The Pad Foundation – Variations On A Theme (2010)

Swishotheque

• IDM 
• Electronic music 
• Synth-pop 
• Mood music 
• Ambient pop 
• Chilltronica

Comment: these 47 minutes do create the impression of a cohesive release while listening to it the listener can feel common parts coming from one track and then transmitting into another. By the way, this is the method of this 9-track album by using one and the same element in different tracks, so it can be admitted it is an economical approach and effective result at the same time. On the other side, although one can perceive some commonness between the tracks there are also up disparate peaks. For instance, at Scotch Mist the track is built up on revolving piano chords, dreamy female vocal samples, and synthesised orchestrations and something else even more and all of that will be evolving and co-operating through the course in an irresistible manner. It is called synergy, isn't? The following track Elastoplast is remarkably more spastic and nervous – the beats are cut-up, and glitched-out yet being backed up by a beatific sloping upward. At times there are represented slight echoes, and vague sonic effects atop the algorithm of IDM-tinged rhythms. Undoubtedly it does not suffocate the spacey keenness of the release. It reminds me of some Estonian IDM/experimental electronic romantics like Uni, and Myrakaru for the beginning of the 00s. The issue is a part of the discography of Swishcotheque. Top slab.

Útidúr - Fisherman's Friend

Microscopes – Points of Interest (2010)

Vulpiano

Free Music Archive

• Lo-fi 
• Space pop 
• DIY 
• Indie pop 
• Bedroom pop 
• Synth-pop 
• Art pop 
• Soul

Comment: given that the issue was released in 2010 and while listening to the duo`s music I would like to assume their points of interest are closely Zeitgeist-ridden drawing on lo-fi and DIY approach which made a renaissance in the beginning of the 00s. Moreover, their music does away with sterile studio production and even incorporating hirsute and noisy developments into the 11-track mix. Dusty or spaced-out synth pads which used to come in and go out and Fred´s singing rather in high registers add an extra value to the blend. At times it is soul, at times just deranged mumbling out of a bedroom, at times like an example of proto-house. On the other side, it involves every kind of classical pop tendencies so by matching the two aforementioned tendencies the result is intriguing enough as have showcased such lo-fi luminaries as Ariel Pink, and R Stevie Moore and many more before the year of 2010. The favourite tunes of mine are artsy Wolfman, and Child`s Play. The issue is a part of the discography of Vulpiano Records.

Tiiu Kiik – Lend ja tants (2010)

Bandcamp

• Electronic pop 
• Dream pop
• Mood music 
• Indietronica 
• Ambient pop 
• Synthwave 
• Electro-indie 
• Alternative 
• Synth-pop 
• Chilltronica

Comment: it`s Eurovision time, it`s time for a horrendous freak show time which reflects upon the fact of how declined is the culture of Europe at the moment. And it does not depend on condition is Jean Claude able to drink it more beautiful or less ugly (as you wish). For serious music fans the contest is the synonym of a bad taste and nightmarish balagan which the intention to taunt the nature of music. I can remember for the Eurovision precontest in Estonia in 2010 when Tiiu Kiik with a song called The One and Only – Love competed there but did not get a high place. However, it is a brilliant song and for sure it is not a place to throw pearls before the swines anymore. Dreamy atmosphere and otherworldly harmonies with the swaying singer did create a fascinating milieu. It can be said at Lend ja tants it is one of the highlights. In general, the 14-notch issue contains dream-soaked compositions though there are up some exceptions either. For instance, at Õhtupoolik one can hear post-punk and synth-wave induced electro-indie stomps. Great track. At Üle kuristiku you can hear suggestive bagpipes being embellished with peaky rhythms. In a word, enjoy the album with great flow.

x3d5 – Binary Protection (2010)

Subwise

Fusion

• Electronic music 
• Ambient 
• Psybient 
• Alternative 
• Breaks 
• Chilltronica 
• New Age 
• Mood music 
• Glitchtronica

Comment: this batch of 10 tracks is like a raindrop reflecting upon the qualities of being embraced in the other raindrops either. I mean lots of breaks, ambient, cut-up debris, synth effects and psychedelic tendencies to be up there in many ways interspersed with one another. Moreover, it can be considered as a recent New Age music example as if sitting somewhere in the middle of rain forest and enjoying the play of shadows. Sultry rhythms and colourful synthesised shades used to flicker in a way to provide a magical, a bit otherworldly experience. As you can hear it is an organic listening experience. It a bit reminds of some albums of Estonian artist Tont. The cover print is black and white and depicting a place in nature by accentuating its distance from the civilised life. Great music by any means created by Russian artist Vitaliy Stromchinskiy. The outing is a joint release of the discographies of Russian imprints Subwise, and Fusion.

