Efdemin – Naïf

by stan · December 4, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

A variety of minimal electro ranging from accessible club to thumping industrial with a few experimental noise tracks thrown in for good measure

Moods

Berghain

Thoughts

Apparently this is a mix and I heard the unmixed version on Spotify so I'm totally misinformed in reviewing this. Anyhow, good minimal. The later third, starting with a track by Tobias, opens into more aggressive Berlin techno that capture the Berghain mood well. The rest were mediocre open-ended cuts that never build to anything but perhaps would take on a different meaning if mixed.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Efdemin-Na%C3%AFf/release/11966047

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Efdemin – Naïf

Description: Album Review of Efdemin – Naïf

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Nelson Of The East – Night Frames

by stan · November 28, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Slick instrumental house disco afro funk

Moods
Dancing at a show

Thoughts
This hovers somewhere in the middle of afro-funk, disco and house. Has a nice feel sexy worldly feel.

First couple of tracks are ok: thumping bassline, tasteful keys flirt with soulfulness ( especially the last bit on ‘night frames’).

‘Obalyeko’ gets more interesting: introducing a vocal sample, marimba-like part and a complex but crisp bass line. ‘En route’ chills things out with a techno like throb.

The Glenn Astro remix of the title track adds a wobbling dub baseline, probably the freshest thing on here with it’s direct electro influence.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/NOTE-Night-Frames/release/12224797

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Nelson Of The East – Night Frames

Description: Album Review of Nelson Of The East – Night Frames

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Pole – Steingarten

by stan · November 2, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Dub influenced German minimal with angular noise

Moods
Womping to the beat

Thoughts

First few tracks have this cartoonish womp to them that took away from the sleekness I typically want out of minimal house. On a closer listen it’s really an incorporation of dub, almost like dub meets German minimal. Tracks are layered with lots of subtleties although on the surface things may seem straightforward. Something about this album stuck with me before I revisited it a second time.

Later tracks improve, Dusseldorf is a keeper and I like the distortion and noise that’s present on most of the record but really utilized effectively on the final tracks.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Pole-Steingarten/release/2807191

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Pole – Steingarten

Description: Album Review of Pole – Steingarten

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Joy Orbison,Ben Vince – Transition 2

by stan · October 22, 2018

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Energetic electro with effect laden sax

Moods

Club but still want to jam

Thoughts
Electronic music can sometimes feel too mechanical. Incorporating instrumentation into electronic productions is, generally speaking, a positive way to humanize the music while still leveraging the infinite possibilities electronic production can offer.

Enter here: a fusion record of top-notch Joy Orbison productions (hip IDM) and sax-playing by Ben Vince. While I think there’s room to grow in the electro/jam fusion space, I support explorations like this as it points to a direction I’d like to see music going. Sounds pretty good too.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Joy-O-Ben-Vince-Transition-2/release/11981490

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Joy Orbison,Ben Vince – Transition 2

Description: Album Review of Joy Orbison,Ben Vince – Transition 2

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Palmistry – PAGAN

by stan · October 15, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?
Basic diy dancehall production with cutesy shy singing

Moods

Headphone introvert

Thoughts
I like the idea here but it’s repetitive as an entire album. He’s not engaging as a singer and the production is kind of flat.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Palmistry-PAGAN/release/8694249

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Palmistry – PAGAN

Description: Album Review of Palmistry – PAGAN

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Colin Stetson – All This I Do For Glory

by stan · October 9, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Deep brooding sax laid on top of repetitive songs.

Moods
David Lynch

Thoughts
Colin Stetson is an impressive player. His distinct approach to the sax utilizing circular breathing and tiny microphones creates sounds and textures that go beyond a typical saxophone; like the opening and closing of flaps and squawking dissonance.

These qualities don’t always make-up for the loose songwriting and his albums kind of feel like he’s just wanking off (felt this way when I saw him live too).

Ultimately it’s hard to deny the effectiveness of the textures he creates and those interested in experimental dark jazz should check him out. Stetson has a vision he’s able to perfectly articulate and in that way he’s a master at his craft.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Colin-Stetson-All-This-I-Do-For-Glory/release/10212933

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

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Colin Stetson – All This I Do For Glory

Description: Album Review of Colin Stetson – All This I Do For Glory

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Let’s Eat Grandma – I’m All Ears

by stan · September 7, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
indie synth pop

Thoughts
Lacking the interesting diversity of their debut this is more slick and refined. A bit boring with the exception of a few moments (donnie darko is great). I find it cool their working with sophie for production but didn’t fruitful of a collaboration here.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Lets-Eat-Grandma-Im-All-Ears/release/12334803

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Let’s Eat Grandma – I’m All Ears

Description: Album Review of Let’s Eat Grandma – I’m All Ears

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Sonic Youth – Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star

by stan · August 31, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
jagged raw indie rock

Thoughts
An OK record, likely one of their more accessible and it’s interesting hearing them in this stripped down setting as they aren’t one for ‘pop’ formats.

Falls short of something good in my opinion. Daydream Nation remains my one and only sonic youth album.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Sonic-Youth-Experimental-Jet-Set-Trash-And-No-Star/release/703500

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Sonic Youth – Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star

Description: Album Review of Sonic Youth – Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

Carla Bozulich – Quieter

by stan · August 16, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
Drifting experimental singer, range of styles and sounds. Ambient and dark.

Thoughts
I like something about this but as a straight document it didn’t really resonate with me. Felt it drifted too much and never delivered on impactful moments. Marc Ribot’s guitar was a fitting texture, I’d be curious to hear other collaborations between them.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Carla-Bozulich-Quieter/release/11980014

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