AnalogNoiseMaster The Aural Enthusiast (Parafago)

AnalogNoiseMaster`s aesthetics and ideology seems overtly to hark back to those days when full-electronic scoped krautrockers kicked off proceedings on repetitive sonic patterns and developments of their inner spaces in the mid of 70`s, for instance, if to come over to the workouts by Conrad Schnitzler and Cluster. The 9-track set is relied mainly upon propulsive and abrasive sounds, sometimes lopsided by having subtle swayings from one channel to another or sheer proto-industrial/old school industrial music alchemical experiments or producing slightly dream-alike fabric layers above those hard cored lookouts. Beside krautrock it can be considered minimal music as well, more detailly, if to consider the austere supplements of analogue/modular synth-based whimsical chords and overthrows. At times it will be exploded into noise-infused rhythms and brown noise-backed examples (noise techno?!). For sure, the ANM`s recent brainchild is ebullient, playful, and fruitful, all in all, full of aural fun. Check it out the other issues under Parafago Records as well, however, this Italian label has developed into one of the most solid experimental music records nowadays already.

Listen to it here

9.5

AstroLogical Living Fossils (Jellyfish Recordings)

In true, firstly I discovered AstroLogical`s Living Fossils as 5-track EP under Bubblectro label. At the other, Jellyfish Recordings it has grown into a 11-track monster. AstroLogical is an emcee/producer from Vancouver, Canada conveying a kind of cinematic-inflected blend of hip-hop and nu-jazz and just laidback music. It is mightily sampledelic, filled in the concept with dynamic samples of exuberant brass sound, lone string chords, dusty sounds of old keyboards, and suggestive vocal samples, sometimes backed even by powerpop punches (Mother Nature) and dark-hued smog. No doubt, such kind of music has been very popular in recent days as I have earlier introduced the bands like Metawon, Bram Nelson, Kämmerer, The Dirty Samples, Cheese People, Pretty Lights, Mentz among others. And labels by the likes of Humanworkshop, Neferiu and Tokyo Dawn Records as well. My favorite notches on the recent issue are Mustard Evening, Headhunters Melody and Rush Of Colour. All in all, at the most times Living Fossils is a playful occurrence.

Listen to it here

8.8

[Artists] MMOSS

MMOSS
Burger Records
Bandcamp
Myspace
Lastfm

cerBlc :NoMean Yes (Bubblectro)

The German musician Christian Vogel suggested in the Wire magazine approximately 6 years ago that by his option he would close all the recent electronic musicians into a locked room with some recorders and tapes. Tommy Smurthwaite aka cerBlc has apparently no problems with the presumptions of perceiving of early electronic music and its complicated technic approach and historic specificity. Moreover, he has played in different rock groups, including being punk (indeed, genuine punks have always loved dance music).

Here are represented only two tracks (Hongu; Yusus) being inspired by 90`s electronic music, yet, having no strong appeal toward dance floor and more generally by the past of music. Hongu is a psychedelic, sample(delic)-based shuffle incorporating the elements of hip-hop scratches and cool jazz elements. Yusus is an example of brain-focused motorik alchemy, reminding of Autechre`s early workouts first of all. In a more concrete way, strongly stomping rhythms are blended with atmospheric IDM-esque under/uppercurrents, showcasing the close liaison between earth and heaven.

Listen to it here

8.7

Nick Rivera Happy song is a happy song (La bèl)

In Cagliari born but now in London residing Michele Sarti aka Nick Rivera is being and has been participant in the line-up of many groups (Bron Y Aur; Franklin Delano; Sunny Day Sets Fire; Oh Atoms; Takoma). Yet, his recent project is definitely an act of intimate folk, or folk-based art which tends to search for diverse sonority fields, potent harmonic angles, making out impressive experiments with baroque pop, shuffling analogue electronics and cinematic undercurrents of epicness, all in all, finding out an equilibrium between the kind of astonishing inner harmony and outer form of beauty. Of course, Sarti is not alone, being assisted by many other musicians. For instance, at Renee Luise, the opening track, beautiful unisoned vocal lines are compiled by voices of him and Mary Dow. Indeed, an amazing track. Or in the other place the unisoned chords of fingerpicked strings (guitar, ukulele) and cello keys do play out a perfect chamber folk example (Horn Y Orgy). Or is it as if Air`s Moon Safari`s most epic moments were mastered in the vein of chamber pop attitude somehow? The title track enters into the indie folk area, more concretely, reminding of the Welsh whimsical folk wizards Gorky`s Zygotic Mynci`s playful shufflings on the ground of bucolic acoustic pop jams and acid-filled synthezised passages. Happy song is a happy song is one of the most excellent appearances (if not the best) in 2011 so far. Imagine you having a home in the countryside and you are sitting outside for looking at the sun`s going down. A truly great monumental set indeed.

Listen to it here

9.8

[Artists] v4w.enko

SND from V4W.ENKO on Vimeo.

HARMONIC RATIO: Statement1___03 from V4W.ENKO on Vimeo.

focus-reboot from V4W.ENKO on Vimeo.

v4w.enko
v4w.enko
Justnotnormal
Entity
Digitalbiotope
Vacu Sessions
Kvitnu
Myspace
Lastfm

Southern Shores Grande Comore / Mauna Loa (BadPanda)

Southern Shores is a duo from Halifax (the same city, the hockey star Sidney Crosby comes from), Canada while residing in Europe (Berlin, Germany) now. Their 2-track single at BadPanda Records is overtly opened for different stylistic interpretations and point of views, on the first place beavering away at subtle glo-fi (yet not being hypnagogic pop on its own) and poptronic moods being compared to Air France and Washed Out, on the other side it could be viewed through lush, synth-relied baroque pop and chamber pop and tropicalia pop workout expressions as well. In a more detailed way, it is full of warbling vocal-based hitches and high-voltage-loaded brass orchestrations wrapped up by seething synthezised paces. Partly because of having obvious references to different places around the world (Grande Comore is an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa; Mauna Loa is a Hawaiaan volcano) it can be considered as a soundtrack of voyage music as well. All in all, undoubtedly this kind of sonic mould does represent nowadays pop essence still waiting for the highest chart tops to be conquered once in the future.

Listen to it here

9.8