The North Borders by Bonobo (2013)

Kind of Like: Nujabes, Tycho, Air France
Genres: Electronica, Downtempo
Preview:


Listening to lots of downtempo electronic stuffs lately.  This is Bonobo's fifth album I believe, and it's another hell of a banger to indulge in.  Enjoy!

Listen Here:

All Hail Bright Futures by And So I Watch You From Afar (2013)

Kind of Like: Fang Island, Adebisi Shank, You Slut!
Genres: Indie, Math Rock, Post-rock
Preview:


ASIWYFA's last release in 2011, Gangs, was easily one of my favorites from that year.  As far as fast-paced, epic, math rock goes, these guys along with Adebisi Shank are the front runners.  If you don't like Adebisi Shank, you definitely won't like this because as soon as the intro track starts, that's who I started thinking of.  That and Invalids because the track is called Eunoia (Quick trivia: Eunoia is the shortest English word containing all five main vowel graphemes).  This album hasn't come out officially yet, so all the links are disappearing fast...

Listen Here:

A.M. Transmissions by NyE (2012)

Kind of Like: Nujabes, Will Sessions, Flying Lotus
Genres: Electronica, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ambient
Preview:

This kid from California is only 17 years old, but he is already starting to make some waves with this debut album.  I feel like it can get redundant at times, but that's the ambient influences bleeding through.  Overall, this creates some really chill soundscapes that I can get down with.  He also seems to be experimenting in other areas as well; "Cellular-17" is dangerously close to what I would call dubstep (womp, womp, womp, womp) but fortunately it still fits with the rest of the album.  It is only fitting that this young producer is still finding his comfort zone with the first release, but I think the real challenge will see how he grows and what he ends up making next.

Listen Here:

Best of 2012: Electronica/Hip Hop

Seems like there is a growing number of people that aren't into the whole best of the year list thing.  Personally, I like reflecting on the year and showcasing the best that was offered up.  So, yeah, I am going to do it again this year.  I am going to kick things off with the Electronica/Hip Hop section because it is the shortest list and therefore the least time consuming.  Also, I kind of want to revisit the best of 2011 as well eventually because I think after a year of reflection, things may look a lot different.

Couple stipulations: 1) I try to avoid including bands I directly release material for just to be unbiased (so samplers are excluded), 2) I try to only use material that was posted on here, but sometimes there is stuff that is too good to not include, 3) Some really good albums may not make the list just due to time constraints and I am not familiar enough with them.  Consequentially, 4) there will be far less material represented than last year, seeing that there are about half as many albums featured this year compared to last.

5. Koda Vista by Joywave

That's a dad if I ever saw one.

This little EP is catchy as all get out, and I liked it after one listen.  It is the definition of short and sweet.  Not neccesarily ground breaking but I can't deny the amount of time I have listened to this and the waves of joy that went through me each time.  HUZZAH!

4. BBNG002 by Badbadnotgood

Badbadnotgood surfaced in 2011 with really smart music, and some great throwbacks to the music that influenced them.  Jamming out popular music from a different perspective connected people with their album, and it made our best of list for that year.  They continued with a similar approach on their latest album from this year; they remodeled popular material but had enough original material to confirm how legit they were.  In a lot of ways, this release is the complete opposite of the Joywave release.  Instead of a simple approach, these guys have so much technical skill and thrive off intricate compositions.

3. Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus

There is so much to like about the airy and smooth attitude that FlyLo has in each of his albums.  After watching the short video for "Putty Boy Strut", I was hooked.

2. Opus at the End of Everything by The Flashbulb

My love for Benn Jordan and all of his musical endeavors is pretty well-documented, so it should come as no surprise that his latest made it up here.  The only thing holding this one back for me is the length and amount of ambiance that could be argued is just "filler".  Other than that, this one is a trip.

