Rumored High Speed Rail Hub - 03.12.25 (2003)

Take Pills Die

/Experimental electronica, Avant-garde, Ambient noise, IDM, Krautrock, Kosmische Musik, Glitch techno, Experimental techno, Experimentalism/

Comment: this project with the strange name seems to be ahead of its time. It is formally an indicator of the point at least, because the title of the album is 03.12.25. In fact, this 11-piece composition has been issued in 2003 to provide meandering spaced-out landscapes backed up by crunchy IDM-alike and glittery glitched out techno propulsions and bass-heavy rumbling here and there. By considering the project`s intention to be ahead of its time it is not incorrect at all. More concretely, there are up many high-pitched synth sounds which used to chime in an overtly futuristic way (for instance, Throw Up). Those brooding synth lines on the top are to startle us by creating phantasmagorical imageries and hyper-realistic associations in the listener`s mind. Is it an electronic counterpart of progressive rock music? Furthermore, it is more close to 70s German progressive music called Krautrock/Kosmische Musik (especially relating to such artists as to Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel, and Klaus Schulze). For instance, Dumpstered which sounds almost like an example of space rock created by a stoned Terry Riley in the meantime. Might it be that it comes out from the same branch of reflecting upon Angus Maclise`s artistic endeavours in Nepal after the departure from the Velvet Underground? Indeed, Stark offers up some clues to be proven. The overall pattern of the outing is thought-shifting and mind-provoking along with vivid changes in rhythmic structures and harmony fabrics. Moreover, the issue`s coverprint used to resonate with the whole`s sound. In a word, let`s enjoy this fabulous item. 

[Teaser of the day] Woodworkings - Home

• Post-rock
• Modern classical
• Ambient 
• Experimental
• Epic
• Avant-garde

Artist: Woodworkings

Release: I Tried To Write You A Letter (one sided cassette)

Label: Bandcamp/Self-released

Year: 2010

Life Like Thunderstorms – Awkward Balance (2015)

Free Music Archive

Altered State Of Mine

/Avant-garde, Leftfield pop, Experimentalism, Art pop, Crossover, Spoken word, Post-metal/

Comment: as the title might suggest there is obviously no balance between aesthetical levels and moods. Indeed, by listening to this 7-bar issue it is a rapidly changing conception with regard to styles, moods and anything else you will come face to face with. More genuinely, it is a drift between silence and noise, between rising and descending, between restlessness and serenity. Musically, it is mottled like a beautiful cat in his/her colours. More profoundly, the listener is pulled into angular yet wondrous (modern) classical music-alike compositions which might remind of the works by Dave Keifer aka Cagey House at times, for instance. Similarly to Dave Keifer, Jared C. Balogh is one of the most prolific and proficient artists within the webaudio/free music culture compartment. There are represented something of stretched art pop snippets which are mixed up with more heavy-weight, angst loaded metallic lashes, storytelling and subtle electronic whiffs flitting around in. Frequently it sounds as evil and revengeful as the Old Testament used to depict. Throughout the course, it is the pre-dominant shift of constituting the whole. One is sure – it is some sort of anti-pop music and you would not be very welcomed to enter into it while being a superficial, brainwashed jerk. The issue includes a possibly leftfield pop hit, called Blazing Paths. In a nutshell, it is both beatific and frightening world Jared C. Balogh creates through this album, his previous issues and collaborations and his curated site Altered State Of Mine.

[Teaser of the day] Cldscp - Phone Call

Free Music Archive

• Freak folk
• Primitive music
• New Weird Argentina
• Weird folk
• DIY
• Electronic
• Free folk
• Lo-fi
• Anti-folk
• Experimental folk

Artist: Cldscp

Release: Menso Freakfolk

Label: LCL (LibreCommeLair)

Year: 2010

Alternative links:

Bandcamp

Archive.org

Live Savings – Endings (2014)

Narrominded

/Power pop, Post-grunge, Alternative rock, Angst rock, Screamo, Math rock/

Comment: by reading the quite surreal, almost incompatible snippet by Live Savings` guitarist/vocalist Gabry de Waaij at Bandcamp its point was to accentuate that music could be very essential and tenuous depending on how someone used to value music. By my opinion, however, the Dutch-based quartet`s 4-track issue is not something of a null and void one. More profoundly, it is an amalgamation of power pop energy, grungy guitar hooks to depict anxiety and desperate feels which used to grow over your heads at times. On the other side, it could be considered an example of screamo with some hints at mathematically designed riffs and more sophisticated drum patterns than an average 70s influenced rock band. In a word, within those strident rock templates you can perceive a certain artsy endeavour and touch. In a word, it is a worth listening. The issue is a part of the intriguing discography of Narrominded, the Dutch imprint.

