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Mikos Da Gawd – Rock the Hot Hot

Some chic, uptempo, summertime house music to warm up a stubbornly chilly spring evening here. This is from Bay Area-bred and Soulection-associated Mikos Da Gawd (Miles Douglas), who’s better known for his hiphop production for and with the likes of Anderson .Paak and Mr. Carmack. I usually brace myself when hiphop producers decide they want to pivot to house music (see, e.g., my hero Timbaland’s recent misstep in that direction 😬). But in this case, I actually think Mikos Da Gawd’s house records may outshine his bread-and-butter work, which is already good to begin with. You can find this for streaming wherever you do that sort of thing, or grab it on bandcamp.

Mikos Da Gawd – “Rock the Hot Hot”

Winter Games – Chills

High tempos tonight. A step up now–this time from Winter Games, the Finnish duo I covered a couple of months ago. Where that former track was sharp minimalist 2-step, this one they sent over recently is enormous, maximalist, hi-NRG house. The duo explains that like most of their tracks, this was written in a winter cabin lockdown session, but you’d never really guess it. I suppose the measured Scandinavian refinement still manages to slip through a little bit, but this is really just peak-time rave, hands-in-the-air fun. Out now on Winter Games’ own label, Polar Dance. You can find it for streaming or on bandcamp.

Winter Games – “Chills”

Klo – Hold Back

Last up this evening is a bit of sub-heavy, minimalist, double-time 140 from LA-based Klo (Kaitlyn Clinard). I don’t usually go for OTT, DC-offset type basslines much anymore, but in this case, Klo manages to frame the grinding wobbles in an elegantly restrained way, bathing them in just enough reverb to take them back in the mix a touch. She gives an otherwise very earthly bass a sort of ghostly quality. Solid work here. No bandcamp for this unfortunately, so I don’t know where to point DJs, but anyone else can find this for streaming.

Klo – “Hold Back”

Venture Silk – Control Your Mind

Two razor-cut slices of electro from Venture Silk (Ruslan Shyshniak), a Ukrainian ex-pat based in the Netherlands. I will absolutely never tire of well-executed Detroit-style electro. When done well–as is the case here–it’s the ideal vehicle for Roland/vintage synth fetishism. Some may idolize the 909s of 4×4 techno and 303s of acid house (I love those too), but nothing quite does it for me like 808s and 606s doing the syncopated robot step. Shyshniak hits that mark very well here, keeping the essential historical structural elements intact, but still allowing the tracks the benefit of modern production techniques and aesthetic variation. Both of these are available for streaming or on bandcamp — or you can grab them below. The first is from the artist’s recent Venturing Into the Unknown EP, the second is an older one-off release from 2023.

Venture Silk – “Control Your Mind” (mp3)
Venture Silk – “Sabotage” (mp3)

Akage Design Co – Gatekeeper

Next up this evening are two more lovely tunes from Akage Design Co (Phillip Conley), whom I wrote about last month. Conley is from Pittsburgh, but I keep wanting say he’s from Portland of the early aughts. His style feels like it would have fit perfectly into the scene they had there then, in which artists like Copy and brothers E*Rock and E*Vax (of Audiodregs Recordings) were cultivating seemingly naive and plastic whimsical sounds into blooms of tenderness and depth. Conley is definitely carrying that torch. These two are from Akage Design Co’s recent album, Lightt, which you can grab on bandcamp or find for streaming.

Akage Design Co – “Gatekeeper” (mp3)
Akage Design Co – “Ginger Paw” (mp3)

Jake Back – i looked back and saw nothing

Finally tonight are four submissions from Jake Back, a Los Angeles-based artist–from his recent EP, i looked back and saw nothing. I’m not sure how best to categorize these. Based on the EP’s and songs’ titles, Back is clearly into conceptual work, and all four of these songs speak to that inclination. They’re all subtly unconventional, but still totally accessible. There’s a clear undercurrent of emotionality here, especially in the album’s closer, “i woke up today” which is my favorite of the bunch. But there’s humor and charm here too; the record also sees Back injecting fragments of sunny-day funk and stoned warm-evening riffing. It all makes for something personal and connected–I don’t really know anything else concrete about Back, but I feel like this record helps you get to know him nonetheless. You can grab the record on bandcamp or find it for streaming all over.

Jake Back – “i woke up today” (bc)
Jake Back – “i looked at it but then it started yelling at me” (bc)
Jake Back – “i just came across this” (bc)
Jake Back – “i lost it all but i found myself” (bc)

Crate Classics & Bella-Monae – Do What I Can

Jesus Christ. With such crisp breaks and a vocal delivery like this, what the fuck else do you really need? A delightful piano riff, some warbly keys, and a low-passed reese don’t hurt, but the track might survive without them when those two core elements are so on-point. Maybe I’m being a little hyperbolic–the piano riff might be essential too. Regardless, this is ace stuff. I’ve covered Londoners Crate Classics at least once before (and some solo work by Aaron Horn, who’s one half of the duo), but had never heard of vocalist Bella Monae before this. Psyched to hear more from her. This is out now for streaming, or on bandcamp.

Crate Classics & Bella-Monae – “Do What I Can” (mp3)

Outerboros – The Frequency (Bizarro Version)

Another cracking one by a production duo, this time New Yorkers Outerboros. I posted the original version of this a few months ago; this version is from Outerboros recent Bizarro EP, on which they remix four of their own songs. The original centers the vocal from Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, which is never a terrible idea–but I’m partial to this take. Instead of the uptempo afternoon sage burning of the full vocal version, this uses the vocal sparingly and reframes the track as something more suitable for nightcaps and cigarettes. Both versions are certainly worth your time. Grab the Bizarro EP on bandcamp, or find it for streaming.

Outerboros – “The Frequency” (Bizarro Version) (mp3)

Mataliebre – Cirrus

Last up are a set of really odd ones from Sinaloa-based Mataliebre, an artist I can’t find any information about online. These both strike somewhere at the intersections of dub, cumbia rebajada, and 90s UK semi-ambient stuff (maybe also some wisps of musique concrète in there too). There’s something almost inhuman about both tracks, sort of like they were conjured out of the ether. But whatever they are, there’s a sort of pleasant nightmarish quality about it all, which isn’t something you come across often, so give it a try. No bandcamp for these, so either grab them below, or find them for streaming wherever you do that sort of thing.

Mataliebre – “Cirrus” (mp3)
Mataliebre – “Luz” (mp3)

Alto Aria – Stars Align

A stunning new record from Danish artist Alto Aria (Aria Leth Schütze). Schütze weaves together something really special here. While the vocals are front and center–and deservedly so, they’re beautiful–the production is equally nimble. Layers of strings and pads do the heavy lifting (to the sky, truly), but I keep coming back to Schütze’s use of shuffling drum breaks buried deep in the mix, essentially as a textural element more than a rhythmic one. It’s a clever device that subtly brings an otherwise dreamlike song back down to the familiarity of earth without shifting the energy of the song into something that would imply any real dancefloor utility. Instead of a comment on what’s happening in the club, it’s the POV of the passersby. This is a follow-up single to Alto Aria’s recent album Ephemeral, described as a “little tail” to that album. It’s out now on bandcamp, but also available below or for streaming. If you like this, definitely check the album too.

