And now the final set of Commended albums of the year. After this, it's the Top 50, so don't read this blog post too much otherwise you might spoilt your appetite. See the full countdown here.
Pole: Tempus (Mute)
New glitchy noises from the innovative German composer Stefan Betke. This is a dubbier direction for this uber sound manipulator. It’s like a jazz concert performed in one of those Mission Impossible laser-trip rooms. No sudden moves or the alarms will go off.
Walton: Maisie By The Sea (Lith Dolina)
Another album that so nearly made my top 50. The Manchester producer steps far away from his Hyperdub bangers. See-sawing ambience morphs into stripped-apart electro morphs into paddy, glitch-hopping drum and bass, and back into shimmering, precise ambience.
Nosaj Thing: Continua (LuckyMe)
Ah, nice to see Nosaj sticking his, er, nose in. It’s been a while. This is a softer sound than I’ve come to expect from the LA producer. There are nice instrumentals, chilled trip hop, synth-rich ballads. And Coby Sey’s second appearance in this album countdown. Hey, Coby!
Pacced Rock: Chapter One - Sonic Levitation (Ilian Tape)
The album tracks give a clue. Lotus Root. Levitation. Chilled. A thoroughly retro collection of smokers beats, complete with jazzy loops and full-on head-nodders. Think Rae & Christian, Hudson Mohawke and Prefuse 73. It even comes with Rizla packaging.
Michael J Blood x Rat Heart: Nite Mode Vol.1 (BodyTronixxx)
Hey, it’s Mr Heart again! Do you reckon that’s his real name? Anyhoo. Mr Blood adds oodles of smooth vibes to this selection of good natured, urban soulbeat instrumentals. Extra points for tracks named after south Manchester streerts. I suspect this will be a staple for party stereos.
HiTech: Hitech (FXHE Records)
Finally for this list of not-quite-top-50 recommendations, we have a pleasingly breezy album of footwork jams. Imagine Dam Funk after eating a little too much chocolate. The lazy vocals add a repetitive charm, and the energy doesn’t let up. Shouldn’t have mentioned chocolate. Dammit. Someone give me chocolate.
This is part of a series of the Best Electronic Music Albums of 2022. Read it all here.
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