The Predatory Wasp
Thunderous modular techno from Sibel Koçer, AKA JakoJako for you today, taken from her Verve EP which is well worth checking out in its entirety, comprising four distinct tracks taking in a range of influences from heady dub to soaring trance.
The man responsible for one of the greatest remixes of all time has a new album – his first for six years – out today, and so far it’s fantastic – even though some of the tracks descend into what can only be described as “a right old jazzy mess”. Trust Your Feet is one of the more restrained moments, gently building through shimmering synth lines before some dramatic, metallic chords take over. Bones points for an album title that sounds both profound and massively pretentious at the same time.
https://jamesholden.bandcamp.com/album/imagine-this-is-a-high-dimensional-space-of-all-possibilities
Andrea’s last album Ritorno was one of my favourite releases of 2020, so it’s great to see him back on Ilian Tape for the follow up, Due In Color. Atmospheric breaks one again dominate, with perhaps just a little more ambient whimsey present than last time around. Lush In End (Drum Version) is one of the more energetic tracks, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
He left it late, but for the second year in a row Traumprinz comes through with December music: 16 new, original tracks over the course of a 90 minute set. I already know that this will be one of the pieces of music I return to next year. Thumping, emotional ambient-leaning techno from the undisputed master.
The opening track on Mall Grab’s new album What I Breathe, Hand In Hand Through Wonderland is exactly the kind of broken beat, melodic, melancholy stuff I want from him, and while arguably the album doesn’t quite hit these heights again, it’s still an enjoyable listen, despite what Pitchfork’s remarkably sniffy review might say. On the other hand, I still don’t think he’s done anything that competes with the sublime gloom of 2015’s Guap. So maybe I’m not to be trusted either.
Barker is someone I wish released more music, as pretty much everything he does put out is fucking incredible. Since 2018’s groundbreakingly brilliant Debiasing EP he’s been ploughing a particularly rich furrow of (nearly) beatless atmospheric techno, now taking on a remix of techno royalty Luke Slater under his Planetary Assault Systems alias. Slowing the tempo and erasing all but the tiniest hint of a kick drum, Barker’s version is meditative, warm and essential.
Taken from her new album Baby, We’re Ascending which is out today, Pigeon Baron is an emotional banger of ridiculously impressive quality and intensity, and the thought of being three beans deep while listening to this somewhere in the depths of Block 9 next month is making me so excited I can barely sit still.
Despite their being an absolute ton of great new music out today, I’m choosing to share this track from 2020 as I’ve only just heard it and its blowing my tiny little mind. This is pretty much how I want all electronic music to sound: moody, atmospheric, sparse, beautiful. And yes, I have been listening to his mixes all day, thanks for checking.
Swedish techno duo SHXCXCHCXSH released their latest album Kongestion earlier this month, and it’s mostly brutal, terrifying listen: ominous and unforgiving, but also really, really good. Stio is the most ‘chilled’ track on there, but only because it’s devoid of the punishing drums employed elsewhere. It’s still deeply unsettling, but with just the merest hint of sunlight peeking through the gloom. I mean, just look at that photo of them. These guys are absolutely not fucking about.
Taken from the the debut solo EP from Texan electro producer Terrestrial Access Network, Endless Dunes is exactly the kind of contemplative, broken-beat electronic music I completely lose my shit over, especially when there are a few gentle acid flourishes thrown in for good measure. Only gentle mind: I want to be soothed, not challenged. Inspired by the artist’s “shifting and hectic nomadic existence around the rattling expanse of the United States”, it’s out now and comes packaged with a remix from TPW favourite Versalife which is also well worth checking out.
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/terrestrial-access-network-distant-lands-ep/857210-01/
The Predatory Wasp 