Alto Aria – “Stars Align” (mp3)

Tiny Little Ghost – Stories You Tell

Next up is another set of lovely tracks from Milan’s Tiny Little Ghost (Vanni Casagrande), who I’ve now covered three times. Like the stuff I’ve covered from Casagrande previously, these two songs demonstrate again his penchant for finding the space where heavy shuffled rhythms meet theatrical ambient. It’s wonderfully romantic stuff, all covered in teal and rose hues; angsty fairies floating around in heartbreak acid trips. No bandcamp for these, but you can find them for streaming all over.

Tiny Little Ghost – “Stories You Tell” (sc)
Tiny Little Ghost – “Tiny Little Ghosts” (sc)

Eric Angelo Bessel – Double Helix

Finally tonight is a striking ambient piece from Portland-based artist Eric Angelo Bessel. This is from his recent 7,” featuring a set of b-sides from his album Mirror at Night, which came out late last year. Direct written descriptions of ambient music like this so often fail–straying into overt cliche and sap. But at risk of doing it a disservice, I really like this piece, so I’m going to give it a whirl. It’s stirring and fragile, and aptly named. The subtle tremolo Bessel employs to modulate the washes of synth atmosphere gives the otherwise oceanic piece a faint sense of structure–an almost biological quality that really does remind me of a slowly spinning strand of DNA, gently suspended somewhere deep within cell walls. This isn’t available for streaming, so listen below and grab the 7″ on bandcamp.

Eric Angelo Bessel – “Double Helix” (mp3)

Stimming – Sugar and Lemon

Hamburg’s Stimming ought not to need much introduction. From his breakthrough 2009 hit “Una Peña;” through his serial consistency, superb remix work, and classic records like Kleine Nachtmusik, Reflections, Stimming, and Alpe Lusia (among countless others); and his wonderfully charming (especially for a German) gear reviews on Electronic Beats TV–the guy has never ceased high-value contribution to electronic music culture. No surprise then that his latest self-released album, Friedrich, is gorgeous. As emotionally available as anything he’s ever done, the record feels to me like a soft tribute to loving oneself. It’s relaxed in its vulnerability, not melodramatic, and mostly precise, but rough around the edges where it counts. It’s human. You can grab it on bandcamp or for streaming, but Stimming was also kind enough to let me share with you my favorite track on the album here.

Stimming – “Sugar and Lemon” (mp3)

Ross Koopmans – Awake

Following in much the same stylistic vein is this sublime piece of electronica from London-based Canadian artist Ross Koopmans. Minimalist in the best way, this is the kind of shimmering, semi-ambient music that is hard not to enjoy. Even for those who don’t seek out the gentler side of electronic music, a song like this is so quietly calming. Maybe I’m just an overstimulated father of two kids under 3, but it seems to me like something this tranquil would have utility in anyone’s life. This is from Koopmans’s recent REBIRTH EP, which you can grab on bandcamp or find for streaming all one.

Ross Koopmans – “Awake” (sc)

Brecon & Verity Standen – Settled Restlessness

Finally tonight is another fine bit of contemplative electronica, this time from Welsh producer Brecon (Will Brown). Framed around a touching vocal from composer and choir leader Verity Standen, this is roughly as sparse as the two previous tunes, but with greater heft, both sonically and emotionally. Despite its relative minimalism, there’s an excellent sense for movement at work here. The track never stays still; it carefully weaves its way out of a quiet start; through a dynamic, multi-arpeggiating central body; and into fragile felted piano chords–but does all this wholly in service of Standen’s remarkable vocal. This is the second single from Brecon’s Mum’s Life EP, out later this year on Sheffield imprint With Bells; you can grab it on bandcamp, or for streaming all over.

Brecon – “Settled Restlessness” ft. Verity Standen (mp3)

Starkey – Cannons

I’m delighted to be writing about Philly’s Starkey (Paul Geissinger) again after all these years. He was one of the early members of the legendary Trouble & Bass crew–with whom Palms Out collaborated on parties several times and who co-released our second record, by my dear late friend Ben (Math Head, Passions, Goitia Deitz, Vivian Alive). That connection is where I first learned Starkey’s name, and though he didn’t remain connected to that crew for very long, I continued to follow him closely. He was prolific in those days: as a key participant in the fledgling US heavy bass scene; one of grime’s foremost representatives stateside; and as label head for Seclusiasis together with former Palms Out contributor Dev79. I’m sure he’s been similarly active in the years since, but I’ll admit I lost track of him at some point, so it felt great to hear the first notes of this brilliant opener from his recent Vacuum State EP, which came out last year on the outstanding androids dungeon radio label out of Denver. That this song is right up my alley is no surprise, given it’s a meticulously crafted, bassy breakbeat workout, but the whole record is exceptionally varied and should not be missed. The man has always had range. Grab the EP on bandcamp, or find it for streaming wherever you do that sort of thing.

Starkey – “Cannons” (mp3)

Frythm – Chuco Bounce

Keeping things pretty stylistically consistent tonight, next up is a great Bmore cut from LA’s Frythm (Matthew Pena). This is distinctly dancefloor fodder, pairing rave stabs with Bmore’s classic staggered kick drum pattern and liberal reliance on the Think break (no Sing Sing though, which I always felt was the more quintessential Bmore break choice). It all goes to show that Bmore club never had to be a passing fad (we certainly pushed the sound as hard as we could back in the day); it’s a fundamentally infectious formula. I’m glad there are talents like Pena who continue to push it via faithful reference and recontextualization alike. This is out now for streaming and on bandcamp, though Pena was generous enough to let me share with you the mp3 here as well.

Frythm – “Chuco Bounce” (mp3)

Jigwave – Wish (YTTAB)

Last up tonight is this refreshingly optimistic bit of juke from Phoenix duo Jigwave (Rob The Heart & Young Dad–both excellent pseudonyms). Effortlessly bouncy and crisp, the song is over almost as soon as it gets started (people love their 2min songs these days), but it gets a lot done in that short time, with one effective changeup after another. Most of what these guys have put out thus far is much more straightforward house music. It’s all solid stuff, but I hope they consider doing more stuff in this vein. We need more modern juke in the world that cuts through like this. No bandcamp for this, I’m afraid–only streaming–but Jigwave kindly let me post the mp3 here too.

Jigwave – “Wish (YTTAB)” (mp3)

Fermi Lëkundë – 2 Steps

Blippy percussive bird-watching expeditions from Toronto’s Fermi Lëkundë, whom I covered a couple of years ago. Lëkundë has a real knack for crafting tracks with displaced percussive accents that take traditional 2-step club rhythms into unexpected places–and he does so without being too heady. Against serene pads, this makes for a nice balance of body and mind. Lëkundë was generous enough to let me share with you the mp3 here, but grab this and his past work on bandcamp, or catch it for streaming wherever you do that sort of thing.

Fermi Lëkundë – “2 Steps” (mp3)

Patchin’ – on the bay we used to play

Some delightfully unconventional bassy stuff from Taipei’s Patchin’ (Wenchi Liu). Centered around found sounds recorded at the edge of a bay far from the city, Patchin’ frames it all with a sentimental little melody about pining for childhood freedom. Add to that some hyper-clean percussion and teardrops of ear candy, and you’ve got some delicious nostalgia. Check the rest of Patchin’s work too, it’s all really great. Grab this on bandcamp or find it for streaming.