Nasienie – Prevention of Sleep Disorders EP (2010)

Webbed Hand

Webbed Hand

• Ambient 
• Electronic music 
• Experimental electronica 
• Post-industrial 
• Drone 
• Avant-electronica 
• Electro-acoustic

Comment: as you can see this 4-track issue provides a practical intention. It is produced by a legendary Russian experimental musician, Nasienie so I can guess to get a good result from it. It is not the first time by him to appear at RMH. Once I read about a black metal musician who was treated in the psychiatric clinic in the way he would have to produce one track in a day to reflect upon his recent mental shape. If the sleep disorders could be resolved through demanding rational analysis and it was backed up by commanding music then this album is for you. Indeed, I cannot say this album is an example of music which used to be regarded as the typical sort of sleep music. Although it includes some dreamy progressions it is quite intensive through post-industrial fields which are up there through clanging electro-acoustic experiments, bold and at times amplified drones, and glitched-out fringes (in the first place at Detuned Sunday). On the other side, the artist does not torture a listener with lengthy compositions rather giving her/him possibility to relax through subconscious turns. In a word, it is a strong result by Nasienie and Webbed Hand Records.

LFC – Insanitarius (2010)

pCloud

• Ambient 
• Avant-garde 
• Experimentalism 
• Leftfield 
• Electronic music 
• Avant-rock 
• Experimental rock 
• Freeformfreakout 
• Space rock 
• Guitar ambient 
• Electro-acoustic 
• Psycho-acoustic 
• Improvised music

Comment: from zombie-induced backmasking Maggots In The Tongue to delta blues drenched Encordoamento the Brazilian Lucas Pastina's Insanitarius sets a new pace to bring forth his new and crazy ideas for all of us. Why we actually need them? I do not know but I know we need them in a certain way and for a certain purpose. Given that the path of the artist is disparate it is very mind-provoking to follow it. To see how it goes on, to see how it used to meander and dodge in certain moments, how it used to ascend and fade away. It is an ecstatic way to represent one's compelling grips through the sound. Insanitarius is also about insanity and madness as the aforementioned issues but musically-stylistically it can be considered an example of space rock with some reservations. The reservation does mean it can be considered as an example of guitar ambient either. The reservation does also mean it is a bit improvised, it seems not to be determined. By the way, you can hear the aforementioned zombies within the album as well though they are bit more withdrawn because of being buried in a half filled grave. I am very impressed of how some artists like Lucas Pastina can define aesthetic borders on certain albums and develop within these borders. I am way too volatile and haphazard to fulfill it. It is a kind of art. Intensity used to change throughout the 11-track outing but spaced-out influences used to bounce atop a listener's head. Furthermore, you can hear tectonic snoring within the whole. By any means, it is the feeling! Do you think of it you have sacrificed your valuable time to listen to it? Vice versa, Lucas Pastina has sacrificed his own time to redeem your frivolous nature and appease and replace your fake go(o)ds. For me, it makes very sense in the middle of nothing. Nothing as a state of being. Top quality by any means.

LFC – Maggots In My Tongue (2010)

pCloud

• Avant-garde 
• Experimentalism 
• Freeformfreakout 
• Leftfield 
• Non-music 
• Psycho-acoustic

Comment: it's time to arrive at Lucas Pastina aka LFC's music. The Brazilian persona non grata in music sets up something truly provokingly dysfunctional through these 9 compositions. The more I listen to it the more I feel I am being surrounded by our distant forefathers coming out of the Stone Age. Their dysfunctional speech and lack of articulation do shift the listener's perception through rough vowel effects, let's try to be without any adornments, just spooky moaning. Our dear forefathers as zombies. Do you think such sort of sound has never had any impact on pop music? You are wrong. Some music critics consider Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica the most innovative chapter within the history of pop music. LFC is here without blues, without no musical accompaniment altogether. Just some sonic effects, cold reverberations and sharp clashes are up there to deviate a possibly more coherent impact you could otherwise pick up on it. In a word, it is a ruthless example of sound yet the surrounding life is clearly more remorseless. Moreover, deranged madmen in music used to spill their seminal seeds for the forthcoming generations given that insanity is a driving force to move the ideas further. If you are thinking of the title and the cover print as disgusting you would change your mind by thinking of it as nutritionally highly caloric. You will get nourished. Frankly, it is frantic.

