V/A :: IDMf Retrospective Vol. 5 (Glitchpulse)

This closing retrospective explores a dozen sculpted electronic textures and tones, where rhythmic audio structures collide and collapse, crumple and fold, as the Australian label shifts into the forward-thinking Glitchpulse Records outfit.

Rhythmic audio structures collide and collapse

“The IDMf community remains as vibrant and driven as ever,” as Glitchpulse observes, and we wholeheartedly concur. The amount of music pouring through the proverbial Igloo doors can be overwhelming, and it takes time and patience to sift through and discover the gems, those sparkling moments where it all simply comes together as it does on IDMf Retrospective Vol. 5. With his contribution “Mute,” which bookends this compilation on a fleeting, glitch-mangled highlight, we witness the IDMf community begin its final fifth chapter, “featuring one of the label’s original architects Wayne Baker—co-founder of the Netlabel and mastering engineer for several of its releases, steps into the spotlight with his latest work as SUBQUiRE.”

This closing retrospective explores a dozen sculpted electronic textures and tones, where rhythmic audio structures collide and collapse, crumple and fold, as the Australian label shifts into the forward-thinking Glitchpulse Records outfit. While Son of Akira, IG88, Worms of the Earth, Manton, and Proton 42 inhabit more ambient and glitch-laden realms, artists such as Cameron, Scyn, EatTheFood, Ætheros & city at worlds end, RFJ, and Morpion explore darker experimental and technoid/dub sound worlds. With the exception of EatTheFood’s ecstatic drum feast, which sits comfortably in the center as a potent turning point, Volume 5 therefore melds succinctly as a reflective and laid-back collective, as we look forward to Glitchpulse Records’ ongoing and lively next-generation glitch discoveries.

IDMf Retrospective Vol. 5 is available on Glitchpulse. [Bandcamp]