[Teaser of the day] Port Mone - Cold Water

• Avant-rock
• Post-punk
• No Wave
• Art rock
• Improvised music
• Experimental rock
• Industrial rock

Artist: Port Mone

Release: Forest (Compilation)

Label: Far from Moscow

Year: 2011

Abject Object – Romance LP/CD (2013)

Bandcamp

/Punk rock, Art punk, Alternative rock/

Comment: Abject Object is a Paris. France-based musical project whose 11-track issue has been released in different formats under a bunch of record labels so far (Echo Canyon, Flower Of Carnage, Wee Wee, Corn Dog, Protagonist, Zone Onze, Gang Bang Tapes. moncul, Emergence) . Because of that it can be admitted the combo`s music must have some kind of appeal. The combo`s music is tagged as “hardcore” and “hardcore punk” though it is a little bit overstated because the album chimes more softened than an average hardcore band used to do. Of course, some levels of hardcore elements are represented there but they are represented on the average. Moreover, at Waste Of Time the listener is pulled into artsy punk explorations giving the group`s another dimension. At Cruel the band reveals its disposition via those quite atmospheric guitars in the ending section toward the 80`s alternative rock bands who were influenced by the post-punk movement but searched for their own pathway a la The Chameleons, Echo & The Bunnymen, Korova Milk Bar etc. In a word, it is a solid punk rock album. Indeed, it is a decent drift between rock patterns and punk-ish rebellious message and attitude.

[Teaser of the day] Calvin Markus - Dilated Nothingness

Vulpiano

• Art pop
• Soundtrack
• Conceptual
• Baroque pop
• Dark pop
• Chamber pop
• Alternative

Artist: Calvin Markus

Release: Three Days of Sound: Music From the Film

Label: Vulpiano

Year: 2009

Blind Man Walking - 36 Howden Road (2014)

Year Zero

/Improvised music, Ambient, Glitch, Freeformfreakout, Cool jazz, Kosmische Musik, Art music, Free jazz, Avant-garde, Experimentalism/

Comment: it might sound like muzak at times though it is not it by the artist`s intention though. Indeed, there are represented some smooth jazz progressions, however, those whiffs are generally put in such a pop music estranged context giving no possibility to understand it as an example of pop music. More concretely, there are up tightly foggy, glitched-out noises like a black hole sucking in the most sonic artefacts surrounding it. Concrete Lamppost Sure Tastes Good is another, more pop-oriented and Kosmische Music mixed composition with dreamy vibe and drowsy meandering. Made A Fag From Cabbage Leaves And A Newspaper sounds like a ghoul telling a story outside while being accompanied by an early, more post-punk-ish sound of Cocteau Twins chiming somewhere at a remote distance. It is a weird collage indeed. The Green River Joins Two Identical Worlds is an inventive turn through a cool jazz /post-bebop pad. However, the whole might be a sort of muzak though it is an uncanny sort of muzak in this case. Thereby it can be said it is provocative and challenging for those who do not like music while listening to AOR as a sonic tapestry because of feeling her/himself not being alone. In a word, let`s trying to hover with it.

[Teaser of the day] Noordwiijk - The Silence of the Sirens

• Art music
• Avant-garde
• Darkwave
• Chamber music
• Electro-acoustic
• Minimalism
• Experimentalism
• Ambient
• Leftfield
• Post-rock

Artist: Noordwiijk

Release: Sailor Boy

Label: Jeunesse Cosmique

Year: 2015

Aortha & Goron – Dvoe (2015)

Far from Moscow

/Ambient, Spoken word, Minimalism, Sound art, Experimentalism, Avant-garde/

Comment: one is quite clear that it is a poignant collaboration act between the poet Goron and sound artist Dzmitry Ladzes aka Aortha (whose music is known with regard to the compilations under HAZE imprint, for instance) to bring forth the sounds of urban contemptible existence and more indirectly about ill-fated human existence on the planet Earth if something will not be changing in an average human being`s mind and life style. However, it is broadly influenced by the decisions within the elite worldwide. The first step is that the total population of homo sapiens must diminish and birth rate must be controlled. As a species we are not endangered altogether if to admit it in a soft manner. The texts are proclaimed in German and in Russian with a minimal approach to ambient and electronic music. The listener might discern Steve Reich`s influence through those hypnotically repeated patterns and apparitional sonic swirls around the words. You can perceive some kind of sanctitude hovering on the top of. No doubt that less used to be more on many occasions. All in all, it is an example of enthralling music on the whole.