Patchin’ – “on the bay we used to play” (bc)

Akanimo – Room Service

Finally today, a change of pace from the stuff I’ve been covering lately. I still listen to a good deal of hiphop, especially laid-back contemporary stuff that I usually categorize for myself internally as sweet hop, but I don’t tend to post much of it. Some of that is just a question of exposure–I don’t necessarily get a lot of stuff in that vein sent to me that I particularly connect with, so a lot of what I’m listening to in that realm is pretty well known and likely wouldn’t be fitting for an outlet primarily geared towards discovery. But occasionally, something sweet pops in. That was the case here; Akanimo, an artist from Charlotte, NC, sent this over a few weeks ago. Consistent with the song’s subject matter, Akanimo’s flow, timbre, and subject matter on this are sleepy and hypnotic; that and the beat make this all about achievable leisure–phone off, clean sheets, scrambled eggs, and mimosas in bed. Streaming only on this, but Akanimo was kind enough to let me share the mp3 with you here.

Akanimo – “Room Service” (mp3)

Monoko & Inkkø – Making U

Some precious and inviting modern house music from Brussels-based artists Monoko (Tim de Fontaine) and Inkkø (Téo Hargain). The other day here in upstate New York, the weather broke above freezing for a couple of days–after having stayed close to 20 below for weeks. People immediately started calling it sweater weather, which at first blush felt outrageous to me, but after living up here for a few years now, I’m starting to agree. After such a brutal winter, as soon as a glimmer of sunshine makes its way through the clouds, I’m dying to get outside and shed my layers. A song like this gets me dreaming of those late spring afternoon parties outside, where the mild weather keeps everyone relaxed–and tracks with sort of easygoing spirit work a treat. This is out now for streaming and on bandcamp.

Monoko & Inkkø – “Making U” (mp3)

Nastiest Below – All and More

Next up is a set of tracks meant as a contemporary take on early-2000s big beat and breaks, submitted by Nastiest Below (Lewis Batstone, from somewhere in the UK, unsurprisingly). The A-side here does certainly carry notes of some of the earlier Basement Jaxx or Chemical Brothers records, whereas the B-side feels more referential of early trip-hop records that were essentially just melancholy UK hardcore records a few bpm slower. Both tracks do certainly evince a reverence on Batstone’s part for the music that came before him, and the production is sharp, so I expect he has other good stuff up his sleeve. No bandcamp for this, unfortunately, but thankfully I was sent the mp3s to post, so you’re not purely stuck with streaming options.

Nastiest Below – “All and More” (mp3)
Nastiest Below – “I Might Be” (mp3)

DJ DOT WAV – BOYS BE LYING

Last up tonight, a cut of hazy house from DJ DOT WAV (Jordan Alexander, who reps Nashville, Atlanta, and Kansas City, so take your pick). Based around a recognizable PinkPantheress refrain and some effective woodwind samples, this is nice sultry stuff that doesn’t make too much of a fuss and just does what it does. That’s really what a lofi house edit should do. No bandcamp for this one either, I’m afraid, but the artist was generous enough to let me share with you the mp3 here so streaming isn’t your only option.

DJ DOT WAV – “BOYS BE LYING” (mp3)

Jung – CMIYC

Frenzied percussive club music from Istanbul-based Jung. Rhythms at 150bpm always feel a little otherworldly to me, like the kind of thing an alien might make if you asked them to make club music. How is it that tracks at 150 often feel faster than 160+ jungle stuff? It’s some sort of psychological trick; I suspect it’s something about how above 160 you more easily sense the underlying halftime. Either way, this track knocks. It comes across almost like double-time grime music, as if Jung were initially making a grime track at 75bpm and then just decided to double the tempo. I don’t know much about Jung. He has two singles on the Turkish label Bounce, which has only been around for a year or so, but also released that excellent Valfi track I featured last month, so they’re definitely onto something good. Grab this on bandcamp, or find it for streaming.

Jung – “CMIYC” (sc)

A-FRAME – W/U

A quintessentially Los Angeles take on breakbeat from LA’s A-FRAME, this track closes the artist’s recent 3210UT EP. Where most of the EP sits neatly in that niche of heavy LA bass music pioneered by folks like Glitch Mob, this track is looser and more vulnerable–more closely resembling the kind of thing you might hear from other LA heroes further leftfield, like Nosaj Thing. You can grab this on bandcamp, or find it for streaming all over.

A-FRAME – “W/U” (sc)

ero808 x NXSTY – KODAK

Speaking of what Los Angeles does well, finally tonight is some proper straightforward bass house in the vein of the kind of thing our old friend AC Slater continues to champion with his Night Bass imprint in LA. This track comes to us courtesy of Vancouver’s NXSTY with vocals from Denver-based ero808. No bandcamp for this, so you’ll have to suffice with streaming (or do people still use beatport, maybe it’s there?).

ero808 x NXSTY – “KODAK” (sc)

Drum & Lace – Lichen

London-based, Florence-born artist Drum & Lace (Sofia degli Alessandri-Hultquist) sent this gorgeous tune over a few weeks ago. It’s from her upcoming EP, Terra, which explores notions of belonging and her sense of connection to the ancient lands on which she was raised. Like its namesake, the song is slow-growing and insistent, forming from a simple percussive pattern and acute arpeggiating melody–blooming into a web of fructicose polyrhythms and branching strands of countermelodies. Truly lovely, this. Terra is out on March 13th on London-based Mesh–preorder on bandcamp, or stream all over.

Drum & Lace – “Lichen” (bc)

Fugue State – We Are Lasting

Next up is an exquisite song from Fugue State, a new collaborative project led by electroacoustic composer Dan Langa, based in Northhampton, MA. The song was the result of impromptu improvisations between Langa and pianist Erika Dohl while taking a break during a full day in the studio recording together–after which Maia Friedman (of Dirty Projectors and Coco) added meditative repetitions of the phrase we are lasting / your ever-shifting presence changes the landscape–and a host of other collaborators embellished the song with harps, strings, and brass. While a fugue state would imply dissociation and escape, I find this song to be deeply grounding, both sonically and in premise. It reminds me less of taking flight across a great distance, more as if I were seated still as a gentle wind eddy formed around me, softly kicking up the leaves. This is out now on Switch Hit Records, grab it on bandcamp, or stream it all over.

Fugue State – “We Are Lasting” (bc)

numeral – Fluke

Finally, in what has shaped up to be one of my favorite editions of this feature thus far, is a propulsive bit of electronica from Bern-based drummer and producer numeral (Philippe Adam). Hypnotic and evolving, Adam has crafted something deceptively simple–relying less on overt melodic shifts or the introduction of new elements than the gradual adaptation of the song’s core elements around its constant: a rolling kick drum pattern that doesn’t cease. Excellent stuff. This is the first single on the upcoming Palimpest EP, out in April on Swiss label Irascible; you can grab it now on bandcamp, or stream it anywhere you do that sort of thing.

numeral – “Fluke” (bc)

Arky Waters – UGETME?

