Old Apparatus “JPES”

08 Oct 2013 — Henning Lahmann

"JPES" is the first sign of life in 2013 – save a retrospective of sorts – of elusive London collective Old Apparatus, who pretty much made our last year with their impressive string of consecutive EPs. While some members have even started new exciting ventures in the meantime, the brand new track proves that OA have lost nothing of their momentum. "JPES" is the closing track of a convincing six-track EP named Epirtsder, which will be handed out for free sometime next week as a thank-you to fans and supporters of the group. As for sound and approach, nothing has changed since last year, and why should it have; still characterised by nocturnal underpinnings, the collective blends post-rock and dub-indebted electronics, creating dense and edgy arrangements that strive for score-like atmospheres. Where most of the EP lingers over ambient textures without enforcing suspense, "JPES" absorbs some bass-heavy elements that provide for a strong EP finish, underlining the group's signifying eeriness and uncanny otherness that made us fall for them in the first place.

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Face+Heel “Chipped Tooth (Ghosting Season Remix)”

08 Oct 2013 — Henning Lahmann

Face+Heel is the Cardiff-based duo of Sinead McMillan and Luke Taylor. After their 2012 debut on Warm Records, the project returns with the Chipped Tooth EP, which comprises three tracks plus a remix of the title track by Manchester's Ghosting Season. Where the original is characterised by McMillan's scattered and manipulated singing, striking an overall friendly note despite some twisted shades, the rework descends into notably darker territory, employing even more heavily processed vocals that at times remind us of Holy Other, a comparison fitting not only due to the projects' geographic proximity but the wistful yearning dripping out of every single note.

The Chipped Tooth EP is out now. Get it over at Boomkat.

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ALAK “Pass”

08 Oct 2013 — Henning Lahmann

For the next instalment of their ongoing "Limited Dubs" series (if you don't yet know what that means, click here), London's Kaleidoscope have recruited California-based artist ALAK aka J. Noir for more compellingly unwieldy sonic experimentation. Not sure if this is supposed to be noted or not, but in any case it's satisfying to observe label head patten staying devoted to push female musicians. Though relying on a bed of off-kilter synth constructions, ALAK's "Pass", the first track to be unveiled off of the five-track EP Guardian Petted, is surprisingly non-electronic. Sporting a noir-ish sheen and remarkably rusted drum patterns, the wave-indebted track is mainly carried by the artist's voice, which strainedly pierces through the underlying noise.

Guardian Petted is out October 21.

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Soft as Snow “Halo Heart”

07 Oct 2013 — Henry Schiller

Norwegian duo Soft as Snow (currently based in London) make synth pop for the interplanetary set. Their latest track, "Halo Heart", is cosmic in scope and tone; "Halo Heart" glides between meticulous, club-friendly directness and deep breaths of warped orchestration more than a little indicative of some proclivity for Asmovian space operas. "Halo Heart"'s six and a half minutes are varied enough that you never get too comfortable, and the vocals are stunningly idiosynchratic enough that you could never confuse Soft as Snow for just another band in the slugfest of European electro-pop.

Soft as Snow are about to embark on a small tour, starting on October 9 at London's Power Lunches Arts Cafe. Check out "Halo Heart" below and then head over to Soundcloud to listen to more tracks from Soft as Snow.

 

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Olan Mill “Cultivator”

04 Oct 2013 — Henning Lahmann

According to the label's press release, Hiraeth, a word of Welsh origin, "is defined as homesickness for a home to which you cannot return". Unsurprisingly, longing for the indistinct, inaccessible is the defining element of the latest work of Englishman Alex Smalley, who records music under the moniker Olan Mill. Exploring the crossroads between contemporary classical and more pop-infused and folk-indebted ambient experimentalism, Smalley's compositions are introspective musings that perfectly accompany solitary walks through whatever environment seemed familiar and trustworthy just a moment ago, now having obtained a sense of vague alienation. The five pieces on Hiraeth never evoke feelings of desolation or devastation, but the artist's music is invariably far away from easy listening pleasures, either. An arrangement like centrepiece "Cultivator" is truly beautiful in the strict sense, leaning towards the sublime; yet the music does not let go of an ambiguous suspense that is aimed at the listener's subliminal perception. This is autumn music, a work that doesn't call for passive absorption of the inevitabe change around us but for commitment, for a wanderer's dialogue with the passing of time.

Hiraeth is out this month on Preservation.

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Boska “Submarine”

04 Oct 2013 — Henning Lahmann

"Submarine", the a-side of his latest 12", is Boska's most coherent and convincing track to date. The Berlin via Norway producer's six minute 20 composition is a well-constructed treat, characterised by house-indepted, cut up and heavily manipulated female vocal samples that provide more than just an incidental, loosening accompaniment as seen on so many other generic house bangers but instead convincingly serve the track's overall intent. The piece refrains from entering straight-up 4/4 territory, leaving just enough shuffling groove to make your head nod in agreement.

The Submarine EP is out now on prestigious Munich imprint Permanent Vacation. Get the 12" over here.

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Stream: Mutual Benefit “Love’s Crushing Diamond” (exclusive)

03 Oct 2013 — Andi Wilson

In mid-may and a week after I moved to a new world (the city of Brooklyn), it was the rainiest night I had experienced living on the east coast thus far. Which is saying a lot due to the fact that I'm originally from Seattle. I was on my way to meet many people that play an extremely crucial part in this scene's DIY culture. One who at time feels more like kin, the ever-loving, Jordan Lee. I was so ecstatic to finally see a live set from Mutual Benefit. Though I had fallen for every past release (Figure in Black, Drifting EP,  Spider Heaven, Mutual Spirits, I saw the sea, and The Cowboy’s Prayer) a sensation was gathering in my thoughts that there could be no expectation for this performance, besides an unfamiliar set of emotions.

Jake Falby joins the MB set on violin, raising the level of intensity a bar higher. Myself and many other locals hear the single, “Advanced Falconry” for the first time that night. Looking amongst the audience, it was apparent how in awe we all were of these polished yet unheard ballads being performed for us in the cozy apartment. You immediately knew these songs had been constructed over years of time. It has been a long time coming for this album to be shared with the world.

Love's Crushing Diamond will intrigue your heart to flutter with anticipation, find balance in places you never knew, and shoot darts of nostalgia into your mind. The production and growth we are so kindly treated to with this album is remarkable. By virtue of all Lee’s travels, every track completes a different journey or story. Some are lullaby-ish goodbyes, others remind us of romance and heartbreak, and the rest of lush-like wanderlust. The recording process of LCD was very much a collaborative effort with contributions from members of Cry Guy, and Lizard Kisses, adding many more layers of unique energy to the album as a whole. As the album begins with “Strong River”, we profoundly end with “Strong Swimmer”. The cycle of thoughts orbit around your head at such abundance that these pop gems are difficult to not play on repeat.

Soon to be released by Brooklyn newcomers, Soft Eyes, Love's Crushing Diamond will be available on 12" vinyl and handmade, screen printed cd-r. If your heart so desires, you can catch Mutual Benefit perform at Father/Daughter's official CMJ showcase as well as a handful of northeastern dates in November.

You can pre-order the album here or feast your ears and stream in its entirety below:

In case you missed it, NFOP’s Tonje Thilesen also filmed this breathtaking session with Mutual Benefit last year:

 

/ talk softly, walk slowly /

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