The Peach Tree – The Peach Tree (2010)

Bandcamp

• Synthwave 
• Goth synth 
• Alternative rock 
• Industrial rock 
• Electro rock 
• Synth-rock 
• Electronic music 
• World fusion 
• Hard rock 
• Singer-songwriter 
• Dark wave

Comment: The Peach Tree is the solo project of Angus Maiden whose is being known as a Melbourne, Australian maverick in sonic creation. An indie man with more heavy leanings in aesthetic preferences. Throughout the course of 12 tracks the listener can perceive this stylistically wobbling enterprise based mostly on the industrial rock template. In a word, boxy guitars and set-up machine rhythms are intertwined with electronic layers and loaded boats of electrified energy. Yet his grip is remarkably broader due to dodges into murky dungeon synthesiser realm and fragmented and convulsive world music (a fascinating composition called Ganesh) and also riff-based hard rock at Blind. Furthermore, On A River is a profound insight into a beatific moment while spending your time being far away from the civilization and being affected by the natural elements as one's genuine brothers only. Place Of Out is a drift between the aforementioned dungeon industrial progressions and muffled storytelling. Just an acoustic guitar and one phrase singing are up there as a way to partake in meditation being backed up by an atmospheric synthesised layer. In a word, it is a solid glimpse into Angus Maiden's versatile world. It will take you by surprise even if you are listening to it a third or fourth time in a row. It unveils many sonic surprises followed by other ones and ultimately you can perceive the fine balance between the technical and moody side. That's all what we need from a decent music outing.

Betelmire – 606 MPH (2005/2010)

Rain Above

• Indie pop 
• Alternative pop 
• DIY 
• Lo-fi 
• Folk indie 
• Drone pop 
• New Weird America 
• Organcore 
• Singer-songwriter 
• Indie folk 
• Bedroom pop 
• Indietronica

Comment: I would like to call this set of 8 tracks an instance of old school indie. More profoundly, I mean the music coming out from the 80s, the 90s, and the 00s by the US-based indie mavericks such as Galaxie 500, Yo La Tengo, and Low (with regard to their more restrained moments). On the other side, the issue was released in the middle of the 00s which was the heyday of the Weird New America movement. I really liked and still like such indie chicks who produce lo-fi tinged droning organ/harmonium-based indie being accentuated with blissful melodies and wondrous harmonies. The sort of music where simple elements meet complicated ones yet the flow of it is flawlessly organic and dynamic having been recorded on a 4-track cassette machine. It makes you relaxed and withdraws you from shitty topics around you for a while. It is the meditation. For instance, listen to the ending track Preston Parker which saves one`s soul due to vibrant droning and enchanting female singing. The same can be said about the rest of the 18-minute release. The issue is a part of the discography of Rain Above Records. Without any hesitation it will be added to the compartment – Outstanding music.  

wk [es] – EXT-ME (2010)

Hz-Records

• Abstract techno 
• Glitchtronica 
• Electronic music 
• Leftfield 
• Experimental techno 
• Minimal techno 
• Avant-techno 
• Experimental electronica

Comment: EXT-ME was the first issue being released in the discography of Hz-Records. It was also a predecessor of an issue called Deus ex machina. In comparison to the last mentioned issue it is more restrained and sparse because of circling around dry glitched-out techno patterns at times being variegated with faint melodic progressions and stoned noise explosions. However, the aforementioned elements are seamlessly integrated into the whole. That's the strength of this 5-notch outing. These errors are very fine ones for your bloody robotic brain. And for my fking brain even more. Debris is to be resurrected like Jesus Christ is to be recycled.