[Teaser of the day] Multi-Panel - Zomer

No-Source

• Folktronica
• Indie folk
• Art folk
• Drone folk
• Duyster
• Chamber folk
• Folk indie
• Baroque folk

Artist: Multi-Panel

Release: Train Times For Sway

Label: No-Source

Year: 2010

Alternative links:

Bandcamp

The Parish of Little Clifton – Septemberish 7 (2011)

Bad Panda

Soundcloud

/Dream pop, Chillwave, Electronic pop, Poptronica, Alternative pop, Indietronica/

Comment: this 2-thread issue comes out of Agassiz, Canada from then-19-year-old producer whose tracks It`s Ok, Roseanne; Echo Island are technical and organic at the same time. Indeed, the listener can perceive those production traces impressed in the compositions, on the other side the compositions provide enough relaxing, dreamed-out (Echo Island) and thoroughgoingly earnest, even funny moments to pump up your mood with positive neurotransmitters (It`s Ok, Roseanne). It is just a case to provide some turns, some loops and some moody threads to start off the party and get everyone to calm down. I discovered the artist got inspiration from nature, more concretely, by enjoying the beauty of a couple of lakes nearby his place of residence. The issue is a part of the discography of the Bad Panda imprint.

{Teaser of the day] Inverness - Room In Twilight

• Indie rock
• Alternative pop
• Dream pop
• Avant-pop
• Neo-psychedelia
• Shoegazetronica
• Post-pop
• Alternative dance

Artist: Inverness

Release: Somewhere I Can Hear My Heart Beating

Label: Psicotropicodelia/Jamendo

Year: 2010

Alternative links:

Bandcamp

The Chopittos Arkestra – Zavanardi Rising (2012)

Soundcloud

Bandcamp

/Avant-garde, Space rock, Psych-rock, Dark ambient, Freeformfreakout, Blues rock, Psychedelic, Hard rock, Bossa nova, Experimentalism, Singer-songwriter, Electronic music/

Comment: I cannot be wrong to claim that Brazil is a country for much outstanding music beginning from sensual bossa nova and jazz artists to challenging psychedelic Tropicalia output Os Mutantes to elegant, thoroughly dream-filled shoegazing combo Inverness to artists issued under indie/experimental/post-rock/post-metal imprint Sinewaves to frenetic improvised noise/avant-rock combo Chinese Cookie Poets to…Lucas Pastina and his related projects. Indeed, Lucas Pastina is an eccentric musician who has created lots of albums with intention to explore obscure facets within different genres, create rock sounds which either used to be in focus or deliberately staying outside it. For instance, this 20-bar issue is a frantic parade of different styles ranging from dislocated hard rock sounds and rough blues rock vibes to spaced-out rock universes and demented soil-eating psyched-out compositions to uncanny yet brisk electronic paths moving sidewise. Those cathedral organ drenched arcs and exhausted confessions of a human being stay beyond classification altogether at The Power of The Fish. Samba Suor E Salame is a cute bossa nova song, isn`t it? At first sight indeed. The more you listen to it the more intricately aligned sounds and effects can be found to be surfacing from within it. The whole is silly and inspiring at the same time. The listener can enjoy the artist`s fantasy coming over to the listener`s side. Moreover, you can discern some sort of magic fog which fluctuates within the tracks and across the whole set. Get all the artist`s issues at Soundcloud. 

[Teaser of the day] Ghostkid Presents - Trainspotting with a Pretty Girl

BFW Recordings

• Mood music
• Psychedelic
• Electronica
• Downtempo

Artist: Ghostkid

Release: The Unlikely Future Of Reverse Engineering

Label: BFW Recordings

Year: 2011 

Prutsers - Prutsers Vol.1 (2012)

Year Zero 

/Primitivism, Organcore, Post-punk, Lo-fi, DIY, Avant-garde, Experimentalism, Freeformfreakout, Non-music, Outsider music, Dada music, Covers/

