‘Cocoon Crush’ pushes the boundaries of experimentation even further than his previous releases did, and that without ever falling in self-referentialism or redundancy. Speaking of what goes on across ‘Cocoon Crush’ may be quite a challenge at times for the reason that – as happens with the most futuristic forms of art – what’s on display here is new to the extent that a new lexicon would be required.
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Crave: Loco
Pursuing his transgressive dismantlement and reshaping of current hip-hop and trap motifs as seen from a proto-technoid perspective – fitting somewhere betwixt the growingly influential legacy of the chopped-and-screwed sound of the Memphis and Houston rap scenes and Merzbow at his most savage, French producer Crave does it again on his new EP ‘Loco’ for Mind Records.
Posthuman: Mutant City Acid
Posthuman deliver some of their finest work to date with ‘Mutant City Acid’ LP. Created as a soundtrack to a mythical dystopia called New Reno City, the album is replete with nods to ’80s and ’90s computer gaming and sci-fi including Fallout, Bladerunner and Ian M. Banks.
Bibio: Phantom Brickworks IV & V
A year on and Stephen Wilkinson aka Bibio picks up from where he left off, unearthing two unheard cuts from the Phantom Brickworks sessions, offered up in the form of a deluxe limited edition photo-book and extended player.
Fabric100: Craig Richards, Terry Francis & Keith Reilly
Disregarding the obvious numerical milestone, it feels like an appropriate time for the Fabric series to evolve and Fabric 100 marks the perfect bookend to the series, with Craig and Terry returning to finish what they started.
Aphex Twin at Funkhaus Berlin
Was this the most anticipated DJ set of 2018? Did it deliver against all the negativity, befuddled organisation, extortionate ticket price and questionable venue? Tom Durston attempts to answer all of these questions in this review of Aphex Twin at Funkhaus Berlin.
System: Plus
Morr Music serve up a gorgeous collaboration between Danish electronic trio System and German composer Nils Frahm. With a focus on deep, pensive atmospherics, ‘Plus’ is a widescreen cinematic journey of an album with elegant, organic electronics as perfect accompaniment to Nils’ keyboard work.
Kelly Moran: Ultraviolet
Music has the ability to become a living, breathing creature of extraordinary beauty – something Kelly Moran has absolutely achieved here in her first album for Warp Records. Highly recommended!
Eliza McCarthy & Mica Levi: Slow Dark Green Murky Waterfall
The six piano pieces contained within ‘Slow Dark Green Murky Waterfall’ are an attempt by Mica Levi and Eliza McCarthy to emulate the imagery embodied in the track titles, turning what would be arbitrary word combinations into vivid, achingly poetic musical responses.
Vril: Anima Mundi
This is straight up space music: aliens, black holes, astronauts, star ships. Contained are absolutely massive beats and bottomless synth pads. ‘Anima Mundi’ is acidic, burning away the rust to reveal the shiny underbelly of a rocket ship headed to a distant solar system. This is true stargazing music, made for asking the biggest questions of our existence.
Forest Drive West: Apparitions
Following two extended players on Livity Sound in 2017, plus a string of equally solid releases on Hidden Hawaii, Rupture, Appian Sound and Dnuos Ytivil, London-based producer Forest Drive West steps up to deliver his debut long player on Peverelist’s iconic Bristol-based record label.
Tim Hecker with the Konoyo Ensemble and Kara-Lis Coverdale at The Barbican
Daryl Worthington shares his thoughts on the digital and organic sonics that he experienced last weekend at Tim Hecker’s and Kara-Lis Coverdale’s performance at the Barbican’s main hall.
Various Artists: Kulør 001
Composed of some of Copenhagen’s most promising techno producers including IBON, Schacke, Sugar, Repro, Rune Bagge and Funeral Future, ‘Kulør 001’ is the inaugural compilation from Courtesy’s new record label, Kulør – whose name literally translates to ‘Colour’.
Lawrence: Illusion
‘Illusion’ finds Lawrence in typically fine soul nourishing form with a cadence as stylish and aesthetically pleasing as any of his previous work. Ahead of release, we are happy to offer you a taster of the album with a premiere of “Dark Swirl” – simply beautiful electronic music for both home and club listening.
Berlin Atonal 2018
Challenging sonics have always been the appeal of Berlin Atonal. This years edition proved to be an immersive five-day marathon showcasing the very best of avant-garde music, audio-visual arts and a whirlwind of creativity. Madara Fridenvalde shares her personal experience of the festival that featured world premieres, rare bookings and first-time collaborations.
Idealist: Mind Field
Idealist is a man who’s learned his craft, who’s taken the time to work on his output, and having turned heads with “Firewood Street” back in 2016 on his own imprint… he’s back after 2 years off with a hefty new Mind Field LP on Echocord.