Fugenn & The White Elephants – Lycoris (2010)

Hz-Records

• Nu jazz 
• Acid jazz 
• Electronic music 
• Glitchtronica 
• Alternative 
• Mood music 
• Experimental pop

Comment: it starts off with a mellow nu jazz/acid jazz progression to progress partly in other direction. More profoundly, you can be witness to glitched-out electronica, droning electricity yet at the same time preserving its sublime, poppy touch. This issue is a fascinating example of how once peripheral (and the very sounds of noise music) sounds are integrated into something which can be considered highly pleasant to one's ear and soul. Yet there is much time to go to get a world where such sort of music could be mainstream music. The 5-track outing is a bit of the discography of Hz-Records. Top tier.

FailedSitcom – Of Life's Declivity (2010)

Daydream Generation

• Lo-fi 
• New Weird America 
• Free folk 
• Freak folk 
• Weird folk 
• DIY 
• Electronic 
• Singer-songwriter

Comment: this bunch of 11 short-running tracks represents a modern folk scene called New Weird America being seminal throughout the 00s. At the end of the decade one of the juggernauts of this style Animal Collective went into clear-cut poppy electronic music so you can see influences coming from the previous years before it. Audibly there are up plucked strings mixed up with sublime male singing, mellifluous glockenspiel chords and sweet electronic progressions. Its rustic and simplistic approach reminds of music under such DIY-based platforms as CLLCT, Daydream Generation, Quixodelic Records and Rack And Ruin Records. By famous kindred souls this Sam Durkin's outing can be compared with CocoRosie, and Vashti Bunyan. Much has changed since then but we can remember for it with bittersweet nostalgia. Its lyrical message can be pessimistic but musically it is a pleasing experience. Get his another issue, called Her Blameless Mystery as well on the same link.

Tante Jules dan Pemuda Inisiatif – For Peace and Togetherness (2010)

Cratediggers

• Indie pop 
• Singer-songwriter 
• Alternative pop 
• Noise pop

Comment: as the title says this set of 7 compositions is dedicated to peace, solidarity, and love. And the lyrics will affirm it. Behind the project are Singapore artist Juliana Yasin and Majalengka, Indonesia-based Jatiwangi Art Factory. Coincidentally I am reading at the moment William Somerset Maugham`s Far Eastern Tales so the idyllic outing used to resonate with it. Indeed, some lyrics are represented in English, and some in a local language (I shall have to apologize for my stupidity). However, music is an universal language so it is my pleasure to understand a subtle stringed accompaniment for a light-hearted singing at times being accompanied by male voices as well. At times gentle flute whiffs and magically sounding melodica based droning are embedded in the gentle singing and calm guitar strums. Only the final track Damaikan Bumi used to employ panoramic noisy guitar dodges, making up the fine resonance for the whole. In a nutshell, it is a lovely issue being part of the discography of Cratediggers.

V.A Darker Frequencies (2010)

Kopp

• Post-industrial 
• Noise 
• Electro-acoustic 
• Field recording 
• Avant-garde 
• Experimentalism 
• Musique concrète

Comment: this is the first entry by Recent Music Heroes to the discography of Kopp Netlabel, and our focus is directed toward Darker Frequencies, a compilation of 15 compositions and 103 minutes. As the title suggests it is all about or at least most of it is about peripheral sound generation and nihilistic industrial structures and noisy progressions. However, this immense set includes many variations either – for instance, Indo`s Vairupa is based on wobbly, fairly slowed-down trance-alike frequencies which are mixed up with spacey field recording undulations. The compilation embraces such artists as Kid Atari, Perankh, BPMV, Loki Fun Lilith& No Way Out, Topi Reta, AQM, Indo, Murmurists, Dopam, To-Bo, Nosens, Rune, and Adrien Mailler. Given that the miscellany was released seven years ago I guess many artists represented over there are defunct at the moment. Additionally to the intriguing music it is a reason even more to dig it up.

Mato Grosso – Tea Party EP (2010)

Bandcamp

• Hardcore 
• Alternative rock 
• Power pop 
• Post-hardcore 
• Psych-rock

Comment: this set of 6 pieces is an amalgamation of a hardcore punk bottom and a blackened power pop vector. Indeed, it is not the music for puritans of those styles only. It is not hardcore by numbers. It is playful, cheeky and loving to go beyond. Those slamming drums and some irregular journeys on it, dynamic joint vocals and galvanised hirsute guitars are to constitute a formidable whole. Undoubtedly Tea Party EP is a disparate form of hardcore because it does not associate with certain tight predictable borders, it is not only about anxiety and rage, it is not a big fish in the creek, it is a big fish at the sea. Say yeah to the outing by the Spanish-based quartet..

