Falcon Lake - Drown EP (2012)

Bad Panda

9.2

/Art pop, Glo-fi, Chillwave, Post-pop, Avant-pop, Post-psychedelic electronica, Experimental indie, Exotica pop, Crossover/

Comment: there is a set of 4 songs by Leon Piers, a Bristolian musician who used to fuse exotica pop elements with glo-fi/chillwave tendencies. The compositions are mostly instrumental ones just exploiting repetitive phrases-vocal loops. Beauty meets proficiency, the past meets the present. The project can be compared with Monster Rally who also likes to blend 60`s exotica pop with the slabs of contemporary hypnagogic pop.

[Teaser of the day] The Wind Whistles - Judo

Various Artists - Bad Conqueror EP (2012)

Fresh Poulp

9.2

/Dub, Industrial techno, Avant-techno, Dubstep, Remixes, Experimental techno, Noise, Breakbeat/

Comment: the main axis of this 6-track compilation is beset with a somewhat ethereal yet writhing set of heavy breaks and rhythms. Furthermore, these notches used to include lots of industrial-tinged seeds, compelling dub noises and glistening metal grinding bits which on the other side are headed by angst-filled motifs and topics. In a word, such kind of sound is called dubstep today. More detailly, PhoniAndFlore`s Bad Conqueror is remixed by other projects like Vini Selecta, Uzul, Yamoy, N-Tone, U-Stone and commissioned by a cult label called Fresh Poulp.

Gobi Bear - Lebanon

Plastic Penguin – Bande Dessinée (2011)

Noisybeat
Lastfm

9.1

/Kosmische musik, Krautrock, Electronic pop, Electro, Dub, Experimental electronica/

Comment: the whole sounds like a tribute album to the Düsseldorf scene, especially to the legendary groups like Kraftwerk, and Neu!. Indeed, in addition to kosmische, bubbling synth vibrations, acidic melodies-harmonies and motorik propulsions the listener can detect more straight hints at the abovementioned groups through the titles like Neon Klang, Neu!gativland, PC79vocoder. Of course, it is not all at all - Dub Sans Sub takes on a lofty dub appearance where lazy oscillations are blended with whimsical electronic undercurrents. The project comes out from Italy.

Seekwhencer – Leipzig EP (2011)

Moods Plateau

9.3

/Dub house, Dub-tech, Tech-house, Sampledelic, Funk, Bubblegum techno/

Comment: it is a joyful issue of 7 tracks where different rhythms and moods are variegated and traded to each other. The main template of the release seems to be running on bubblegum techno leaps which at times will be replaced with dub-tech and tech-house frequencies. Even stylistically pure funky grooves (or charming old school synth funk progressions) are up there. Or just providing lofty crossover versions of the abovementioned styles. The album is instrumental except SurPlusSwing. A Thunder Melt Down takes on more sampledelic motifs and shards. An astonishing issue indeed.

[Teaser of the day] Open Work Stocking - Forgotten Feelings

The Shimmer Effect - Uranometria (2012)

Bushmen

9.3

/Downtempo, Ambient techno, World fusion, Chill out, Experimental electronica, Psytrance, Chilltronica/

Comment: behind TSE are The PantherLab (Sjanine Steyn), and Salook (Stephen Mullarkey). This is a bridge between South Africa, and Scotland. Uranometria is their debut album which used to fuse African rhythms and shamanic breath with European electronic charm and accuracy. However, the result seems to be very cozy and relaxing and refreshing. The listener can perceive the traces of ambient techno a la The Orb, and some psychedelic trance vibes in between. The album is released on the South African label Bushmen Records which is known as the domestic label for X-Structure in the first place.

The Rick Jensen Quartet - The Alarmist (2009)

Clinical Archives

9.0

/Improvisation, Experimentalism, Live session, Free jazz, Avant-jazz, Improvised noise/

Comment: TRJQ is a London-based improvisation/free jazz combo who provide a full of feeling set of 5 compositions. Lots of patterns, lots of energy, lots of air used to pour out from the whole. It is restless and it is insatiable during most of its course. More concretely, it exploits acoustic elements, it consumes electricity and the compositions are accentuated with the assistance of electronics (the legendary electronic keyboard Moog) now and then. It likes to be silentful in order to develop into frantic frantic crescendos and noiseful sonic ridges. Altogether, it is intricate and exciting simultaneously.

Dreams - Driving To Your House Party (2011)

Bandcamp

9.0

/Alternative rock, Shoegaze, Post-punk, Dance rock, Gothic rock, Leftfield, Indie rock, Post-psychedelic electronica/

Comment: it is thoroughly sparkling and pounding at the length of 4.49. A little bit murky with tortured vowel effects reminiscent of old school post-punk/goth rock templates and on the other side it exploits clear-cut, high registered guitar chords getting close to more shoegaze areas and thirdly it showcases massive, billowy synth plateaus above it. Of course, the listener can perceive compelling dance vibes oozing out from it either. In a word, it is a lovely drift from Portugal.