Reports
Reports
James K - Hypersoft Lovejinx Junkdream
James K's latest record, Hypersoft Lovejinx Junkdream (2024), features not only a complex title but a stunning production that blends downtempo and breakbeat elements. The title track creates a dreamlike atmosphere with rich bass drones and reverberation, showcasing James K's innovative style. The second track, 'Blinkmoth (July Mix)', offers a trip-hop sound reminiscent of Portishead, with careful construction and expressive vocalisations. Overall, the album is noted for its visionary vocal delivery and harmonious production, continuing the magic from James K's previous work, Random Girl (2022). The album promises to delight music lovers with its fresh and nostalgic feel.
Daniel Avery - Digital Rain / I Miss You
Daniel Avery is a prominent figure in London's music scene, known for his ability to stay relevant through new albums and mixes. His latest release, Digital Rain / I Miss You, showcases his exploration of ambient music against breakbeats.
From capturing the quiet moments after clubbing by blending soft breaks with elements of liquid drum and bass and cinematic qualities to a harder sound with grainy textures and nostalgic mechanical artefacts reminiscent of his earlier work, Avery employs a minimalist approach in his rhythms, prioritising accessibility and space. This release may be seen as self-referential and less innovative, lacking significant cultural reference points. Overall, Avery continues to meld various influences in his music, maintaining his relevance in dance music.
Blawan - BouQ
Blawan's new record, BouQ, released under his imprint Ternesc, showcases his signature radical sound design and bass-heavy sections while pushing genre boundaries. The EP features varied grooves, incorporating pop rhythms into his futurist bass style. While the record can feel overwhelming, Blawan introduces more solid, trappy and UK hip-hop influences, experimenting more with dramatic vocals and glitches. The second half of the EP returns to a progressive direction, combining old-school dubstep and electro house and featuring a garagey footwork vibe and haunting flute melody.
Schwefelgelb - Trigger
The critique of live versus studio music has intensified, especially with the rise of live performances in electronic music. The German duo Schwefelgelb stands out in this regard, consistently surpassing expectations in their live shows. Their latest EP, Trigger (2024), particularly highlights how they capture the energy of live performances in their recordings.
The track "IO" showcases their mastery of acceleration and deceleration, creating a dynamic, intense atmosphere that deviates from typical industrial sounds. 'The second track, Open World Games', embraces a more theatrical style with a dark ambience, incorporating rugged glitches and minimalist rave elements for contrast.
Additionally, the album features two remixes: UFO95's minimalist electro/techno remix of 'Open World Games' maintains Schwefelgelb's aesthetic. In contrast, Flore's remix of 'IO' takes a bold departure with a contemporary UKG influence, reflecting the duo's openness to new sounds. Overall, the project effectively simulates the thrill of a live performance while exploring diverse musical landscapes.
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.
Shed - Applications
A special collaboration between a prominent German label, Ilian Tape, and influential producer Shed showcases the intersection of Munich and Berlin's music scenes. The Applications EP encapsulates the Ilian Tape ethos through retro-futurist sounds and analogue techniques. Shed's distinctive style, characterised by gritty drum programming and analogue synthesis, heavily influences the tracklist.
Opening with EMCZ, a high-energy, industrial boom-bap-style track that propels the dance forward, TLSQ contrasts this with an organic 4x4 groove, rich with transforming synth layers that surprise the listener. The closing track, UFO2, is marked by its intense Big Room energy, highlighted by pounding percussion and atmospheric elements. The overall impact of Applications shows how relevant Shed is and may always be.
Quimbie - Sunday Fiction Remixes Pt. 2
Quinbie has released the second part of his remix series of the 2021 album Sunday Fiction, featuring interpretations by Lawrence and Carsten Jost. Both tracks showcase a deep astral tech house style, blending extraterrestrial drum grooves and baselines with human elements. Lawrence's remix of 'What to Put On a Record' juxtaposes future tech with analogue past through orchestral tape loops. At the same time, Jost's version of ‘Loveletters.pdf' opts for synthetic percussion, emphasizing the contrast between Earth and extraterrestrial themes. Both tracks elevate the original works and are ideal for rooftop parties. The full Sunday Fiction remixes, including Pt. 1 featuring Bielefeld Murder Boys and Ubahnrider, are available as digital downloads on Janx Records' Bandcamp.
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.
Objekt - Chicken Garaage
Chicken Garaage is the second release from Objekt's new label, Kapsela, showcasing his creative freedom. The title track combines a two-step rhythm with a unique bassline, appealing to fans of Objekt's quirky style and reminiscent of Theme from Q. The B-side, Worm Dance, features a playful 808 bassline and a more serious tone, adding depth to the track. Both songs prioritise fun and danceability, marking a shift from Objekt's usual complex structures. This new approach is expected to resonate with both new and longtime fans.