Th.en.d Metaphors EP (Mixgalaxy)

The Berlin-based Norman Dauskardt aka Th.en.d has released two EPs to date. His first, the 3-track issue Schizophrenic Birth (2009, Acustronica) was composed in a seemingly loose way, yet, regarding some aesthetical intentions and sonic feats, it can be admitted now, those aspects of the sonority foresaw the future upon the next release(s). Beside overwhelming, lazy downtempo milieus, or more punctually, below the lustrous play of colours the motorik rhythms are pretending for the dominating position to be overtaken sometime. Moreover, though The Beatles and The Doors are referred as Dauskardt`s main influences, the krautrock-ish angle is the most evident characteristic on the new record. In any cases, it is not possible that a decent German-based experimental musician could somehow have had no idea about the glorious tradition and continuity of the Teutonic experimental rock scene. Buzz-injected, heavy-weighted in a psychedelic way, symphonic-inflected synth chords, austere yet dynamic metronome-drowned beats do play up a solid whole, first of all, reminding the doings of NEU!, and the soundscape of recent compatriots by the likes of Mina, Cidulator, Isolèe, and Lali Puna as well. If you wish call it as neokrautrock, or call it as post-disco, however, it is quite impossible to resist against the kind of mesmerizing, determined rhythm-based magic sound.

Listen to it here

9.3

[Artists] Channeller

Channeller
Myspace
Lastfm

A Sunny Day in Glasgow Autumn, Again (ASDIG)

Ben Daniels-headed Philadelphian sextet released the third album, as a total sum, having the longitude of 33 minutes on 11 tracks. Vis à vis with their previous, shoegaze-meets-doo wop album Ashes Grammar (2009) it is used to be a bit more straightforward shoegaze/atmospheric/electronic pop release, though, in principle, the basic elements for manipulating to get involved in new patterns are previously the same ones, featuring catchy harmonic walls, burbling keyboard surfaces, blissful, female-based vocal oozings, fuzz-infused guitars, and lo-fi-inflected, synth-driven, rough-formatted cadences at times. Aside 100/0 (Snowdays forever), which sounds as a shoddily nude tribute to Stereolab and Laetitia Sadier, it might be watched upon it as a possible go-ahead, even rock-ish format for the English-French combo. Yet, nowadays, when Stereolab might be considered as an ensemble without its proper place and time, reflecting via retrodelic memories upon the past time cliches only while ASDIG has much more to add for, because of having incorporated the influences by the poptronica/chillwave movement and vital shoegaze hooks as well.

Listen to it here

8.7

Jean Dean Steps (Jean Dean)

I have big pleasure and honour to announce the Tallinn-based ensemble Jean Dean released recently their debut single Steps and video for it at their Myspace page. Undoubtedly it is the day single (and obviously for the next days as well) of mine because of creating vast monumentums and evoking lots of nostalgic memories in my head and shaking strongly some of my soul`s inactivated edges and pouring over the imaginary borders, offering a flying platform for to get glidered from the snowy present toward the fairy tale-alike past to be drowned into great parallels applicated to Estonia and the United Kingdom as well. In any cases, Jean Dean is a quartet consisting of musicians known by their previous and parallel independent musical activities in various groups. Kene Vernik (song, guitar), Allan Pilter (guitar, synths, harmonica, electronics), Margit Korbe (synths, backing vocals), and Inga Nõlvak (bass, backing vocals) are intended to create suggestive, dream-filled (not catchy tunes in the first sense, though) soundscapes with crisscrossed guitar lines, velvet-infected noisy indie feedbacks, with lots ups and downs and key changes. If to come back to the above cued reference it reminds of apparently forgotten Estonian band 1983 (having been active in the first half of 90`s) and of course Lush ( their line-up consisted of 3 women and a man as well!), though, Jean Dean is used to be a bit more murky, a bit more dark-hued, more detailly, via mostly Kene Vernik`s lush, velvet-filled timbre. A perfect workout indeed. The nineties are coming back? It seems to be so at least...

