Daft Punk, Alive 2007

People came staggering away from Thomas Bangalter and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo’s world tour this year like Saul of Tarsus arriving in Damascus and explaining why he was late. The robot helmets!, they burbled. The pyramid! The lights! Good God, … Continue reading →

Dan Deacon, Spiderman of the Rings

Spiderman of the Rings could be sublime genius, irritating madness, or both. Deacon is the Salvador Dalí of electro, an absurdist composer whose songs seem constructed on the basis that if you throw enough in, some of what emerges will … Continue reading →

Preview

Pop: Hot Chip, London | Bridget St John, London

LCD Soundsystem, 45:33

This continuous piece of music (the title is the album’s duration) was commissioned by Nike from James Murphy, to compose “an arc designed for running” – or music to jog to. Originally available in 2006 as a limited download, 45:33 … Continue reading →

Unkle

Rock City, Nottingham

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Koko, London

Burial, Untrue

The dubstep pioneer provides the ultimate soundtrack to late-night inner-city life. But who the hell is he, wonders Emma Warren.

Various artists, Cadenza Classics/Cadenza Contemporary 01

For four years, the signature style of the Berlin-based techno label Cadenza has been one that adheres rigidly to the tenets of minimal: sparse, 10-minute epics during which nothing specific seems to happen but which cause havoc on the dancefloor. … Continue reading →

Burial, Untrue

Where Burial’s widely lauded debut evoked a lonely wander through a washed-out, night-time London, the dubstep enigma’s follow-up glows a little brighter, finding company in out-of-joint R&B vocals. Over corroded two-step beats, crooning come-ons (“I can’t take my eyes off … Continue reading →

Fripp & Eno, Beyond Even (1992-2006)

There’s something heartwarming about the occasional duo productions of Robert Fripp and Brian Eno. Their meldings of guitars and synthesisers aren’t particularly polished or structured, so the impression is more that of two old friends messing around an electronic potting … Continue reading →

Samim, Flow

Tech-house has left the margins with a mix of slick synths and acid crescendos. Jaimie Hodgson hears a master at work.

Róisin Murphy, Overpowered

Every discerning girl wants to be the grand dame of futuristic pop. But while Kylie, Alison Goldfrapp and Robyn glide like glamorous cyborgs around the genre’s glittering throne, this album propels Róisin Murphy past them, eyes sparkling and glinting, to … Continue reading →