True to the track’s title, Sydney-based Arky Waters comes correct with this huge chunk of high-adrenaline jungle. If you’re playing at or around 160bpm, I can’t imagine this wouldn’t work a charm on your floor. Big big energy here from the jump, and on both sides of an appropriately celestial breakdown to allow folks to rest their hearts for a few seconds. This is from Arky Waters’ forthcoming debut long player. No bandcamp, I’m afraid, but he sent over the mp3 for me to share here, and you can find this for streaming all over.

Arky Waters – “UGETME?” (mp3)

64e2 – Cybernetics

Keeping the tempo high comes a nice slice of frenetic 170bpm IDM-breakcore-electro crossover from Sheffield-based 64e2, who I can’t find any more information about online. This track is mostly instrumental, but includes a synthetic vocal sample that periodically repeats the refrain–new ideas in cybernetics–the kind of phrase that’s almost obligatory in a lot of electro music, a genre that has long been obsessed with tech-noir, biopunk, and sci-fi futures that imagine continued competition and collaboration between man and machine. Sometimes these sorts of references can feel a little retro, but given the current state of technology, it seems to me there has never been an historical moment that more urgently calls for remaining focused on the specter of–and risk inherent with–combining or replacing humanity with machinery. This is available for streaming, or pay-what-you-wish on bandcamp as part of the Forensic Pathology EP. The artist was also kind enough to let me share with you the mp3 below.

64e2 – “Cybernetics” (mp3)

S79r3n7 – 732A5729

Moving further into the frenetic, a bit of transcendent breakcore from another cryptically named artist, Denver-based S79r3n7. I’m not always a fan of straight breakcore tracks, but when an artist manages to balance the chaos and intensity of the breakbeat programming with the serenity of big cloudy pads, I can definitely be won over. Here, S79r3n7’s sample-based pad design is gorgeous, and they succeed in taking the breakbeat chops just to the brink of incoherence without ever quite crossing the line. No bandcamp here, unfortunately, and seemingly no streaming either–except via soundcloud.

S79r3n7 – “732A5729” (sc)

Pelzman – Ember

Trancey breakbeat euphoria from Copenhagen-based, Parisian-born producer Pelzman. As the central element around which to base the composition, Pelzman used a prayer call he recorded in a mosque while traveling in Kyrgyzstan. Historically, I’ve been a little easy to win over with microtonal and traditional eastern scales–and also a bit of a pushover for sentimental breakbeat tracks. But no real reason for shame here; Pelzman’a track is solid, utilitarian, emotive stuff. Nothing wrong with easy on the ears. This is out now as part of the Invisible Forces EP, which you can grab on bandcamp, or find for streaming wherever.

Pelzman – “Ember” (bc)

CHEAP LOVE HOTEL – EASY ESCAPE

I covered Japanese producer CHEAP LOVE HOTEL a few years ago when I was on a kick writing about this type of breakcore-adjacent, internet-culture-inspired music I kept getting in my inbox that I hastily termed online jungle. At that point, CHEAP LOVE HOTEL was current with a debut album, sexting with my besty, now they’ve got two new albums in a sort of double release: XOE MY TRUE LOVE and XOE NO MORE. The artist explained to me that their music is directly inspired by their love for gaming, so it tracks that these new albums would both continue to explore soundscapes that vacillate between whimsy and tranquility, all within the realm of the perpetually online. No bandcamp for these, but the artist was kind enough to share with me the mp3 of a track from each of the new albums–both of which are available to stream now.

CHEAP LOVE HOTEL – “EASY ESCAPE” (mp3)
CHEAP LOVE HOTEL – “FALLEN KIND” (mp3)

Onie Jackson – Wings of Desire

Last but not least this evening is a lovely track from Orléans-born producer Onie Jackson. Jackson describes the song’s genre as “micro-bap” which I read as a reference to minimalist boom bap, but it’s maybe a bit reductive. This track is just a sublimely melodic bit of downtempo; whatever subgenre you want to place it in, it’s romantic and relaxed, and at a blissful 2:32, it’s too short. There’s a sample that shouts the refrain “let it out” periodically throughout, and I’d say the song effectively inspires a few good exhales. No bandcamp for this one either, unfortunately, but Jackson was generous enough to let me post the mp3 here, and it’s available for streaming all over.

Onie Jackson – “Wings of Desire” (mp3)

Aktiv Ritual – Club Someplace Very Secret

Aktiv Ritual, the Croatian artist who sent me this a few weeks ago, described wanting for this song “something that felt like the last tune at a rave in ’91.” I feel like they hit that nail on the head here; it’s absolutely got glimmers of “Halcyon” (but maybe with a little less ecstasy and a touch of psilocybin instead?). True to its name, I’d love to dance to this song with 50 people I don’t know at some forest rave that you’d need coordinates to find. This is from Aktiv Ritual’s recent album, bioCircuit, which is out now for streaming or on bandcamp.

Aktiv Ritual – “Club Someplace Very Secret” (mp3)

Mattr – Earth

I’ve covered Matthew Clugston, aka Mattr, a number of times now–not least of all because he’s prolific, releasing far more in the past few years than I’ve managed to keep up with. When I was turned on to him initially, in or about 2022, he was making sub-forward leftfield house and breakbeat stuff, that was all really captivating, but perhaps edged on the side of accessible and straightforward. Over time though, his work has gotten looser, to great effect. With this latest one, he seems to be leaning even more into experimentation, favoring delicate, almost innocent sounds and melodies over bass and melancholy, and often letting the sounds glitch themselves out of time without giving in to the inclination to tidy them up too much. Lovely stuff here. This is out for streaming and on bandcamp, but Clugston also sent me the mp3 to share with you all here.

Mattr – “Earth” (mp3)

Akage Design Co – Two Moons

In the early 2000s, as I got started on this blog, the 8-bit microgenre was taking shape after years of existing primarily as a fetish genre on message boards. While I didn’t mind the sonic aesthetic, and I featured chiptune artists here from time to time, I often found myself wishing some of the genre’s best artists would set the SID chips down and widen their palettes. The joy of the genre for me was that it seemed to attract artists hyperfocused on crafting simple and emotionally utilitarian melodies–but why couldn’t those artists do the same without the chipsounds? This submission from Pittsburgh-based Akage Design Co feels like an answer to that question. The song has all the best hallmarks of the aforementioned microgenre: a nostalgic and dry sound palette and a vicious earworm of a lead melody, tied together emotionally in a bow that feels like having a crush on the football player or cheerleader in high school. It’s sensitive, emotional stuff, but without any pomp or melodrama. Best of all, while it hits like great chiptunes, it’s not bogged down with references; so it can stand on its own. This is out as part of the album, Lightt, which you can find for streaming or on bandcamp.

Akage Design Co – “Two Moons” (mp3)

Poetmistry – Strawberry in Hell

Poetmistry (Krishan Mistry) is an artist whose sound design tutorial content I’ve been following for ages on socials, so it was exciting to see a submission from him. His new album, STRAWBERRY, and its lead single, “Strawberry in Hell,” are both unusually tender, in light of Mistry’s reliance on a bright, crisp, sound palette–much of which is created via exercises in extreme time stretching of pop songs. Mistry explains that there is no overarching “aboutness” behind the album (that’s not how I work. I sit down, I open up my computer, and I literally feel like I blackout), but he found himself nonetheless surprised by its resulting sentimentality. It clocks for me; for a sincere, feeling person–which Mistry comes across as in his tutorial content–if one finds a flow state and lets the work speak, the result is likely to be correspondingly emotionally attached and genuine. The whole record is really worth checking; grab it on bandcamp or for streaming.

