It always pleases me to get updates like this in my inbox. I'd known the chem bros were brewing a new LP for a while, but it's nice to see them actually put up one of the bonus tracks for streaming instead of holding it for ransom after release (or worse, including it in a later pressing of the album after you've already bought it.)
It's decidedly un-Chemical Brothers for the most part it seems, almost minimal in a way. Can't say I'm the biggest fan of the sample that give it its title, but the other parts more than make up for that. The opening bass has seen me through some animating today, and probably will for the rest of the week!
-Claude Van Foxbat
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Monday, 27 July 2015
Mellow On Monday
How do all, My soundcloud has been bare for about 4 days now so I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do another conventional post. Took a lil' while to pick these out but they all fell into place in the end. And I even managed to tie them together thematically this time so that's a bonus.
Dug out Orchestra Of Bubbles again not too long ago, and every time I do it always leaves me wanting more collaboration between the two. Apparat's glitchy downtempo style takes the forefront here, and the track does take a while to get going but when it does it is very sweet indeed, I absolutely adore the combo of those synths and eastern-style strings.
Sections of The Flashbulb's Soundtrack To A Vacant Life are on the opposite end of the spectrum though, often the songs kick off strong from the get go, but they only last a minute or two. A moot complaint given there's 29 tracks to get stuck into, but I would love an official extended version of this or Dirt Bikes And Street Vendors.
Got real stuck into Never, Never, Land. Can't say it's beaten Psyence Fiction yet as my favourite UNKLE offering, but I'm enjoying it. What Are You To Me? repeats the winning formula set down by In A State earlier on the EP, an acoustic intro that gives way to an almost house style beat. I'm not sure it's even technically Trip-Hop at this point but I'm not to bothered, because it sounds real good.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Atelier Olschinsky - Neon Cities (01)
Dug out Orchestra Of Bubbles again not too long ago, and every time I do it always leaves me wanting more collaboration between the two. Apparat's glitchy downtempo style takes the forefront here, and the track does take a while to get going but when it does it is very sweet indeed, I absolutely adore the combo of those synths and eastern-style strings.
Sections of The Flashbulb's Soundtrack To A Vacant Life are on the opposite end of the spectrum though, often the songs kick off strong from the get go, but they only last a minute or two. A moot complaint given there's 29 tracks to get stuck into, but I would love an official extended version of this or Dirt Bikes And Street Vendors.
Got real stuck into Never, Never, Land. Can't say it's beaten Psyence Fiction yet as my favourite UNKLE offering, but I'm enjoying it. What Are You To Me? repeats the winning formula set down by In A State earlier on the EP, an acoustic intro that gives way to an almost house style beat. I'm not sure it's even technically Trip-Hop at this point but I'm not to bothered, because it sounds real good.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Friday, 24 July 2015
Keeping Up With The Jones'
Special shoutout to Missi who reminded me their EP is actually out now. Covered a bunch of songs of this a while back but missed the intro one on purpose for posting now. I haven't much to add to that otherwise, I've been listening to a bunch of Au Revior Simone as of late, and the Seattle duo do just as good a job at scratching that itch as they do.
There's a whole range of comparisons I can draw from the funky opening reminiscent of Martina Topley Bird, to the more garage-come-dubstep stylings of You Don't Know What Love Is there's plenty to sink your teeth into. Should certainly see me through the summer, get stuck in for yourself.
-Claude Van Foxbat
There's a whole range of comparisons I can draw from the funky opening reminiscent of Martina Topley Bird, to the more garage-come-dubstep stylings of You Don't Know What Love Is there's plenty to sink your teeth into. Should certainly see me through the summer, get stuck in for yourself.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
Back On Time
Look I promised y'all a proper post and here I am delivering. A day late than I planned but never you mind that. Small delays due to shipments of PC parts and that kind of thing, but I'm here now so lessgo.
UNKLE's sound between their debut Psyence Fiction and the later follow up of Never, Never, Land went through quite a change. As you would expect with a 5 year gap between the albums. There's a lot less turntable tricks and voiceover samples with the departure of DJ Shadow, but some things they do have in common though, namely Lavelle's love of dramatic strings and the dulcet Northern tones of Ian Brown.
Taking myself back to the early 2000s again with these next couple. Hot off the heels of me picking up Röyksopp's Melody A.M. I was after anything vaguely chilled I could get my hands on. Enter Aplinestars, I've been meaning to do a in depth post on this LP but it hasn't happened yet. A lot of the tracks on it haven't aged well, but the Snow Patrol duet will always have a place in my heart.