Listen to it here

10.0

Muhr Her Fall Themes (Bandcamp)

The Montrèal-based musician Vincent Fugère can be considered a webaudio legend, having released countless albums under his aliases during the last 12 years. Indeed, aside as Muhr, he has also used such aliases as Koei, Vizion, Kaminari Synthesis, A Few Days Until Never Again, and Life As A Tree and managed 2 records - Apegenine and Camomille. By having been heavy-drifted above the realms of subtle electronica, drone, ambient, post-rock, and modern classical/chamber music Fugère has been a part of the conscience of his hometown`s famous experimental scene. More concretely, the albums like Drames Et Précipies (2006, Zymogen), Poussière (2007, Serein), Anthèmes pour les Regrets (2008, 12rec), and Farewell Anthology (2009, Soft Phase) can be labelled as pure gold by conjured stunning accents based upon the meandering on and between the area of elemental appearance of the nature and invisible closeness to the civilization. So if someone is really into the sound of Hauschka, Daniel Maze, Bosques de mi Mente, GY!BE, Max Richter, Sylvain Chauveau, The Sight Below, Fugère`s soundscapes may complete the kind of array for you.

In fact, after Farewell Anthology the quebecois has had serious hesitations either to continue or to make the final closure as Muhr, but fortunately decided to trundle on with his new numbers. At Her Fall Themes are represented 10 tracks of minor, piano-based insights stepping over to the more brighter voyages directed over to imaginary landscapes being sometimes seasoned with march-infused cadences are beautiful appearances which, in principle, may be stayed for the last examples regarding his creation so far.

Listen to it here

8.8

Alexander Martovsky Libidolove, Mortidowar (Foundamental Network)

A young, 23 year-old musician from Minsk, Belarus, Alexander Martovsky has been active throughout the ending year, having issued no more or less albums than 3. The album Libidolove, Mortidowar, after his previous workouts M42, and Keep Quiet, Everybody Is Sleeping, reflects upon his skillfully aesthetical and professional aspirations, and it might be, still searchings for certain realms to get landed somewhere for having a possibility to be settle down into a mould for his personal future. Actually the last intention may not make much difference at all, as a final result being ideally reached off in principle and represented as one of the best notches in 2010. In a more concrete way, there are 14 tracks building up a exhilarating whole between lush shoegaze-filled soundscape, mesmerizing poptronica and post-rock-ish blowups, minor symphonic arrangements a la Ennio Morricone, and rigid/austere electronic music experiments, subtle IDM-cadenced opalescence and malignant drum and bass-based motorik whips, and for much more, and for much more. All in all, it reminds of 2010`s superb works of Monokle & Galun (In Frame), and Foxes in Fiction (Swung from The Branches). No doubt, listening to the tracks like You, and Heaven, what should it be described for? Would this album predict Martovsky`s position as a further experimental rock star or, on the other hand, shows up the overally screwed-up substance of pop business?

Listen to it here

10.0

Raw Moans + LAY BAC beko_70 (Beko DSL)

There is a fine joint release by LAC BAC and Raw Moans, the kind of one-man-bands, coming from Austin and San Diego, USA, respectively. More detailly, two tracks by both sides, used to be quite similar to each other, however, it can be drawn the gap between them. Raw Moans is up here, to reflect upon minimal, dreamy floating, though, doing it that way which will show up the devoid or at least restraint of his feelings. It is mainly a blend of hazy monotonic chord array and loose motorik rhythms. LAC BAC does play up disco house-drenched, heavy-filtered bedroom visions similar to Ariel Pink`s early doings, on the other side, the second track Ralf Goes Out is based upon a highly down-pitched cadence to offer the platform for Jsef Calamusa`s murky voice to be appeared everywhere.

All in all, it might be seemed as a following example riding on the chillwave and witch house hype, yet, undoubtedly it is a split masterfully composed and played out.

Listen to it here

9.0

[Artists] Crookram

Crookram
Bankrupt Recordings
Budabeats
Lastfm

[Old but important] Dog Bite The Yellow Springs EP (Rack & Ruin)

There was the year 2008, and two EP`s (The Owls And Eyes; The Yellow Springs) were released by Phil Jones aka Dog Bite from Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The first named issue was combined through lo-fi approach with looped samples of voice and strumming guitar chords holding up the subtle layering in that way. In principle, on The Yellow Spring, a 5-track issue, Jones proceeded the same act, yet excellently completed it, on the other way, having made difference as well by adding some new corners and flanks - tanpura drone sounds in the kick-off track Black Tie, and world music/tribal music-inflected Nameless Names. Aside the guitar strummings and fluctuant vocal layers as the main elements of EP`s sonic backbone it is fringed by suggestive electronics and effects. No doubt, though this EP was recorded and completed in the wake of Panda Bear`s Person Pitch being published approximately 18 months earlier, the release has its very own dynamic, touch and value. In a word, let`s make the distinction between those records, thereby giving a chance for you and this so far overlooked pearl of New Weird America/New Americana.

Listen to it here

[Artists] S.o.m.a

Sinewave
Myspace
Lastfm