Downbeat | Electronica | Leftfield 296 Items

Abstrack Records is back with a new EP, putting the emphasis on instrumental music. Angers based band Auroboros, whose paths crossed on numerous time with Abstracks, largely on the occasion of infamous Freaks Pop festival, delivers twenty minutes of a progressive and cosmic, rocky jam. «Camel» feels like a pursuit, a chase after an uncatchable vanishing point. The relentless acceleration of the tempo and the increasing power of the instruments feel like they’re leading us to an inconcei- vable paroxysm.

During the breakdown, everything strangely feels faster and calmer at the same time, we think we’re catching a glance at this horizon, even believing we’re reaching it as drums are fading away. But the ascent starts again and the trance is non negotiable. The power stream of the instrumental energies washes over the immobiles and the sceptics.

On the B side, two very different reworks complete the picture. Romain FX distills the dancefloor essence of «Camel». With a cosmic, almost oriental approach. The original piece gives birth to a proper peak-time banger, pure leg shaking material.

Mytron gives us a more playful and trippy remix. Seven minutes of a vibe that seems to be spinning and drifting, without ever breaking the patiently settled groove, filled with tribal spirit and sometimes even humour.

The boys are back at it!! Shades of Thunder are fresh with another new album, just in time for the summer. "Big Break" is a vivid and captivating album, harnessing the core of synth and early Retrowave sounds. A must for all synth lovers.

Originally digitally released February 11, 2023 and now on vinyl for the first time, 'How To See Through Walls' by Windows 96.

"Ayin" by San Pedro is a techno electronic music EP consisting of six tracks, recorded with analog synthesizers and samplers during a week of inspiration in the mountains in August 2023. The EP offers an engaging sonic experience, with intricate melodies and hypnotic rhythms that transport the listener through evolving soundscapes. San Pedro's combination of technological innovation and artistic sensitivity is reflected in each track, offering an exciting journey into the world of electronic music.

“Great Doubt” is the third full length LP by Danish composer Astrid Sonne. Throughout her acclaimed discography, Astrid Sonne has been carefully crafting different moods through electronic and acoustic instrumental endeavours. On “Great Doubt” this skill is refined, now with the distinct addition of the composer's own vocal in front. The tone of each track is unmistakably Sonne’s, structured around contrasts through an impeccable sense of timing. Lyrics on the album are sparse, merely highlighting different scenes or emotional states of being, leaving the music to fill in the blanks. Yet they also form a pattern of ambiguity, consolidated through the album title, searching for answers through looking at how and what you are asking, questions for the world, questions of love.

The viola, a trusted companion since Astrid Sonne’s youth, appears effortlessly throughout the album, fully integrated into the sonic universe; through a pizzicato driven arrangement in the poignant track “Almost” or along with booms and claps in mutated cinematic stabs during “Give my all”, paraphrasing Mariah Carey's 1997 ballad. Yet the string section also gives way to explorations of woodwinds, counterbalancing the bowed movements with digital brass and airy flutes. Finally, beats and detuned piano are fresh additions to the soundscape, cementing how Sonne’s practice is always evolving into new territories.

"Té De Flores Silvestres" is the result of the dialogue between the Belgium photographer Michael Roemers and the Argentinian musician Federico Durand initiated by Iikki, between February 2023 and May 2024.

Federico Durand’s music is a weave of sound searching introspection and delight through simple melodies, made in the heart of Argentina. Federico likes music, gardens, John Keats’ poetry, collecting stamps and Earl Grey tea. Since 2010 he has been released on some labels such as 12k, Home Normal, Iikki, Spekk, White Paddy Mountain, Laaps and more.

Michael Roemers, a child of the borders, was born in 1987 in the Belgian village of Plombières, studying sound at the Institute of Broadcasting Arts in 2008. He discovered the power of the image, and became passionate about photography. He began his photographic career following Belgian underground music bands as they toured Europe, capturing crazy moments on stage and backstage. Then, he decided to devote himself to a personal project, to capture his native Wallonie region, highlighting the richness and a part of these Belgian traditions region while exploring the themes of identity, memory and membership. Since 2021, Michael Roemers has added a new string to his bow by running the Vice Versa podcast with his partner Sébastien Van Malleghem. This podcast explores the themes of photography, art and culture by giving voice to renowned guests in these fields.

