Fitkin Wall, Still Warm

It’s fascinating to hear the harp, that hefty mix of strings, pedals and interior design, paired with miniaturised electronica in this album by composer Graham Fitkin and harpist Ruth Wall. Some of the 10 tracks, such as the cinematic Warm … Continue reading →

Aril Brikha, Ex Machina

Nearly a decade after its release, the track that brought Aril Brikha to attention, Groove la Chord, has lost none of its lustre, still cropping up regularly in clubs and on mixes. An Iranian immigrant in Stockholm obsessed with Detroit … Continue reading →

Ewan Pearson, Fabric 35

Ewan Pearson is the Venus Williams of the DJ world: just as the tennis star claims to prioritise everything from fashion to interior design even as she sails to another Wimbledon title, Pearson is able to craft remarkable mixes despite … Continue reading →

Matthew Dear, Asa Breed

That Matthew Dear is a techno artist who hails from Texas is odd enough: that he has moved from the ululating minimal funk of his Audion guise to produce an album of impeccable avant pop songs is extraordinary. Dear’s prostrate … Continue reading →

New Young Pony Club, Fantastic Playroom

New Young Pony Club took a gamble in scrapping an entire album and recording a replacement when they signed to the hip Australian label Modular. After forming in 2004, their electro-funk sound presumably needed an update, and now they sound … Continue reading →

The Chemical Brothers, We Are the Night

Approaching their sixth album, the Chemical Brothers may have felt like James Murphy did on LCD Soundsystem’s Losing My Edge – that “the kids” are coming up from behind. With young pups Justice and Digitalism currently white-hot in dance circles, … Continue reading →

Young Marble Giants, Colossal Youth

In an era of global reunion tours and loudly-trumpeted comeback albums, there was something reassuringly unassuming about the Young Marble Giants’ recent reformation. Last month, they quietly played the Hay-On-Wye literary festival, their first set since splitting in 1981. In … Continue reading →

The beat goes on and on

CDs of the week: Calvin Harris, Simian Mobile Disco and Justice have made three albums that confirm dance music is back with a vengeance, says Kitty Empire.