Poetmistry – “Strawberry in Hell” (mp3)

camden bay – atlas

I’m not the world’s best interpreter of lyrics, but a line like my heart is bittersweet company / the world revolves around me, and then it falls apart sounds to me like it’s about the loneliness of selfishness and obstinance–the way self-imposed isolation is self-fulfilling. Most of us know the feeling of being too spiteful and righteous to admit we’re wrong about something but simultaneously embarrassed at our own rigidity and thus trapped in a cage of our own making. I changed all the locks on my door / rewrote all the chords to your favorite song. DC-based camden bay (Mary Ruane) seems to be writing about something along these lines in this serene bit of vocal downtempo she sent over recently. This is her third single, and it’s pretty heavenly. No bandcamp, unfortunately, but Ruane sent me the mp3 to post here–and it’s out for streaming all over.

camden bay – “atlas” (mp3)

looking for a shoegaze drummer – looking for a shoegaze drummer

Last but not least tonight, a brilliantly selftitled song from a brilliantly titled artist, looking for a shoegaze drummer (Carson Aquilano Forney [she/her]). Songs like this come along every so often and make me feel like I’m in my childhood bedroom again, 15 or 16, with wide eyes and a sense of unbridled openness to music’s possibilities. It feels sort of like the expression of id in an almost inhumanly sweet person–someone whose deepest, darkest impulses are nonetheless gentle and generous. I don’t mean to project anything onto Forney herself; it’s more that I hear in this song the invaluable quality of a pure willingness to explore without pretense. She’s lucky to be able to channel that. This is from her recent EP, it’s easy to crash looking for a shoegaze drummer, which is not available for streaming but is on bandcamp.

looking for a shoegaze drummer – “looking for a shoegaze drummer” (mp3)

Wibes – Life Outside

All warm clouds and gentle fog on this dreamy pop number from Oslo-based duo Wibes, whose name is a cheeky nod to Scandinavians’ discomfort with most hard V’s. The press blurb for the song is too good not to relay, even though I usually try to steer clear of doing so: You are an indoor cat who has always dreamed about the outside world. One day, the door is left open, and your adventure begins. What a touching sentiment to base a song around? Even though none of you reading this are, in fact, cats, who hasn’t shared in that kind of feeling? Seems to me most of us feel trapped by something or other, and dream of some benevolent force leaving the door ajar enough for us to expand or escape. This is out now on Kollektiv Transport for streaming. No bandcamp unfortunately, but thankfully the group let me share with you the mp3 here.

Wibes – “Life Outside” (mp3)

GJOL – Teardrops

Heading southeast now, over the Norge-Sverige grensen and Oresundsbroen to Copenhagen, with a really pleasant slice of house from Danish producer GJOL (Mickael Gjøl). I don’t cover a lot of house that would typically be described as ‘deep’ — even though I’ve always gravitated towards the typical elements of the genre: intimate keys, midtempo rhythms, and deeply hi-cut basslines. I think it’s that deep house tracks often play so directly into the genre’s tropes without any sense of self-reflection or historical context. But sometimes, a producer just lines the elements up right, and doesn’t try too hard. “Teardrops” is like melted butter on a fresh-baked bun; nothing extra is needed here for pure satisfaction. And as much as the Danes like their breakfast BMOs with ost, this manages to steer just clear of that deep house cheese. No bandcamp for this one either, but it’s out for streaming, and GJOL kindly let me provide you all with the mp3.

GJOL – “Teardrops” (mp3)

Sheebo – est.

Continuing further south again, across the Fehmarn Belt and all the way to Bavaria, is another great house track–this time by Munich’s Sheebo. This track is the kind of house music I’m attracted to most these days: understated, shuffling, outsider stuff with enough lofi vibe to warm up the room without having to resort to crushing the track to oblivion or drenching it in pads and reverb. When I attempt to make house music, I’m usually guilty of exactly those sins, so I respect when a producer can accomplish the sort of haze and warmth this track delivers without doing either. Once again, no bandcamp for this (is it me or are more and more artists opting not to upload there–why?), but it’s available for streaming, and Sheebo was very generous to let me upload the mp3 for you here.

Sheebo – “est.” (mp3)

Cussed Splint & Nick Genre – Here We Come

Sharp collaboration between Swedish producer Cussed Splint (Patrik Nord) and Southwest Florida-based emcee Nick Genre. A half-time roller that’s clearly the product of a producer steeped in drum and bass aesthetic, it nonetheless manages not to succumb to the genre’s tropes at all. There’s no drop, never a full release—it’s all tense precision and careful automation, entirely in service of Nick Genre’s refreshingly good rap. As a middle-aged guy from New York, whose first teenage love was “real hip hop” (insert whatever shorthand is needed here to indicate I know this is and always was a goofy term), I find myself harder and harder to please when it comes to rap–a cliche if there ever was one. But I’m genuinely enjoying everything about the vocals here. Nick Genre’s timbre and delivery are appropriately gruff and precise. Lyrically, he manages that elusive feat of covering somewhat vulnerable subject matter without ever getting remotely sappy; he paints a picture without resorting to a series of similes. And it works particularly well in the context of Nord’s production aesthetic. This is out for streaming all over, and you can grab it on bandcamp, but Nord was also kind enough to let me post the mp3 here.

Cussed Splint – “Here We Come” ft. Nick Genre (mp3)

Tiny Little Ghost – A Memory to Follow

Second up, two new tracks from Tiny Little Ghost (Vanni Casagrande), an Italian artist I covered a few weeks ago.. The first is a haunting semi-ambient piece that begins as reference to Barber’s timelessly bittersweet Adagio for Strings (from his Opus 11), under a veil of bird chips–ultimately building into a brief release of ecstatic bass and synth wail. The second continues Casagrande’s penchant for cinematic arrangement and sepulchral aesthetic, but this time with a second movement marked by sludgy, steppy drums and mutated wobble. No bandcamp for these, unfortunately, but Casagrande was generous enough to let me share the mp3s with you here, if you’re not the streaming type.

Tiny Little Ghost – “A Memory to Follow” (mp3)
Tiny Little Ghost – “It Moves” (mp3)

Kodomo – Sisu

Last but not least tonight, two chilling tracks from Brooklyn-based Kodomo (real name Chris Child). These are both from Child’s upcoming album, Sisu, and each threads the needle between pensive 2-step and minimalist euphoric electronica. “Light Rain” features disembodied vocals from vocalist tawnylawns saying something I can’t quite make out (box of pills, twisted wrist, I know the color of…). Even as nonsequiturs, when supported by a tightly restrained triangle wave bassline and sparse percussion, the words manage to nonetheless communicate a sense of apathy, dissociation, and resignation. It’s fitting energy for the current historical moment, and has that soul-soothing effect that only mournful music quite does. The second track Childs sent over, the album’s title track, is similarly emotive, but more hopeful and forward-looking; maybe an antidote for the detachment of the former. Sisu is out February 10th for streaming all over, and also on bandcamp; Childs was also nice enough to let me share with you the mp3s here.

