Blue Hawaii - "Untogether"

Alex Cowan & Raphaelle Standell-Preston have made a fantastic debut LP together under the moniker Blue Hawaii.  Relaxing and hypnotic, the softly kinetic acoustics of "Try To Be" skitter under an ethereal new age wash.  Dubstep-esque drops harken the arrival of "In Two" before the song takes on new life as a trance-forged butterfly.  Unlike so much electronic music being made these days, Blue Hawaii manage to avoid so many of the same cliches and pitfalls that ensnare their contemporaries.  Infusing their sound with ambient and new age influences gives the entire affair a feeling of intimacy and meditative sensuality that will titillate devotees of The xx.  This is baby-making music that has depth and substance from a compositional standpoint.  Light some Nag Champa and get lost.

 

BLUE HAWAII - "UNTOGETHER"

Arbutus Records 2013

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The Range - "Nonfiction"

A seemingly out-of-nowhere release, "Nonfiction" was a pleasant surprise to me during the cool autumn months of 2013.  The Range has created an album which reminds me of some of my favorite parts of Bonobo and Four Tet without ever compromising his unique sound.  Jungle drums and R&B-indebted keyboards coalesce into a compelling froth, adding a signature twist to the downtempo goodness.  Not quite a total chillout album, as some of these albums could take on new life on the dance floor, "Nonfiction" is still a remarkably relaxing listen.  I've spent many a late night and early morning immersed in it, and it continues to draw me in nearly a year later.

THE RANGE - "NONFICTION"

Donkey Pitch/Project: Mooncircle 2013

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Zola Jesus - "Dangerous Days"/"Diamonds" (Rihanna Cover)

A preview from her upcoming album "Taiga," new single "Dangerous Days" may be the best thing I've heard yet from Zola Jesus. This shimmering, ethereal electronic composition is far more suited for play in the club than anything Nika Roza Danilova has produced to date. Zola's early work seemed more rooted in noise and experimentation, while recent years have found her flirting with mainstream pop sensibilities. As further evidence of this metamorphosis, I've also included her cover of Rihanna's "Diamonds." "Taiga" will be released October 7 on Mute Records.

 

Trust - "Joyland"

Originally formed as a collaborative effort between Canadian musician Robert Alfons and Austra's Maya Postepski, the project known as Trust has taken on a slightly different direction since the departure of Postepski in 2012.  Trust is now Robert Alfons and Robert Alfons alone, making slinky coldwave synth bangers that have the energy of early house music surging through them.  The sonic blueprint for Trust is still here, and if you enjoyed their debut, you'll most likely find that same level of enjoyment in "Joyland."  The two albums definitely are composed from the same aural DNA strands.  It's not to say that Trust have re-made their 2012 album, it's just a case of "the same, but different."  Icy synths, ominous bass & pitch-shifted vocals congeal deliciously to create the result you know and love as Trust.  There's enough crossover appeal to intrigue electronic music fans of all stripes, too.  It's not hard to envision fans of Tritonal losing their minds to the throbbing overdrive of "Peer Pressure" or "Geryon," just as it isn't difficult to King Krule worshippers swooning over the electro-backed baritone majesty of "Are We Arc?"  By painting with such subtle variations on a strongly-defined palette, Trust have managed to create a welcome sophomore outing that offers comfort food for the moody soul.

TRUST - "JOYLAND"

Arts & Crafts Records 2014

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Synkro - "Acceptance"

I feel like I'm doing a disservice to both Synkro and Volor Flex by posting their albums so close to one another.  It's not that the two are necessarily similar in sound, but they both have the unfortunate similarity of being compared to a certain mysterious UK dubstep producer who shall remain nameless.  Ok, it's Burial.  The thing is, Burial has become synonymous with this sound, which makes it difficult to review other releases within the genre without at least cross-referencing him in some way.  But where Burial is more likely to whip and chop his beats into a frantic groove that gets bodies moving, Synkro is content to work his magic in a more downtempo way.  Penultimate track "Mutual Divide" is a spare, melancholic paean that conveys a sober mood before the robotic seduction of "Don't Want" wraps you up in a blanket of binary code & kisses you goodnight.  This is subtle post-dubstep that is perfect for that late-night/early-morning comedown.

SYNKRO - "ACCEPTANCE"

Apollo Records 2013

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Ghost Cinema - "Ghost Cinema"

Bandcamp is a pretty amazing tool.  In the few years since I first heard of the site, it has lead me to discover countless bands & musicians I would have never known existed.  Take Munich electronic producer Ghost Cinema, for example.  I found Ghost Cinema's debut release last spring while sifting through the electronic music section on Bandcamp, and was immediately captivated.  I have listened to the entire album all the way through dozens of times, entranced by the bubbling synths & murky snare hits.  I immediately scoured the information superhighway for anything I could find on this producer or album, but to no avail.  There isn't any information about Ghost Cinema on Bandcamp, and an internet seach proves similarly futile.  With under 100 listeners on Last.fm, it's safe to say that Ghost Cinema remains unknown to a good deal of the world.  However, a few more releases with as much to offer as this promising debut should shine a spotlight on this mysterious German producer.  If you enjoy downtempo electronic music somewhat akin to what the Tri-Angle label offers up, spend some time with Ghost Cinema.

