This is part of a series, currently live-blogging on 3, 4 & 5 January 2025. Read the posts so far.
Multiples (Speedy J & Surgeon): Two Hours Or Something (STOOR)
From my Electronic Sound review: "An album of grubby jams recorded in Speedy’s hometown of Rotterdam... You can feel the existential coffee slurps of studio sessions stretching into the early hours." I think I also mentioned "beefy concrete blaps". This is nocturnal stuff, like the moon or an owl or a burglar.
Nídia & Valentina: Estradas (Latency)
On their first collaboration, what Nidia does with Valentina Magaletti’s drumming is quite something. Old meets new in these restless rhythmic experiments. Marimba cuts through drum machine loops in a studio tug-of-war. Imagine papping Ableton with a rolling pin. Basically that, but good.
NikNak: Ireti (Accidental)
"If there was a Black Blade Runner, this would be the soundtrack." This was NikNak's starting point for her new album, which is a (very) free-wheeling ride through soundtrack experimentalism, electronic jazz and spacious jungle. I've heard things you people wouldn't believe.
Omar Souleyman: Erbil (Mad Decent)
After escaping civil war, Souleyman found himself in the Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan. Hence the title of this album. And what a delight it is, with his usual celebratory mash-up of Levantine instrumentalism and four-to-the-floor dance beats. He turns 60 in a couple of years – I bet the party's going to be immense. (Artwork pictured above.)
Patrick Holland: Infra (Verdicchio Music Publishing)
Shout out to Vancouver. He's a talented fellow, this Patrick Holland. He has turned his hand to pleasant indie pop as well as ekeing out a living as a DJ. Infra puts him right back in the middle of the dancefloor. Smooth house and electronica, with a nose for a nifty bassline.
Peachlyfe: Permission to Roam (UMAY)
This pleasing prance through club-adjacent dance sounds comes with a narrative. Something to do with a cis man and a a trans woman on an existential non-binary journey. Quite frankly, I'm hear for it. An ear-tickler from start to finish, and at its most fun when the BPMs are given a prod.
Perc: The Cut Off (Perc Trax)
Perc returns for Perc Trax' 100th release. After a noisy opening vignette, he's proving himself much more caffeinated that 2017's Bitter Music. Thudding bass bulldozing, pneumatic electronics and rave shredders dominate. Imperial Leather could easily beat The Prodigy in a fist fight despite being named after soap. (Artwork pictured above.)
Priori: This but More (NAFF)
An album that could have been in my final top 20 if it not for minor factors such as the wind blowing the wrong way or me getting out of the wrong side of my hammock. Exquisite and mottled ruminations for this Montreal artist's third album, when deep house is reduced to the pitter patter of production perfection.
Pye Corner Audio: The Endless Echo (Ghost Box)
Thank goodness for Mr Audio and his expansive electronica. His return to Ghost Box means more neon 80s nostalgia, drenched with detuned chords and analogue scrumptiousness. It's all so SOLID, with everything in the right place, and I hope these tracks get used in every TV soundtrack from here to high heaven.
This is part of a series, currently live-blogging on 3, 4 & 5 January 2025. Read the posts so far.
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