Blu Mar Ten are another relic of my collection I've mentioned before that has accompanied me on many a holiday in the sun. Known for their Drum & Bass output, for their debut album decided to do an odd mix of ambient and house style stuff. It's fared a lot better than Alpinestars' LP though and I still like it a lot. I'l never figure out why they chose to use samples from Predator of all films though.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Robert Del Naja - Splitting The Atom (2013)
UNKLE's sound between their debut Psyence Fiction and the later follow up of Never, Never, Land went through quite a change. As you would expect with a 5 year gap between the albums. There's a lot less turntable tricks and voiceover samples with the departure of DJ Shadow, but some things they do have in common though, namely Lavelle's love of dramatic strings and the dulcet Northern tones of Ian Brown.
Taking myself back to the early 2000s again with these next couple. Hot off the heels of me picking up Röyksopp's Melody A.M. I was after anything vaguely chilled I could get my hands on. Enter Aplinestars, I've been meaning to do a in depth post on this LP but it hasn't happened yet. A lot of the tracks on it haven't aged well, but the Snow Patrol duet will always have a place in my heart.
Blu Mar Ten are another relic of my collection I've mentioned before that has accompanied me on many a holiday in the sun. Known for their Drum & Bass output, for their debut album decided to do an odd mix of ambient and house style stuff. It's fared a lot better than Alpinestars' LP though and I still like it a lot. I'l never figure out why they chose to use samples from Predator of all films though.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Friday, 17 July 2015
The Best Laid Plans...
Well, this is awkward. I completley forgot I'm away this weekend. I went to check in with Adam to see if he could cook up something for ya but he's off to Pitchfork Fest so I can't rope him into doing a write up. So here I am again posting even more Celadon City, mainly because that's all I've had on but also because he dropped a new collab tune today and it's very sweet indeed:
About as lush as we've come to expect from Celadon for sure, I can't get enough of the vibe. Apologies for the semi-cop out again, BUT I did update the sidebar playlist. A bit late I know but still, check it out. I promise you all a proper art + tracks post by me come Monday. I'll see y'all then ❤.
-Claude Van Foxbat
About as lush as we've come to expect from Celadon for sure, I can't get enough of the vibe. Apologies for the semi-cop out again, BUT I did update the sidebar playlist. A bit late I know but still, check it out. I promise you all a proper art + tracks post by me come Monday. I'll see y'all then ❤.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Even More Celadon (Links broken as of 2020)
I was going to lay off covering my man Celadon City for a while because I always like to get variety in my posts, but goddamn I just can't, he's consistently knocking it out of the park in terms of quality and release schedules, seriosuly I haven't seen this much music I dig released in such a short time frame since the great electro epidemic of 07-09.
Anways, he's back with a new EP, and I'll just quote what he has to say about it because it pretty much does my job:
"Albums and EP are a way that one can tell a story. An EP can also set a mood in the room, put a person to sleep, inspire someone to go outside, and much more. Those types of projects have brought me to places, and have inspired me to write my own stories. “Warm Notes For You” is an EP that is meant to be played through in its entirety, for it is a story. The most beautiful thing about music is that you can interpret it however you want.".
And with that: Enjoy.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Anways, he's back with a new EP, and I'll just quote what he has to say about it because it pretty much does my job:
"Albums and EP are a way that one can tell a story. An EP can also set a mood in the room, put a person to sleep, inspire someone to go outside, and much more. Those types of projects have brought me to places, and have inspired me to write my own stories. “Warm Notes For You” is an EP that is meant to be played through in its entirety, for it is a story. The most beautiful thing about music is that you can interpret it however you want.".
And with that: Enjoy.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Saturday, 11 July 2015
Diggin Kittin
One thing I love about Miss Kittin other than her productions is how she's been real good about archiving pretty much every track she's produced, been featured on or otherwise. I've stopped going through it as much because I always fall in love with some obscure vinyl track from 2000 which is impossible to get a hold of but I couldn't help myself this time. Alexander Polzin gives the already pretty downtempo Rippin Kittin some minimal ambient tratment, and I adore it.
And just because I'm really feeling the early 2000's nostalgia I get from the song itself, here's the original in all it's existential electroclash glory. It actually sounds a little different from my copy but knowing Kittin it could be a vinyl rip, and it's from the original pressing with the cherries on the cover art. (2020 edit, not on Kittin's soundcloud anymore, swapping to Bandcamp)
Recently she teased a upcoming release of some previously unheard Kittin + Hacker tunes. They're only short previews but I am hype for the actual release, interesting to see how both Kittin and Hacker have evolved over time in both production and delivery areas. That and I'm a sucker for more techno-style early electroclash, and I'm totally in love with that chorus tease at the end.