1. Keys to the Kuffs by JJ Doom

My love for DOOM is also very documented very well.  It's amazing though how much this one has grown on me.  This collaboration between Jneiro Jarel and DOOM didn't impress me right off the bat, but the weird beats grew on me.  DOOM has been kind of surrounded in controversy; the latest is his exile in England.  All of the outside stuff aside, it will be nice to see what he does once he gets settled back home.  Until then, this collaboration is somthing to groove to, which I have been listening to much more lately than when it initially came out.  Not only do you get some classic verses from DOOM, but JJ flexes his skill as a producer of many varieties.

Monet on the Dance Floor by Sugar Baron (2012)

Kind of Like: Rubik, Portugal. The Man, Stateless
Genres: Indie, Indie Pop, Electronica, Experimental
Preview:


"Sugar Baron is a beat-driven musical experiment that mixes Motown influences with a modern twist of driving guitars and buttery electronic beats. The Michigan trio consists of Ryun Weber (English, formerly The Lunar Calendar, Cerilia, IKILLJACK), Randy Nelsen (formerly The Lunar Calendar, Cerilia) and Jan Kruszewski (formerly Memory to Matter)."
- Bandcamp

Time for something different, guys.  I get a heavy vibe of downtempo Portugal. The Man song parts from this band, but overall, they are very different from PTM.  The mixture of electronica and indie results in swirling, catchy tunes.  They are in the midst of planning a new tour, so look out for that as well.

Listen Here:

Collections 01 by Teebs (2011)

Kind of Like: Nujabes, Flying Lotus, Air France
Genres: Electronica, Hip Hop
Buy: Discogs
Preview: Grooveshark

Teebs is skateboarder Mtendere Mandowa.  He ended up meeting Flying Lotus and Samiyam at an event, and eventually immersed himself into that style of music.  An achille's injury led him to focus more on music, and he ended up rooming with Flying Lotus and Samiyam.  The  result was some really smooth, intelligent jams.  I have been hooked on his material since it got recommended to me through last.fm.  Think more along the lines of peaceful yet rhythmic music like Nujabes instead of Flying Lotus's more disjunct, aggressive style.

On a more serious note, if you are an american citizen, I really hope you guys take the time to vote.  I know many of us feel very apathetic and insignificant about politics, but even if you don't pick a president, there are still a variety of important state amendments on the ballot that will have an immediate and noticeable effect on you.

Listen Here:

Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus (2012)

Kind of Like: J Dilla, Quasimoto (Madlib), Teebs, Mono/Poly

Genres: Electronica, Hip-hop, Experimental

Buy: Bleep/Warp Records

Preview:

I think that video preview is enough, but the phrase "feat. Thom Yorke" in the track listing should also be pretty convincing.

Listen Here:

EP by Lord Kaye (2012)

Kind of Like: Adebisi Shank, Battles, Yeasayer
Genres: Electronica, Math Rock
Preview:

Be forewarned, if you hate Adebisi Shank, then you will most likely hate this band.  This is the debut solo album for the guitarist of said band.  It's a mathy electronic mess, and you can definitely hear what he lends to his band Adebisi Shank, which is...a lot.  There are even recognizable melodies from Adebisi albums integrated in this EP.

Listen Here:

Self-Titled EP by Revengineers (2012)

Kind of Like: Fang Island, Noisewaves, Robot Science
Genres: Indie, Electronica, Chip, Emo
Buy: Bandcamp
Preview:


I was going to wait until after work tonight to throw this up.  However, I just listened to this in the shower for a total of like three or four full play-throughs and I want to put it up now.  I already know that Hop Along, Joywave, Living Room, and these guys are going to make up the majority of what I listen to while I am on the road for the two weeks with Peace Be Still in a week or so.

