30[eks] - thirtyx

Yet another Russian producer to grace the hallowed pages of my blog! Kind of different from the stuff I usually post, but still really good tunes. I heard about this fella from the collabs he did with Foner.

This is 30[eks]'s third release, titled ThirtyX, and it's an engaging, sprawling, set of 15 ambient IDM tunes. These well-crafted melancholy soundscapes, layered with synthy textures and haunting melodies, are sometimes evocative of artists like Boards of Canada, but ultimately develop a sound of their own.

Not an instant classic by any means, sometimes even flirting with cheesiness, but definitely worth a few listens.

checkit

P.S.
His previous two releases are available for download here.

new salem chunes

For some reason I've been fascinated by Salem ever since the first time I heard them. Probably partly because two of them are from my hometown. Some people go apeshit for them. A lot of people really dislike them. After listening to their discography, I initially decided that they pretty much sucked, but I respected that they were doing their own thing, and I even like one of their tunes, "Skullcrush."

So when a couple of their new tunes snuck out, I had to grab them. Out of that same curiousity that makes you look at car crashes and roadkill, I guess. But the second I hit play on iTunes, I was surprised. I was shocked. This new stuff completely blows the old stuff out of the water.

The tunes off Yes I Smoke Crack, Water, and OhK were mediocre at best. Kind of directionless, apologetic, overly-halloweened tracks with cheesy-sounding synths and drums. Like that goth girl you knew in high school. Mysterious and weirdly cute, but also lacking substance.

Anyway, these two new ones, "King Night," and "Asia," really make a statement. Gritty, dare I say catchy, synth melodies; huge-sounding crunk beats; distant vocal snippets (including a choral version of the christmas carol "O Holy Night" on the first track); all with that crackly, maxed-out mixer feel. It's like the old Salem grew a pair.

These tracks are at the very least worth a listen. You may hate them, and that's okay. I accept and consider all complaints. I'm also including a remix of "Asia" by San Fransisco's oOoOOO.

King Night (most recommended)

Asia

Asia (oOoOOO remix)

fly russia compilation

Lately, I've been coming across a lot of cool stuff coming out of the Russian beat scene, including this nice little compilation put out by Error Broadcast and Siberian tune blog called Gimme5. 15 downtempo tracks swimming in analog lo-fi hiss and crackle, ranging from super chill tunes like Miracle Libido's "Synesthesia" to Nowcow's speaker-threatening "Dynamicize." The only name I recognized on this comp was Moscow's favorite chip hopper Pixelord.

Very cool stuff. The only way I can think to put it is that the tunes just sound like Russia - at least the way I picture Russia in my head - surely the product of long, frozen nights fueled by a vodka swagger and post-soviet melancholy. The folks over at Error Broadcast are calling this "Slav Soul."

Check it

dam mantle - purple arrow ep

The Purple Arrow EP (september 2010), is the second release of these Glasgow button pushers, who you may remember from their remix on Gold Panda's You E.P. Dam Mantle absolutely slays this record. Skittering two-step rhythms provide the pulse for these ever-changing soundscapes of reverb-laden synths and distant vocals. It's a great ambient/experimental vibe, but with the drums brought out from behind the usual veil of fuzz and delay.

Straight from your download folder to your headphones. I can't wait to hear more from these fellas.

acquire here

return

hello, my precious few readers. i am back after dmca-inspired hiatus, ready to bring the heat to your download folders like chlamydia. i've been scouring the darkest regions of the internet, machete-ing my way through popups and malware like some kind of modern dystopian joseph conrad novel.

posting music soon. keep your ears open.

flyphonic - mosaic

"Mosaic," the debut release (2007) from a duo of Swedish beatsmiths called Flyphonic is a sick blend of hip-hop, jazz, and soul featuring Sweden's finest MCs and jazzers. It's pure sonic bliss. It's ear candy. Put it in your headphones and escape for a while. There isn't too much I can even say about this record.

Just listen to it.

DIG

Free the Robots - Ctrl Alt Delete

Well, I'm really sorry for double-posting here, but as I've been away for a few weeks, I feel the need to do some catching up. I just appropriated Free the Robots' latest release (from March 2010) and as I write this I am thoroughly enjoying its assault on my aural cavities.

Imagine that Nosaj Thing and Flylo had a baby, and that Shlomo and Starkey were the godparents. This would be the music that the baby would listen to while exploring futuristic cities at night. In a space-car.

Belie DAT.