I hope this month’s Soundlab finds you well. I decided to go against my usual MO, which consists of recommending full albums, and present a collection of singles released during the slowly fading summer. If you find yourself in a location that is still warm, I hope that this will serve as a brief refreshment of sorts. If autumn has already arrived at your door, I hope that it will serve as a pleasant soundtrack for recollections of the previous months.
We will listen to some warm IDM; a fresh, albeit vintage-toned downtempo debut; a unique remix project connecting Mexico, Norway and UK; a few dance oriented tracks from Canada; and we will finish off with an exception to the singles “rule” in the form of an EP which mixes live instrumentation with skillful sound design, coming from southern Italy.
Four Tet – Mango Feedback
Kieran Hebden has been busy. Touring both sides of the Atlantic, preforming at the famous Glastonbury festival, releasing what many electronic music fans deemed to be the track of the summer, all while fighting his label for a fairer share of his streaming revenue.
It seems like a really tight schedule but he nevertheless managed to release yet another track, aptly titled Mango Feedback. The rigid beat and Kieran’s usual sample-play makes for a great end-of-the-season vibe.
Hagop Tchaprian – GL/Raining
Hagop Tchaprian is an English producer, freshly signed to Four Tet’s Text Records label. I can hardly imagine a greater recommendation for an electronic music producer than being invited to collaborate by Kieran Hebden himself!
The sounds found in those two tracks will certainly please fans of Boards of Canada, but at the same time, Tchaprian managed to avoid the feeling of plagiarism that often haunts musicians inspired by the legendary Scottish duo. GL requires some patience, but the “drop” is well worth the wait! The two tracks are leading up to a full LP, which is to be released later this year.
Carmen Villain – CV x Actress
Carmen Villain is a Norwegian-Mexican producer, usually working with field recordings, samples and synthesizers. After the release of her last album, she invited Darren Cunningham (Actress) to do a remix of a track off that album.
Actress, known for his original approach to composition, did not disappoint; although rather than remix a single track, he came up with an 8-minute long “impression” containing elements from all of the original album. The highly meditative, soft sounds create a mini-epic that is relaxing and focused at the same time.
Daphni – Clavicle
Dan Snaith is a Canadian musician, mostly known for his work under the Caribou moniker. Caribou released a live-from-studio recording last month that is also really pleasant to listen to.
The Daphni moniker is Snaith’s way of releasing music that is less popand more straightforward 4/4 house-influenced. Clavicle is the third single released in anticipation of an upcoming LP, which is dropping this autumn. All of the tracks so far have followed a similar formula: steady pulse, subtle synths, and pleasant melodies. Great sounds to put in the background of your commute or, if you feel like it, to pull out for a mini dance session at home.
Indian Wells – No One Really Listens to Oscillators
Pietro Iannuzzi is a producer who comes from a place not known for the kind of music he produces. His precise, at times cold IDM is not something many would associate with southern Italy. He grabbed my attention a few years back with an amazing track based on a field recording of 1980’s Wimbledon tournament, so I am happy to see how his work has been evolving over the course of this decade.
No One Really Listens to Oscillators is a surprising blend of live instrumentation (mainly percussion) and captivating sound design. If you enjoyed the works of James Holden, you will definitely enjoy this one as well. Stylistically, one could call it progressive electronic, but I believe it’s best to listen to it without any fixed preconceptions.
Listen to the full playlist below:
