featured releases
(Lex) CD, LP coming soon
Doseone & co. return from relentless touring for 2006’s criminally under-appreciated for hero: for fool with their first bonafied attempt at pop (somewhat). Over three proper full lengths, Subtle have become a lot more comfortable shedding their shoe-gaze hip-hop aesthetic for inquisitive adventures into more traditional pop arrangements. Dose’s vocal melodicism has developed, as has the band’s balance of restraint with full-on sonic blitz. There are echoes of hip hop — the drums punch & the odd rapid fire oration from Dose pops up here & there — but for the most part, Subtle seem like their shooting for a new hybrid of the synthetic pop that The Flaming Lips are known for. Creative, interesting music fo’ sho’.
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11 June 2008 by Chris Long
| Electronic, Hip-Hop, Pop / Rock
(Bpitch Control) CD
Fresh off the success of her brilliant dance-oriented collaboration with Apparat, Orchestra Of Bubbles, Ms. Allien presents Sool, the starkest record in her discography. Sool eases up on Allien’s oft-overused vocal cut-ups & maximizes the minimal, rendering tracks from as little as possible, with each element placed strategically in the recording field to make you hyper-aware of the crazy sonic-realm Allien spent time concocting. Rest assured, this is a record that will reveal much more through headphone inspection. Sounds arduous, sure, but submerged in this plethora of clicks, kicks & pings is some humanity; check the lamenting melancholy jazz melody of “Zauber”. A pinpoint sharp statement by one of techno’s leading lights.
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1 June 2008 by Chris Long
| Electronic
(Get Physical) CD, 2LP & deluxe CD
2006’s Movements was a tech-house tour-de-force; Booka Shade topped critics lists & hey, Will.i.am even sampled the undeniably catchy “Body Language”. The Sun & The Neon Light sees the German duo expand upon both their pop-house & stripped down tech-house excursions. First single “Planetary” is darker than typical Booka Shade floor-burners, but it contrasts well with the relentless chords & hooks of “Charlotte”. At first, the twangy riff (and cheezy title) of “Dusty Boots” seems a bit… ya know… but whatever; melodic, moving basslines & twinkling arpeggios are what it’s all about, right?
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26 May 2008 by Chris Long
| Electronic
(Modular/Universal) CD
This Australian duo are best buds with Cut Copy – they play raver to Cut Copy’s new-waver (that sounds like a diss?). Their debut Beams was laden with hard beats, the kind of stuff that goes over extremely well in a club at 1am. Apocalypso bears more floor-fillers, but the duo show a little more restraint, especially on the excellent closer “Anywhere”, a minimal techno track with a haunting vocal, elevating chorus & oodles of patience. “This Boy’s In Love” & “My People” wield anthem-esque abilities – chuck on Apocalypso, turn it up… now picture a dark club & a bunch of people… are you dancing?
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23 May 2008 by Chris Long
| Electronic, Pop / Rock
(Ghostly International) download only
Ghostly International & its dance-oriented sister Spectral Sound, are two labels that are responsible for bringing you music from folks like Matthew Dear (aka Audion), Dabrye (aka Tadd Mullinix), Christopher Willits, Solvent & Osborne. Founded in Ann Arbour, Michigan, they’re almost single-handedly responsible for keeping electronic music fresh in North America over the last 10 years. Ghostly just recently got together with Adult Swim, fine purveyors of such late nite programming as Harvey Birdman & Aqua Teen Hunger Force. They came up with the Ghostly Swim compilation, a 19 track journey through some Ghostly staple artists & some new cats too. The whole thing is downloadable for FREE. From this comp alone, I’m looking forward to more racket from Daestro & The Reflecting Skin (most sinister techno track so far in 2008)… what a steal.
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15 May 2008 by Chris Long
| Electronic, Pop / Rock
(Ghostly International) CD
Todd Osborn (no ‘e’ thank you) has been releasing 12“s through Ghostly International & Spectral Sound for a few years, keeping everyone salivating for a full length release. A jack of all trades, he flirts with drum & bass, house & ragga-jungle, all under different pseudonyms. On his self titled debut, Osborne opts for the classic stylings of Detroit Techno; forsaking popular micro-edit-heavy styles for classic tonality & structure, this record is filled with simple, uplifting techno that will at first seem “cheesy”… but nay, Osborne isn’t joking – those soppy chordings & simple kick-hat-clap beats are genuine! A beautifully paced record… “Outta Sight” is gold.
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13 May 2008 by Chris Long
| Electronic
(DFA) CD, LP coming soon
The newest addition to DFA Records, Hercules & Love Affair taps New York’s post-no wave dance scene, circa 1982. Brooklyn-based producer Andy Butler crafts pure disco with some brilliant diva vocal stylings from Antony. “Blind” recalls Erasure & Donna Summer at the same time… all the while paying great attention to detailed house production & an unashamedly accessible pop-sensibility. Arthur Russell’s disco genius reborn…
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5 May 2008 by Jeremy Robinson
| Electronic
(Modular) CD, 2LP coming soon(!)
Australian trio channel the 80’s, but ditch the irony for breezy summertime anthems. Trickling arpeggios & thumping basslines abound, as the Cutters tap Italo disco & Flock Of Seagulls (at the same time!). The Fleetwood Mac-isms of “Strangers In The Wind” are a nice touch… and pre-album singles “Hearts On Fire” & “Lights & Music” are here, plus the soon-to-be-anthems “Out There On The Ice” & “Far Away”. Fun stuff.
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8 April 2008 by Chris Long
| Electronic, Pop / Rock
(ATP) CD, LP coming soon
Initially born as an outlet for their nihilistic-noise tendencies, Fuck Buttons realized early on they could harness the use of noise as a tool to immerse & evoke. On Street Horrrsing, tribal beats & subtle melodies weave amongst contorting technicolor drone-scapes. Pop is evoked far more than any of the avant ideals that Fuck Buttons are being loosely linked to. A lovely mash of My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3 & Black Dice through Fisher Price electronics.
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18 March 2008 by Jeremy Robinson
| Electronic, Pop / Rock
(Last Gang) CD, LP coming soon
Filthy, trashy 8-bit dance music from the Toronto duo. This where electro-clash & the recent French wave of electro-house converge. “Crimewave” is a certifiable dancefloor anthem by now. Early 7” tracks “Air War” & “Alice Practice” appear here, along with the 90’s-esque Italo-crunk of “Untrust Us” & “Vanished”. You reached the end-of-the-level boss! And he’s dancing to this!!!
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18 March 2008 by Jeremy Robinson
| Electronic, Pop / Rock
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