Rad new/old joint from Beau Wanzer, lifted from the compilation "Unrealistic Electronics Vol. 1" released a few days ago via freshly minted Spanish label Unrealistic Expectations. The tapes unfortunately sold out a while ago, so try your luck with Discogs, but in the meantime enjoy this gem above. Label's bio says Beau made it 10 years ago, it holds up sooo well.
The compilation can be purchased in digital format on bandcamp here, you can stream it below.
Unannounced drop from CRAVE, on the heels of his incredible album "Death Blow" a few months back. The first half of "Half Life" is defined by hellish, semi-shouted verses laid over decaying beats that channel underground southern tapes' circuit from the 90s, only to be followed by cinematic synth transmissions on "Skullduggery". The second half of the EP continues with possessed vocals, this time backed with analog soundscapes on "Party Drugs Leeches" and minimal bass grooves on "Waffles". The whole thing feels like taking a tar-filled bath with a double barrel shotgun aimed at your face. Dark and radical.
"Half Life" came out today and is available for purchase from CRAVE's bandcamp. Stream it below.
After a four year hiatus the Japanese cassette label Solitude Solutions returns with a new release from one of their frequent collaborators Rottenlava. After a few sessions with it, I can sense that he seems to be moving away from the deconstructed sci-fi-flavoured electronica present on his previous tape "Mother C", and instead branches out into other, equally fascinating territories. Side A is almost entirely dedicated to a mutant techno sound in the vein of Ivo Pacheco's Masha project (which I adore), so it got me hooked immediately. The 3-minute follow up "西中島シナリオセンター" slows the tempo down and channels industrial synth and drone vibe that feels very underground (literally). On side B, which is a fully fleshed out music suite, we are hit with a wall of rhythmic noise from the get go. Backed with ambient undertones the atmosphere here is actually really calming before it gradually evolves into a minimal, industrial leaning hip-hop beat. A few minutes later it is taken over by a tension building distorted piano that sets the stage for the final droning ambient outro. A lot is going on here, but it's a rewarding listen.
"Rottenlava Vs. Rottenlava II", officially scheduled for tomorrow, can be pre-ordered here, and streamed in full below.
Arkia Jahani is back, this time with an album written and released under his first name. "A Life Devoted To The Pursuit Of Beauty" is a collection of nine tracks that follow a seamless and engrossing narrative using synths, processed vocals and electronics. From fuzzy ambience layered with angelic choir on "Hidden Meanings" Arkia transitions through lo-fi dungeon synth to contemporary classical piano pieces, always with calming tranquility and attention to detail. Wonderful testament to his ever-growing talent.
The album is available for purchase on bandcamp here, and can be also streamed below.
Second and final single before Ourobonic Plague's new album "Stepping It Lightly Towards The Abyss". Inspired by a hypothetical collaboration between Cronenberg and Troma, "Egregore Jones 2: Activated Sludge" is a mutant d&b slasher, hiding behind a mask of industrial grittiness. The track is actually a re-work of "Egregore Jones", which was originally released a month ago through a compilation "Dawn of the Headless Blood Idol". Side B of the single is a crambient remix of the "Egregore Jones 2", stripping it from its drums and adding layers of textured drones and noise, transporting the listener to Wes Craven's Elm Street. Buy the single here, the album will be out on Friday.
So good to open my mailbox today only to be welcomed by this unexpected return of Kevin Skyler aka [PHYSICS] with his new album "Slipstream". It's been five years since his last cosmic synth-disco LP "Starport", and I'm glad to hear new sonic explorations from him. And exploration seems to fit well in the context of this new album - it's a record that slowly glides through the outworldly new age and psych passages, filled with analog synths, spectral drones and tranquil atmospheres. It sounds like a long forgotten and recently unearthed library album, created as a score to a late night space-oriented TV show that got shelved for some reason. Pure bliss.
"Slipstream" came out yesterday and can be purchased here. Stream in below.
While "Aqua Temple" came out back in January last year, a couple of months ago NMS decided to start taking pre-orders for a vinyl reissue of this album. To celebrate his birthday today, he lowered the price of the record to 18 bucks for one day only, and if that's not a sweet deal for an independently released slab of wax then I don't know what is. The record consists of two 17-minutes long odysseys through crystal clear synth oceans, supported with glimmering drones on side A and low fidelity tribal beats of the lost epoch on side B. Music to chill and meditate.
The vinyl pre-order is still on here so place your order while you can, there's only 100 records being pressed. Stream the album below.