I like "chip" music (music that uses nintendo sound effects), but it wasn't something I could listen to for long periods of time because it just sounded to synthetic being completely composed of video game sound effects.  This band from Rochester, NY takes music like Fang Island along with some mathy noodles and adds in the chip effects with modified nintendo gear to make something that is really great.  I need to leave for work and get started on another listen of this.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Revengineers - "Exploding Threat"

Koda Vista by Joywave (2012)

Kind of Like: Air France, Robot Science, Neon Indian, Rubik
Genres: Indie, Electronica, Chillwave
Buy: Bandcamp
Preview:


This may be too poppy for some, but fuck it, I am really enjoying this right now.  Joywave is an indie pop band frm Rochester, New York and they are catchy as all get out.  They have a couple of pretty unique packages for sale on their Bandcamp.

The New Hire Bundle includes: 1) a Hi-quality download of "Koda Vista"in its entirety, and 2) a Physical 20-page 8.5"x5.5" "Koda Vista" lyric and art book.

The Director Bundle includes: 1) a Hi-quality download of "Koda Vista"in its entirety, 2) a Physical 20-page 8.5"x5.5" "Koda Vista" lyric and art book, 3) a Signed "Corporate Memo" on resume paper numbered to 100, and 4) Joywave Industries logo coffee mug.

The Executive Bundle includes: 1) a Hi-quality download of "Koda Vista"in its entirety. 2) a Physical 20-page 8.5"x5.5" "Koda Vista" lyric and art book. 3) a Signed "Corporate Memo" on resume paper numbered to 100. 4) a Joywave Industries logo coffee mug. 5) a 1 share of stock from the Eastman Kodak Company and stock certificate*. *Ceremonial certificate only. Buyer will receive credit to purchase Kodak stock independently of artist. No stock transfer will take place between artist and buyer.

This has to be the first time I have seen stock shares involved in buying an album.  Did they make some kind of deal with Kodak or something?  I don't understand.

I know an album is good when I keep changing my mind for which song to put on the StreamPad as the music goes on.  This is getting pretty cliche to say now, but this is a great fun summer time ride.  Roll the windows down.  Stay thirsty, my friends.  Wait until you get home in front of a bonfire before you start knockin' em back though.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Joywave - "Smokestacks"

Skai Nine - Ember [2012]

For Fans Of: Southern Shores, Washed Out, Radioseven

Genres: Electronic, Chillwave, Experimental

Spotify: Facebook

Preview:

Here's something from an electro-based music artist based in Washington DC. A self-proclaimed music schizophrenic (but otherwise normal person...or so we're told), Skai Nine draws inspiration from hip-hop and synth-pop sounds of the 80s. The song up in the preview is the electro-distorted funk single that just dropped as part of a string of free singles that will be released this spring. An EP containing all the singles as well as some other new material is set to come out on DhARMA (indie electronic label founded in 2012) this summer, so stay tuned for that!

Beware and Be Grateful by Maps & Atlases (2012)

Kind of Like: Radiohead, Minus the Bear, Look Mexico
Genres: Indie, Folk, Electronica, Math Rock
Buy: Insound
Spotify: Clitty clitty, bang bang
Preview: Paste Magazine

Warning.  Fans of old Maps & Atlases that don't like the direction they are going, you might as well stop reading now.  They haven't regressed back to their original EP.  If you are looking for that kind of music, check this out.

Oh, you're still here?  Well, that means you are open to where they were heading slowly but surely, or actually already are very into electronic/indie music.

I have to admit, when I first saw the teaser for this album and heard the music at the end of it, I was very skeptical.  I felt like they had gone too far.  The dancy, synthetic drum beats, the emphasis on airy, vocal layering.  Had they done too far for me?  I like to say that I liked Perch Patchwork, not nearly as much as I liked older material, but I still enjoyed it at certain points.

I am a sucker for dancy, indie music.  If it comes on and it is catchy and makes me want to jig about (get jiggy wit it, rather), then I go for it.  That's better than standing in a corner and judging it, right?  This album is catchy.  I like to throw around the word: "safe" a bit, and it could be argued that this album is "safe".  But for them it isn't "safe", it is actually something foreign and new to them.  Here is their own David Dave Davison with more (sorry if it is Erin, or Shiraz or someone else, Paste Magazine didn't specify really, tsk tsk [I just wanted to say Dave a bunch]).

