Cavern Of Anti-Matter – Void Beats/Invocation Trex

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Krautrock open ended free flowing jams

Moods

A ringing E chord and three-dee melodie

Thoughts

Consider this an extension of Stereolab as it's led by Tim Gane. At times they mimic Stereolab and CAN with the organ and spritely bounce so often employed in their songs. I'd say these guys are a bit more laid back and not quite as tight. There's an exploratory rhythm and that's perhaps what invokes CAN, each beat feels like they're chugging into new territory and comfortable with wherever they end up (perhaps this natural optimism is what makes stereolab so infectious).

Pantechnicon is a good one, the keys feel a bit more fun and it signals a more melodic shift overall.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Cavern-Of-Anti-Matter-Void-BeatsInvocation-Trex/release/8143859

Listen!

Youtube

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njkK_YO6Zt0

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2dZ46U2pl8

Spotify


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Cavern Of Anti-Matter – Void Beats/Invocation Trex

Description: Album Review of Cavern Of Anti-Matter – Void Beats/Invocation Trex


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Azealia Banks – Slay-Z

★☆☆☆☆ = Bad

Sounds like?

Rap edm

Moods

Night out, downtown Manhattan or how not to do a rap/electro crossover

Thoughts

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Azealia-Banks-Slay-Z/release/8469877

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXUfBxMbC3A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usDQB21uQ1A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH90-6sCIoc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJskdaNiz6U

Spotify


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Azealia Banks – Slay-Z

Description: Album Review of Azealia Banks – Slay-Z


Rating: 1 out of 5

 

Abra – Rose

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Modern r&b with sparse synth / drumpad production

Moods

Feels like wearing a starter jacket in 2017

Thoughts

I like the style but she's kind of lacking lyrical substance. Things open up with a Spacey / subduded band vibe on tracks like rose. I liked a bunch off this.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Abra-Rose/release/7145364

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-qcz47h9zo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhe7CckB05w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1g4dnDtao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSZkeg4T2u4

Spotify


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Abra – Rose

Description: Album Review of Abra – Rose


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Rival Consoles – Persona

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
Energetic electro

Moods
Rather be listening to another rival consoles album

Thoughts
Not crazy about this release. The first two Rival Console albums had a distinct intensity to them that is missing here. Instead this album favors more melodic moments that doesn’t land as well.

I do like the brief pair of calm instrumental tracks, in kind and the album closer. Introspective in tone they featured a meandering keyboard solo over some hissy electro beat. Hope there’s more of this somewhere.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Rival-Consoles-Persona/release/11887899

Listen!

Youtube



Spotify

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Rival Consoles – Persona

Description: Album Review of Rival Consoles – Persona


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Ex-Terrestrial – Urth Born

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

Spacey comedown techno.

Thoughts

Really just OK and I think I’d like it better in certain settings, ie not on my commute. Water walk is the highlight. Feels very much like a lesser clone of the orb.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Ex-Terrestrial-Urth-Born/release/11606158

Listen!

Youtube



Spotify

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Ex-Terrestrial – Urth Born

Description: Album Review of Ex-Terrestrial – Urth Born


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Emperor Penguin – Extreme Gaming

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

Indie guitar/drums/keys trio makes record to mimic found sound sample album.

Thoughts
I’d skip this album and go for their other two,songs feel less finished then the debut. Beats are laid down just kinda hang without real direction, repeating until the tracks end. Gone are the funky keys solos that made their first album so engaging. OK as background listening but for what?

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Emperor-Penguin-Extreme-Gaming/release/153812

Listen!
Spotify

Emperor Penguin – Shatter The Illusion Of Integrity, Yeah

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?

A band performing the format of an instrumental sample driven hip hop record. Styles range from funk to hip hop to rock

Thoughts

This is an interesting take on the usually tiresome instrumental beat album. At its best songs are gfunk funky and successfully creates a hazy stoner dusty rich sample atmosphere.

Reminds me of the beta band 3 ep’s at times, that’s a mighty compliment.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Emperor-Penguin-Shatter-The-Illusion-Of-Integrity-Yeah/release/155404

Listen!
Spotify

Death Grips – Fashion Week (Instrumentals)

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

Industrial instrumental electro, a modern house version of prime-NIN.

Thoughts
The instrumentals are fine Death grips fans will obviously miss MC Ride who is in all other death grips releases. Has its moments but nothing I felt like revisiting.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Death-Grips-Fashion-Week-Instrumentals/release/6489505

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify

Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 85-92

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

What’s it sound like?

Techno with a pleasant floating ambient element. Certain tracks utilize a drum machine for a dance vibe, others are extended and much more in the ambient realm relying on repetition to create feeling.

Thoughts

A masterpiece: this sounds great and is aphex twin at his most accessible. Though the production can feel dated at times it never detracts. It’s distinct and a key album of influence for alt-electro of all stripes, it’s easy to hear how this would go onto influence many different artists while still sounding just as relevant today.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Aphex-Twin-Selected-Ambient-Works-85-92/release/32662

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify