French electro duo Zombie Zombie pay tribute to John Carpenter on an EP which turns out to be a worthy work in its own right.
Electronica
Working for a Nuclear Free City – Jojo Burger Tempest
Once again, travelling with Working for a Nuclear Free City is a bewildering experience, but not without its benefits.
John Kameel Farah plots UK dates
Mixing free-jazz, minimalist piano and gut-punching electronics has earned John Kameel Farah quite a reputation on the improv scene on the other side of the pond. This summer he’s bringing his spellbinding show to the UK.
Ash – A-Z Vol. 1
Half way through their year of releasing 26 new singles, Ash let us catch up with their progress so far on this impressive compilation of the first 13 songs.
Autechre – Oversteps
It seems that Autechre are emerging, perhaps, into a third creative era, and one that could be their most rewarding yet…
To Rococo Rot – Speculation
Speculation, the Berlin trio’s sixth full-length LP, is their warmest, most human album yet. Recorded in a secluded rural area of southern Germany ”like a band playing a live show”, the bucolic surroundings and more freeform dynamic are pleasingly evident.
Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Hot Chip pull in many different directions on this album. But can the humble listener keep up? Catriona Boyle reviews.
James Yuill – Earth & Fire EP
What happens when a musician remixes their own work? Catriona Boyle finds out.
Annie – Don’t Stop
Imperfect but frequently arrestingly exciting and undeniably cool, this is a solid album which is at least on a par with recent efforts by the likes of fellow Scandinavian starlets like Lykke Li and Robyn.
Metronomy – Not Fit For Love EP
‘Not Fit For Love’ is a minor watershed moment for Metronomy, as this EP is the first release from Metronomy HQ since band member Gabriel Stebbing left to concentrate on Your Twenties.
Edges – A New French Electronic Generation
If you’re in the market for a French electro compilation, you could (probably) do worse than this.
Introducing :: Gold Panda
Gold Panda makes organic electronica that brings to mind the best bits of The Field but, at its center, is a human heart to its processed exterior.
Thieves Like Us – Play Music
Play Music is kind of like the musical equivalent of instant mashed potato; a lazy filler, a substitute for something of real substance, and most worryingly, numbingly mundane and instantly forgettable.
Placebo – Battle for the Sun
It’s album number six for Placebo, but can they match the drama of that weighty title?
Various Artists – A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island
Almost an exercise in redundancy, A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island is scarcely psychedelic at all, but what it is is a “soundtrack” to accompany the works of artist and cartoonist Pete Fowler.
