múm Are Better Than Ever on ‘History of Silence’
History of Silence is a revelation from start to finish, because múm are back, and their adventurousness yields such compelling results. It’s their best album to date.
electronic
New LP Expertly Continues John Tejada’s Evolution
Even with its darker tones and layered feedback, The Watchline features some of John Tejada’s most beautiful music. It’s an electric evolution.
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Explores the Body’s Musical Resonance
Whether she’s creating music for the dance floor or the yoga studio, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith continues to blend disparate styles into her unique sonic melting pot.
Guedra Guedra’s ‘Mutant’ Is Breathtaking and Scintillating
Guedra Guedra’s new LP is filled with thoughtful assemblages of field recordings, digital and analog beats, and some of the year’s most luscious dancefloor melodies.
Bad Wisdom’s Artful Offensiveness
Bad Wisdom is a brilliantly savagely offensive, gleeful parody of the rock ’n’ roll messiah complex, the seeker-narrative, and the entire tradition of male spiritual self-aggrandisement.
Andrew Staniland Creates a Warm, Adventurous Sonic Ride
The Laws of Nature sees composer Andrew Staniland exploring new territory with brain waves and electronics. It’s a warm, adventurous sonic ride.
GoGo Penguin Move Forward with a Fresh Vibe
How GoGo Penguin build their sonic layers reveals genuine tone scientists, taking their time to distill a specific tonal alchemy rather than just cutting loose.
Great Area Captures the ‘Uncodable’ Nature of Human Fragility
As disorienting as they aspire to be, Great Area’s songs are both deeply affecting and oddly reassuring, capturing the ‘uncodable’ nature of human fragility.
Death in Vegas Have Never Never Sounded So Good
Richard Fearless delivers his most personal Death in Vegas album yet, 30 years into his career, on Death Mask. He’s never sounded so good.
Trax Records Bring Four Decades of Dazzling House Music Heat
This Trax Records compilation is essential because it brings underground songs into the limelight of streaming services for new audiences.
Matmos Build Emotive Collage from Found Objects
Matmos construct complex, layered soundscapes that are so unique, they inspire creativity rather than imitation. Most importantly, though, their music is emotive.
Jameszoo Finds Inspiration in Brilliant Collaboration
It’s no surprise that Jameszoo’s warm, textured compositions work in a variety of settings. Music for 17 Musicians is brilliant and inspired.