"For A Fleeting Moment" is the result of the dialogue between the Swiss photographer Simone Kappeler and the Japanese musician Tomotsugu Nakamura initiated by Iikki, between March 2023 and May 2024.

Tomotsugu Nakamura is a musician and graphic designer residing in Tokyo, Japan. His primary artistic practice is to compose music with some fragments of minimal acoustic and electronic tones and some field recordings. In Concert, he he has played with various genre of musicians and his works have been released by Kaico, Audiobulb Records, and more recently by the French label Laaps.

Born in 1952 in Frauenfeld (Switzerland) where she lives and works, Simone Kappeler started taking pictures at the age of 11. After studying German literature and art history, she studied photography at the Zurich University of the Arts. During a three-month trip to the United States in 1981, she took her first pictures using cheap cameras, especially the Diana camera. Hasselblad, Leica, Diana, Brownie, Polaroid, disposable camera, expired or infrared films, since 1970, Simone Kappeler has explored all types of photographic techniques. Her work, experimental and poetic, reveals to us the curiously foreign world that surrounds us. Since 1982, ongoing projects in southern France and the Grisons.1982/83, studio in New York, conceptual photography and Super 8 films. 1983/84, theater photographer, Schauspielhaus Zürich. 2009, six-week photographic study of Japan, 2015 studio in New York. Her work was the subject of a first monograph: "Seile. Fluss. Nacht. Fotografien 1964–2011", edited by Hatje Cantz and is regularly exhibited in Galleries and Museum in Europe and United States.

Astral Cinema is a collaboration between four musicians and film composers from Copenhagen and London: Jonas Struck, Nikolaj Torp Larsen, Anders 'ac' Christensen and Jakob Høyer. The four acclaimed artists have worked together in many contexts, but in 2022 they decided to create an ensemble to play a single live job. The result was so unique that they subsequently went into Black Tornado and recorded a record full of cinematic, dreamy soundscapes, which at the same time contain the structure of melodic signature themes.

Astral Cinema is now releasing their first album, which primarily consists of original compositions with the DNA of all four musicians – inspired by electronic music, space-age, jazz, afrobeat and surf. All tracks go in their own direction, where a theme or an idea from the studio is allowed to go off the rails, while the rest of the soundscape follows. With thoughtfulness, dreamy ballads and recognizable melodies, the band thus takes the listener on an otherworldly journey, where there is room to form your own images and interpretations. In addition to the four musicians, the album features guests from Mette Lindberg and Karen Krogshøj on choir and Anders Malta on trumpet. In addition, London-based singer Hattie Webb (Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, David Gilmore) features on the single "A Peace Process".

Daniela La Luz announces her highly anticipated 3rd album, ‘System Reset’. For the first time, Daniela has compiled all the music and artworks featured in the album, showcasing her genre-blending style in this 11-track collection rooted in electronic dance music.

Recognized and celebrated for her exceptional live sets and productions, Daniela has garnered support from some of the industry’s most esteemed DJs, including Solomun, Adam Port, and Sven Väth. Her track ‘Did You Ever’, featured on Moodymann’s ‘DJ Kicks’ mix, has amassed nearly 3 million plays on Spotify, proof of her growing influence and popularity.

‘System Reset’ is a testament to Daniela’s ability to reflect on personal crises and global issues through her music. The album features dancefloor-oriented tracks with influences from a diverse range of genres including house, techno, dub, electro, wave, jazz, and breakbeat. The linguistic diversity of the songs, in English, Polish, and Arabic, further adds to the album’s global nuance. The AI-generated artworks are a unique visual representation of the music. The tracks were mixed by Tobi Neumann and J Manuel at Apollo Studio Berlin and mastered by Manmade in Berlin.

Daniela’s music serves as a powerful call to action against climate catastrophe, underlining her belief in the unifying and inspiring power of music for a sustainable future. The album will be released on double vinyl on June 14th and digitally on June 21st via her label, Dimension Of Being Human.

