(04.05.07) Cloud Control is a compilation of modern electronic music from across the globe from mostly unknown artists but a few recognisable names. A compilation with unknown names can end up being a goldmine or a slagheap, so how does it fare?
To be honest, the first few tracks of the disc are fairly pedestrian, that’s not to say bad because they’re not, they’re just very standard in feel and execution and the problem with the electronica scene in 2007 is that doing something someone else has done before competently isn’t really enough any more. The scene is swamped with artists on labels and netlabels who all provide competent IDM and breakcore, some even for free. For example, the first track in particular sounds very much like early Autechre and even seems to have a percussion noise directly sampled from them.
Thankfully things start to heat up a bit more by the fourth track when you are treated to a tasty piano/IDM/Hip hop track and from here on in it starts to explore the depth and breadth of electronica from the likes of dub based chopped up hip-hop to 8 bit breakcore to sample collages and a mix between oriental folk and breakcore with a sense of humour. It’s a real varied collection with some genuine gems and genuine duffers on there, but you could say that’s quite an accurate description of the electronica scene in general so as an aerial view of electronica it works quite well.
When this compilation is good it strikes you right on the chest and sets fire to your mind but when it’s bad it displays the kind of electronica that makes you wonder why you got into it in the first place and doubt whether there is any future to the genre. It’s a real mixed bag. The truth is though that the good stuff is definitely good enough to make you want to pick it up, just be aware that there are tracks you will definitely end up skipping on this release.
Cloud Control is out now on Broken Fader Cartel.
