(03.29.09) [Ref. D::N Playlist #321] Mobthrow’s latest release for forward-thinking Spectraliquid (entitled Mutant Dubstep V3) ravages through mangled bass and thick percussion creating a storm that collapses into your subconscious without notice. A (surprising) remix of the classic “My Kingdom” (The Future Sound of London) and a Mad EP remix of “Jazz Monsta” round out this perfectly balanced third volume in the Mutant Dubstep series. Spectraliquid are headed in the right direction for the next generation of dubstep practitioners. [Purchase / Listen
Infinite Scale recently released a teaser EP for UK’s Rednetic entitled Knock Twice and the long-anticipated Ad Infinitum has also been released (his Toytronic EP entitled Sound Sensor is still in constant rotation around these parts). Emotive electronics once again from this talented musician; bridging digital voids between ambience, percussive euphoria and melodic beauty, AI taps into your subconscious and weaves its way into other worlds. It’s difficult to digest the methods Harmi Palda utilizes to create such an enveloping sound that travels so smoothly in such a short period of time, rest assured the emotional investment is a necessity. The two tracks featured on D::N #321 include “Behind the Scenes,” a rabid electro number with heavy bass’n bleeps and the contrasting “Slow Down” which yields a delicate and lingering resonance that captivates the mind well after the track closes. AI has been earmarked as a contender for 2009’s Top lists. [Purchase / Listen]
Underscan Recordings from Germany have unveiled a remix compilation entitled Now Remixed (remixes from their acclaimed Now series). Dalezy’s remix of “Querverweis” (original by Menu | Exit) was featured in broadcast #321 and its brooding slap-stick percussion, darkened ambient wash and smoothly layered rhythms bend and contort gracefully within its few minutes of bliss. The compilation is a prime example of the strength and longevity of electronic music in its purest sense; artists such as Hecq, Estonji and Bovaflux offer their contributions rounding out this meeting of disjointed perfection. [Purchase / Listen]
Randomform‘s currently unreleased Pallell EP melds elements of Richard Devine’s somber ambiences and matches them up with fluid digital percussion. Rummaging through thick sheets of noise and confusion, Randomform stays true to his moniker on “Ecc In” while maintaining a natural progression that should cause a ripple in the sea of IDM electricians. Excellent Confield-styled artwork compliments the sonic aesthetic.
David Elsewhere (known for his illusionary dancing) has recently completed a gorgeous musical piece hinting at influences brought forth by artists such as (the now defunct) Gridlock as well as older Autechre with a style that wouldn’t be unusual for label’s like Tympanik Audio and Toytronic (for example). The emotive electrical debris cascading from “Atariarctica” contains a smooth balance between upbeat melodies versus chaos, all intersecting in the right places. Should David (Bernal) Elsewhere continue along this path, it won’t be long before his built-in fan base notices his musical appeal more than matches his visual spectacles.
Not veering too far from Parallel Worlds‘ Obsessive Surrealism (DiN, 2007), Shade (also released on DiN) delves into hypnotic terrain and the featured 8-minute epic (“Urgency”) slithers around like a lost serpent in a sand storm. Casually developing from synaptic beatwork, Bakis Sirros slows the pace by introducing piano elements and a mood that propels itself at obtuse angles. Overall Shade creates (another) solid footprint in the realm of dark (dare I say) electronica; its pleasantly executed rhythms and skewed melodies are well accepted in these ears. [Purchase]
Evan Marc Bartholomew (aka Bluetech) contributes to Volume 2 of Aleph Zero‘s acclaimed Natural Born Chillers compilation series (featured artwork). Treading a path not unlike Volume 1, there’s an infusion of ambient dub and left-field ragga intermingling with rhythmic vocal excursions. Bluetech’s “Prayers for Rain” (remixed by Ott) blends early The Orb like ambiences with a truly perplexing vision of isolation and solitude. Its 9-minute manifesto delivers nothing short of sonic tranquility meshed with ragga-dub and a flow that seeps through to your minds ear drum. Yet another quality release in the series staying true to the imprints mandate of producing deliberate, well-constructed downtempo plateau’s. [Purchase / Listen]
Highpoint Lowlife have recently released what could just as well be nominated in this years Top releases. 10-20‘s self-titled full length stretches musical boundaries with its multifaceted approach to textural electronics. Seemingly out of no where, 10-20’s latest is perhaps the best example of constructive and innovative electronics forging a unique path that few offer with such finesse. The featured “sA” yields beats and tormented bass with acidic overtones and malfunctioning machines into one fluid piece of dissected noise. Dusty rhythms intermingle in the foreground and the overall mood is set to stun. This self-titled masterpiece of darkened electrical disruptions is utterly fascinating and quite simply ear shattering. [Purchase / Listen]
Matthew Itkin (formerly Sica) recently submitted a couple of teaser tracks currently under construction. “Hip Hop Passacaglia” and “Ice Drop Rondo” both scratch similar surfaces with intricate details chock full of trickling beatwork and paced Atari compliments. Not unlike his collaborative Sica project, Matthew Itkin dusts off old machines of sounding grace with what could be classified as rudimentary Gescom-styled electronics with a slice of left-field experimentation. A familiar departure in sound and one that is quite welcome. Let’s hope there’s more to come in the (near) future.
Closing up broadcast #321, Tokyo Mask‘s latest outing for Memoryformat.net entitled Lowend Psychopathology does exactly what it sets to accomplish; Cold Meat Industry-flavored dark ambience with a pinch of elevated basslines gone awry. “Obsession One,” the featured track –and its sister “Obsession Two,” both cultivate a groove that is unlike any other. Fine tuned transmissions of tempered quality brush up against subtle 4/4 beats, rusted drones and dismayed frequencies amounting to a fluid work of audio art. While somewhat difficult to describe in print, Tokyo Mask unleashes what could only be termed as disturbingly delightful mayhem. [More info]
Digital::Nimbus is a weekly electronic music radio show broadcasting from KUCI 88.9 FM in the Irvine, California and surrounding areas with streaming media available at KUCI.org. For more information visit digitalnimbus.com.