Comment: these 18 tracks represented on this fabulous miscellany were recorded sometime in between 1983-1987 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The members of the group came from the old Rotterdam punk scene, however, the sonic result seems to be thousands steps further to be trudged with regard to an average exemplar of punk music. On the other side, their attitude is thoroughly (post)-punk-ish. Sonically their sound resembles more The Residents, Cromagnon, Big City Orchestra and other obscure US-based avant-garde groups. As one of the members of the group Henk Madrotter said they had improvised with all the instruments they could get their hands on. From toys to Commodore 64 sounds (the legendary music program thought to produce the so-called tracker/chiptune/8-bit sound). Indeed, the listener can hear droning toy instruments, cheesy rhythms conjured up from a synthesiser bought from the second hand shop to produce a simplistic oom-pah sound with beer drunken singing sometimes (Ochtend Humeur). Some electronic bleeps sound thoroughly futuristic. For instance, Ik Dank U Allen is an ultramodern stake on concrete sounds, spaced-out/dark ambient and spoken word drenched sounds. Despite of its deliberately obvious unrefined intention the project chimes very contemporary at times – its brass arrangements and droning organs remind of Beirut and other lo-fi and DIY scene inspired artists frequently (for instance, listen to Martha which is a wondrous composition with the assistance of a mandolin and droning organ). By the way, the whole involves a cover of the Beatles` Helter Skelter. Woordjes loans Joe Meek`s the most well-known production. It can be said they were proto-Ariel Pinks (in truth, an early Ariel Pink was a post-Prutsers). This sonic beast is a mandatory legacy for those who think music is the most important essence in human being`s life. By the way, recently Year Zero Records released Prutsers` vol.2. 

[Teaser of the day] Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Peasantry or ‘Light! Inside of Light!’

Archive.org

• Psych-rock
• Post-rock
• Noise rock
• Art rock
• Experimental rock
• Live session
• Chamber rock
• Experimental rock
• Avant-rock

Artist: Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Release: Live at Hopscotch Music Festival, City Plaza on 2015-09-10

Label: Archive.org

Year: 2015

[Teaser of the day] Joplin Rice - Catapult

• Singer-songwriter
• Folk indie
• Americana
• Alt-folk
• Indie folk

Artist: Joplin Rice

Release: Hurricane Alaska

Label: Bandcamp/Self-released

Year: 2015

[Teaser of the day] Dreamphish - Never

• Synth-rock
• Post-rock
• Alternative
• Dark pop
• Indie rock
• Experimental indie
• Coldwave
• Art rock

Artist: Dreamphish

Release: Garlic Icecream

Label: Bandcamp/Self-released

Year: 1997/

Paris Angels – Eclipse (2015)

Bandcamp

/Madchester, Indie dance, Acid rock, Electronic pop, Indie rock, Baggy, Dance rock, Alternative dance, Psychedelic rock/

Comment: during the first tenure (1990-1992) the Manchester septet Paris Angels produced debut album Sundew which was filled with the Zeitgeist loaded dance rhythms and psychedelic vibes giving bold hints at then flourishing rock and acid house mixed scene in Great Britain. Indeed, Happy Mondays, Northside, Flowered Up, The Stone Roses, Inspiral Carpets, The Shamen, The Charlatans, The Soup Dragons, The Mock Turtles, The Farm if to name some of the most known artists. It was a solid, idiosyncratic music scene having much more power than, for instance, the post punk revival movement emerged in the beginning of the 00s. Paris Angels´ sophomore album Eclipse is finally out though it was initially produced in 1991. And it really measures up. Unfortunately it was kept not to be released at the beginning of the 90s because such quality would have been noticed because the combo had already gotten attention due to the single Perfume. Although all those mandatory baggy/Madchester elements are represented over this 11-bar album the issue involves more new electronic and synthesised sounds additionally. For instance, Door To Summer is a fine example of forging together sunshiny doo wop inspired flower pop and skiddy rhythms with the cream of male and female mixed vocals in front of. This would have been another great indie anthem for the group. Moreover, it would also have been ecstatic, high-bumped Sleeping With Radio On. Rise includes an enchanting chorus and orchestration on the top of spastic guitar chords and mellow noises. Complete Mind starts off with Kraftwerk-ian electronics to delve into dreamy house-influenced electronic (dance) pop which would freely be a part of the repertoire of such bands as Saint Etienne, Moloko, and Lamb, for instance. It could be said the band slightly distanced itself from the baggy style to move on toward a more electronic music scene which embarked on in the 00s actually. Only Stairs To The Sun is a straightforward, remotely lad/pub rock inspired torrent of the guitars. In a nutshell, it is one of the best albums in 2015 so far. It is thoroughly inspiring and nostalgic at the same time. 

Besoin Dead - Pair, tu n'es pas Impair (2015)

Et Mon Cul C`Est Du Tofu?

