Mumble Mumble Mumble - Blank (2011)

Brlog

8.7

/Doom drone, Avant-metal, Crossover, Post-metal, Experimentalism, Electro-acoustic, Trance metal, Psych-music/

Comment: This is the sophomore release by a duo from Turin, having 11 tracks within 18 minutes only. Besides the abbreviation of the tracks (compare it to 8 notches within 21 minutes) they have changed their soundscape into more restraint, using basically a subdued bass guitar-drums interplay. In a more concrete way, thuddling bass incantations and the using of the drum plates are impressively variegated with onyx-hued electronics and barely audible moaning in-between of it. Indeed, in comparison with their self-titled debut album, the whole seems to be a more convincing, running mainly on doom drone slightly embellished with a sort of electro-acoustic veil around of it. Sometimes it reaches with its slowness and suggestive treated electronics and vast synergy the very boundaries of trance/exorcized music.

Various Artists – Dub Tentacles Vol.3 (2011)

Fresh Poulp

8.7

/Dub, Electro-dub, World music, Tribal music, Crossover, Big-beat/

Comment: This is a compilation of 13 tracks, by various artists who do come from different countries (Malta, Croatia, Canada, Uk, Italy, Poland, France). Fresh Poulp is known as a label promoting ardently the vibes of dub music, this time dub is rung in with diverse styles (big-beat, ethnic/tribal music of the Middle East, electro). Some of them are instrumental, some of them are harmonica-led. Altogether, it is a solid miscellany indeed. The feature track of mine is Ackboo`s Holy Mount Zion (feat. Steve Steppa).

Waverine - Blinded By The Sun (2011)

Faturenet Recordings

8.7

/Synth pop, Acid pop, Electro pop, New Wave, Electronic pop/

Comment: Waverine is a producer from Gelderland, the Netherlands who released his seventh album so far. He already started off with sonic deeds in the mid of 90`s being then known as aegis, though. However, the recent Waverine is a catchy flow of electronic pop and synth pop (and some breakbeats), offering lots of gears and hooks in the songs with huge potential. If you would be interested in principal acknowledgement of is he either an old school dude or not, I would prefer the first possibility. Not only new wave but also some post-punk-ish glimpses and Kraftwerk-lighted shards can be found from this field. Moreover, one striking ballad wrapped up into a dark-hued veil is represented here. The issue is made in liaison with the poet Daniel Gilbert, who has written most of the lyrics. My heart-throb is Heat, which is a depth-reaching electro-driven ass.

Snorkel - Dead Skin

Louie & The Ocean – …With Eyes To Sea EP (2011)

Webbed Hand

7.2

/Electronic pop, Downtempo, Ethereal, Chillout, Pomp pop/

Comment: At times I used to think that downtempo-ish music unlike most of the other genres tends deliberately to pitch on the ideal, otherworldly solution (spherical solutions). Ethereal, even angelic soundscapes, relaxing beat sequences, shimmering sound effects being likely to the focused release herein. By my experience, at times it might seem to be feasible, yet most of the times obviously not. Too bombastic, too predictable, too slushy, too bleak, too camp. Thereby it is at odds with the kind of chillwave/glo-fi sound, which used to base on similar initial particles, for instance. At times this France-based project seems to be aware of those threats having managed to hold yourselves back, sometimes actually not. The kick-off track No Friends, No Problem showcases itself as the most intriguing one via its samples being seemingly out of context, serene synth warbles and not-too-dreamy cadences.

Adam & Alma - Adam`s Universe

Adam's Universe - Adam & Alma from Adam & Alma on Vimeo.

Kraffa - Short Note From Time (2010)

Totokokolabel

8.9

/Folktronica, Post-rock, Laptop-folk, Indietronica, Dream folk, Experimental folk, Cowbell indie, Experimental indie/

Comment: This 4-track comes from Thailand, behind Kraffa is Norrasak Ramasute, who used to design form and function in complete harmony. In any cases, he has masterfully succeeded his doings on the recent issue as well - silence is laced with impetuous changes, jiggling drum programmings are set under dream-alike harmonies, bucolic near-nature narratives are replaced with lucid post-rock-ish breaks- and vice versa. All is finely balanced and elaborated, resembling of the other outputs under the Totokoko, and La bèl label either.