Bill Anagnos – The Sizzler [PHXS07]

PHXS07 comes from the Athenian experimentalist Bill Anagnos. It is the final outcome of several projects and performances held in 2019. Throughout long periods of almost complete isolation and loneliness and with a basic amount of audio equipment those 11 tracks are mainly fragments of manually managed and arranged in house performances using two analog synthesisers, a turntable, a loop station and a cheap sampler. Obvious is the influence of Kraut rock and retro wave due to the severe use of synthesisers and locked grooves.

Bill Anagnos – The Sizzler [PHXS07]

Boris Divider – Generative Operations [DCOM016]

After a long break of around seven years, Drivecom the Spanish label based on advanced electro conducted by Boris Divider is back again to the scene delivering a minimal concept (as stated on its first roots) but with avantgarde elements to keep a vibe on the contemporary edge. This is the first episode of a new project under the name of “Generative Operations”. A project born from a new vision and workflow at the B. Divider’s studio. From the technical side, the use of massive modular synthesis and generative sequencing make the tracks to be different each time are being played, so here you have a unique recording of a certain moment as if it was and imprint of an instant. Also the minimalistic percussion tries to be slowly developed in an electro rhythm structure. In the other hand all the tracks have a cinematic vibe, it seems as they were composed thinking about to fit in any hi-tec sci-fi thriller movie. Granular sythesis pads, background noises, experimental compression routines help to fullfill the vision. At the moment of this info three volumes are being planned to be released in this year 2020.

listen

Boris Divider – Generative Operations [DCOM016]

VA – Cold Light, Low Tide [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Brokntoys presents “Cold Light, Low Tide” a free digital compilation of tracks from affiliated artists, featuring Black Propaganda, Obergman, K100 Signal, Trance Remix, Annechoic, Non Punire and XY0815.

VA – Cold Light, Low Tide [FREE DOWNLOAD]

CPR – Cyber Punk Romance [MKV1/369.004]

Weird shapes emerge from the darkness, illuminated only by muted street lamps and neon signs. The CPR album sifts through the shadows of night life decadence, influenced dimly lit romantic and mysteries that lurk on the streets in the early hours of the morning. CPR is a collaboration of a mysterious Berlin duo of lovers, Alexandra Ismalone and Tobias Lisius. Together they conjure a sound that paradoxically traverses darkness and brightness – diving into the depht of the unconsciousness leading to a hypnotic, transportive and psychedelic state done within a dark, intriguing and mysterious way.

listen

CPR – Cyber Punk Romance [MKV1/369.004]

Lorenzo Morresi – Objet Melodie [FBNM020]

‘Objet Melodie’ is a combination of real instruments, synthesizers, drum machines and samples, involving genres from different countries of the world. It’s like being on a surreal oasis, where music is eclectic but also meditative or just for a dance. Interconnecting with the whole planet, imagining or living in different countries and trying to relate with diverse cultures and experimentation. Lorenzo-Giulio Morresi combined real instruments like Roland TR-707, Roland JUNO-60, a Gibson Memphis guitar, marimbas and steel drums with percussions samples taken from his personal record collection. The other musicians involved are Stefano Ubaldini who plays the intro in ‘Rituel’ with an amazing hand-made guitar called ‘Slitar’, inspired from an Indian Sitar made with a broken metal window he picked up in a London backyard. Fabio Mina is playing flutes on several tracks, like the Hulusi from China and the Nose Flute from Hawaiian islands. Giuseppe Diamanti plays tenor sax outros. ‘Objet melodie’ is inspired by sounds, technologies and traditions from planet earth, with the hope of staying interconnected as much as we can.

listen

Lorenzo Morresi – Objet Melodie [FBNM020]

Jaki Liebezeit & Burnt Friedman / Burnt Friedman & Joao Pais – Eurydike [NON50]

Joao Pais Filipe (drums) and Burnt Friedman (electronics) ultimately hypnotize their audience by activating cosmic mechanics. Both refer to it as ‘automatic music’, yet their focus is on playing and exploring rare rhythmic modes; in Friedman’s terms: ”We organize pressure mediation according to mother nature.” Friedman & Pais left behind the consensus–artificial–paradise of cultural musical idioms, developing an immersive, archaic next level–dance music, deeply rooted in natural laws of motion. Yet informed by the works of Jaki Liebezeit – one of the most influential drummers of all time – Friedman & Pais pursue a different path. On side two the listener is confronted with two more recent, unreleased ”Secret Rhythms”– contributions.

listen

Jaki Liebezeit & Burnt Friedman / Burnt Friedman & Joao Pais – Eurydike [NON50]

Project X – Project X [BLACKLP006]

A non-partisan group primarily operational in the late 20th Century. Their only confirmed action was creating and compiling previously unreleased music to highlight various events of the time. Although there continue to be persistent rumors of technological inventions and other creative diversions, no evidence exists to support these ideas. The plans outlined in the half completed and frankly garbled manifesto was to distribute the music and text to several sources simultaneously in the hope of sharing the stories of the various situations that best needed attention. Most contacted media outlets initially postponed the release saying the information could interfere with ongoing operations and that disclosure might have minor effects on their prime narrative. Whilst the music survives, the text has been scrambled beyond recognition. The names of the situations, locations and characters have been changed but the story remains the same.

listen

Project X – Project X [BLACKLP006]

Ratsnake – ПЛЕДЖЕ [FREE DOWNLOAD]

New Gesloten Cirkel release on his bandcamp via his Ratsnake alias. On ПЛЕДЖЕ, the enigmatic producer compiles six tracks fresh our the studio and a bonus live version. Oozing in raw synthesis, fiery acid lines and classic hardware drum sounds they both embody a sound that is the elixir of life for the true analog freaks. Released as a pay-what-you-want download through the Gesloten Cirkel Bandcamp.