Kodomo – “Light Rain” (mp3)
Kodomo – “Sisu” (mp3)

Alex Augier – Lives In Resonance

An intricate slice of forward-thinking electronica from French artist Alex Augier, in support of his recent LP, The Lyrical Age. This song runs the gamut. The first and second movements are all interlaced polyrhythms underpinning a digest of sound design that speaks to the breadth of what ‘electro’ has meant for the past 35-odd years; represented is everything from the submerged blippiness of the aquatic drexiyan universe of the 90s, the grit and stagger of the genre’s reinvention by Augier’s countrymen in the early 2000s, and the icy clarity of today’s takes on the genre. I’m careful to use that genre name only when actually called for, but there are also cases like this where a song references ‘electro’ so closely without ever submitting to its core motifs, ultimately producing something that isn’t actual ‘electro’ at all. Grab The Lyrical Age on bandcamp (including in a spectacularly beautiful vinyl package), or find it for streaming all over.

Alex Augier – “Lives In Resonance” (bc)

laum – Without U

Second up is another submission from France; this one from Parisian artist laum, who’s mining the possibly infinite source of inspiration that is a breakup. Breakup songs are usually a product of youth, but it’s hard to deny the how fucking easy it remains to connect to the melodrama–the feeling sandwich that is yearning for someone and also being furious with them has just got to be among the most universal experiences. laum delivers all that in a tight 2:42: sharp re-sequenced military breakbeats, a waxing and waning reese-type bass, stutter triplet plucks, and a delicately melancholy vocal. Works a charm. No bandcamp for this, I’m afraid, but it’s out for streaming and laum was generous in letting me share with you all the mp3 here.

laum – “Without U” (mp3)

Timothy and the Apocalypse – Just For A Moment

Last but not least is a sweetly stirring tune from Australian Timothy and the Apocalypse (real name Timothy Poulton). Apparently written while Poulton was off-grid alone in the NSW hinterland, the song does seem to express both an awe of the natural world, and a counterbalance of the sort of bittersweet loneliness that kind of isolation can rouse. No bandcamp for this either, but Poulton was kind enough to let me upload the mp3 for you here (in case anyone wants to listen to this off-the-grid, for full effect); it’s also available for streaming all over.

Timothy and the Apocalypse – “Just For A Moment” (mp3)

narion – signs in the dub

Good dub always gives me the best kind of sinking feeling in my guts. That’s a product of bass, sure, but it’s also that vital simplicity–where a song is stripped back to its essentials, and delay and reverb become primarily a means to glue back together the pieces as they drop in and out of the mix. There’s something about that methodology that itself creates darkness and a visceral sense of solitude. Each of the elements has to live and die almost on its own. The dub of this tune sent over by narion, an artist from somewhere in the “undergrowth of the English suburban sprawl,” isn’t classic dub stylistically (or a ‘dub’ by the typical standards of UK club music either), but methodologically it has the hallmarks. The artist also sent over the vocal version, which includes some surreal spoken word, dj cuts, and naturally keeps the elements more intact. Grab the tracks on bandcamp–or find them for streaming.

narion – “signs in the dub” (bc)
narion – “signs in the stars” (bc)

Ben Neill – Breaking Point

Second up is an essentially genre-less exploration from Ben Neill, a New York-based artist who’s worked with a list of luminaries too numerous to list (think everyone from John Cage to John Cale, King Britt to DJ Spooky). I suppose you could call this song downtempo of a sort, given its tempo and some of its palette, but it’s just reductive to try to categorize it. As its name may imply, the song is meant as a direct comment on the current political climate, and the feelings of helplessness so many of us currently feel as we watch a house on fire. Fittingly, the song samples Apocalypse Now, and uses Neill’s mutantrumpet style to paint a dizzying picture of transcendent fright, panic, and disorientation. Art often describes itself as political or philosophical, but you can really tell when a piece served as an actual emotional valve for the discomfort and uneasiness of its maker. No bandcamp for this unfortunately, but it’s out for streaming all over, and Neill was kind enough to let me post for you the mp3 here.

Ben Neill – “Breaking Point” (mp3)

SYEYL – Space Becomes The Mirror

Last up tonight is a skeletal bit of emotive club music from SYEYL (pronounced sea-el, real name Hrithik Arora), an artist from Delhi. It’s another example of how a song stripped to its essential elements is often the most effective. All you really need is a glistening pad, some skittering drums, a utilitarian bass line, a touch of ear candy, and some thoughtful arrangement. No need to get too fancy; put it together carefully and the result is as satisfying as can be. This is out now on Dusky’s 17 Steps imprint as part of SYEYL’s Mental Sunshine EP, which you can grab on bandcamp.

SYEYL- “Space Becomes The Mirror” (mp3)

Somepoe & Winter Games – Inna Riddim

Stealthy club weapon from Somepoe and duo Winter Games, all three from the subarctic expanses of Lapland in Finland. Fun to think about a trio of Finns holed up in a winter cabin in the snowy fells of northern Finland making music inspired by Jamaican and UK sound system culture. Maybe it tracks that when trapped in the cold, one would pine for the Tropics; but it’s probably more just a product of our increasingly borderless world, in which each of us is totally free to access whatever inspires us viscerally. And as I’ve remarked on other examples of Scandinavians making UK-centric music, they almost always contribute some of that distinctly Nordic precision to the sound, achieving low end heft without sacrificing the headroom needed for spacious atmosphere. Maybe the stillness of the inselberg plain and boreal forests tune their ears for it. This is out now for streaming or on bandcamp via the trio’s label, Polar Dance.

Somepoe & Winter Games – “Inna Riddim” (bc)

skurken – Midnight

More music from the Nordics, this time from Icelandic skurken (Jóhann Ástuson), who I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. ‘skurken’ is the word villain in most Nordic languages, but I hear Ástuson’s music as more hopeful than nefarious. The first track he sent over is another one from his recent album Nótt, which I covered before–it’s ascendant and upward facing two-step electronica with more of the northern character I referenced above. The other two, however, are older, both with a buzzier, self-reflective quality that gives me the impression maybe he’s experienced some transformative personal progress in the past few years–or at least that he’s seeking emotional clarity, and expressing as much in his music. Grab Nótt on bandcamp.

skurken – “Midnight” (mp3)
skurken – “Twilight” (sc)
skurken – “Freezer” (sc)

Crewless & Madge – We Don’t Sleep

For a sharp left turn to finish things off, a collaboration between Utahns Crewless and Madge. “We Don’t Sleep” is a high energy ode to the hybrid electropop and house records of the early 2010s. It’s not the kind of thing I’ve been tuned into to lately, but I just couldn’t resist those chonky piano chords and blisteringly artificial horns that remind me of that perfect and ever-ubiquitous ‘Calabria’ loop. Vitality for days on this one. This is unfortunately not on bandcamp, but it’s out for streaming, and Crewless was kind enough to allow me to provide an mp3 here.

