SOHN – Tremors

by stan · February 8, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

serious, dramatic, dark electro pop

Moods

sexy scandinavian

Thoughts

Enjoyable pop with some interesting ideas. I guess I like this, the album all kind of blends together through very similar and basic electro production. It's slick no doubt but a little dry and impersonal with vague lyrical themes. Reminds me of apparat.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/S-O-H-N-Tremors/release/5559093

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlLJcbK7Xiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AslPYSm7jfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0AX03wZH90

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9btsq496hkQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpvoylTLO8

Spotify

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SOHN – Tremors

Description: Album Review of SOHN – Tremors

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

King Midas Sound,Fennesz – Edition 1

by stan · January 17, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

trip hop, dub and ethereal electro ( both and neither ) with strings and noise

Moods

Feels like a slow sick day off work where your head is congested and words sounds like their filtered through a cotton ball. But you're warm and cozy with a comforter pulled up to your chin. Everything is bathed in bright white winter light so it's easy to see the dust floating around your room. The stillness is a welcome change of pace, might not be a perfect day but you know it'll pass.

~ Shadowy positiveness.

Thoughts

Reminds me of yo la tengo quiet moments. I can't imagine a whole lot of times when I'm going to put this on in the future but I enjoyed it. The tempo is slow, crawling at times, so this does requires a certain patience or mindset; it's a rewarding listen if you're in it however.

Lyrically tracks like ‘melt’ and ‘lighthouse’ capture a certain beauty in their directness. The production is beautiful, extremely well crafted with strings, ambient , bits of static noise for warmth (reminds me of burial).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/King-Midas-Sound-Fennesz-Edition-1/release/7573156

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf1DO_SIHTM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC3hXI_nVoM

Spotify

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King Midas Sound,Fennesz – Edition 1

Description: Album Review of King Midas Sound,Fennesz – Edition 1

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Boards Of Canada – Hi Scores

by stan · November 21, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
A variety of 90s electro including synth ambient and breakbeat

Moods
An intelligent dance party

Thoughts
Enjoyed the breakbeat tracks (not sure if it’s true breakbeat but reminds me) ‘Nlogax’ and ‘Seeya later’ but the others are very good as well. ‘Hi Scores’ and ‘Turquoise Hexagon Sun’ are almost like ambient trip hop.

One of my favorite boards of canada releases that I’ve heard so far.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Boards-Of-Canada-Hi-Scores/release/3416582

Listen!

Youtube

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Boards Of Canada – Hi Scores

Description: Album Review of Boards Of Canada – Hi Scores

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Juju & Jordash – Sis-Boom-Bah!

by stan · October 5, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
Spacy techno

Thoughts

I appreciate the craft here as I understand it’s created live. The final product seemed a bit out there, nothing really to hook into. I also wasn’t into the berimbau like rhythm found on the first half.

This seems like it might be enjoyable in an open environment and I’m super curious about one of their live shows.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Juju-Jordash-Sis-Boom-Bah/release/10987321

Listen!

Youtube

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Juju & Jordash – Sis-Boom-Bah!

Description: Album Review of Juju & Jordash – Sis-Boom-Bah!

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Anna Domino – East And West

by stan · October 4, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Barebones 80s pop

Moods

Introspective stroll in Williamsburg. Black T-shirt on.

Thoughts
There’s an enjoyable genuineness to this music which is strange as her singing is so nonchalant at times. Instrumentation features a band playing almost like they’re trying to replicate a synth/drum machine setup. I like the worldly percussion and strings on tracks like ‘repeat’.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Anna-Domino-East-And-West/release/1926235

Listen!

Youtube

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Anna Domino – East And West

Description: Album Review of Anna Domino – East And West

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Virtual Self – Virtual Self

by stan · September 24, 2018

★★★☆☆ = 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

Listen!

Youtube

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Virtual Self – Virtual Self

Description: Album Review of Virtual Self – Virtual Self

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

DJ Koze – Knock Knock

by stan · July 24, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
DJ koze’s undeniable house – quizzical hip hop beats meet German techno.

Thoughts
As much as I want to call every Koze release essential (seriously kozela thank you for the music) I think he’s at his best as a remixer. This album has some great peaks ( baby, planet hase, pick up) and the rest is solid. But Koze has operated at a master level that isn’t necessarily shown here. I do like the g-funk flourishes on the opener and Jesus. Great album, sunny drunk.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/DJ-Koze-Knock-Knock/release/11954934

Listen!

Youtube

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DJ Koze – Knock Knock

Description: Album Review of DJ Koze – Knock Knock

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Deetron – DJ-Kicks

by stan · July 11, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?

Energetic house mix

Thoughts

A dynamic mix that builds in intensity. This is decidedly modern house but incorporates a number of styles and takes large influence from 90s golden age. The later half isn’t quite as good, track selection trades sexy for energy that I don’t particularly like. Ends with a perfect pair. I think this would play well with mature fans looking for something fresh.

My one complaint is he hops between styles and songs too frequently, never really settling on anything for longer than a minute. At times this is fun but I do wish some songs would’ve been stretched out more.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Deetron-DJ-Kicks/release/11684630

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify