Laurel Halo – Dust

★★★☆☆ = 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

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Laurel Halo – Dust

Description: Album Review of Laurel Halo – Dust


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Four Tet – Anna Painting

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

solid electro techno

Moods

Four Tet at his most accessible and danceable on this tight EP

Thoughts

Four Tet has such an admirable discography as he's able to cover a range of styles well. Here he's more accessible than his sometimes  experimental self delivering tracks that you can't help but move too. Slight long individual track durations keep you locked in with their hooky movement. Rhythmic, loose feel due to his organic production methods. I always find a lot to enjoy on his releases.

Ends with a nice ambient number.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Four-Tet-Anna-Painting/release/14099064

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBxmnfI4ryk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8v2Wra-YoU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCuPRW0P74s

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Four Tet – Anna Painting

Description: Album Review of Four Tet – Anna Painting


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

spacey instrumental electro dance punk

Moods

Psychedelic dance music

Thoughts

Two of the members went onto major things with !!! And LCD Soundsystem. This LP has the jam band sound without the jamming. It's music made by a traditional rock quartet but as if their trying to sound like a spaced-out electro project with dub sounds and house goodness weaved in. There's a 'raw' element here that provides a nice character, feels very human. It's key as instrumentals acts like this can someone's feel a little too clinical or impersonal without the vocal touch.

I'd be really interested in seeing Out Hud live as there are so many jumping off points for jam noodling. As a studio thing it works and it's interesting hearing it so many years later as their sound has gone on to influence lots of other bands from the disco biscuits to pretty much the entire DFA roster.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Out-Hud-STREET-DAD/release/229420

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XJ_qx0CkRs

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImsKpTBuH8

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0zLOcRzQT4

Spotify


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Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

Description: Album Review of Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Pattern Forms – Peel Away The Ivy

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

rich electro synth pop

Moods

A perfect Autumn record: breathy personal lyrics about sentimental subjects with lush instrumentation. An accessible entry into the wonderful @GhostBoxRecords

Thoughts

a straightforward and enjoyable record that accomplishes multiple things: scratches that synth pop itch, crafted and serious songs that aren't too weighty. It's a record about memory which I believe is the MO of ghost box, a subject of personal fascination and my favorite subject for art to explore.

While I like it, something holds it back from greatness. Too soft maybe? It's captures the comforting 'glow' of reflection but I prefer the jagged truth in my art.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Pattern-Forms-Peel-Away-The-Ivy/release/9224044

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=marweWtJ3Pk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpfc45aWR_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsejwPQpF7I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vafOQ7-x3gM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_8rUEGd0-Q

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The Pattern Forms – Peel Away The Ivy

Description: Album Review of The Pattern Forms – Peel Away The Ivy


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Kornél Kovács – Stockholm Marathon

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Hip glitchy dreamy electro with Rebecca and Fiona vocals

Moods

A dance record for dreaming about the dancefloor

Thoughts

Tight. There is a certain overall pleasantness here (maybe it's the key? Really prevalent). Glitchy. Super fresh. For the kids but not trendy, classy. Moves.

Just noticed Rebecca and Fiona are the vocals on a bunch of these tracks which I think is an awesome pairing. Their first record, think synth pop, is a guilty pleasure and it's nice to hear them on solid productions here. Hope they continue working on more fruitful projects.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Korn%C3%A9l-Kov%C3%A1cs-Stockholm-Marathon/release/13545372

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raVn_eF9aJQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iV62dIVm4o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebzYr8FOWvQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MxB6lSOyc0

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

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Kornél Kovács – Stockholm Marathon

Description: Album Review of Kornél Kovács – Stockholm Marathon


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Self Esteem – Compliments Please

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

pop with production that incorporates string elements and theatrical idea

Moods

It's like the glee club geeks got stylized by mtv

Thoughts

Initially I enjoyed some moments of this but it felt uneven. Great harmonies, acapella-group-like, which is technically impressive. Productions feature mostly sexy beats and lyrics that are genuine and heartfelt. It's pop in many flavors: full on Acapella, dramatic seriousness that soars like a Broadway solo, and danceable club ready tracks. She sings with such confidence that's hard to deny. Definitely a natural talent as melody is offered at every turn with a well-thought out vision at play. This is not an amateur effort and clearly a project of someone who has experience as a songwriter (she was previously a member of the group slow club).