Bandcamp

/Experimental rock, Indie rock, Psych-rock, No Wave, Alternative rock, Art punk, Avant-punk/

Comment: I think anyone who considers himself/herself a music friend should listen to the oeuvre of Besoin Dead. Certainly he/she should see him in live. Although I have never attended the Frenchman Pascal Benvenuti`s gigs I guess it is something of a madman`s show by making decision after having watched some videos and pictures to his performances. Benvenuti ordinarily sits in front of the drums and a guitar which is differently prepared as it usually used to be and ready to be handled like a percussive instrument. It is amazing how the aforementioned set is enough to produce sustained, articulated noises in the vein of artsy punk/indie rock. Although Benvenuti`s approach with regard to his outer and inner side might remind of Sonic Youth and some other No Wave related combos the artist`s touch is idiosyncratic in the right manner to watch them apart from each other. Furthermore, Besoin Dead`s sound is deeply permeated with anxiety and aggressiveness to depict his loneliness and despairing senses (the best example is Papa Bunker). There are up some sonic exceptions either – for instance, Le répondeur du Blond which consists of the voice of a man sitting on the phone and short-running signals coming in every five seconds thereby being the strange counterpoint to it. Pascal Depression rings like the light-weighted sort of doom rock. Many tracks start off like a sort of contemporary tribal music with bare rhythmic imitations saturated with echoes and reverberations. Get stoned!

Toothless - EICV7" No. 108 (2015)

EverythingIsChemical

Bandcamp

Mediafire

/Experimental pop, Indietronica, Leftfield pop, Post-pop, Art pop, Post-rock/

Comment: this 3-track issue consists of dreamy female vocal deliveries, crunchy glitched-out bugs in the middle of mid-range rhythms, and pitched-up and down sonic segments, and psychedelically swirling sonic effects and slightly mystical synth meandering over the scope, however, constituting the organic whole altogether. First of all, if to compare Toothless with someone then the project`s music used to have some similarities with such sophisticated, avant-pop artists as Stereolab, Flunk, Pram, and Broadcast (especially its aesthetic reminds of the last named project). Hopefully such sort of music will be awarded in the mainstream charts sometime in the future. On the other side, maybe it is paradox that something which could be tagged as “ideal pop” will never reach this honour because it used to be ahead of its time and current people`s tastes. Let`s see – until then you can enjoy this bunch of excellent compositions.

[Teaser of the day] Sunshower Orphans - Public Pool Daze

• Shoegazetronica
• Alternative pop
• Indie pop
• Alternative dance
• Dream pop

Artist: Sunshower Orphans

Release: Avenue Abyss

Label: Bandcamp/Self-released

Year: 2011

Woods - July 15, 2009 Bowery Ballroom (2009)

Nyctaper

/Psych-rock, Space rock, Alternative rock, Live session, Experimental rock, Indie rock/

Comment: Woods is the Brooklyn, New York, US-based trio of Jeremy Earl, Jarvis Taveniere, and Aaron Neveu. The trio`s half-hour gig at Bowery Ballroom was performed after four years and four issues from the starting point. The gig was followed by the issue of the album Songs of Shame only some months earlier on Jeremy Earl-led imprint Woodsist being shelter for many well-known experimentally oriented indie rock groups from recent generation (Vivian Girls, Crystal Stilts, Sic Alps, Pocahaunted, Wavves, Kurt Vile etc). The performance is an eminent proof as the slightly decent tradition oriented rock embodiment will grow remarkably due to extension through some intense key changes, guitar overdrives, sonic effects-delays and organ vamps. Although the combo is considered a part of the New Weird America movement these 32 minutes, however, set about to add some shimmery seeds to the rock and roll music tradition by playing music with immense energy and impetus originating mostly from the blues music legacy. In a word, grab it for yourself, your brother and sister and your cat and dog.

Fuck Explorer – Fuck Explorer (2010)

Bandcamp

/Indie rock, Alternative pop, Lo-fi, DIY, Dream pop, Shitgaze, Fuzz pop/

Comment: Fuck Explorer is a duo consisting of Craig ad Henry from USA. They play guitars, drums, sing and play Theremin. Indeed, it is the same proto-electronic device which was invented approximately 90 years ago (in 1928) in the Communist Russia by Leon Theremin which is doing ghostly, high-pitched electronic sound. However, many famous rock and pop groups have exerted it in their oeuvre (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Portishead, Beach Boys, Jean Michel Jarre etc). The duo`s short-running, eponymous EP involves many different facets. First of all, it consists of over-amplified guitar noise rock with strong resonance and dissonance atop. On the other side, it chimes silently, almost like a hyper-realist dream pop group a la Ducktails in some tracks (Vishnu Purana, White Minx You Know). The duo demonstrates its affinity toward spaced-out pop either, especially at the finishing composition La Bamba. Those towering guitar riffs and extended soundscape developed around it with pulsating monotonous electronics on the right channel do make difference. Ultimately it can be said the EP is appealing in its roughness and satisfactory in its diverse approach. 

[Teaser of the day] Tang Kai - Pictures

Camomille

• Trip-hop
• Alternative pop
• Electronic pop
• Art pop
• Glitch-hop

Artist: Tang Kai

Release: Evangelion

Label: Camomille 

Year: 2006

[Teaser of the day] Loscil - Faint Liquid

One

• Ambient
• Soundscapes
• Dreamwave
• Minimalism

Artist: Loscil

Release: Stases

Label: One

Year: 2006

Summer Of Haze – Hazy Memories EP (2011)

Bandcamp

/Synthwave, Dreamwave, Sea punk, Newbreed, Witch house, Drag house, Vaporwave, Leftfield pop/

Comment: this handful of pieces would have been a great pop issue if the world were a more affective and smarter place. Indeed, all the elements represented over there are masterfully balanced within it – from spooky yet dreamy synthesised hovers with additional of voice-based codas and hyper-realistic ambient and found sound mixed sonic plateaus to unexpectedly entering sinister noise torrents and even post-punk-esque bass thumping (Slept Together). By listening to it for many times in a row the listener can actually perceive the impact of an early Ariel Pink on further development of innovative pop music – by the New Weird movement and neo-psychedelic approach to dream-soaked indie pop/chillwave and witch/drag house and vaporwave music. Ariel Pink demonstrated that the kind of geek music could sound in a very ctachy (poppy?) way in fact. Although the Tambov, Russia-based artist provides idiosyncratic detours and threads the pre-eminent value of the issue surfaces with regard to its organic feel and effortlessness. Indeed, the easiness is densely mixed up with murkiness that someone might think of that as something of house music for Satan worshippers

[Teaser of the day] Kroma - Conflict-Betrayed

• Kosmische Musik
• Krautrock
• Cosmic synth
• Electronic music
• Space fusion

Artist: Kroma

Release: Prince of the City

Label: Trash Can Dance

Year: 2015

The Shining Men – The Great Brain EP (2011)

17th Sons

/Avant-techno, Experimental techno, Minimal techno/

Comment: obviously many people know something about French electronic dance music (EDM) which used to be mainstream appealing and stadium sized. Obviously only few people know about the French imprint The 17^th Son being active for seven years (2004-2011) by releasing underground-oriented techno music. For instance, The Great Brain EP is a fascinating outing because of drifting between minimally bouncing rhythms and hypnotic templates around it. Those aquatic refractions and off-beat synthesised gears within the compositions share some similarities with the artists originating from the Detroit techno scene (for instance, Drexciya). In a nutshell, the whole does surface a great vibe to stimulate the listener`s survived synapses. Art in techno. 

If The People Were Paper – Rotten Sugar (2008)

Rack And Ruin

/Lo-fi, DIY, Anti-folk, Electro-acoustic, Psych-folk, Space folk, Freeformfreakout, Singer-songwriter, Ambient, New Weird America, Experimentalism/

Comment: I don`t know how should this handful of pieces be tagged for? Is it electro-acoustic music with plenty of folk music influences or vice versa? Or is it an ambient music album with remarkable inclination toward primitivism? Or is it a spoken word album with hints at spaced-out folk/rock music? Maybe even something else? However, the result is impressive in its madness loaded with desperate chants and freaky shrieks. At times the way is paved by the dada tradition fuelled brown noise produced bits. Indeed, it is the kind of songwriting coming out of a remote corner. For instance, Mountains is a solid folk song with some indirect grunge influences in the blend. The soundscape is rough due to primitive noises and echoes thereby giving it verve to change into an idiosyncratic punch. It can be said the album is almost being undiscovered so far (you can trace for only few listening times at Lastfm for instance). Furthermore, I was not able to figure out who is the person behind the project. There is no information about it. However, let`s find out the issue in the discography of Rack And Ruin Records. 

[Teaser of the day] Revolution Void - Weekend Amnesia

• Breaks
• Hip-hop
• Alternative dance
• Trip-hop
• Nu jazz
• Downbeat
• Urban music

Artist: Revolution Void

Release: Increase The Dosage 

Label: Jamendo

Year: 2006

David Woodgett – Over The Ash Tree (2015)

Small Bear

/Psych-rock, Alternative rock, Indie rock, Blues rock, Space rock/

Comment: UK-based musician David Woodgett`s three track issue is a true-bred rock and roll accomplishment. Based on bold blues rock energy and rhythmic threads Woodgett adeptly refracts it through a contemporary prism of guitar and drums generated music. The result is enjoyably murky where ominous bass chords are set up to fall into mesmerizing repeated cadences which is assisted by Woodgett`s enchanting singing and some spaced-out echoes. Indeed, a righteous rock and roll act must be sinister on its own by marring the contemporary FM radio station experience and enchant the listener altogether. In a nutshell, it is an eminent outing on the Small Bear Records.

[Teaser of the day] Duelectrum - Cabeça nas Nuvens

• Shoegaze
• Ambient rock
• Space rock
• Epic
• Doom rock
• Psych-rock
• Indie rock
• Alternative rock

Artist: Duelectrum 

Release: EverythingIs1Yr​.​compilation

Label: EveryhingIsChemical

Year: 2009

Psychic Frequencies – Projecting Disorder (2014)

Test Tube

Bandcamp

/Experimental electronica, Glitch ambient, Post-industrial, Electro-acoustic, Musique concrète, Avant-garde, Drone, Experimentalism, Ambient dub, Experimental techno/

Comment: it is obviously one of the best most thought-provoking techno and dub albums I have ever heard. In fact, if we think of techno or dub music I used to think of quite sterile and hermetic beats which are extracted from certain synthesised pads and embellished with synthesised overdrives. Indeed, Projecting Disorder is something of the so-called techno and dub music. Psychic Frequencies aka the collaboration act between Alistair Stray and David Clarkson used to draw on electro-acoustic ambience and raw sonic fabrics wherein the listener could perceive lots of open air around it. Of course, those are only some elements provided over the mix. For instance, Projecting Fractures is a terrain to take on rough improvisation due to flute sounds by Southeast Asia and thoroughgoing electronic experiments which in turn used to hint at the aesthetics of industrial music. Those many ambient music snippets represented throughout the course are loaded with many ghosts and other supernatural creatures. Actually it is not surprising with regard to the artists` immensely foregoing musical involvement (Alistair Stray has been involved in such acts as Raya Collective, Irritants, Radical Elsewhere, Noosign, and Inference; David Clarkson has been involved in such acts as Central Processing Unit, Illuminati, Triclops, and Whitecube). In a word, the result is mind-blowingly interesting.

[Teaser of the day] IIII/IIII - disk04

Kreislauf

• Disco house
• Alternative dance
• Dance music
• Electronic pop
• Post-disco

Artist: IIII/IIII 

Release: Explorer

Label: Kreislauf

Year: 2015

Boiar – MiMinhos (2009)

MiMi

Archive.org

/Minimal dub, Avant-garde, Crossover, Ambient dub, Techno, Experimental electronica, Noise, Electro-acoustic/

Comment: Boiar`s 6-track issue is an interesting album of diverse tendencies and intentions. At times the listener can enjoy airtight dub oscillations (Carinho com Vinho and Delicadeza a sua Alteza are the most clear-cut instances), sometimes more electro-acoustic explorations do appear. Many tracks are spiced up by overdriven acute electronic snaps. What is more, Primor no Amor is a rank crossover composition which starts off with poignant electro-acoustic developments to progress into a topsy-turvy mix of electronic noises and techno rhythms. Regalo de Estalo is another smorgasbord which embraces experiments with pitched-up and pitched-down electronic bits, hirsute white noise and glitched-out electronics and even some lustful synth pop gears and classical music glimpses. The issue involves a loads of shadowy sonic elements which might be discovered only after many listening times. Other tracks are also up to prove the artist`s bias to create fast-changing compositions with thought-provoking debris. In a nutshell, although the release contains musical elements of various kind these elements do stick together and demonstrate the artist`s ability for viable sonic synthesis.               

[Teaser of the day] Myrakaru - Kimalnu

Sutemos

• Experimental electronica
• Ulmetronica
• Ambient dub
• Minimal techno
• Glitch techno
• Dub techno
• Minimal dub
• Glitchtronica

Artist: Myrakaru

Release: Tammetõru

Label: Sutemos

Year: 2008

Abstressionist – Abstression I (2009)

Bandcamp

/Singer-songwriter, Experimental rock, DIY, Improvised music/

Comment: once upon a time there was an imprint, called Modicum Of Silence whose goal was to release music by artists from around the area of the state of Ohio. Abstressionist was one of those artists who released four more or less short-running issues. For instance, Abstression I consists of three tracks with the total time of 7.09 only. More profoundly, there are represented stalking lyrics accompanied by frayed but spaced-out guitar playing wherein mood is downright murky. Third component is air between those sections. At Abstression I (Entanglement) the artist seems to be somewhat distrait sounding as if having a concealing cover on the chords. Later on, it will disappear to bring forth more brisk chords and emotional singing. Nice effort.