"To us, the changes feel somewhat gradual. I guess there wasn’t a specific inspiration to change, but that the album itself took on a life of its own. One thing that we tried to do was challenge ourselves in new ways with every track, which is something that started with Perch Patchwork. With this album, it was much more deliberate, as a desire to make sure we were moving into new territories. Each track, I think, has something that is deliberately challenging on an artistic, personal level, so that’s one thing that made it different."


If you come here a bit, you may have noticed the longer my posts are, the more I am arguing with myself on if I genuinely like an album or not as I keep listening to it.  If you weren't aware then I just outted myself.  Well, let's just get to the part you want, your precious link.  If you like where Maps was heading, enjoy the new textures, soundscapes, and journey in general.  If you didn't get past the first couple sentences, why are you still here?

Listen Here:

LOOK, CUTE TOTES TO TOTS TOTE YER TOTES IN

StreamPad: Maps & Atlases - "Remote & Dark Years"

BBNG2 by Badbadnotgood (2012)

Kind of Like: Modern jazz (NOT smooth jazz), awesomeness, The Beastie Boys, Danny Brown
Genres: Electronica, Experimental, Jazz, Hip-hop
Preview:

I featured this great Toronto band's first album last year, and it is something I still listen to quite a bit.  I just found out about this second album, so I am going through it right now.  My testes dropped when I saw this had dropped.  So far, it sounds even better than their first album.  I feel like after the success of their first album they really came into their own for this one.  I tend to throw around the "experimental" tag a big, but these guys are really it.  They did this in true jazz fashion as well; letting the listeners get a look into the jamming/improv process (like the Office, ya know?).

All I can say is "Flashing Lights" cover.  Fuckin' christ, so many good covers/jams on here.  Are these guys touring?  Goddamn, should've gone to Coachella.  They also appear to be coming to the UK, ya damn brits.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Badbadnotgod - "Flashing Lights"

Blackbird Blackbird - Summer Heart [2010]

For Fans Of: Small Black, Teen Daze, Washed Out

Genres: Electronica, Chillwave, Lo-fi

Spotify: Yes

Preview:

Mikey Maramag, AKA Blackbird Blackbird, is an electronica/chillwave musician from San Fransico, California. He just released a new single a month or so ago, which you can listen to here. I was planing on throwing that on the site, but it's just one song and I'm not even a big fan of it. So, download this album by him instead because 1) it's ten times better, and 2) it contains a chillwave version of "Float On". Yes, that "Float On". 

Listen Here

Streampad: Blackbird Blackbird - Float On

Phantasmagoria coming to UMD!

Phantasmagoria (not to be confused with the Japanese visual kei band) is an indie pop/electronica/experimental band from Detroit. Lianna Vanicelli and Christopher Jarvis are the two members, and they've agreed to grace the University of Michigan Dearborn campus with their presence as part of the WUMD music series!

If you're gonna be around the area on Thursday, March 22nd and wanna stop by, here's more info. There will be a live performance at 11:30 on the University Center stage, and an interview with the band will follow. And hey, it's free and open to the public! If you want to listen to more of the band, head on over to their Bandcamp, where you can purchase their newest 7" on clear green vinyl for about ten bucks.

