Son Of A Bricklayer - Shades Of Grey (2008)

Ground Floor

9.4

/Techno, Trip-hop, Downtempo, Experimental electronica, Cinematic/

Comment: This 11-track album is a good instance of how mesmerizing, dance-appealed rhythms should be interlaced with more affective facets of pop-laden electronica or on the other side providing more thoughtful but vigorous trip-hop/downtempo clatter. More profoundly, the listener can detect elusive, cinematic samples as if being a humble witness for the mesmeric motion of clouds above his/her head; now and then it involves silentful smoky reverberations and hazy, though at times murky contemplations abundant with repetitive chords and suggestive harmonies behind it. In a word, it is blissed-out and spaced-out at the same time. This is a great classic by any intentions.

Phopha - The Bus (2008)

Ground Floor
Jamendo
Lastfm

8.8

/Electronic pop, Found sound, Trip-hop, Musique concrète, Crossover, Modern classical/

Comment: bubbling synth propulsions or more trip-hop/breakbeat-laden rhythms are either set below the piano drops or found sound/street sound-drenched synth and cathedral organ-driven progressions. At times the outlet is more picturesque, sometimes more restraint in its quite onerous developments. The last track exploits a template of rhythm as if melancholic piano driven and Kraftwerk-esque synth whiffs fused pop were mixed up with bhangra-influenced breakbeat punches. In conclusion, this 7-track issue is well composed and accomplished. The project originates from Czech Republic.