★★★☆☆ = Good!
Sounds like?
Late 90s techno / hyper video game soundtrack
Thoughts
I like this, Wikipedia is spot on with its descriptions of techno from the 90s and ddr / final fantasy soundtracks.
Tight EP. Ghost voices is a standout track, the rest are enjoyable even if this brand of techno isn’t really my thing.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Virtual-Self-Virtual-Self/release/11277003
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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening
Sounds like?
Rhythmic modern jazz with rock chops
Thoughts
This record is a very successful marriage of jazz and rock, listening notes:
* Like the drum player a lot here, uses the full range of his kit. Keys too, layers well.
* ‘Uprising’ is a good track, the 2nd half I could see extending into a tension building jam live.
* ‘Drum battle’ takes that and builds it into something a bit heavier.
* The sax player has great solos on drum battle and profar. Good use of distortion but otherwise the playing isn’t quite soulful enough.
* Album has a good flow. Almost has a classical like sway to it. Notes are long and melodic. I’d say this is where the ‘cool’ could be upped with this band..
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Kneebody-Anti-Hero/release/10046749
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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
Modern intellectual compositional ambient like electro.
Thoughts
Well crafted with enjoyable moments but overall dull and drifting.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Grand-River-Crescente/release/10925592
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★☆☆☆☆ = Bad
What’s it sound like?
Disinterested generic rapping over amateur boomy beats.
Thoughts
If you’re not paying attention this sounds OK, I like the ‘removed’ vibe, but if you listen too close it falls apart.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Valee-CHASETHEMONEY-VTM/release/10661808
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Future italio disco
Thoughts
This is good! I’ve generally been a fan of his productions but here he’s making Todd Terje’s nu-disco thing sexy and cool.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Lindstr%C3%B8m-Its-Alright-Between-Us-As-It-Is/release/11025485
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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
An assortment of left field electro
Thoughts
I found the interludes Frost and melt interesting in their organic percussive approach. Static is a good one, Koze like.
Guests on side one felt generic and uninspired, play it safe electro pop. The second half is much better opening up into more exploratory left field ideas.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Bambooman-Kirk-Barley-Bambooman–Whispers/release/10805103
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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening
What’s it sound like?
Alt rock, has a 90s vibe to it.
Thoughts
Personal favorite band of mine. The songwriting can get repetitive but there’s a heartfelt sincerity that’s created in their music. The lyrics are key to this feeling, he sings with an uncertainty that illustrates a mature approach to life. I hear someone taking experiences as they come, learning and sharing them.
On this collection you hear the band evolving over a couple of albums. The earlier stuff, featured on the later half, is maybe a bit more drawn out, lyrics expanded and unrefined. It’s as if an epiphany is explored musically. I find the newer material is a bit more polished and crafted into some very memorable songs. If you like the band then this is a must have.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Pinegrove-Everything-So-Far-/release/10175309
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⭐⭐
D∆WN – Infrared
Post-Blackheart I have high expectations for any Dawn Richard release but they aren’t met here; especially surprising given this is produced by Kingdom whose production is too bloated for her style. Gone is Dawn’s clever lyricism from Blackheart which was at times abstract, metaphorical and personal. Infrared is thematically promising but never really goes anywhere.
Schema Info
★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Future’s Atlanta stutter trap rap featuring young thug.
Thoughts
A solid outing, futures flow can get repetitive so it works well when he’s sharing a track with someone else. Young thug is going for it here, at times I feel he’s putting out too much material and wearing himself thin, preferring quantity to quality, but he clearly worked on these and the result pays off. I say it’s a future album cause the production is from futures usual stable.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Future-4-Young-Thug-Super-Slimey/release/11030623
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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
A mix of songs from the 70s and 80s ranging from soulful jazz to r&b and proto rap.
Thoughts
It’s an ode to music made in NY that influenced Kerri. From that document standpoint it’s perfect and captures the time well. I personally enjoyed the jazzier tracks with instrumentation, these featured tight and soulful personal playing. I wasn’t too into the poppier synth stuff as it sounded a bit dated. https://www.residentadvisor.net/reviews/21650
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Kerri-Chandler-DJ-Kicks/release/11027669
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfHdJHNIDCQ
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