Fog Lake - Stay Lost (2012)

Bandcamp

9.5

/Ambient, Folktronica, Post-rock, Experimentalism, Soundscapes, Organic electronica, Crossover, Experimental electronica, Musique concrète/

Comment: the project comes out from Halifax, Canada, however, deserving downrightly its name - it is deep , it is hazy, it is highly vapour-wrapped, though, Fof Lake`s music is not about ambient music only. This 10-track album vents itself through folktronic and organic repetitions, spoken word and glowing bass fused undertakings (indeed, the production is outstanding - all those (semi-) chord repetitions, flickering half and full tones, micronoises are very accurately laid down). It sounds almost like Thomas Park`s Stellar Fugue (the previous review at Recent Music Heroes), though, being devoid of rhythm sequences this time. Truly epic and inspiring for a new day.

Thomas Park - Stellar Fugue (2011)

Treetrunk

9.6

/Abstract techno, Ambient techno, Deep techno, Avant-techno, Experimental techno/

Comment: profound, glacial glow-tinged techno seeds used to dominate left and right. The listener can detect burning layers (created by using brass instruments) above hypnotic beats. These 7 tracks are similar to each other, however, showcasing slight changes within the limited concept. As you know very well the phenomenon can be free only then when it is cirumscribed (upon it the one can set itself free by outreaching the borderlines). A top notch for your body and mind. It is not surprising at all because it is a project by Thomas Park also known as AutoCad (2000-2003), and thereafter Mystified.

[Teaser of the day] Alexander Martovsky - Ty

Hiroshi - Bitronica (2007)

Abdicate Cell
Betamod

9.1

/Chipbreak, 8-bit, Electro pop, Bitpop, Tracker music, Crossover, Nintendocore, Experimental electronica/

Comment: sawtooth-alike chiptune/chipbreak patterns meet straightforwardly punching electro rhythms and ineluctable, system-induced noise conjuring up uplifting atmospherical seeds oozing out from these 9 tracks (spreaded out over 26 minutes). However, now and then the album gets deviated from the main line because of getting quite close to chime almost like electroclash or electro-indie (NES monday) examples or just providing more psychedelic and orchestrated tunes in a lofty way (Mario v Wario). Or having more obvious flirtation with more big beat cadences (Chipcore). The album had been released both on Abdicate Cell, and Betamod.

Kyoto: "La camiseta" @ La Faena II (2011)

Grndaz -Shitsteppers Make Cruel (2011)

Ruszud
Ruszud
Lastfm

9.2

/Hip-hop, Electro-hop, Experimental electro, Urban music, Breaks, Grime/

Comment: a set of two whimsical urban music productions. These ones are filled in with a loads of effects, abrasive and punching electro breaks and featuring joyous mc-ing (Mr. Payne) above and around it (the second track is embellished with female voices, though). In a word, business as usual - all of that regarding grime music on its own.

Cults - Split Face EP (2009)

Myspace
Lastfm

9.0

/Doom rock, Psych-rock, Psychedelic rock, Drone rock, Avant-rock, Experimental rock/

Comment: this 4-piece EP is a follow-up to Cults, Atlanta-based producer`s excellent Contagious Spirits (2008) which was soaked with treated electronics and manipulated psychedelia (call it post-psychedelic) and drone and some glimpses of psych-rock. Actually at Split Face EP he continues to deepen some of the abovementioned paths, though, the main (or even only) accent is directed more upon doom/psych rock developments. Indeed, it is a more rock-oriented one where more or less ragged guitars are interlaced with restraint kind or more tortured kind of vocal lines. It veers away the influences of Bardo Pond, and Sonic Youth. In a word, it is enjoyable, though, being not so bliss inducing as the debut issue.