NuLix – 4RE00LA EP (2010)

Fusion

Fusion

• Ambient techno 
• Alternative dance 
• Deep techno 
• Club dance 
• Dub techno 
• Cinematic 
• Nu jazz 
• Broken beats 
• Jazz house 
• Ambient dub

Comment: NuLix is a Croatian musician/producer/recording artist, Robert Selimović also being known from such groups as Kafkaesque Orchestra, R.U.R., and Random Angels. The issue is a part of Bulgarian imprint Fusion Netlabel and it is an example at its finest on the imprint. If you have been having a keen interest in (deep) techno music and cinematic soundscapes and nocturnal vibes being mixed up with contemporary jazz segments then I am very sure an eargasmic experience will be guaranteed for you. More profoundly, at Space Donky the slippery rhythmic shuffle is vamped up by a velvety, nu jazz/acid jazz-based synthesised whine atop. The chilliest span within the issue. The self-titled track is a profound glimpse inwards based on wobbly, volatile keyboard sounds and a placid yet bold rhythm. Safree [intro] is even more immersive and spacious full of magic from the transcendent spheres. In principle, the same could be said about W.D.W.G either though being a little bit infected with expansive dub seeds. Rattlesnake is to be explored through the prism of dub and being spiced up by upright kick drums and reversed syllables. Spark is a tech-electro outlet though in the terms of Selimović undoubtedly. More concretely, it is something which likes to keep moving across the planned pathway, at the same time gravitating toward a glitch-hop and house mixed electric field. In a word, these 23 minutes are simply the best. 

The Gifted Children – Autumn Ghosts (2010)

The Gifted Children

• Indie rock 
• Alternative rock 
• Jangle pop

Comment: this handful of compositions is a very short case by an American group who has issued enough beautiful indie/alternative pop issues since the previous decade. Indeed, it can be considered as such one though because of short span of it this chimes like one track only. Jangly guitars are accompanied by beatific synthesised progressions and wondrous orchestrations and compelling piano taps and cozy male vocals thereby ultimately reminding of the Christmas coming soon. Indeed, it is ennobling and solemn. At the moment it is the Advent to still go further for one week. So cast off autumnal ghosts from yourself and be ready for the beginning of the winter on the 22nd of December. In a word, it is very pro by any means.

Lazlo Supreme – Evil Made Easy (2010)

Free Music Archive

Urban Home Companion

Bandcamp

• Hip-hop 
• Soul 
• Rap 
• RnB 
• Electronic pop 
• Alternative pop 
• Electro-hop 
• Urban music

Comment: I guess there is no problem to enjoy this 7-track issue from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA made up of vivid chants and hip-hop beats and piano taps, floating soul flickers and eventually all of that resulting in proper pop songs. It provides highly enjoyable moments when the aforementioned elements merge seamlessly together. As we know very well artists have a little to provide with regard to something truly new and innovative for most time but it is always enjoyable to get a part from a well produced issue and this is one of such kind. At times nowadays soul and hip-hop performers forget themselves into technical labyrinths and thereof forgoing emotional and affectionate touch but over there all is balanced all right. Switch it on and get a part of it. The issue is a part of Urban Home Companion.

Cage Cabarrett – Covil Radiophonic Workshop (2010)

XS

• Radiophonic art
• Post-industrial 
• Experimentalism 
• Avant-garde 
• Microtonal 
• Spoken word 
• Micronoise 
• Avant-garde 
• Leftfield 
• Experimental electronica 
• Experimentalism 
• Abstract

Comment: this is a weird issue of a sort of distorted music. Indeed, this kind involves previously created music and snippets of speeches to be destructed and warped due to fine glitches, scratchy radio waves, microscopic noises, something which could frequently be denoted as domestic noise. For instance, Holger Czukay by CAN was one of the pioneers by using radio waves as a music component. In comparison to the krautrock legend Cage Cabarrett`s work is sonically more incisive and shrill being remarkably more close to noise and (post-)industrial music. However, the title of this 4-track issue hints more closely at BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and in fact, having aesthetically very close similarities with this one. It used to undulate from silent, dormant forms to more elemental outbursts thereof providing some emotional impact. In a nutshell, it is a very intriguing one while preserving its consistency. The issue is a part of the discography of the Portuguese imprint XS Records.