LORD$'s debut album 'Speed It Up' is out on April 26 via Tricatel. LORD$ is a 5-piece band steeped in references ranging from US rap to 70s soft rock, skateboarding to video games, with Rémi Klein on keyboards and vocals, Jay Adams on bass, Zablon on guitar and vocals, Bastien Bonnefont on drums and Gary Haguenauer on guitar.

These formidable instrumentalists have given a handful of concerts, notably at the Petite Halle de la Villette in Paris, one of the hotbeds of the French jazz revival. The group also competed in the prestigious Tiny Desk series of intimate concerts, delivering a performance that impressed American public radio station NPR.
_Pascal Bertin

Reality Hacked Part 1 sees the long-awaited vinyl release of the Matthew Dear, Perel and Jonny Rock remixes of Mirage. Taken from Lost Souls Of Saturn’s album ‘Reality’, released on their Holoverse Research Labs imprint, the album track saw Seth Troxler and Phil Moffa teaming with vocalist Adam Ohr (aka Addy Weitzman of Footprintz and The Beat Escape) for a cosmic synth-pop anthem.The first 12” collects together the irresistible house remix from Perel (DFA / Kompakt), a chugging rework by Jonny Rock, and the gloriously twisted sprawling take from Matthew Dear.

Limited run in Grey marbled vinyl

Electronic music composer David Morley returns to De:tuned with the live recorded 'Fashion' EP. In the early 90s Belgian fashion designer Dirk Bikkembergs reached out to David Morley to ask if he could create a special piece of music for the Paris Fashion Week. The 'Fashion - Show' DAT tape recording radiates the energy of David's thrilling live performance and captures an exciting synergy of art and music during an era that shaped an entire generation.

Kevin Foakes (Openmind, DJ Food, Ninja Tune) created all the graphic work. Mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis. A separate digital release will also be available at the usual digital shops. Stay tuned!

L’énigme du timbre', first release on the Soame records label is a hybridization of natural sound and synthesized sound While remaining in the spirit of Techno, Youg’s second EP features his own constantly evolving research into texture.

Mike Paradinas, veteran producer and Planet Mu label owner has written a new album called ‘Grush' and it's full of weird bangers that reclaim the 'dance' part of the woeful term IDM. A back-to-first-principles record, inspired in part by the group of artists IDM was coined for; melodic dance music that didn't come out of urban scenes, but interpreted them from a distance.

The tracks on ‘Grush’ are all road-tested live favorites developed with feedback from Mike's touring partner and visuals guy Mora (Jan Moravec). It's a detailed and energetic journey which replicates the flow of a live gig. A lot of the tracks have been made in hotel rooms in response to shows, ‘Imperial Crescent’ is named after a Japanese Hotel, as is ‘Belvedere’ in Prague, while some tracks such as ‘Hyper Daddy’ were created specifically to play live.

Drums are confidently at the fore here and the album feels like it traces Mike's musical history and interests neatly around his sweetly nostalgic melodies, with atmospheres and structures which twist and turn with a charming softness which contrasts with the tension in the drums. Take ‘Hyper Daddy’s’ spiralling notes and twinkling piano which remind one of early Black Dog or Omni Trio rushing alongside splashy jungle drums, or the aquatic acid footwork of the title track with its drums softly bubbling and kicking. Elsewhere there's territory which harks back to his Tusken Raiders pseudonym, like the heads down Drexciyan funk of ‘Windsor Safari Park,’ which transforms from moody electro into a sunny hardcore track midway. The album is interspersed with Reticulum A, B and C at the start middle and end of the album which suggest a theme which carries across the music in an effortless and joyful way. ‘Grush’ is a strong album that works both for listening and DJing and a great snapshot of where Mike Paradinas musical head is at in 2024.

It got away! The hounds are back on the leash for another session, as Montel makes a bid for better days with this all-out charm offensive of serenades, blissed up patter and emotional blackmail, Palmer-style.

The result is 12 tracks steeped in mind games, romance power plays and neurotoxin rollercoasters, with additional bonus strategies to dissociate with minimum dignity. Big up Kiwi’s Kiosk..

