Seth Nehil | Skew / FlumeV A N I L L A (CD/DL) This release comprises two EPs: Skew (2014) and Flume (2017) from multimedia artist Seth Nehil. Having worked with Nehil over the years (as presented, as observer, as collaborator) I’ve realized that what really makes him stand-out as a singular artist is his […]
Valerio Camporini F. | Multitemporal Designs Line (DL) Roman artist Valerio Camporini F. has been involved as a label runner, in interactive projects, soundtracks and other collaborations. Multitemporal Designs was mastered by Stephan Mathieu and poses some big conceptual questions about: “Impossible devices, made with metallic spheres weighting a tonne, hitting 100 meters long strings, […]
Régis Renouard Larivière | Contrée Recollection/Editions Mego (LP/DL) A former teacher of electro-acoustic music at CFMI in Poitiers (1990-99) this is only Régis Renouard Larivière‘s second full-length recording, and his previous, Futaie/Tchernoziom garnered him the Ars Electronica Prize in 1996 and was released in 2000. The album, full of quizzical musique concrète abstractions, is dedicated […]
Ellicist | Point Defects Morr Music (LP/DL) Springs have sprung on the opener, Hennepin, and the duo Ellicist (Thomas Chousos & Florian Zimmer) is off to an eventful start on their latest Point Defects. Their murky, quirky sound combines elements of abstraction, noise, electronics and synthetic nature. There’s is a swampy universe where engines don’t […]
Papillon | Cercueil Flottant Sucata Tapes/Discrepant (CS/DL) A wild loop as if primates are screeching into a microphone traipse over a tripping beat. A radio-type narrator speaks in few words through static. Les Radiadeurs de Mika is an unusual opener on the latest from Papillon, Cercueil Flottant. This blend of experimental effects and field recordings […]
Chi Factory | The Mantra Recordings Astral Industries (2xLP/DL) Dedicated to the life and work of Robert Lax (1915-2000), the American “dreamcatcher” poet who lived on Patmos, Greece. The recording is eighty-four minutes in length, consisting of four equal parts that are part chant, part field recording and most definitely all in a hazy dreamstate. […]
srh | telomer[e] Klanggold (LP/DL) The new release from artist srh (Sascha Rosemarie Höfer) offers burrowing rhythms and soft edges that seem to dangle and then drift to the far corners of the room. The balance of piano and variegated cacophony seems a challenge he’s worth taking – even though either could spoil the soup. […]
Cecilia Lopez | Red/Machinic Fantasies XI Records (2xCD) Out in the very last days of 2018, the two discs that make up this complex set of works in one package come from Argentinian composer and artist, Cecilia Lopez. Along with four additional musicians Red/Machinic Fantasies brings with it squeals, squeaks and a whole lot of […]
Zack Clarke | Mesophase Clean Feed (CD) Listen (Spotify) The follow-up to his Random Acts of Order (also on Portugal imprint Clean Feed) is the brand-new effort, Mesophase, from NYC pianist/composer Zack Clarke. The lineup is as follows: Zack Clarke: piano and electronics Chris Irvine: cello Charlotte Greve: saxophone, clarinet, flute Nick Dunston: double bass […]
Tender Buttons | Forbidden Symmetries Rastascan Records (LP/DL) The Bay Area has an afterglow with the latest minimal abstractions from Tender Buttons, Forbidden Symmetries (Rastascan Records). The trio creates an intersection between post-jazz and nu-classical, but bring their own blend of silences and cosmic effects to this record that includes two lengthy tracks, one per […]
Michiru Aoyama | Brilliant Days Mirae Arts (LP/DL) Broken into two untitled pieces that run just under twenty minutes each per side comes Brilliant Days from Japanese musician/producer Michiru Aoyama. Through and through this is a jewel-toned ambient record with a pace that rings of other traditional music from Japan, mostly meaning that it takes time and […]
Nathan Moody | The Right Side of Mystery Noisejockey (2xCS/DL) In what looks like a neat lil’ limited edition package (8 remain at presstime) Nathan Moody unveils his latest, a twenty-one track double tape set titled The Right Side of Mystery. Let’s jump into the first of four sides via The Namegiver. A dark strum greets […]
Thomas Ankersmit | Homage To Dick Raaijmakers Shelter Press (LP/CD/DL) Based between Berlin and Amsterdam Ankersmit is a composer inspired here by the 1960’s work by Dutch electronic/tape-based musician/composer Dick Raaijmakers (1930-2013). Created for Serge synthesizer he’s channeling the natural elements of weather systems in this thirty-five minute singular work. Instantly its an experimental world […]
Xavier Charles & Jacques Di Donato Ilex (Protagoniste; CD/DL) This is the clarinet duo of Xavier Charles and Jacques Di Donato (with addtl helicopter + lawnmower for good measure) and Ilex is a collection of fourteen tracks all under six minutes or so. Moreso than most instruments I can appreciate wind instruments for the apparatus and […]
Mathieu Ruhlmann & Joda Clement Sound Diary of Quiet Pedestrians (Unfathomless; CD/DL) DISTORTED + DETACHED: Regular collaborative duo Mathieu Ruhlmann & Joda Clément have recently released one of their most obliquely provocative records to date with Sound Diary of Quiet Pedestrians. Over four tracks they lay out an atmosphere that is filled with atmospheres ranging […]
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