Uni - Kosmikud II (2007)

Bandcamp

9.5

/Electronic pop, Glo-fi, Alternative, Cosmic electronica, Indietronica, Experimental electronica, Chilltronica, Easy listening/

Comment: Uni (or "Dream","Sleep" in translation) was an Estonian duo comprising such musicians and producers as Taavi Laatsit (Von Suck, Galaktlan, Galaktlan Group), and Henrik Luuk (Popidiot). I can remember for this issue firstly issued in tape format and packaged in foil in the end of 90s hanging somewhere in a shop in Tartu (and my friend bought it). This 11-track issue does include mostly laidback, outer space-related (or "ulme" in Estonian the word which is not translatable, though) and more or less ominous blissed-out electronic propulsions, however, having sometimes hints at robot pop (those vocal warped experiments), Soviet Sputnik electronica and sci-fi films and melodica-tinged endeavours. It might be thought the last track Kohvipaus reveals more the duo`s indie influences. It is a highly nostalgic and classic issue regarding the tendencies of the Estonian electronic scene. And even in the recent context it sound previously in a superb, affluent way.

Beta Dog - Fake Hero (2012)

Enough

Soundcloud

Lastfm

8.8

/EBM, Industrial rock, Dark pop, Trance, Electro-rock, Crossover, Techno rock, Electronic pop, Synth rock/

Comment: this batch of 11 tracks is the debut album by Beta Dog, a Czech project full of gloomy synth layers, rigid machine-driven rhythms and a little bit tortured, hacking vocal appearances and obscure themes sometimes mixed up with spoken word and theatrical samples and robot-esque vocoder filters. Stylistically it veers away the elements of rock, industrial, electro(nica), trance and synth pop.

[Teaser of the day] Sean Nicholas Savage - The Natural Rhythm

[Teaser of the day] Jiony - Not Found (Invisible)

Bad Panda

Shugo Tokumaru - Rum Hee

Ivan Čkonjević - NUŠ (2011)

NoEcho

9.0

/Chamber music, Ambient, Electro-acoustic, Minimalism, Post-rock, Experimental rock/

Comment: Ivan Čkonjević is a sound manipulator from Subotica, Serbia whose set of 3 lengthy compositions results in a subtle sound processing of minimally evolving, fluttering guitar-based orchestrations which do sound like the murky slices conjured up with the assistance of cello strings. Furthermore, Čkonjević`s oeuvre used to include repetitive elements thereby having a hypnotic impact on the listener. On the other side, his soundscape is barely audible having a relentless drift between the sound, hisses and silence. However, those silentful yet a little tensioned spins and restrained grooves coming out within the ending track EXP Za granicom remind of GY!BE`s aesthetics at Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven (2000, Kranky). A nice listening.

Boutros Bubba - Band Fight (2012)

Narrominded

Lastfm

8.7

/Math rock, Alternative rock, Experimental rock/

Comment: Boutros Bubba is a combo from the Netherlands comprising 3 musicians - guitarist/singer Spoelstra, drummer Vreselijk Ongeluk, and bassist Freddie Mercury (sic!). Their set of 5 tracks consists either of glowering, slow-paced and mid-paced math rock propulsions or more swift, clattery rhythms, and a tiny howling and hoarse singing mixed vocal lines. Yet, the aforementioned details do not mean they have managed to avoid more pop-tinged hooks and suggestive harmonies. All of that is to be found over there. The issue is released on Narrominded, a Dutch experimental imprint extending stylistically from innovative rock to experimental electronica, ambient and field recordings