Unveiling an unheard scene: Glossy Mistakes presents "Atlantic Mavericks: a Decade of Experimental Music in Portugal 1982-1993"
Glossy Mistakes is proud to announce the upcoming release of "Atlantic Mavericks: a Decade of Experimental Music in Portugal 1982-1993," a groundbreaking double LP compilation that offers a unique glimpse into the vibrant landscape of Portuguese experimental music. Set to launch on June 10th, this monumental release showcases the evolution and innovation of the Portuguese music scene during a transformative decade marked by political upheaval and artistic experimentation.
Compiled by Glossy Mario and featuring liner notes by Rui Miguel Abreu, "Atlantic Mavericks" captures the essence of a generation of artists who dared to challenge conventions and push the boundaries of what was possible in music.
The compilation stands as a testament to the eclecticism of the Portuguese music scene during this period, featuring a diverse range of genres and styles. From ambient and new age to electro, rock, and synth-pop, "Atlantic Mavericks" offers something for every listener, inviting them to explore the rich tapestry of sounds that defined the era.
The 1980s in Portugal were a time of profound transformation, marked by the aftermath of a peaceful revolution and a burgeoning desire for artistic expression. As the country emerged from political turbulence, a new generation of musicians began to explore uncharted territories, paving the way for a wave of experimentation and innovation.
From the emergence of artists like Rui Veloso and bands like UHF, who ushered in a new era of Portuguese rock, to the founding of independent record labels like Fundação Atlântica and Ama Romanta, the 1980s saw a surge in creativity and a desire for independence within the music industry.
"Atlantic Mavericks: a Decade of Experimental Music in Portugal 1982-1993" offers a comprehensive overview of this dynamic period, featuring tracks that span the spectrum of experimental music. Each song tells a story of artistic evolution and creative risk-taking, reflecting the diverse influences and eclectic tastes of the Portuguese music scene during this transformative decade.
Spanning from 1982 to 1993, the compilation includes contributions from a wide range of artists, including SPQR, Croix Sainte, Linha Geral, Balladium, Ban, Santa Maria, Gasolina Em Teu Ventre!, Fé de Sábio, and Telectu, among others. With each track carefully curated to showcase the breadth and depth of Portuguese experimental music, "Atlantic Mavericks" promises to be a must-have for music enthusiasts and adventurous listeners alike.
"Atlantic Mavericks: a Decade of Experimental Music in Portugal 1982-1993" will be available on June 10th as a double LP release, offering listeners a chance to immerse themselves in the sonic landscapes of 1980s Portugal. Whether experienced on vinyl or through digital channels, this monumental compilation is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who encounter it.

Ruby My Dear returns to Analogical Force. Toulouse - Madrid connection in full effect. Universally acknowledged by pretty much everyone on the scene, no words would be needed to explain this work. Another Broken Beat-fest, with intricate structures and all manner of mentalisms, but also melody and atmosphere. It seems that RMD has once again unleashed a five-track EP varied, spannered and original enough to merit him the adulation he is set to enjoy.

Alwanzatar is a one-man musical project (Krizla from Norwegian cult heroes Tusmørke) creating extraterrestrial world music, with flute, incantations, synthesizers and electronics. This is Alwanzatar’s sixth album, performed on synthesizers and flute. Engsyre is dance music for the faery folk feasting in the woods, where the murmur of the city falls silent, and the booming bass of dreams takes over. It is the slow pulse of the blood in the ground, life sliding through roots of hungry trees, the scurrying movements of living creatures that do no wish to be seen. Hidden, until they show themselves in awesome splendour and sound reverberates in the hills.

Wanderwelle is the Amsterdam-based ambient duo of Phil van Dulm & Alexander Bartels, who mint their Maalstrom label with Wat Gebeurde Er Met Sergeant Massuro?, a concept album based around Harry Mulisch's 1957 story of the same name (What Happened To Seagent Massuro?). The story weaves anti-colonial concepts with mythical realist elements, and is sonically brought to life here through atmospheric electronics and prepared instruments. A moody, resonant and ultimately deep groundswell of an album, one that compels the listener to venture ever further into the a spine-tingling heart of darkness.