Tag: idm

Audible Life Stream, by Synkretic

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Audible Life Stream is a new full-length album from multidisciplinary musician and artist Synkretic, brought to us by Megatape Records.

ALS is a brave yet playful collection of tracks. Embracing experimental electronic exploration, the sounds swirl from distorted acid breaks into lofi ambience with acrobatic ease.

Tracks like Nach Jahreziet embrace this lush majestic side like a cozy hug. The rest of the album tends to settle into a nook somewhere between chiptune footwork and progressive trip-hop.

Hinting at braindance with a subtle energy that seems to be bubbling, waiting to explode – Synkretic does a magnificent job keeping things under control, like a surfer taming a rogue wave.

Even at its most chaotic – ALS manages to be incredibly listenable. Quite an impressive accomplishment when utilizing so many unique rhythms and progressions. Structure can easily break down into unmanageable and tangled walls of noise, but what we hear here is true controlled chaos.

Big recommendation on this one – if you agree, do a deep dive on Synkretic to enjoy other creations, both visual and musical. The record is out now both digitally and on Cassette.

Moist Jazz, by TEEN SMOKING

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Forward-thinking experimental electronics peppered with free-jazz – TEEN SMOKING goes all out in this mini album Moist Jazz.

Released in October 2020 – Moist Jazz is a 6 track project that is hard to pin down. Drawing from experimental corners of sound creation such as plunderphonics, harsh noise and freeform jazz. Synths flicker with lo-fi charm, poised against churning atmospherics and occasional flourishing rhythms and melodies.

The album sits at a nice, relaxed pace. Tracks like Atlantean Fight Song and Machine Wash provide a mellow, downtempo experience – breaking up the manic acid-jams. It never gets too hectic, but it is a few active steps away from ambient, despite the very atmospheric nature of the songs.

For fans of plunderphonic vaporwave and experimental ambience – you’ll find this one a unique and rewarding listen. Maybe if we’re lucky it will get a tape release! In the meantime, you can stream and download via Bandcamp.

Eternity Hotline – Soy Sauce (Music Video)

Videos

Feast your eyes and your ears upon the brilliant dark thickness of Soy Sauce!

We are very excited to premier this amazingly twisted music video for Eternity Hotlines’ track from their latest album, Super Glue.

The video itself is a fun journey through a bleak yet surreal world – scooting playfully along the edge of the void whilst having an out-of-body experience.

Retro polygonal forms flicker in and out of existence atop an abyssal pool, dark as soy sauce! Eventually we wake up in our dentists office – that was one powerful dose of anesthetic, we think to ourselves. Perhaps it was laced with something more powerful…

Be sure to check out the full album from Eternity Hotline, which we took a close listen to recently!

Hypnotist, by Toxic Chicken

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Hypnotist is a mellow IDM experience from producer Toxic Chicken, presented by Earthrid.

The 9 track project dances around experimental styles, touching on bit-crushed beats and melodic ambient atmospherics, all tied together by warm electronics. Pounding acid synths sit comfortably next to swooping fuzzy pads as the songs hop along.

There is an interesting overall energy to the album – at times becoming quite rowdy and avant-garde, yet maintaining a firm grounded feeling. The result is a very accessible experimental album – perfect for new ears to this type of freeform experimental electronic sound. With its playful diversity and satisfying and subtly melancholy undertones, this one should definitely be in your listening queue!

Super Glue, by Eternity Hotline

Reviews

Warped and destroyed acid electronica sounds from Eternity Hotline, brought to us by Sacramento’s Outer Grid Records.

I personally dove into this one not knowing what to expect. I am not familiar with Outer Grid Records, but I can say for sure that I am a fan now! Same goes for Eternity Hotline (not to be biased, but we love all things Eternity here…) – a producer I was not aware of at all, but I am deeply impressed and energized by this release, Super Glue.

Continue reading “Super Glue, by Eternity Hotline” →

Surgical, by xas abra

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Supremely satisfying sonic experiments from xas abra – brought to us by Engram Recordings.

Surgical is a 10-track album, curiously with each track weighing in at exactly 4 minutes and 34 seconds. Is there an underlying purpose to this? Does it signal that these sounds are perhaps generated, or trimmed from larger improvisational recordings? It’s all quite curious and, in the end, it really does not matter, as the sounds themselves are deeply interesting and engaging to consume.

From fuzzy lo-fi glitches to off-kilter synthetic shredding, xas wields a sonic toolkit of extravagant diversity and force, as layer upon layer of textural waves overlap and merge again and again. With the heavy rhythmic elements added to what could have easily been a pure-drone experiment, the tracks float into “deconstructed club” territory as the warbled synths are consumed by powerful hissing percussion. Don’t underestimate this one as it’s a dense and delicious project!

Download the album now via Engram Recordings bandcamp, and be sure to explore xas’ world further…

彡 ÅıཞᏋ ξξξξ, by Usagi Acid

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Luscious atmospherics and hyperchill beats from the ever-ethereal Usagi Acid. Wandering between strange atmospheric rhythms, textural drones and stacks on stacks of dense surreal sonic imagery. Blissful and ambitious while remaining relaxed and content. So much diversity packed within 3 tracks it could almost drive you to madness! But alas, it does not – its a lush and supremely satisfying listen that has left me wanting more and more! Luckily you can explore the whole discography for a wealth of amazing creative projects.

Off the Goop! by Sloe

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Off the Goop! is a full length album by producer Sloe – conceptual, experimental, and quite satisfying. Rooted in a fictional universe with strange creatures and mysterious purple goo, the project has quite the unique flavor beyond the artwork and concept. The sounds themselves are a splendid hybrid of wonky future beats, vaportrap and experimental electronics. Massively satisfying in so many ways from the slapping beats to the hazy melodies. Be sure to pick this one up on Bandcamp and support the artist – with the BC version featuring 3 bonus tracks, you’d be crazy NOT to!

Gothic Tech [ RE-ViSiONED], by ASVMR

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Originally released last year via Vivarium Recordings and written between 2017-2018 – Gothic Tech sees a rebirth in the form of a remastered edition on Holloway Tapes. Its lush cyberpunk dystopia sounds – thick with textural and atmospheric experimentation. The project carries a slightly dark tone – slightly lost with the reinterpretation of the artwork in my opinion, though it is a aesthetically pleasing design – the sound holds true to the Gothic namesake. Huge chambers serve as worshiping centers to the code of the rhythm and bass.

Happy to see this one get a re-release. Same as it ever was, but a little bit of polish on the exterior. Definitely worth visiting again if you’re familiar, and a perfect opportunity to dive into ASVMR‘s catalog…

Tigress, by Coppice Halifax

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The incredible output of Coppice Halifax continues with this wonderful double-length LP – Tigress. This commissioned 2-hour double album has an interesting story (please read via the bandcamp page!), and we are certainly lucky to have it available publicly! Aside from the unique intent and concept of the album, it’s packed with lush and warm atmospheric synthwork. Tracks built with heavy ambience, evolving into trip-hop grooves that would satisfy any Boards of Canada fan. It’s a wonderful record to throw on and get lost inside…