Category: Electronica

Electronica1 Comment

Various Artists – We Are Machine Pop 6

Tom

Volume 6 in Swedish label Plonk’s We Are Machine Pop series is dedicated to the memory of Kraftwerk co-founder of Florian Schneider who sadly passed away at the age of 73 in May this year. Despite leaving the band in 2008 Schneider and Kraftwerk’s influence on electronic music ranging from hip-hop to techno is unparalleled in history. Unsurprisingly the contributions sound just as you would expect and are heavily influenced, both musically and visually, by the band’s Man Machine period so expect plenty of mechanical sounds, robotic beats and vocoder laden vocals. This is best encapsulated by French artist Marboss … Continue reading Various Artists – We Are Machine Pop 6

Electronica, Synth popLeave a comment

808 DOT POP – Incandescent

Tom

808 DOT POP is the side project of Passenger S from Belgian band Metroland. The new single Incandescent comes in three flavours as 2 digital EPs and one 7″ single. Incandescent is vintage sounding electronic music for fans of Kraftwerk, Telex and the like. Incandescent (Platinum) Available digitally from Alfa Matrix Incandescent (Tantalum) Available on 7″ vinyl from the artist. Incandescent (Chromium) Available digitally from Alfa Matrix Further Listening Check out the debut album The Colour Temperature and the three part Blackbodies single (Radiation – Pulsation – Variation) Facebook Continue reading 808 DOT POP – Incandescent

Ambient, Electronica, Experimental, PopLeave a comment

Hey Elbow – Nurture​/​Aptitude

Tom

There are a few bands that operate outside imposed boundaries and constraints – self or otherwise. Of the top of my head, bands such as Haiku Salut, The Leaf Library and more recently Dummy fall into that group. I can now add Swedish band Hey Elbow into that mix. Late to the party as ever as the band have been going for a few years now I have been exposed to them via their new single Nurture​/​Aptitude. The band combine ambient, experimental and pop to mould a novel and, at times, unique sound. The vocals are woven like thread during … Continue reading Hey Elbow – Nurture​/​Aptitude

Electronica, Minimal/Cold Wave, TechnoLeave a comment

Defender Waves – The Caroline Phase

Tom

Defender Waves is the project of the same individual behind Dallas Tears. Whereas the latter has been described as “lo-fi bedroom shoegaze” this EP is pure electronica. It’s A Starry Night, Sunrise Girl is laid back techno soul whilst the title track gets brings up imaginary of space and the odd robot or two. Shoulders Of Helen is pure vintage minimal/coldwave with sampled voices initially over a repetitive beat before it gets a coat or two of shimmering electronica. Summarising The Caroline Phase is an EP chockfull of succulent keyboards and drum machines. Get it from here. Soundcloud Continue reading Defender Waves – The Caroline Phase

Alt Rock, ElectronicaLeave a comment

bdrmm – A Reason To Celebrate (GLOK Remix)

Tom

I described the original version of A Reason To Celebrate as “a blistering track that alternates between alt-rock, shoegaze and has a bit of a Brit-pop swagger about its person too”. GLOK, who is Andy Bell from Ride, removes the brash sounding guitar, replacing them with Kosmische influenced beats which enhance the vocals. Bell does an excellent good job and removes from my mind all the horrors of late 1980s, early 1990s two a penny remixes of “indie” bands in one swoop. I would go one step further and say this version actually surpasses the original. Facebook Continue reading bdrmm – A Reason To Celebrate (GLOK Remix)

C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, Electronica, indiepop, Jangle Pop1 Comment

The Saturday Session

Tom

Vamping – Holyoke To say that the new song from Amarillo’s Vamping is a shimmering delight is a vast understatement. Holyoke literally glows thanks to the harmonious synths and guitars coupled with a very catchy chorus and vocals. Lock-down positivity in a nutshell. Facebook Phosphene – Incandescent Plumes Incandescent Plumes is the third single to be taken forthcoming album Lotus Eaters. Rachel Frankel’s vocals are as lovely as ever despite the gloomy and dark words which seem to be a feature of their songs. Musically it’s less dream pop and more alt/indie rock than their previous efforts but I am … Continue reading The Saturday Session

Alt Rock, C86, Dream Pop, Dreampop, Electronica, indiepop, Jangle Pop, Pop, Post Punk, Psychedelia, Shoegaze, Synth pop2 Comments

Weekend Round Up #2

Tom

I am writing this one later than expected and as I listen, being a nice varied mix on this blustery Sunday Night. Australian indiepop legends Even As We Speak will be releasing a new album on Shelflife Records and Discos De Kirlian in June. Forgiving is the first single to be lifted from said album and it is, as you would expect from the band, to be a lovely twee/c86 inspired slab of pop music. The band play London’s Lexington on March 28th supported by Jetstream Pony and The Hannah Barberas. Guess who can’t make it – sigh. Talking of … Continue reading Weekend Round Up #2

Dream Pop, Dreampop, Electronica, Experimental, Jangle Pop, Shoegaze1 Comment

Sometimes….

Tom

Just mentioning one band a day or every other day isn’t enough especially with how much I listen to and the way I tend to witter on. Oh well. Luckily I can work with my headphones on so here is a midweek three pack! Pia Fraus – Sweet Sunday Snow The veteran Estonian shoegazers return with a new single that is bundled with three remixes and is also a taster for their forthcoming sixth album. The single edit is a shimmering laid back track which will soon have you wandering through dreamland. Listening to The Picnic remix I wonder if … Continue reading Sometimes….