GHOST CINEMA - "GHOST CINEMA"

Self-released 2013

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Volor Flex - "Unlit"

You won't find any Burial comparisons in this review.  Nope.  Not a one.  At no point in talking about Volor Flex will I attempt to equate the producer with his equally enigmatic sonic brother Burial.  That would just be lazy hack journalism, the kind that we here at Monster Poison decry.  To even think about comparing Volor Flex to Burial would do a disservice to the music contained within "Unlit."  While there may be some surface comparisons that could be made to the popular dubstep upstart, Volor Flex's third album is no mere homage or tribute act.  The young Russian producer may work with the same tonal palettes and textures as Burial, but this album holds up when analyzed independently.  "Unlit" is an apropos name for the record, as everything about it is rendered in shades of grey.  Synths reverberate across the skittering beats as mournful vocal samples pop in the background.  Again, I am not comparing this album to Burial in any way, shape or form.  I would certainly never suggest that if you enjoy the "Kindred" and "Rival Dealer" EP's, you should run out immediately and track down a copy of Volor Flex's "Unlit."  Because I've got journalistic integrity, and that's what matters. 

VOLOR FLEX - "UNLIT"

Dark Clover Records 2013

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Work Drugs - "Delta"

You want a summer record?  Here's your summer record.  Work Drugs nailed everything they were going for on their fourth album, "Delta."  Every aspect of this record glistens and shimmers, from the sparkling synths to the dreamy production to the whispery vocals.  A band that "makes music specifically for boating, sexting, dancing, yachting and living," Work Drugs have crafted the perfect soundtrack to your next summertime shindig.  Just as appropriate for nighttime listening in the bedroom as it is for grooving on the deck of a catamaran, "Delta" is full of subtle dance-floor bangers that will get stuck in your head all day long, but with enough staying power to keep you coming back for more.  Tracks like "Rad Racer" and "License To Drive" will be staples for that summer playlist on the way to the coast.  A great album to explore on a sunny July weekend.  Dip into this & then explore the rest of the Work Drugs discography.  If you like synthpop, you won't be disappointed.

WORK DRUGS - "DELTA"

Bobby Cahn Records 2012

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Cloudkicker - "Let Yourself Be Huge"

Cloudkicker is the alias of Ben Sharp, who has been making music under that name for 7 years now.  Mixing metal, electronica and post-rock into a blurred concoction that soothes as much as it riffs, this particular EP reminds me of a reflective instrumental version of Minus The Bear in some places with some finger-tapping goodness.  Cloudkicker's music has taken on many forms over the years, but this release is definitely my favorite.  Not as aggressive or pummeling as some of his other works, this mini-album is truly where Cloudkicker comes into his own as an electronic producer.  If you like Tycho, you'll swoon over Cloudkicker.  Listen to this on the beach with a summer sunset behind you and experience bliss.

CLOUDKICKER - "LET YOURSELF BE HUGE"

Self-released 2011

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XXYYXX - "XXYYXX"

Marcel Everett, known more commonly to music fans as XXYYXX, is a wunderkind producer.  Seamlessly blurring the lines between hip hop, garage, dubstep and chillwave, Everett has created something new out of a familiar pastiche akin to sonic spiritual brethren Clams Casino.  Seeing him open for CHVRCHES last year at the tender age of 17 was touching, as Everett seemed emotionally overwhelmed at the positive crowd response he received.  He mentioned that it was the largest crowd he had ever performed in front of, but listening to this self-released album, it's easy to predict plenty of similarly big things in the future for this young gentleman.  His recent remixes for Usher, Beyonce & Waka Flocka Flame should be an obvious indicator of the brightness of his rising star.

XXYYXX - "XXYYXX"

Self-released 2012

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Clams Casino - "Instrumentals"

"Instrumentals" is a curious album.  Originally intended as a series of beats for rappers such as Lil B, Soulja Boy and A$AP Rocky, the chillwave beats are finely-crafted enough to stand on their own.  Grime and dubstep influences seep into the mix, creating a result that is both moody and ethereal.  Clams Casino, aka producer Mike Volpe, has created his own brand of chopped-and-screwed goodness here.  Standout tracks like "All I Need" and "Illest Alive" (which contains a fantastic Bjork sample) are sleek enough to relax to, while at the same time maintaining enough composition and originality to  keep the listener attentive.  A fantastic album to get lost to on a sunny day as much as it is a chillout record, "Instrumentals" is a fine showcase for Clams Casino's talent at the board. 

CLAMS CASINO - "INSTRUMENTALS"

Self-released 2011

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Jon Hopkins - "Immunity"

Jon Hopkins released one of the best electronic records of 2013 in his sophomore album "Immunity." The two sides of the record act as masterful counterpoints to one another.  Tracks 1 through 4 have an upbeat, house-influenced style.  "Open Eye Signal" reminds me of something off of "Kosi Comes Around" by DJ Koze.  However, for all the groovy goodness of the album's first half, it's the second 4 tracks that are the real stunners.  Elegant, ethereal and slightly mournful, tracks such as "Abandon Window" hit extra hard in their starkness after such a beat-oriented first half.  The closing title track is a gorgeous 10-minute slab of ambience that makes you want to sigh deeply and start the whole thing over again.  No matter what kind of electronica you fancy, you'll find something to latch onto in here.

JON HOPKINS - "IMMUNITY"

Domino Records 2013

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The Notwist - "Neon Golden"

Some albums truly stand the test of time.  I first heard "Neon Golden" by The Notwist over 11 years ago, and it has only gotten better with repeat listens.  Everything about it comes together to make a perfect record: the glitchy beats, the warm production, the simplistic lyrics and the sequencing of the tracks combine into a melancholic yet comforting soundscape.  These songs are just as appropriate for dancefloors as they are bedroom listening or cross-town headphone immersion.  Fans of The Postal Service or any of the Morr Music acts will find a lot to love here.  If you like electronic music with just a touch of sadness and introspection, you won't want to pass this up.

The version I have uploaded is the US import with 3 additional bonus tracks.

THE NOTWIST - "NEON GOLDEN"

Virgin/Domino Records 2002

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