Tag Archives: 2017

Laurel Halo – Dust

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

electro art pop

Moods

DIY hip electro lounge music

Thoughts

Sexy, layered electronic productions with real instrumentations (sax solo here or drum line there) that provide welcome accents. Halo can write, her voice isn't particularly strong but it's fine in these abstract streams of conscious; provides a bedroom intimacy. 'Moontalk' is a good example of when this all comes together well.

Uneven but more good than bad, an accessible introduction to her sound.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Laurel-Halo-Dust/release/10500770

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrjeMN_U1hw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y9AQfqnUvs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcZ-JK8EZlw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvkdCnK-aCE

Spotify


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Laurel Halo – Dust

Description: Album Review of Laurel Halo – Dust


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Electro rap

Moods

Vince Staples best? Rap that incorporates the interesting parts of electro

Thoughts

I admire hybrids where artists take sounds from a genre's fringes and incorporate them into a popular format. Kanye gets a lot of credit for that with Yeezus but I like this better. Production is what makes Big Fish such a worthwhile record with Staples leveraging a variety of electro producers to create a quilt that is intense, booming and always engaging. His rhymes are direct in delivery, creating a steady presence and interesting juxtaposition against the variety.

The result is a great modern Rap record with a youthful but wise energy. It's uneven but one that's bursting with provoking ideas on what makes effective music. I prefer that to the world of over polished pop without soul and have rewarded it with reslistens.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Vince-Staples-Big-Fish-Theory/release/11271320

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l9kzS_B7gg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLpH78k5A9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeUOvrnOCVY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6iAzyhm0p0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa4vBlzMaeQ

Spotify


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Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory

Description: Album Review of Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Tom Rogerson,Brian Eno – Finding Shore

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Keyboard and general electronic noodling

Moods

A soundtrack for those euphoric and reflective moments

Thoughts

There are some interesting bits but nothing cohesive as individual songs or as an overall album. Not quite ambient, not quite solo keyboard, feels undecided and suffers as a result.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Tom-Rogerson-With-Brian-Eno-Finding-Shore/release/11258667

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SroYdHuv9z8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZri_BOuRy0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBgvXNRxEsU

Spotify


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Tom Rogerson,Brian Eno – Finding Shore

Description: Album Review of Tom Rogerson,Brian Eno – Finding Shore


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Octo Octa – Where Are We Going?

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Energetic electro

Moods

Cerebral yet fun

Thoughts

enjoyable mash of some of favorite styles. Has the energy and flow of a set at times though these are extended cuts. Fleeting moments of freedom brings to mind a fun 'bouncy' dance night out, love the playful loop backs.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Octo-Octa-Where-Are-We-Going/release/10025434

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T4ogb-eWoY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiOz3JQqBgc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM4ssluYUtc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOL4pW-rGZ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECG3HWEqiF0

Spotify


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Octo Octa – Where Are We Going?

Description: Album Review of Octo Octa – Where Are We Going?


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Locust Toybox – Drownscapes

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

ethereal ambient with bits of melody

Moods

Drifting through sentimental English countryside

Thoughts

At the end of the brainfeeder x compilation was a curious 'classical' soundtrack by a guy named locust toybox. Clicking through to his spotify profile he has an artist playlist called melodic aphex twin tracks; before even hearing a note it seemed like we shared similar tastes.

I was right, this album has some great ambient with tracks that maintain the wide open freeform of ambient while still incorporating melody and structure. These melodic moments give this an overall pleasantness. 'Saptiro' towards the middle changes things directly into left field electro territory, adding some hand drum rhythm. 'Unborn' is an album highlight, with a rousing choral sample and deep bass thump. Probably the most intense moment.

Overall the album is far too long, dragging toward the end. Still worth hearing as there are some gems.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Locust-Toybox-Drownscapes/release/11181166

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if6B3brW67M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTDIcOAkrqg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_8zdxYsEy0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWQFk6DpUv4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdWXRX6Me_4

Spotify


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Locust Toybox – Drownscapes

Description: Album Review of Locust Toybox – Drownscapes


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Machine Woman – When Lobster Comes Home

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

semi abrasive left field electro

Moods

"Camile from ohm makes me feel loved" is good, rest not so much

Thoughts

Not much to tracks 2 and 3, nothing to em.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Machine-Woman-When-Lobster-Comes-Home/release/10988544

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfw1JXt8dTI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnK3iISJv8U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3BpyV6aQD4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fwNn69JHT8

Spotify


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Machine Woman – When Lobster Comes Home

Description: Album Review of Machine Woman – When Lobster Comes Home


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Bullion – Blue Pedro

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

modern electro folk with a synth 80s nod and eurobeat

Moods

Coastal electro folk

Thoughts

Tight ep, tracks loop quick guitar or synth lines and layer electro production bits on top. Nothing revolutionary but it grabs with it's immediacy and just enough variation.

I like the guitar soloing on spin2glory.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bullion-Blue-Pedro/release/10522688

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zub0p82u7Fg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RILKXsGRO8k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn2uyuQlKdM

Spotify


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Bullion – Blue Pedro

Description: Album Review of Bullion – Blue Pedro


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Drake – More Life: A Playlist By October Firm

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Drake's signature pop-rap and r&b with production that incorporates uk grime and dancehall

Moods

Mature and well traveled

Thoughts

I'm not a Drake fan. He does his thing, and I respect it, but it's too smooth and that drawl is tiring; I've never been able to make it through one of his albums in the past.

His production.. that's something else. Noah Shebib's dark, ambient production has been a major factor in Drake's success and fits his  'sad’ vibe perfectly.

On More Life we're treated to a great selection of tracks that show how he's pushed the incorporation of global dancehall into pop music. This sound had been straddling the breakout point for years but I credit Drake for pushing it over. He does so with a plethora of guests and features that works well in as an overall collection.

Best of all he's not always front and center so that drawl doesn't wear and you can appreciate his honest quality in appropriate doses.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Drake-More-Life-A-Playlist-By-October-Firm/release/9999158

Listen!

Spotify


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Drake – More Life: A Playlist By October Firm

Description: Album Review of Drake – More Life: A Playlist By October Firm


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Boundary – Fantasmagórico

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

indie produced synth electro.

Moods

Modern version of the Bandersnatch soundtrack

Thoughts

80s and basic. Glitchy vaporware with ambient synths. Video Games. Has a Spanish rhythmic flair to it though I'm not always crazy about the sequenced drum machine, gives it a robotic feel. Draws from daft punk acid house at times. IDM. Arpeggios remind me of vintage prog rock.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Boundary-Fantasmag%C3%B3rico/release/10555671

Listen!

Spotify


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Boundary – Fantasmagórico

Description: Album Review of Boundary – Fantasmagórico


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Emily Sprague – Water Memory

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

wide open ambient made with modular synths and winds

Moods

Observing water shimmering on a wall

Thoughts

Quality ambient with a relaxing atmosphere, reminds me of masters like Eno. A patient listen (or as background, it's ambient after all) is engaging through movement, both in individual songs and on the album as a whole. Ambient while generally pleasant can often feel monotonous and stale, she finds just the right balance.

 

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Emily-A-Sprague-Water-Memory/release/12014380

Listen!

Spotify


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Emily Sprague – Water Memory

Description: Album Review of Emily Sprague – Water Memory


Rating: 4 out of 5