(Classic) Plague Soundscapes by the Locust (2003)

"I wanted to change the way people perceive music, or maybe just destroy it in general."- Justin Pearson, bassist/singer

Kind of Like: Daughters (old), An Albatross, Ed Gein

Genres: Experimental, Mathcore/Grindcore, Electronica, Noise Rock

Spotify: Here

Preview: Myspace

Oh boy, found this cd in my car the other day, and boy did I have fun with it.  This album clocks in at just over 20 minutes and features 23 songs.  So, standard grindcore song lengths.  It is a quick album, but it is extremely memorable to me.  From the hectic accellerandos of "Earwax" to the awesome synthesizer break down thirty seconds into "Virgin" to the time signature switches flowing back in forth at the end of "Halfie in your Pants" to the final intense laser gun shots/beats in the closer "Pickup Truck".  That is a fragment, consider revising.  All of those song names are shortened versions of course, the names are quite long.  This is how grindcore should be.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: The Locust - How to Become a Virgin

Southern Shores - Atlantic EP [2011]

For Fans Of: Washed Out, Air France, Pinemarten

Genres: Electronica, Lo-Fi, Chillwave

Spotify: Yes

Preview:

Southern Shores is an Air France-esque Canadian duo on Cascine Records, and this is their latest EP. With its catchy beats, soul vibe, and disco influence, I expect this album to be on repeat in my car as soon as summer finally rolls back around. It's also available on vinyl for just ten dollars!

Streampad: Southern Shores - Antibo

Opus at the End of Everything by The Flashbulb (2012)

Nerd alert.

Kind of Like: Cloudkicker, Library Tapes, Venetian Snares

Genres: Electronica, Experimental, Ambient, Breakcore, Jazz
Spotify: Yesh
Preview:


I featured Benn Jordan's last album under his alias, The Flashbulb back earlier last year.  That album, Love as a Cold, Dark Hallway, was heavily jazz influenced; more so than most of his other albums.  Most of his work still has a minimal jazz influence whether it be chords or what not, and this new album is no exception.  However, this album reminds me more of the ambiance of Cloudkicker's latest album, Let Yourself Be Huge.  There is very limited jazz and even very limited breakcore involved in this album which ends up being quite a deviation from what you usually hear from Benn Jordan.  That's probably the best part about this guy's music though is that he is always experimenting with himself and his equipment.

I actually found out this new album dropped last night, and it really helped me get through my studies.  It is simply massive as well.  He just came out with Love about a year ago, and then he drops this hour long 25 track album.  Granted, it isn't his most technical and impressive music I have heard, but I highly recommend all of Benn's work, he is a really great musician/composer.

Listen Here:

Streampad: The Flashbulb - It Never Ends

††† (Crosses) - EP †† (EP II) [2012]

For Fans Of: Matthew Dear, Deftones,

Genres: Electronic, Experimental, Ambient

Spotify: Yes'm.

Preview:

††† (pronounced "Crosses") is the side project of Deftones singer Chino Moreno, Far guitarist Shaun Lopez, and Scott Chuck. They came out with EP † (I) last year, and this is the follow-up. Pretty catchy electronica with some darker elements mixed in there as well. Moreno described the project as "minimal and soothing and it's sort of like the stuff I like listening to when I'm not screaming my head off." If you like this, you can download their debut EP on their website.

Ps. Click "Download"

Drive Soundtrack - 2011

For Fans Of: Matthew Dear, Electric Youth, The Chromatics

Genres: Electronica, Synth Pop, Ambient

Preview:

College feat. Electric Youth - A Real Hero by College

After finally watching this earlier tonight, I am convinced that Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn managed to make one of the best movies of last year. From the unique cinematography, to the suspenseful action/brutal murder scenes, to the great cast (Ryan Gosling - making jean jackets look too good, Carey Mulligan - making short haircuts on girls look too good, Bryan Cranston - of Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle, and Christina Hendricks - of Madmen), and last but not least, the '80s electronica-inspired soundtrack, this movie stands as a truly impressive thriller.

Artists on the soundtrack include: Cliff Martinez, College, and Desire. Just like the movie, it winds back and fourth between calm and calamity; kicking things off with electronica, veering off into a more ambient sound, and then into a darker disco sound. When put together, the score provides a dark, seductive atmosphere. One fan wrote: "Fact: Listening to the Drive soundtrack will make you fifty times cooler", and I couldn't agree more.

So go ahead and grab a lady or gentleman friend, have some wine, and enjoy it, as well as the movie.