Crewless & Madge – “We Don’t Sleep” (mp3)

Molly Mogul – Run

Superbly inky synth pop from Molly Mogul, a nomadic artist sometimes based in Bristol (but originally from a small village near Munich). Mogul describes “Run” as a reminder that you can’t outrun your fears or hangups; an encouragement to look at yourself and your relationships with honesty. That’s certainly a universal and timely concept, especially as we collectively confront the reality of multiple generations now having grown up with the inability to escape the vanity and perpetual guilt and shame of online life. How much harder it has become for kids to develop an internally-driven sense of right and wrong, good and bad, when they have been shown from day dot a thousand versions of what they should be. The advice to try to see yourself clearly is resonant, but it also strikes me as if we’ve set people up to fail at this–how can you judge yourself with grace and honesty if you lack any firm sense of self? Mogul seems to recognize this: “You said you’ll find yourself; First you need to find the starting line.” This is the first single from Molly Mogul’s debut album A Bouquet of Hopes and Dreams, out in April; no bandcamp for this, but it’s out for streaming, and Mogul has been kind enough to let me share the mp3 here.

Molly Mogul – “Run” (mp3)

Dataplanet – chrs

Argent, aluminum-like track from Warsaw’s Dataplanet, sitting somewhere braindance and a somber pop ballad. This is from Dataplanet’s upcoming LP, Last Human Process, which is informed by ongoing tensions and events in Eastern Europe in the context of technological evolution–including the war in Ukraine, and the erosion of democratic institutions in Hungary and elsewhere. It maps an increasingly likely world where technology may well persist longer than we do, or at least after our social structures have crumbled. It’s delicate and precise stuff, but still completely emotion-forward, which tracks well with its intention: a time when all that’s relevant about us is how we feel, and the structure around us is wholly artificial. Last Human Process is out February 1st, but Dataplanet was nice enough to let me share this mp3 with you now.

Dataplanet – “chrs” (mp3)

Outerboros – Night Owl

A giddy illustration of a hazy summer night from NYC duo Matt Swain (drums) and Kenneth Fletcher (synth), aka Outerboros. This song makes me think of kids playing in a popped hydrant at dusk, or an early evening subway showtime in August when the dancers are sweaty and tired, but charged by a day’s worth of sun and quarter waters. Outerboros also sent over another nice piece which features NYC stalwart Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire doing something softer and more melodic than I’m used to hearing from him. Lots of vibes here, I will be clocking these fellas in the future. Both tracks are from Outerboros’ third EP as a duo, which is out now for streaming or on bandcamp; they’ve also been generous enough to let me share the mp3s with you here.

Outerboros – “Night Owl” (mp3)
Outerboros – “Tonight” ft. Mr Muthafuckin’ eXquire (mp3)

STABNEE – j’papote avec ma pocket

Compelling submission from Bordeaux-based STABNEE. In French, papoter essentially means to chitchat or prattle. Sampling a line from French rap duo PNL, “j’papote avec ma pocket” (chat with my pocket), is meant as a reference to loneliness; talking to yourself becomes the only outlet because no one else is there. The song captures some of the often bewildering quality of anxiety and solitude, albeit mostly indirectly: it starts abruptly in the same way a wave of loneliness can come on suddenly out of nowhere; the repetitive and incessant quality of its 3 note lead line is nonetheless oddly comforting; the low end weighs heavily on the chest; and then it’s over before it really has a chance to fully develop. The song is from STABNEE’s recent album Cycle, which is out now to stream. No bandcamp, but the artist has kindly allowed me to upload the mp3 here.

STABNEE – “j’papote avec ma pocket” (mp3)

Blimp – All I Ever Wanted Was You

Turning from the pain of loneliness to the sweetness of yearning; a lovely bit of almost-lofi house from Dublin’s Blimp (real name Shane Smythe). I believe the vocal comes from a track by Dutch deep house producer Wolffman, but it’s possible it’s just that increasingly common problem of producers all having access to the same sample packs. Either way, Blimp flips the vocal into something really soothing. “All I Ever Wanted Was You” keeps it simple and accessible, with familiar sound design and chords, but it’s all the better for it. No reason to reinvent the wheel when you’re working with something good. This is from Blimp’s latest EP, Casio. You can grab that on bandcamp or find it for streaming, but the artist has generously offered the mp3 here too.

Blimp – “All I Ever Wanted Was You” (mp3)

Paternal – Everything

Last but not least is a pair of tracks from Pheonix, AZ-based Paternal (real name Benjamin Soto). Soto mentions in his submission that he sources all his samples from local musicians, and overall seems super focused on building queer community; lovely vibes all around from this one. Both tracks have a sweet almost-naive sincerity, which I think tracks with the energy Soto presents. But I’m equally charmed by the stylistic references. When I occasionally post harder wub/bass-heavy songs these days, I’ll sometimes describe them as throwbacks to Palms Out’s glory days, but these tracks both remind me that we were also something of a minor fixture at the back edge of electroclash (and what bloggers of the time lazily referred to as “indie dance”). Both of the songs Soto sent me–one older original and a remix he did for Tempe-based duo Bogan Via–have that spirit. I can picture these both playing really well in the days when we were all clamoring for new material from likes of Hot Chip, Fischerspooner, Ladytron, CSS, and Peaches. I’m glad to hear that energy is still being mined. Both of these are available to stream, but Paternal was nice enough to send me the mp3s to post here.

Paternal – “Everything” (mp3)
Bogan Via – “Everything’s OK” (Paternal Remix) (mp3)

Valfi – Bauns!

Brilliantly precise and frenetic 140 submission from Berlin-based Valfi. This is harder than most music I cover these days, but I imagine some long-time readers will particularly appreciate it as a good example of how the sounds I used to focus on can be masterfully updated for a new generation. Besides, who can resist those microtonal balkan melodies? Also, as an extra bonus is another track from Valfi that I found on his soundcloud–this one more of a contemplative acidic IDM trip (but still with those great mictrotonal melodies he’s clearly really into crafting). Both tunes are out for streaming, or on bandcamp via Istanbul-based label Bounce.

Valfi – “Bauns!” (sc)

Valfi – “Deep Yearning” (sc)

Derriziel Pierce – PlanetEaters

Another wild submission, for what’s shaping up to be a sort of atypical edition of this feature. This is from Derriziel Pierce, an American artist I can’t find much information about online. This track, as well as every other on the album Metagod revolves around a heavily manipulated vocal that sounds as if it may be Turkic throat singing (or at least very clearly referential of it). The whole album may just have been inspired by Dune, but it all feels like an attempt to summon some sort of nightmare spirit from beneath the steppes. No bandcamp for this, but the artist was kind enough to let me upload the mp3 here–it’s also out for streaming all over.

Derriziel Pierce – “PlanetEaters” (mp3)

Garum Trophex – Synapsis Sporata

Finally, another one from left field (at least for me lately), by an enigmatic Brazilian artist named Garum Trophex. This is track is so clean and straightforward in its references and structure that it almost borders on progressive techno, but I couldn’t help but find myself captured by it. It may not be my usual speed, but it’s hard to deny how well this is put together, or how well this would work on a lot of floors. True to the artist’s apparent arcane streak, in the few weeks since this was sent to me, the track (and the whole album on which it was released) has been scrubbed from the internet. Nonetheless, the artist sent me the mp3 asking me to post it, so I’m gladly sharing it with you all now. So, no bandcamp or streaming; as far as I can tell, this post will be the only remnant of the work remaining.