Ratsnake – ПЛЕДЖЕ [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Exhausted Modern ‎– Failing State EP [OMO1]

The first release on the OMO Recordings is coming from the Czech master Exhausted Modern. “Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society.” M. Foucault.

listen

Exhausted Modern ‎– Failing State EP [OMO1]

Zandvoort & Uilenbal – Folk Triumfator [NW024] FREE DOWNLOAD

“Folk Triumfator”is the second album by Zandvoort & Uilenbal, a ‘paramusical academic’ project of medieval music expert Jimi Hellinga and electronic musician Danny Wolfers. As Zandvoort & Uilenbal they appropriate historical instruments such as a 19th century Victorian harmonium, a medieval hurdy gurdy, an electro acoustic thumb harp and an mid 20th century German Mixtur Trautonium. These are cross bred with the usual arsenal of contemporary electronic instruments and seasoned with some sinister poetry in their North Sea coast temple of sensory sonic delights. We can write how conceptual and arty this all is but let’s just say this is hardcore dark ambient with lots of medieval drone space jazz influences to trip your mind out into a region where time and your opinions cease to exist.

Zandvoort & Uilenbal – Folk Triumfator [NW024] FREE DOWNLOAD

Muslimgauze – Return Of Black September [ARCHIVEFIFTYONE]

The excellent Black September, a continuous, five-part, 68-minute epic, is as formidably competent as ever, although more for the brooding, surreal nature of its soundworld than for its grooves, which here sound almost subsidiary. The soul samples and restlessly evolving minor-chord kaleidoscopes that unfold throughout the work is prima facie evidence of a musician on a roll. Boldly named after one of the most notorious Palestinian terrorist organizations, the group which carried out the Israeli Olympic athlete massacre in 1972, September matches it’s dark black artwork and design with equally doom-laden music (mastered as one track, despite the five separate song titles listed on the back).

listen

Muslimgauze – Return Of Black September [ARCHIVEFIFTYONE]

VA – Phormix – Mass Disorder [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Free download compilation from Athenian outfit Phormix; including tracks by Anatolian Weapons, Baz Reznik, Celldod, DJ Loser, Fragedis, Morah, Outermost, Penelope’s Fiance, Unhuman and many more.

VA – Phormix – Mass Disorder [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Cio D’Or – Fluidum III [SEM120]

Cio D’Or returns to Semantica with a new brand conceptual mini-LP. Self-styled “sound architect” and “music creator” Cio D’Or has been strangely quiet since releasing a ‘special edition’ of her “All In All” album back in 2016. Comeback EP “Fluidum III” is a fine collection of alien electronic workouts that sound like they were created via modular synthesis. What we get is six tracks built around watery sounds, swelling electronic motifs, spaced-out noises and occasional quirky rhythms. While some of the tracks – particularly “Climate” and “Celestial II” – boast deep but weighty kick-drum tracks in the techno tradition, for the most part the tracks are sparse, alien and devoid of dancefloor intent. The results are consistently alluring, albeit in a strange and spaced-out way.

listen

Cio D’Or – Fluidum III [SEM120]

Cucina Povera – Tyyni [LSSN067]

Tyyni is the third album by Finnish-born sound artist and musician Cucina Povera aka Maria Rossi. The second album recorded using a more studio-based scenario – as opposed to last year’s Zoom, a collection of in-situ, spontaneous recordings – Tyyni feels like a slowly unfurling mediation on the clash between nature and mechanical living, a rumination on the complexities of modern life that begin to unveil more about the inner landscape of the artist as it progresses. A Finnish word referring to still, serene weather, the title belies a new note of turmoil in Cucina Povera’s soundworld. Tyyni represents a more detailed focus on the sculpting of sounds that curl around Rossi’s hymnal vocal performances. It’s a more adventurous work than Rossi’s previous output that goes further into noise elements and vocal abstraction while maintaining the balance and ecclesiastical ecstasy of her debut Hilja.

listen

Cucina Povera – Tyyni [LSSN067]

Noah Gibson – Press On [NE72]

Noah Gibson marks his first appearance on Northern Electronics with an EP of plaintive meditations on his innermost causes and conflicts. Acidic enthusiasm spirals out of control in innumerable ways across ‘Press On,’ routing us through the reflective atmosphere that hangs heavy in the background of the thrilling adrenal spikes.

listen

Noah Gibson – Press On [NE72]

D.K. – The Goddess Is Dancing [GMV05]

Pivotal Parisian producer Dang-Khoa Chau aka D.K. pays sublime tribute to ancient Vietnamese spirit possession ritual, Hau Dong, on a fresh first vinyl edition of his 2019 cassette for Good Morning Tapes. ‘Goddess Is Dancing’ is a 40 minute trip that revolves around a handful of pieces of lilting, thmelodic percussion and aqueous atmosphere expressing D.K.’s imaginary interpretation of music used in Vietnamese ritual music. It unfolds as a ceremony in five parts honouring the mystical goddesses of Forest, Water and Heaven, with music both relaxing and energising in a way that’s intended to aid dancers’ transmogrification from human vessels into spirited beings.

listen

D.K. – The Goddess Is Dancing [GMV05]