V/A :: Artist Showcase – 2nd Edition (Point Source Electronic Arts)

Lasting close to 70-minutes, this is an extraordinary collection that flexes in experimental appetite, showcasing what I believe to be contemporary IDM at its best.

Contemporary IDM at its best

For those who know me will know all too well how much I love compilations. It probably stems from my youth and trying to get the best bang for my buck. Over time though, what I have developed, and I imagine is likewise for readers here, is the interaction that comes with a compilation. You’re presented with the ‘other‘ tracks that play after the artist you already know. Want to get to know a label? The compilation is by far the easiest entry point—and for me the most exciting.

Introducing the second edition in their Artist Showcase series is Point Source Electronic Arts (PSA). Having gained momentum with releases from REKT, unterm rad, Tapage, RENEGADE ANDROiD, Aviv Stern and most recently The Fellow Passenger—PSA celebrate their 1-year anniversary with 15-tracks of fractured delicacies from the label and surrounding community. Lasting close to 70-minutes, this is an extraordinary collection that flexes in experimental appetite, showcasing what I believe to be contemporary IDM at its best.

It’s difficult to pick top selections from this meticulously curated roster, but if I had to—check out Sytrjv’s “Replifunk” and Randomform’s “SeqPoint.” We will celebrate the crowns and gems of experimental music for a lifetime and forever more, but to really engage with a genre one has to deep-dive further than algorithmic recommendations—remember, like the ‘old days.’ This compilation is by far one of the best ways to get up to speed and PSA continue to prove that they focus on delivering the best in experimental electronic music and are certainly contending for label of the year. Please do a tour!

Artist Showcase – 2nd Edition is available on Point Source Electronic Arts. [Bandcamp]