In this tribute, Robin Rimbaud (Scanner) reflects on the passing of Ken Downie—founding member of The Black Dog—whose absence leaves a rare and resonant silence in electronic music, shaped by intelligence, restraint, and a belief that machines could think, feel, and remember.
Tag: Plaid
The Black Dog :: Loud Ambient (Dust Science)
The Black Dog’s Loud Ambient channels the raw, methodical energy of ’90s British electronica, translating Sheffield’s margins—abandoned factories, council estates, and urban rhythms—into music that moves both mind and body. With a renewed love for classic drum machines and a disciplined architecture of arpeggio and bass, the album fuses ambient immersion with dancefloor rigor, proving that old-school craft can still feel urgent and alive.
V/A :: Full Spectrum 2 (Touched Music)
More than a mere meeting point of like-minded musicians—Full Spectrum 2 is an ecosystem of sound, vibrant with diversity, purpose, and heart.
Zachary Gray :: Trippin’ / In Arrears (A Person Disguised as People)
Zachary Gray is back with Trippin’ / In Arrears, in A Person Disguised as People’s A/B Series, a 2-track appetizer for the Trippin’ LP, forthcoming in Spring 2025.
V/A :: VINT (Lapsus)
Twenty years in the making, Lapsus celebrate with this really neat compilation of slick IDM. Not always do various artists compilations have much reason behind them, but they’re always more appreciated than “best hits” or “singles” compilations; VINT, in particular, happens to also have thought behind it, as it’s not just a series of random tracks put together.
Hasbeen :: Bunker Symphonies EP (Clean Error)
On a first listen, one can recognize distinctive aesthetic elements of Autechre and Plaid. But the deeper you go, the more you assimilate the rich and complex array of sounds and rhythmic deconstruction that rarely follow a pattern.
V/A :: We Are Reasonable People (Warp) — 26 years later!
A memorable snapshot of an era which many longtime Warp aficionados think of fondly as representing the very pinnacle of the label’s musical prowess, and for anyone wishing to delve further into Warp’s back catalog, a handy list of every WAP (singles and EPs with catalog numbers from 1 to 99) and WARP (albums with catalog numbers from 1 to 55) release up to that time was included inside the compilation’s CD booklet.
Andrey Kiritchenko :: Maria (Touched Music)
A truly magnificent and exquisite illustration of influential electronics for the year 2024.
V/A :: Distant Arrays Volume 07 (Satellite Era)
Satellite Era shows how many great producers are out there in need of being discovered by a wider audience, even amongst the advanced music connoisseur bubble.
The World of Futuregrapher of Móatún 7 :: Árni Grétar
Móatún 7 — connecting the links between the music and the label that has embraced artists who have brought us sublime listening experiences in electronic music.

















