Reports
Reports
Vril - Saturn Is A Supercomputer
Vril's latest album, Saturn In A Supercomputer (2024), showcases his mastery in blending ambient music with elements of techno, moving slightly away from traditional German sounds. Vril builds on themes of futurism and isolation, the album features dynamic compositions and a more wistful sound palette compared to his earlier work.
Vril creates a cosmic atmosphere with its swelling synthesisers and subdued vocals. Its captivating, beatless pieces highlight Vril's skills in ambient production, creating a sense of anticipation with its delicate synths. Tracks like 'Batumi Stranding' merge ambient textures with minimal techno. At the same time, 'Final Earthbound' engages listeners with a thought-provoking intro on human evolution before diving into a subdued techno experience.
Returning to dance-centric sounds, "Truth Out Of The Cave" features catchy basslines and strong grooves. The title track takes a dramatic turn with its melodic hooks and a nod to Detroit's electro sound, though it occasionally sacrifices clarity in its production. Vril's Sohn (SP12 Rework) exemplifies his adaptability as a producer, transforming the original's character into something new yet equally impressive. The album reflects Vril's broad musical identity and innovative approach to blending genres.
Not Waving & Romance - Wings Of Desire
Not Waving and Romance have produced two intimate musical collaborations, with their latest album, Wings of Desire, exploring themes of consciousness and religion through ambient music fused with Renaissance elements. This follow-up to their earlier works, including Infinite Light and Eyes of Fate, embodies a unique blend of the divine and mechanical, creating what they describe as "mythological Old Testament ambient." Wings of Desire combines classical and contemporary styles, featuring repetitive loops and symphonic vocals. This emotional range and depth are uncommon in ambient music, inviting deeper study and reflection. Overall, Not Waving and Romance blend influences from artists like AFX and Boards of Canada, creating a complex sound that unfolds gradually for those willing to immerse themselves in its mythological ambience.
DJ CITY - Paris, Rome
DJ CITY's latest album, Paris, Rome (2024), explores themes of life, love, and urban experience through a blend of house beats and dreamy synths. The album combines raw early analogue house sounds with influences from 80s city pop, creating a unique atmosphere that balances melancholy and romanticism. Key tracks like 'Cities in Dust' and 'Good Morning' contrast upbeat rhythms with introspective themes. DJ CITY incorporates various cultural influences, as seen in 'Bergagen' and 'Safe', highlighting the risks and richness of diverse urban environments. The album also features energetic tracks such as 'Oh Ah' and 'War & Peace', offering a fun counterbalance to its more somber elements. Overall, Paris, Rome captures the complexities of city life, portraying it as both gray and beautiful, ultimately celebrating the dreamlike qualities of urban existence.
Ye Gods - No Albion
Antoni Maiovvi's "Ye Gods" project explores the intersection of religion and cosmic horror. The album No Albion features tribal rhythms, droning vocals, and themes of spiritual duty, creating an oppressive atmosphere. While integrating religious zealotry and sacrificial visuals would generally be on the nose, Ye Gods keeps most symbolism as feeling. Notable 'He Who Holds The Severed Head' demonstrates cinematic quality, and "Blessing" captures dramatic tension. The overall listening experience blends relaxation with existential dread. The final track, 'Total Eclipse', encapsulates the album's themes but lacks the drama of other songs. Ultimately, the work prompts contemplation on religion as a form of cosmic horror, contrasting divinity with a sense of insignificance.
Amandra - Brera Som Som
Amandra's latest album, Brera Som Som (2024), stands out in the saturated electronic music scene, offering a refreshing and invigorating experience. Each track presents unique rhythmic explorations, creating a hypnotic atmosphere. Pieces like Cyborg Pelikana and Fanfaron showcase Amandra's knack for blending unconventional melodies with intricate percussion, resulting in immersive soundscapes. The album also features four remixes that reinterpret the original tracks with varying degrees of traditional and experimental elements. Overall, Brera Som Som encourages listeners to embrace creativity and step outside musical conventions, making it a noteworthy addition to the genre.
Lundin Oil - Exploit Divisions
Anthony Linell's Northern Electronics label has been praised for its unique and high-quality electronic music. The label's latest release, Lundin Oil's Exploit Division, ventures into drone ambient and experimental realms, showcasing both innovative and challenging tracks. While some songs are critiqued for lacking depth compared to others on the album, the overall work delves into themes of energy misuse and global warming. The album experiments with morphing textures, providing an intense and thought-provoking listening experience while pushing the boundaries of drone and ambient music within the Northern Electronics sound family.
Ghost Dubs - Damaged
The Ghost Dubs project by Michael Fiedler explores eerie atmospheres and rumbling sub-textures, incorporating vintage techniques and emphasising mechanical elements. The music includes dub reggae and dub techno elements, with innovative percussive hits and effects that evoke the sounds of Kingston, Jamaica. Damaged pays tribute to dub music with an updated take on the genre as the Ghost Dubs project incorporates experimental sounds of downtempo and dark ambient, creating a dark, powerful, and immersive listening experience.
Mønic - Where Reality Fades
Mønic, also known as Simon Shreeve, is an artist known for pushing the boundaries of deep and dark aesthetics in dubstep under his Kryptic Minds aliased and, more recently, in genres like techno, jungle, and dark ambient. His album, Where Reality Fades, explores drone and loop-based ambience, creating guttural and richly textured music. While some loops in the album may come across as repetitive, Mønic's use of glacial drones and field recordings effectively captures the tense undercurrent of the city and creates a deeply immersive experience. Overall, Mønic's work is intricate and thought-provoking, inviting listeners to ponder personal and existential questions.
Michel Banabila - Unspeakable Visions
Banabila’s mind-bending world music-inspired electronica is a must.
HNNY - Light Shines Through
The transformation of HNNY's musical style from humorous house to a more emotionally available artist is a blessing I didn't know we needed.