethos. The album resonates with a sense of urgency and raw emotional depth. Drawing from influences as varied as Cabaret Voltaire and Nine Inch Nails, D'Silva's music is a fusion of inventive sound design and earnestness. Tracks like 'Wild Kiss' showcase thunderous percussion intertwined with D'Silva's commanding voice, while 'Flowers Start To Cry' marries aggressive drum programming with a haunting falsetto, evoking comparisons to Nine Inch Nails' visceral production style but with a unique, personal twist. Throughout Love Is A Flame In The Dark, D'Silva's versatility is evident. 'On The Outside' offers a soundscape of synths and saxophone, echoing the adventurous spirit of late 60s Free Jazz. 'Entropy' stands out with its expansive synth pop, while 'Nowhere Left To Run' weaves a narrative of light emerging from darkness with its midi-string orchestration. D'Silva's voice, a soulful rasp from his early medical history, imbues the music with a fearless yet tender quality. This album captures a journey from darkness into light, reflecting D'Silva's profound connection to his craft and the emotional weight of his experiences.
Review: In the third instalment of Whispers of an Ancient World, the legend that is DMX KREW brings his personal vision to Jorge Luis Borges's story The Library of Babel. Inspired by Borges's universe, DMX KREW explores the library as both a physical and symbolic space and one that houses the vast sum of human knowledge. This library is far from static; it's alive, buzzing with activity and guarded by librarians who are also seekers each interpreting the infinite knowledge within its endless hexagonal rooms. Outside of the concept, the tunes are superbly cinematic, with narrative-field ambient soundscapes and deft synth modulations all triggering plenty of emotional responses.
Review: GNOD, the ever-evolving psychedelic noise-rock collective, returns with Inner Fucking Peace, a transformative collaboration with Portuguese vocalist MC Sissi. Known for constantly reinventing their sound, GNOD delivers an album that pushes new boundaries. Comprised of eight tracks for voice and electronics, this release merges experimental textures with Sissi's stream-of-consciousness Portuguese lyrics. The album showcases a broad sonic palette, from the minimalist tuned percussion of 'Stop' to the ominous electronics and crashing industrial drums on 'Get Out', reminiscent of GNOD's touring partners Harrga. Tracks like 'Tea & Eggs' delve into reggaeton-infused minimal synth, while 'Flute Theme' centers around chopped and screwed woodwind arrangements. MC Sissi's contributions, often improvised, bring an emotional depth to the album. Her irate vocals, mournful crooning and playful autotune add a new dimension to GNOD's industrial beats and spaced-out synths. With tracks ranging from hypnotic hand drum workouts to the gloom-laden 'Cannela Crematoria', Inner Fucking Peace marks another bold, unpredictable chapter in GNOD's extensive discography, leaving fans eager for what's next.
Review: Labyrinthe! stands as a singular achievement in Pierre Henry's illustrious career, showcasing his ability to craft music even when deprived of his usual sonic resources. The sounds for this piece were supplied by GRM collaborators, each bringing their own unique qualities and textures. Despite not being his own material, Henry's distinct voice and musical vision quickly come to the forefront. Through this intricate soundscape, Henry constructs a maze of audio, focusing intently on the development and manipulation of the sounds provided. His clarity of purpose and deliberate approach is evident throughout, as he shapes the contributions of others into something unmistakably his own. The piece is built upon the interplay of disparate elements, all meticulously woven together into a cohesive sonic journey. Henry described Labyrinthe! as a collaborative venture, a fusion of 58 sound fragments from seven different composers, forming a work that feels both expansive and tightly intertwined. His harmonic sensitivity ensures that the diverse sources never clash but instead create a complex, interlocking sound world. Labyrinthe! is a brilliant testament to Henry's mastery of electroacoustic composition and his remarkable ability to turn limitations into creative triumphs.
Review: HNNY's long-awaited album Light Shines Through marks a serene return to electronic soundscapes, offering a delicate and introspective journey through ten tracks. After nearly a decade, the Swedish produceriknown for his minimalist, atmospheric productionsidelivers a record filled with soothing, vibrant compositions perfect for moments of quiet reflection. Moving away from the soulful samples of his debut, Light Shines Through focuses on ambient serenity. Tracks like 'Melody Electronics' and 'The Smallest Things' showcase a subtle blend of muted percussion, shimmering synths, and ethereal vocals, creating a tranquil listening experience. Even the more energetic moments, like 'All For You', maintain a chilled-out quality, with light rhythms and swirling melodies inviting calm. The album is concise but fully captivating, weaving tiny sonic worlds within its restrained runtime. HNNY's intricate yet understated approach makes it a perfect companion for study sessions or peaceful mornings. From the hypnotic repetition of the title track to the soft journey of 'Morning Trip', Light Shines Through is an endearing exploration of electronic simplicity and introspection.
Review: New York-based South African Brendon Moeller has been exploring the outer fringes of electronic music for the best part of two decades, frequently mixing and matching elements of ambient, dub, IDM, drone and more out-there experiments. On Mirage, he's opted for accessible and immersive, offering up a suite of subline ambient cuts recorded during a brief NYC heatwave and sonically reflective of those sweltering, sun-baked conditions. It's undoubtedly one of his most accessible and enjoyable releases for some time, with highlights including 'Daybreak' (where occasional jazz drum breaks and gentle TB-303 acid lines snake around delightful ambient pads), the layered, dubbed-out and spacey 'Pressure', the picturesque bliss of 'Cloudburst' and the ambient dub headiness of 'Sundown'.
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