Worriedaboutsatan – Arrivals (2009)

Tracklisting:
1. one down
2. evil dogs
3. .
4. i am a crooked man
5. pissing about
6. ..
7. history is made at night
8. you’re in my thoughts
9. …
10. all things but you are silent
11. arrivals

Label: Gizeh//Bitrate: 128kbps

This is definitely one of my favourite electronic records from last year. Worriedaboutsatan are an electronic duo based in Leeds who have, over the last couple of years made waves in both electronic and post-rock circles – it’s not difficult to see why. Arrivals is a truly haunting record. It’s cleverly chosen samples, steeped in echo and reverb, surrounded by glitchy synths, stripped back beats and an unrelentingly eery guitar-based atmosphere. It’s like Burial meeting 65daysofstatic in an urban street on a damp wintery night, with Sigur Ros orchestrating the odd string section. I can’t pin-point an overall mood of this record, instead it oscillates between optimism and despondency. Nevertheless there is a definite feeling of discomfort which echoes (quite literally) throughout the entire record.

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Sorry for the sub-par bitrate on this one, if i find a better rip i’ll re-up it.

Robert Fripp & Brian Eno – Evening Star (1975)

Evening Star is the second collaborative LP between King Crimson guitarist and all-round music guru Robert Fripp and ambient music pioneer and producer Brian Eno. True innovators in their respective musical pathways (which often overlap), they come together in creating albums which transcend time and perception of genres, other than the blanket term of “ambience”. Fripp’s guitar work is as proficient and deeply insightful as ever, sweeping though Eno’s carefully devised walls of ambient synth loops. I love the way this album is obviously meticulously put together, yet retains a completely natural and organic feel, save for An Index Of Metals which brings contrast to the record in the form of industrial textures and a harsh darkness. I don’t want to twist yr arm but this album is, in my eyes, a must hear if you have not already.

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Alix Perez – 1984 (2009)

Drum & bass has really started to click with me since moving to Manchester and experiencing it first-hand in a club situation. I was lucky enough to see Alix Perez play a set at a recent Hit&Run night with Joker and Jack Beats, needless to say his new material blew me away. 1984 dips and dodges between D&B, minimal techno, hip-hop and even ambient electronica. Guests including hip-hop artists Yungun and Foreign Beggars providing eloquent flow on Calm Of Cast and The Cut Deepens respectively, the latter being an absolute belter of a track. Massive basslines all over the place.