[Teaser of the day] Faerùn - Ndasi

Test Tube

• Art pop
• Dark wave
• Leftfield
• Ambient pop

Artist: Faerùn

Release:The Night

Label: Test Tube

Year: 2013

Alternative links: 

Bandcamp

Rene Kita ‎– Polkimellisuuksia (2013)

Om Ha Sva Ha Ksha Ma La Va Ra Yam

Om Ha Sva Ha Ksha Ma La Va Ra Yam

/Avant-garde, Experimentalism, Non-music, Noise, Improvised music/

Comment: it can be said Turku, Finland-based artist Rene Kita has much to say though he does not say anything in direct sense actually. Indeed, the artist`s music is exclusively made up of codas of the syllables which in turn are looped and amplified into an idiosyncratic result. At times it rings like the performance of a brown noise artist which used to be abstract and funny at the same time. Indeed, regarding that Rene Kita`s music reaches the dimension beyond contradiction and being free of a burden of theoretical bodywork. It is just a flow of sequencing loops and coincidental noises for your pleasure. Otherwise, the former is the first fractal to constitute another fractal of noise somewhere below or atop it. Indeed, they are causally related to each other though being clearly separated from each other either. It is like discovering different universes in the outer space, which, however, have had the same initial source and impulse. By kindred souls I recommend listen to such vocal artists/improvisers as Roomet Jakapi, Iris Garrelfs, Michael Schiefel, Meredith Monk. 

[Teaser of the day] lod - Clokio

MinusN

• IDM
• Minimal techno
• Experimental electronica
• Experimental techno
• Abstract
• Glitch techno

Artist: lod

Release: Taskenti 

Label: MinusN

Year: 2005

Hico – Modus (2014)

Totokoko

/Folktronica, Conceptual, Experimental folk, Baroque folk, Cowbell indie, World music, Epic, Chamber folk, Art folk/

Comment: sort of a folk music within this handful of tracks presented by Hico is certainly my cup of tea. It is artsy, it is dreamy, it is crafty, it seems to be concise and bountiful at the same time. Stylistically the issue is a place for different styles to encounter on the same line and plateau. For instance, the world music motives start off to permeate from some tracks into modern electronic rhythms and panoramic orchestrations resulting in cinematic looming and build-up of full-fledged emotions. The album is partly conceptual due to deliberately crossing some instruments with one another to reach the goal (for instance, organ and ensemble, and banjo and upright bass). The result is coherent and having no scattered seeds within the course. Organ & Ensemble reminds of one of the favourites of mine, Penguin Café Orchestra with regard to light-hearted harmony blossoming and cloudless visions in sound. Furthermore, the same could be admitted about the subsequent piece Fushigi either. Of course, Hico is able of translating those enterprises into a nowadays sonic form. In a word, this excellent make-out is obviously one of the best issues I have heard in the discography of Totokoko Records (it does not mean at all that other outings of the imprint I have listened so far were somehow inferior or lame ones on its own).

Waterpistol - WAR

Waterpistol - WAR from Waterpistol music on Vimeo.

[Teaser of the day] Gi Gi Giraffe - Picture

• Indie rock
• Alternative rock
• Funk rock
• Art rock
• Math rock
• Dance rock

Artist: Gi Gi Giraffe
Release: Home Made Works
Label: Tanukineiri
Year: 2015

Deek Hoi – The Golden Country (2007)

Bandcamp

/Alt-folk, Indie folk, Americana, Dream folk, Psych-folk, New Weird America, Folk indie, Free folk/

Comment: I discovered this Knoxville, Tennessee, US-based combo thanks to mesmerizing 1^st Borrowdeer Records compilation of involving such artists as Wooden Nickle, Samo, Forsa, Burnt Shielafante, Queens College Organs, Diacon-Panthers, Workhouse Industries, Khemo Rabbit, Leopard Meat, Fresh Cherries from Yakima, Cemetery Cemetery, Fast Money Music, Ginger Minx, Wrapping Paper, Happy Veterans Day, Chauchat, Animauled, Courtney Short, Accordion+Tetris. The miscellany embraces  a bunch of tendencies related to the New Weird America movement. Indeed, there was also represented Deek Hoi`s California which is the opening track on The Golden Country. It is pre-eminent Americana/indie folk album with hints at cosmic and dream pop. Indeed, the combo used to experiment with different forms, droning sounds and some electronic debris while upholding the album`s organic touch throughout the course. Indeed, all these songs are craftily built up resulting in striking melodies and harmonies. The lyrics are profound putting the listener think of essential things in his/her life (for instance, Dear Child; Eiea; Family Song). For instance, the latter composition makes you longing and searching for warmth and a halcyon state of mind. I suggest to shed light upon the other issues of the combo either (all the package can be found at Bandcamp). They are truly worth to be discovered again.

MC Melodee - DiscoDip (prod. Cookin Soul)