RIP. A weekly roundup of releases on Bandcamp and Soundcloud selected and delivered by Aidan
Hey y'all. This got a lot of traction thanks to a certain Amsterdam-based journalist shouting me out (for which much thanks). Hopefully I didn't keep you all waiting too long. There's a lot more Soundcloud than Bandcamp this week, I guess it's more likely to be that way most weeks. This is only week three, so bear with me while I find a rhythm.
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Marcus Fischer + the OO-Ray - Tulong
Tulong is, apparently, the Tagalog word for aid or assistance. These two tracks were borne out of a long-standing collaboration between Marcus Fischer and Ted Laderas, both of whom are of Filipino descent. All proceeds from the sale of this EP will be donated to Humanitarian Response Philippines, a charity that is assisting in the rebuilding of homes of those devastated by Haiyan. It's beautiful, so you get something out of it too. Two pieces, one bracing and regretful, the other full of hope and wonder.
I found this through The Quietus' Spool's Out column. There's lots of good stuff in that (one release I would have mentioned anyway will follow), but it's not all new new. This is from December so that's okay. Drone, moan, scuzz. Good.
This is the other one. I've been a cheerleader for Sonic Router since the Torus release, I've written about their output on several occasions, so it's no surprise that this is rather excellent. It's inspired by the concept of "sacred pain", says MPSF, adding that the "approaches I applied to these six tracks subtly paralleled the diversity of discomfort which individuals put themselves through in the name of religion". I'm hoping he didn't immolate himself or go HAM with the cilice, but we can agree that the results belie such pain. Lush house textures woven through scorched, shattered soundscapes, it's a wonderful listen. I love 'groupp mind' in particular because it has this brief chord progression that's just so classic house, I mean it's almost 'Gypsy Woman'. And then the two-note riff slides down into nothingness, it's so gripping.
Heathered Pearls - Extended Current
This is a collection of remixes from Ghostly artist Heathered Pearls. Very ambient. All slow wash and contemplation. There's a lovely rework of Throwing Snow's 'Melum', for one, as well as remixes of Slowdive and Dirty Beaches. All nice stuff to kick back and zone out to if you have the chance.
Refusenik - Musikaliszer Pinkos
Out to my man John Howes for this one. My wife has broken down my tastes into two sections: monastic chant (ambient/drone); and bleepy bloop (everything else). This expertly fuses the two, inspired as it is by the titular collection of Hebrew hymns and Chassidic in 1920s Vilnius, and then transformed into cut-up electronics. Crazy.
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SEXTAPE #1 - Violet & NEGENTROPY AKA D55
Violet and NEGENTROPY (part of Photonz) have set up a new, wild outlet for their music under the D55 name. They're having a lot of fun with it, not least this slightly ridiculous mix. It's sleazy and brash and, most importantly, fun. The highlight for me was the 80s, Blade Runner-esque cover of the Game of Thrones theme, over which is a speech about the heart.
Mild Peril - Throne of Swords
Aaaaaaand here's that remix, for the record.
OEJ Mixtape X - seixlacK (40% Foda/Maneiríssimo)
Going back to Photonz for a second, the tenth contribution to their OEJ mixtape series is Brazilian producer seixlacK. Rough and murky stuff.
Logos Mix For The Astral Plane
If you liked Cold Mission and like rap and Bmore breaks and whatnot then you'll like this.
DEMONIC GLARE - BUBBLE POP
I don't really know what to say about this one. I can't even remember how this ended up in my Soundcloud feed. It's dark and rumbling, there's a sort of angular guitar thing jutting against synth stabs, it's weird but good. Their account has a criminally low number of plays so check them out.
Wild Beasts - Wanderlust (Factory Floor Remix)
This is a pretty brilliant remix, all jerky, awkward acid lines and ghostly whispers of the original's vocals. Those kicks, too.
Future - Drunk In Love
Future covers Beyoncé, and the crowd goes wild. This is ridiculous.
RA.396 Midland
It's pretty easy to throw in the latest RA mix that's ended up on SC, but this is a good one. I've always thought that Midland was a bit prog house, and there are sections of that mic that remind me of early-00s Dave Seaman. But then it's also quite vibrant and fun, so that's just a notion. That Maurice Fulton remix for example. And then there's something other-worldly about the Severn Beach & Rick Grant track too...
Juno Plus Podcast 79: Ulf Eriksson
Yeah this is a cheat too but this is perfect for me. Morose, melancholy, etc. I also love how perfectly he brings in that ToC track. And god damn, THAT CLARINET. We love you Laurel.
This is the sound of "Outscriber house" (thanks Chal). Angus Finlayson turns his hand to producing, drops this weirdly brilliant number for TTT, who are drip-feeding his efforts in advance of their release. Rolling percussion, jumping arpeggios, the odd warm synth, sensual groans. It's not your average fare, that's for sure.
And sticking with TTT, here's one from Max D that's so beautiful I don't think I ever want to listen to anything else. At first we thought it was called 'Pop Song', but it's actually called 'Calvin & Hobbes'. As beautiful as any of the most touching moments between that pair.
Imagine BEB releasing crisp, summery electro-pop. You might imagine this. (Apparently she's put out 10 albums?!)
Killa Cam meets Trizzy. It's not that bad! Trizzy ain't no Yeezy or Just Bleezy, but this is fun. And Cam is Cam.
Ickis Mirolo - Bloated Float Corpse
Artist and musician Ickis Mirolo shares this piece of "darkwave". There's an EP on the way. First Second are my boys.
Galcher Lustwerk Boiler Room NYC DJ Set
What more can I say? Why haven't more people been talking about it, that's what I want to know...
Nadia Ksaiba Electro Shock 2 DJ Mix for Virgin Radio France
A very fun mix from Phantasy DJ/producer Nadia Ksaiba. Kicks off with Mr Beatnick, features OOFT and Todd Terje, what's not to like?
Karen Gwyer - Lay Claim To My Grub
Chugging and repetitive, with daring synth lines and choppy percussion, this epic 17-minute work recalls Hi Scores-era BoC (think 'Basefree'), at least if they really went for the heartstrings. This EP should be special.
Mine's Clarence 009 - Lumigraph
My man in NY Gareth "Lumigraph" Smyth doesn't really DJ, preferring to play live, so it's no surprise that this entry to the Mine's Clarence series is a mood piece. More Tropic of Cancer, some Boya, some Move D (from the really rather excellent KM20 Tapes), it's one to sink into, preferably while you're lying down and not thinking too much. As an FYI, if you're into the kind of stuff I've been sharing then you should try and listen to 6 Month Vacation, the new radio show from Lumigraph and Frank "Frank B" Sweeney, who's joined him across the water. Details here.
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I thought this would be a quiet week, but that's quite a lot really. I hope you found something new. Feedback is always welcome, so do feel free to hit that reply button.
All the best,
Aidan