Nikoo Friends & Family (Beep! Beep! Back Up The Truck)

After their self-titled debut issue being involved in high-voltage noise pop with one very chart potential-related track (You`ve Got A Strange Effect On You) the 5-piece combo from Eindhoven, the Netherlands threw gasoline into the flames and their brand new exclamation is ready to haunt upon new victims. Indeed, the 7-track album yearns for more sonic abundance, approximating to the 80`s huge names like Pixies, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Dinosaur Jr, Catherine Wheel and My Bloody Valentine (however, the shades of Loveless can be detected for as well). Don`t be misunderstood - despite of famous names suggested here the record is a very feature one. Rough yet variable rhythms, at times doo wop-alike vocal shimmers and simple yet straightforwardly hitting call and responses, raunchy, towering exultation-realized guitar feedbacks, and nihilistic electronic-based endings. It sounds like a thunderstorm rolling over you, however, not hurting you (except your ears, of course). In any cases, if your preferations are keen for such contemporary groups like A Place To Bury Strangers, This Lonely Crowd, and Moon Runners, this music is thought for you. However, it is strongly recommended.

Listen to it here

10.0

[Artists] Duanel

Camada

Aloo Klangbild (Astor Bell)

The first track (TreiToTrei) by the Leipzig-based artist and musical activist/disc jockey Aloo is built up on melodica-injected chords, dub-inflected shades and 4/4 beats, sounding like a electronic remix of Augustus Pablo`s oeuvre. And indeed, the Jamaican-influenced vibe will be presented in the coming tracks too. Though, on the other side, his further sonic outlook will be grown over into a more atmospheric and soothing shape, having apparent hints at ambient music on its own. For instance, at Ambient Vall can be detected for dystopian, digital-based experimental ambient. At Harmonium Pump can be heard beauteously progressing orchestrations, "occasional" sonic minutiae, all in all, suiting into downtempo moulds. The rest of 3 tracks have also drenched in masterful sensitivity. Something similar from the dub perspective is Duanel`s Noches de Repilo (2010, Camada) I am listening to now as well.

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9.1

Pamba Lost Tapes (Clinical Archives)

The brothers Lenhart from Serbia started off in 1999, having before it played in the line-ups of different groups (Random Group; Pessimist). The recent issue consisting of 10 anonymous tracks is a decent case about rigid, even filthy guitar-lead penetration and its whistling feedbacks and whimsically caustic sounds of analogue synths and occasional assistance of a rhythm machine fluttering in the area of spaced-out rock jams, dadaistic patterns and nihilistic noise blowouts (which sound will be progressed into the sort of alarm sirens at times). In fact, all of tracks are recorded in live. Imagine a kind of formula which bases upon the early Einstuerzende Neubauten meets Gong. Or CAN`s live sessions fronted by Damo Suzuki. Yet, those descriptions are only some of the many possibilities. However, the track Untitled 06 does carry the most genuine hallmark of their brand.

Listen to it from here

8.8

[Artists] The Womb

The Womb
23 Seconds
Myspace
Lastfm

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.

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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