The fall release schedule has kicked in, in earnest, and the electronic-music world is humming like an overheated Theremin. From Basement Jaxx' cyborg pop to the nether reaches of the underground, here's a selection of recent records that don't require a PhD in electronic subgenres to appreciate.
Basement Jaxx, Scars
The Jaxx are back, and as always, they're sounding weird -- in a good way. Despite protestations that Scars would mark a return to their club roots, this is brain-scrambling future pop. The sitars-'n'-filter-disco rush of "Raindrops" is an obvious crowdpleaser in vintage Jaxx mode, while "Scars," featuring Kelis, sounds like a 21st-century rendition of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. And while I've never been entirely convinced by Santigold's carefully styled cool, I can't help but fall for her on "Saga," which takes direction straight from the hyperkinetic playbook of two-tone veterans the Selecter.
Massive Attack, Splitting the Atom
Perhaps spurred by Portishead's unexpected 2008 comeback, Massive Attack return from several years of virtual inactivity sounding unexpectedly inspired. The organ-drenched "Splitting" features the honeyed voice of Horace Andy and sounds something like Stereolab chopped 'n' screwed; "Pray for Rain" pairs TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe with waterlogged pianos, rolling toms and the kind of brooding bass that's always been Massive Attack's forte. "Psyche (Flash Treatment)," featuring Martina Topley-Bird, evokes a little of Fever Ray's bleepy melancholy, while Fever Ray co-producers Van Rivers and the Subliminal Kid put a techno tinge on "Bulletproof Love," fronted by Elbow's Guy Garvey. The EP is a teaser for a new Massive Attack album due out in February. If that's got you salivating, get a load of this news: Massive Attack's Daddy G has said that the group is also planning a dub version of the album, akin to 1995's Mad Professor-mixed No Protection, in collaboration with none other than U.K. avant-dubstepper Burial. (Then again, given what came of Burial's long-promised, never-delivered DJ Kicks mix, we'll believe it when we see it.)
Cortney Tidwell, Don't Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up Remixes
Nashville's Cortney Tidwell was responsible for one of 2007's cult faves in the form of "Don't Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up," an ethereal, guitars-'n'-glitches ballad graced by her spooky, heartbroken croon; Ewan Pearson was responsible for spinning its golden filaments into the year's unlikeliest dancefloor anthem. Now, the recently revived R&S label has reissued the single with additional remixes, and it's just as essential as before. In addition to Pearson's original "Objects in Space" remixes (in vocal, instrumental and radio versions), there's a delirious drums-and-voice workout from minimal technician Sei A. But the most stunning selection is Pearson's "All This Has Happened Before" mix, which turns Tidwell's vocals, along with M83-caliber guitars and synths, into a beatless, nine-minute swoon.
Loscil, Strathcona Variations
Ambient fanatics, rejoice. Three years after his masterful album Plume, Vancouver's Loscil is finally back with another slab of infinite bliss-out. Only three tracks long, the EP -- released on Ghostly, rather than Loscil's longtime home base, Kranky -- may be short, but man, is it sweet, suggesting Arvo Pärt as interpreted by Fennesz or Klimek. Rinse, repeat and drift off.
Sparklehorse + Fennesz, In the Fishtank 15
Finally, speaking of Fennesz, the Viennese ambient maestro expands his list of unlikely partnerships -- which includes Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jim O'Rourke and Pita -- with In the Fishtank 15, a collaboration with the Americana-tinged Sparklehorse. Tremolo-treated vocals bubble up like fish hiccups while battered electric guitar lines corrode beneath layers of digital effects. They couldn't have chosen a better title for this curious, captivating set of underwater meditations.
The Jaxx are back, and as always, they're sounding weird -- in a good way. Despite protestations that Scars would mark a return to their club roots, this is brain-scrambling future pop. The sitars-'n'-filter-disco rush of "Raindrops" is an obvious crowdpleaser in vintage Jaxx mode, while "Scars," featuring Kelis, sounds like a 21st-century rendition of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. And while I've never been entirely convinced by Santigold's carefully styled cool, I can't help but fall for her on "Saga," which takes direction straight from the hyperkinetic playbook of two-tone veterans the Selecter.
Massive Attack, Splitting the Atom
Perhaps spurred by Portishead's unexpected 2008 comeback, Massive Attack return from several years of virtual inactivity sounding unexpectedly inspired. The organ-drenched "Splitting" features the honeyed voice of Horace Andy and sounds something like Stereolab chopped 'n' screwed; "Pray for Rain" pairs TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe with waterlogged pianos, rolling toms and the kind of brooding bass that's always been Massive Attack's forte. "Psyche (Flash Treatment)," featuring Martina Topley-Bird, evokes a little of Fever Ray's bleepy melancholy, while Fever Ray co-producers Van Rivers and the Subliminal Kid put a techno tinge on "Bulletproof Love," fronted by Elbow's Guy Garvey. The EP is a teaser for a new Massive Attack album due out in February. If that's got you salivating, get a load of this news: Massive Attack's Daddy G has said that the group is also planning a dub version of the album, akin to 1995's Mad Professor-mixed No Protection, in collaboration with none other than U.K. avant-dubstepper Burial. (Then again, given what came of Burial's long-promised, never-delivered DJ Kicks mix, we'll believe it when we see it.)
Cortney Tidwell, Don't Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up Remixes
Nashville's Cortney Tidwell was responsible for one of 2007's cult faves in the form of "Don't Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up," an ethereal, guitars-'n'-glitches ballad graced by her spooky, heartbroken croon; Ewan Pearson was responsible for spinning its golden filaments into the year's unlikeliest dancefloor anthem. Now, the recently revived R&S label has reissued the single with additional remixes, and it's just as essential as before. In addition to Pearson's original "Objects in Space" remixes (in vocal, instrumental and radio versions), there's a delirious drums-and-voice workout from minimal technician Sei A. But the most stunning selection is Pearson's "All This Has Happened Before" mix, which turns Tidwell's vocals, along with M83-caliber guitars and synths, into a beatless, nine-minute swoon.
Loscil, Strathcona Variations
Ambient fanatics, rejoice. Three years after his masterful album Plume, Vancouver's Loscil is finally back with another slab of infinite bliss-out. Only three tracks long, the EP -- released on Ghostly, rather than Loscil's longtime home base, Kranky -- may be short, but man, is it sweet, suggesting Arvo Pärt as interpreted by Fennesz or Klimek. Rinse, repeat and drift off.
Sparklehorse + Fennesz, In the Fishtank 15
Finally, speaking of Fennesz, the Viennese ambient maestro expands his list of unlikely partnerships -- which includes Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jim O'Rourke and Pita -- with In the Fishtank 15, a collaboration with the Americana-tinged Sparklehorse. Tremolo-treated vocals bubble up like fish hiccups while battered electric guitar lines corrode beneath layers of digital effects. They couldn't have chosen a better title for this curious, captivating set of underwater meditations.
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.
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