I'm gonna give this album credit for sticking with me throughout 2019 and improving on relistens. That aspect alone suggests there is something worthwhile for alt-pop fans to checkout.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Self-Esteem-Compliments-Please/release/13311628

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w-FzH0008c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF5GSshWU3w

Spotify


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Self Esteem – Compliments Please

Description: Album Review of Self Esteem – Compliments Please


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Roman Flügel – Fatty Folders

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

cerebral minimal electro

Moods

Memorable melodic minimal electro, a refreshing listen

Thoughts

Nice first-half, on par with any good minimal cerebral IDM (four tet, etc). The improviser is an interesting piece in the practice of tension building song writing. Otherwise a pleasant listen overall that tapers off toward the end.

Peggy Gou cites this as a record that inspired her to seriously start producing music. As this was released in 2011, it's interesting to learn about the recent records that are proving to be influential on the younger generation. It doesn't sound that experimental to me but it feels like a very honest reference.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Roman-Fl%C3%BCgel-Fatty-Folders/release/4558753

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwJEYND3Vwo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0iD4ZFmF8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Kr-NYB2MU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHf3wa55fuk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsTTI-NI4iI

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Roman Flügel – Fatty Folders

Description: Album Review of Roman Flügel – Fatty Folders


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Space Dimension Controller – Welcome To Mikrosector-50

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

robotic g-funk techno

Moods

daft punk lost in deep space

Thoughts

Looking past the cheesy voice and narrative stuff is a set of great electro productions. Maintains a g-funk flavor and techno thing at times.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Space-Dimension-Controller-Welcome-To-Mikrosector-50/release/4343221

Listen!

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Space Dimension Controller – Welcome To Mikrosector-50

Description: Album Review of Space Dimension Controller – Welcome To Mikrosector-50


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

People Plus – Third Space

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Electro jazz

Moods

Spacey electro jazz – quite nice

Thoughts

A record that is both chilled out and energetic –  ambient down tempo textures meets tight jazz-like instrumentation. Longform instrumental songwriting makes this a record for specific audiences. But it's quite nice overall.

Jungle room has a Radiohead meeting in the aisle vibe. O.S.C.1. is a tropical dub thing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/People-Plus-Third-Space/release/13594488

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4E8qrwv6wU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cr9GkR_o6w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dY6chQ7Wc

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUy5rDnjwi0

Spotify


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People Plus – Third Space

Description: Album Review of People Plus – Third Space


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

K-Lone – Sine Language

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Gritty hip electro house

Moods

Raw textures compliment strong productions on this hip minimal electro ep

Thoughts

Resident Advisor said it well:

Sine Language features four very different productions, putting K-Lone's versatility on display. The title track draws on a vintage Detroit style, mixing electro beats and hip-hop vocals—hardly a novel idea in 2019. But a sweet, subtly out-of-place ambient breakdown interrupts the flow at the perfect moment, keeping things interesting. "Batacuda" and "Bells" are experiments at slower tempos, something we've seen a lot of from UK-based producers in recent years, particularly those in the Timedance camp. "Batacuda" floats along, emanating a drowsy humidity, while "Bells" is moody and thoughtful, coated in a chiming haze. "Missed Calls," a carefully crafted piece of taught, polyrhythmic braindance, is probably the best track on the EP. With this kind of eclecticism, a producer takes the risk of spreading themselves too thinly, but not K-Lone. He brings an intelligence and inventiveness to everything he does, unifying his work and making it essential listening every time.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/K-Lone-Sine-Language/release/13695712

Listen!

Youtube

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erI8pZgHwnc

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTdoBtMea2o

Spotify


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K-Lone – Sine Language

Description: Album Review of K-Lone – Sine Language


Rating: 3 out of 5