::..:::…..:..::….:::::..:::..:::::::……:::…::.:::….::::..:..:::…::…….:::::
>> Robokoneko :: Anembo (Couchblip!, CD) Australia
Sub-titled Music For a Quiet Place, Robokoneko (a.k.a. Melinda Taylor) offers her first full-length album of soft-natured electronics on one of Australia’s leading underground record labels, Couchblip!. Robokoneko may sound familiar to experimental electronic connoisseurs who have followed the abundance of compilations being released over the past few years; A 3″ mini-CD was released on the Japanese based Electric Avenue label and her live performances have been witnessed by fans at Sound Summit, Drop, Frigid and at Bondi FM’s Antipod Ear nights. Now you might be asking yourself what to expect on Anembo..
Imagine a blend of Solvent styled melodies, Plone influenced rhythms and a warm, wholehearted dose of carved electrical beats and you have a rough idea of the conceptual ideas behind Anembo. The night sky as your guide and a long drive on the coastline could be the realization of such an experience. Without breaking too many waves of digital trickery, Robokoneko casually blends easy-going melodies with light basslines that crunch and deform into tid-bits of electronic listening. It’s all part of the theoretical nature of this release, creating a passionate digital groove that fits comfortably in a quite place. There’s even room for synth enthusiasts to enjoy this somewhat nostalgically flavored release: Tracks like “Alef One” and “Satsuma” deliver a crisp and sincere sound bringing back memories that were seemingly displaced. “Remind Me One Day,” with its epically saturated ambiences and subtle electrical speed-bumps, drifts into a valley full of nature and simplicity. Even the deep burgundy-colored Digi-Pak somehow exudes a subliminal if not reflective mode. It’s all part of Anembo‘s physical entity of sound.
As a release that spans 60-minutes in length, Robokoneko offers up an introspective album composed of vibrant melodies that casually dissolve inside the mind. Developing pictures of times past, and genuinely reaching into the depths of each musical piece, Anembo is a pleasantly constructed electronic album ready to be absorbed in a quite place out in the country.
Anembo is OUT NOW on Couchblip!.
::..:::…..:..::….:::::..:::..:::::::……:::…::.:::….::::..:..:::…::…….:::::
>> Disjunction Reunion :: Modernism for Newborns (Couchblip!, CD) Australia
In October 2001, Luke Killen (a.k.a. Disjunction Reunion) unleashed his debut full-length disc, Computer Dead Reckoning (Couchblip!). As a (relatively) new artist at the time, he detailed the blueprint for his sound that carefully hovered over an energetic electronic hip-hop hybrid of sorts. After numerous compilation appearances and live gigs in Australia, Disjunction Reunion is back with his second full-length entitled Modernism for Newborns. On the title track (which also happens to be the opener), it’s easy to see that melody plays a key role throughout. A sharp and punchy (drum’n bass styled) flow snaps its way around as if trotting along in an open field full of sunshine. Things begin to rotate as you continue on, however…
Elsewhere on this hour-long progression, Disjunction Reunion unfolds bright, polished melodies with a scratched percussive flow. “Crackers” is an example of this dark sculptured theme where resonance dives into beated euphoria. “Tension+” releases it’s piano extracts and scattered vocal spurts that are cross-pollinated with hip-hop rhythms. “30” displays the opening tracks drum’n bass element with a casually drifting synth-line synced in at just the right moments. But just when you thought Modernism for Newborns would blend well with the rest of your leftfield IDM collection, Disjunction Reunion decides to drop an energetic dance-floor spice into tracks like “Poisoned Well” and “Illeged:” “Poisoned Well” takes on a life of its own when this excellent electro transfusion glues itself to a muddy bassline, a simple piano drift, and a beat that can’t be ignored. “Illeged” contains all the elements associated with labels like DUB and Skam, highly percussive tracks with an edgy and well executed rhythm and melody. Such is the case with most of Modernism for Newborns where the beats assimilate into a melodic spectrum of groove.
Overall, Disjunction Reunion delivers a 14-track full-lengther that carves a path of its own. Delicate melodies are present from beginning to end, with a consistency that underscores an evolved emotional feel. Simple, constructive and energetic electronics that crosses the line between hip-hop, electro, and casual audio consumption.
Modernism for Newborns is OUT NOW on Couchblip!.
::..:::…..:..::….:::::..:::..:::::::……:::…::.:::….::::..:..:::…::…….:::::
