★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Vintage jazz rock meets found sound DJ
Thoughts
Pretty good, forward thinking collage of lots of different sounds. The second record, klangwunder, was a bit more uneven and sporadic sounding.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Blanketship-Klangwunder-The-Sound-Of-Fun-Surrounds-You/release/2030041
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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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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
80s punky jam art rock
Thoughts
Interesting and full of energy, slightly abrasive at times which gives it a nice edge. Sounds like a number of things from the era but manages to carve a distinct sound. Little in the way of structure, seems a whole bunch of noodling thrown at basic hi hat rushes and bass lines, at times flea funky or punky.
Not a perfect album, the later tracks aren’t as strong, this is still an interesting predecessor to modern dance punk like LCD Soundsystem. Draws from 80s talking heads at their most stoned.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Material-Secret-Life/release/152653
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★★★☆☆ = 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
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A blend of chilled out indie rock with jammy Psychedelic lean.
Uneven though OK. I like the morning myth and saint george instrumental track where the jam vibe is in full effect.
https://www.discogs.com/Dungen-Woods-Myths-003/release/11713797
★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine
What’s it sound like?
Synth pop sung primarily in German. Production is a step above diy but this is a 1 woman show though showcases a variety of instrumentation with guitar and proper keys mixed in.
Thoughts
Authentic German vibes. More than just the lyrics, it has a Berlin soul that I like. An album where the pleasure is from the effort put into the joy of song rather delivering super great pop songs. Ultimately I found the lyrical content lacking, either abstract or just general ruminations (come to Berlin? ), where I wasn’t hooked.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Barbara-Morgenstern-Fan-No-2/release/2513594
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
Pitchfork: sounds like something Tove Lo might make if she gave up on making hits and started obsessing over Yeezus and field recordings.
Well said.
Thoughts
Not sure why their nonchalant singing style is so appealing but this is quality mumblecore. Hip young dark bassy electro with chicks saying whatever.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Smerz-Have-Fun/release/11665684
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★★☆☆☆ = 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
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★★★☆☆ = Good!
What’s it sound like?
A curiosity cabinet of sparse 80’s DIY-sounding pop. Styles range from folk to r&b and synth driven.
Thoughts
Inconsistent and dated at times but mostly good album. Interesting as it almost fills a gap in the music timeline as to how art-house was fully incorporated into pop.
More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Uneven-Paths-Deviant-Pop-From-Europe-1980-1991/release/11610234
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★★★★★ = 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
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