Jamie Isaac: (04.30) Idler review – an unlikely heir to Sade
(Marathon Artists)
Chancha Vía Circuito: Bienaventuranza review – eclectic electronica
Contrary to reputation, music in Buenos Aires is not confined to tango. The city has developed a thriving “digital cumbia”’ scene that imports freely from South and Latin America and blends their styles with electronica. The lurching rhythms of Colombian … Continue reading
Contemporary album of the month – Jon Hassell: Listening to Pictures (Pentimento Volume I)
Hassell’s ‘fourth world’ fusion of hi-tech minimalism with world rhythms proves the 81-year-old is still experimental after all these years
Chvrches: Love Is Dead review – pop rabble-rousers pull their political punches
Lauren Mayberry’s vocals are strident and there are some brilliantly desolate ballads on the synthpop band’s third album – but a big single still eludes them
Simian Mobile Disco: Murmurations review – hypnotic genius takes flight
Electronics meets human voices to dramatic effect
Blossoms review – homecoming is the stuff of dreams
There’s much to celebrate as the band return to their home town as local heroes for a euphoric opener to their UK tour
Jon Hopkins: Singularity review – not enough fuel for the feet
Hopkins’s last album was an intriguing meld of expansive and introspective compositions, hitting a sweet spot between Nils Frahm and Four Tet. Where Immunity was the soundtrack to an imaginary big night out, Hopkins delineates a natural psychedelic experience on … Continue reading
Jon Hopkins: Singularity review – well-crafted techno is oh so shallow
Hopkins claims drugs and meditation have added a new perspective but it’s hard to hear: what’s the point in craft if you’ve nothing to say?
Eleanor Friedberger: Rebound review – deliciously droll electro pop
Friedberger’s fourth album is her best solo effort so far, with ideas about lack of communication and loneliness wrapped up in wit and wordplay
DJ Koze: Knock Knock review – stunning songs from pop’s parallel universe
The eccentric producer uses samples and collaborations to brilliantly exploit the spaces between deep house, trip-hop and R&B on an appealingly odd album
Bicep review – muscular, head-rushing tech house
The Northern Irish dance duo showcase their skill for ping-ponging melody and beautifully tooled drum programming, paired with magnificent visuals
Elysia Crampton: Elysia Crampton review – Aymara polymath invents dancefloor mythology
You don’t need footnotes to listen to Crampton’s latest but the Andean history adds depths
Contemporary album of the month: Brian Eno – Music for Installations
Despite his mainstream pop collaborations, Eno has never stopped making interesting ambient music, as is evident on this six-disc set
Tangerine Dream review – despite loss of leader, the Dream continues
For their first UK show without founder member Edgar Froese, the synth pioneers enlivened their proggy ambience with techno, but still created the same cosmic grandeur