Where to begin this week. First of all, Bandcamp is waiving its revenue share on all sales today. That's 15% for digital and 10% for physical or merchandise. That can go a long way. Plenty of artists have been giving away codes for free downloads across social media, as well as reducing prices both for individual purchases and full discographies. Naturally there have been a load of newly announced releases today, so keep an eye on my Twitter for news of interesting releases and unexpected delights.
DJs are using Currents.fm to share playlists — too many to mention but Roo Honeychild warrants a word. She's sharing special playlists that really delve into a sound, from 90s hard house to the real sound of modern Ireland. Worth your time!
In other news, anu stated her own newsletter this week. from the desk of anu features recipes, illustrations, lists, a crossword and more. It's genuinely lovely and wholesome.
I realise not everyone wants calming ambient and drone right now so we'll have a real mix in here. Trippy techno, weirdo spooky drone, freakout synth music, rnb refixes, clattering drums.
Finally, many thanks to Aaron Coultate for the mention in this feature on Resident Advisor about things to keep you busy if you're self-isolating. To anyone who's signed up after seeing this newsletter in the piece, welcome! I hope you find something you enjoy.
A Year In The Country - The Corn Mother: Night Wraiths
Nothing like some ghostly sounds to start things off. This is the soundtrack to a novella.
Apparently: The novella and album are explorations and reflections “of the whispers that tumble forth from the corn mother’s kingdom”. Spooky. The Corn Mother is a vengeful spirit, driven from her own village and returning after death to bring vengeance on those responsible. There's talk of an unfinished or forgotten film and a quest to find it. This music is dark and foreboding, chasmic strings yawning with sorrow and horror.
Archivist - Cinder Cone
There's a track on this release entitled 'Death Mask' that's kind of unfortunate, given the timing of its release. Even if it means something else, there's only one thing it's bringing to mind right now. That said, it's a great track. The whole release is some gnarly deep spacey techno stuff, until the remix from Patrick Russell takes the title track into nightmare autonomic territory.
U-Udios - On The Ifness
If you haven't heard of U-Udios, it's a duo based in DC made up of Mike Petillo (Protect-U, Geo Rip, Doubler) and Sean McGuinness (Pissed Jeans). It's the right kind of "guitar and drums + synths and stuff". Never quite noodly but suitably trippy and heady, it takes you into a zone.
DJ Slacko - Something On My Mind
Grime DJ Slack, perhaps best known for being a key part of the Boxed collective and for releases on Local Action, dropped this album this week made up of rnb samples turned into bouncy club tracks — part chipmunk boogie, part LA beat scene on E. Almost like a 21st-Century reincarnation of Crydamoure.
The Master Musicians of Dyffryn Moor - Music for Hand-Washing
Twenty-six pieces of music, each 30 seconds in length, the perfect soundtrack to washing your hands throughout the day.
Jenifa Mayanja - Fragments EP
An early release from Jenifa Mayanja, mainly available on vinyl, now on her Bandcamp. Jazzy keys and house beats, inspired, she says, by the likes of Jon Hassell, Azymuth, Sade and Jean Luc Ponty.
Taggerung - I Am Nothing If Not What I Consume
A suitably weird release from from the Quantum Natives set. Part field recordings, part noise, it ebbs and flows with each track. I featured one track from this set in the ambient-not-ambient mix I shared early this week.
VA - MWxIWD (More Womxn)
This is a compilation released for Internatoinal Women's Day to raise money for Sisters Uncut, a feminist group taking action to defend domestic violence services. At this current moment, it's hard to imagine the situation many may be in given enforced social isolation, being stuck in abusive living situations. This album features a broad range of sound, from straight-up bangers to mutant techno, folk and noise, abstract art etc etc.
Force Placement - Retinex
Just one track to hear here but it's a banger. Tough and ready, swirling sounds and swooning vocals, it's ~nice~. Can't wait to hear the rest.
Daft Punk - Technologic (Jaymie Silk Edition)
A riotous rework of one of Daft Punk's most perfect tracks.
Swing Ting - 100 Dances
Full debut proper LP from party-starters Swing Ting. It's breezy and fun, poppy and dancey, imagine it being the perfect soundtrack to the social gatherings and dances once all this blows over (if it ever does).
Lis Sarroca - Shelter EP
Unknown To The Unknown and Hot Haus Recs are known for putting out no-nonsense party chunkers and this one is a particular delight. Full of slick grooves and fuzzy synth sounds. Warrrrrm.
Sordid Sound System In Dreams - Part One
an irregular series of dream state voyages to the outer edges of our collective unconscious and musical psyche... Ambient bits, slowed down pop songs, wobbly freak Italo/soundtrack-type stuff. It's definitely the soundtrack to one of those rambling dreams that makes no sense. Like the one I had this week where I ended up having lunch with Patrick Stewart and my old French teacher.
Pacific Sounds - Aloha ‘Aina, Volume 1: Field Recordings of Hawaii
Stuck in isolation and want to imagine you're somewhere else? Here you go.
God Knows - Who's Asking? EP
"I went on eBay, so I could finally say I got a shiny Charizard." This is a great EP from God Knows, trying to answer questions about "Irish hip-hop". "Irish music has always punched above its weight on the world’s stage and put its own stamp on popular music — why should rap and hip-hop be any different?" he says. He's one of the most arresting performers I've ever seen, and sounds slick, engaging and humorous on record. Here he raps over beats from Irish producers SertOne, The Line and Naive Ted, and is joined by his fellow Rusangano Family vocalist MuRli, as well as Denise Chaila, Gavin Da Vinci, Citrus Fresh, Hazey Haze and Strange Boy Nature. It's the first release of his on Fly High Society, with the promise of more.