Garum Trophex – “Synapsis Sporata” (mp3)

schutz und rettung – unterland

Two satisfying submissions from Zurich’s schutz und rettung (real name Rachid Freudemann), a pseudonym that literally translates to “protection and rescue” — but which is a term used for emergency services, so would more accurately be translated as something like “search and rescue.” I don’t know much about the artist, but the music is as warm as it is taut. “unterland” evokes the qualities of a Caribou b-side; energetic playful syncopation bathed in candlelight. “dumBo Centrale” strikes some of the same notes — but with a glittery and flourishing melodic quality, and a stiffer rhythm reminiscent of something AG Cook might program. No bandcamp for this record unfortunately, but it’s streaming everywhere, and Freudemann was kind enough to let me share with you the mp3s of the songs.

schutz und rettung – “unterland” (mp3)
schutz und rettung – “dumBo Centrale” (mp3)

Orange and Mountains – Via Appia Antica
Ambitious and compelling ambient experimentation from Italian duo Orange and Mountains (Edoardo De Din and Lorenzo Pesci). Written and produced in the Dolomites, this is a bit of an outlier on their new album Pareti, most of which is somewhat edgier, and closer to post-rock. “Via Appia Antica” instead feels like it could be an illustration of the trek up Marmolada; a slow, shuffling initial ascent supported by the twang of dynamic rope, followed by a laborious push through high altitudes, ultimately leading to ecstatic transcendence as the summit is finally reached. Pareti is out now for streaming and on bandcamp.

Orange and Mountains – “Via Appia Antica” (bc)

Planum Collective – Loess
Last but certainly not least is a brilliant tune from Finnish Planum Collective, comprising producers Recue and Tuune Pauler, and brass player Aki Himanen. This is their first song as a trio — a pristine piece of electronica that manages to marry sharp and busy drum programming with layer after layer of textured enveloping atmosphere, without ever running out of enough headroom for Himanen’s brass to float away. Really beautifully executed stuff, I’m eager to hear more. Out now for streaming or on bandcamp.

Planum Collective (Recue, Aki Himanen, Tuune Pauler) – “Loess” (bc)

Leotrix – Dub for Moving On

Delightfully chonky tune submitted by Australia’s Leotrix, out now on Gud Vibrations. Sludge and euphoria all mixed up. No bandcamp unfortunately, but out for streaming all over.

Leotrix – “Dub for Moving On” (sc)

skurken – Nótt

Two elegant and atmospheric pieces submitted recently by Icelandic artist, skurken (real name Jóhann Ástuson). It’s a cliche to say that Iceland itself inspires this sort of halcyon and serene electronica, but listening to these, it’s kind of hard not to imagine yourself 500 miles away from the rest of civilization lying on volcanic earth staring up at a sky-wide pale green and pink auroral display. Grab these on bandcamp as part of skurken’s latest full length Nótt, out earlier this year on Touched Music.

skurken – “Móatún 7” (bc)
skurken – “Monstrum Nox” (bc)

Hydraulix & Chef Boyarbeatz – Rudeboi

Last up is a track that evokes the Palms Out of yesteryear. A collaboration between Australian Hydraulix and American Chef Boyarbeatz, this is classic 140, full of sharpened wubs, familiar break fills, and skittering steppy drums. Can’t be too mad at a tried and true formula when it’s properly executed. I don’t know about you, but original or not, this kind of thing can still put a nice big smile on my face. No bandcamp for this, but out for steaming all over.

Hydraulix & Chef Boyarbeatz – “Rudeboi” (sc)

Aren’t we all looking for love? A constant ringing in my ear lately has been that Jungian idea that loving someone else is easy, but loving yourself is as painful as gripping a red-hot iron. Loving someone else is an escape, but no matter how hard we try to avoid it, we eventually must return to ourselves.

I’ve written about Melbourne-based re:abel (real name Ryan Gasparini) a couple of times in the past. He sent over this bouncy lil’ roller the other day, and it’s a gem. Not overly complicated, but super infectious. Consistent with the subject matter, a brief escape to permit a little relief from the process of individuation and self actualization. No bandcamp for this one, I’m afraid, but the artist has been kind enough to let me share the mp3. Also available for streaming all over.

re:abel – “LFL” (mp3)

After a long summer vacation, I returned to this record in my inbox, sent over by an artist named To the Tide, who also makes music as Silk Static, based in Vancouver, BC. According to the artist, Sleepless Sunrise is meant to reflect those sweet mornings after a night too exciting to consciously close. Seeing the sun rise on those mornings is probably among the last swells in a series of heart gushing or positively delirious moments. It might have been the euphoria of the rave; or that intuitive bond between friends that bordered on the telepathic, keeping them rapt all night long; or just the buzz and unstoppable flutter of a new crush. But the dawn comes nonetheless, bittersweet as it might be.

Sleepless Sunrise is without doubt a romantic record, from the deeply tender and brittle closer “Flourish,” which is my favorite of the six, to the lumbering optimism of “Cathartic Koto” and traipsing serenity of “Thoughts Unclouded.” But as much as this may be a record primarily concerned with capturing the warmheartedness of a morning following a night of human connection, it could probably equally serve as a comfort for those who’ve been up all night for the opposite reasons. It could be a gentle reminder that even those hypomanic lonely nights anxiously flitting from one distraction to another can end in a nourishing cleanse of light and quiet.

Sleepless Sunrise is out now on bandcamp, or for streaming.

To the Tide – “Flourish”

Her Waveform – Study

First up today is this pair of strong submissions from Her Waveform, an artist from Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. Both of these are from an upcoming album, due later this year, all of which is built largely from improvised stereo track recordings with no editing after the fact. The first is a cut of gritty propulsive abstract modular techno, where the second tends towards the dreamy and transcendent side of midtempo broken beat and glitch hop. You can grab both of these on bandcamp or stream them wherever you tend to do that sort of thing.

Her Waveform – “Study”

Her Waveform – “Plictisit” (bc)

True Blue & The Bird – Truest of Blues

Next up is a heavenly bit of melancholy throwback euro-dance-pop. A collaboration between Danish artist The Bird (real name Yunus Rosenzweig) and True Blue (Maya Laner), whose earworm single “No Water” became a surprise rinse of mine a few years ago. Notably, Rosenzweig appears to have collaborated with a who’s who of the Danish pop-arthouse scene, and Laner is currently a member of Caroline Polachek’s excellent live band. No bandcamp for this unfortunately, but you can find it on all the streamers, and the artists have generously allowed me to share with you the mp3.

True Blue & The Bird – “Truest of Blues” (mp3)

True Blue – “No Water” (sc)

not yes – switchblade knife shit

Last but not least is this energetic roller from Dutch producer not yes, a nod to the ravier side of US breaks. I don’t know anything else about not yes, but this track is a straightforward and effective dancefloor tool, so I can definitely recommend it. You can grab this on bandcamp or for streaming, but not yes has generously provided the mp3 for all the DJs out there interested in taking this for a spin.

not yes – “switchblade knife shit” (mp3)