-Claude Van Foxbat
And just because I'm really feeling the early 2000's nostalgia I get from the song itself, here's the original in all it's existential electroclash glory. It actually sounds a little different from my copy but knowing Kittin it could be a vinyl rip, and it's from the original pressing with the cherries on the cover art. (2020 edit, not on Kittin's soundcloud anymore, swapping to Bandcamp)
Recently she teased a upcoming release of some previously unheard Kittin + Hacker tunes. They're only short previews but I am hype for the actual release, interesting to see how both Kittin and Hacker have evolved over time in both production and delivery areas. That and I'm a sucker for more techno-style early electroclash, and I'm totally in love with that chorus tease at the end.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Carpe Diem
Can you believe that we are halfway through 2015?! It has been a wild ride so far with more surprises in store.
Mura Masa - Are U There
A fun one from Mura Masa's new Someday Somewhere EP sounds like if Disclosure had a baby with Jai Paul and flume raised it. The results as you might have guessed are derivative, but the track is still fun and worth a listen.
Gnyonpix - She
Hi & Saberhägen - Better Love
I've been playing around with apple music for the past week and it has been a wild ride for sure. The selling point for many is the curated playlists and apple genre editors who are as crazy about deep tracks as we are. One of the top tracks I've come across on the experimental channel is this track "Better Love". An absolutely hypnotic track, with an organic build and release. I would love to see the hardware setup used to make the warm synths and the machine-gun snares.
I've been playing around with apple music for the past week and it has been a wild ride for sure. The selling point for many is the curated playlists and apple genre editors who are as crazy about deep tracks as we are. One of the top tracks I've come across on the experimental channel is this track "Better Love". An absolutely hypnotic track, with an organic build and release. I would love to see the hardware setup used to make the warm synths and the machine-gun snares.
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Caius - Things Gonna Be Ok
Friend of the site Caius is back and smoother than ever with a silky new track "Things Gonna Be Ok" The talented producer sounds more confident than before and proof is all over this jaw dropping new cut.
Tora - High Enough
This dreamy track by Tora proves there is still a little blood left in the Chillwave stone.
This dreamy track by Tora proves there is still a little blood left in the Chillwave stone.
Mura Masa - Are U There
A fun one from Mura Masa's new Someday Somewhere EP sounds like if Disclosure had a baby with Jai Paul and flume raised it. The results as you might have guessed are derivative, but the track is still fun and worth a listen.
Gnyonpix - She
BootyTune is a Japanese label that specializes in Juke and Footwork, with a growing number of talented artists. One of the labels heavy hitters Gnyonpix, keeps the BPM insanely high while being able to fit a smooth synth lead that worms its way into your ears.
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
Soundcloud Roundup: The Sequel
More soundcloud times now, because my feed refreshes with neat stuff practically daily. Starting off again with more from my recent music buddy Celadon City. I said to the man himsef over twitter last time that his recent output reminds me a little of what Plone were putting out back in the late 90's, and this one manages to be even more like that. Not too long ago I was saying that Plone's playful electronic had no modern equivalent, but I guess I've found it now.
Been working on a new showreel for a while, and Abrev. was a strong candidate for my soundtrack for a while, barely losing out to some instrumental Crystal Castles. I first saw him over on /r/Cyberpunk_Music and his output his more than often in that techy near future vein. Check it out if you need some sounds to have on while you hack the planet.
Handy forward from Jay showed me this song he originally sent us on the 1st (but I didn't get for some reason). A bit late on the train but it was dropped in celebration of the Supreme Court decision on Gay Marriage. As we all know though a LOT of dance music owes itself to LGBT+ people, and any an all support is welcome. Also the title reminds me of Robert Owens' I'll Be Your Friend
-Claude Van Foxbat
Been working on a new showreel for a while, and Abrev. was a strong candidate for my soundtrack for a while, barely losing out to some instrumental Crystal Castles. I first saw him over on /r/Cyberpunk_Music and his output his more than often in that techy near future vein. Check it out if you need some sounds to have on while you hack the planet.
Handy forward from Jay showed me this song he originally sent us on the 1st (but I didn't get for some reason). A bit late on the train but it was dropped in celebration of the Supreme Court decision on Gay Marriage. As we all know though a LOT of dance music owes itself to LGBT+ people, and any an all support is welcome. Also the title reminds me of Robert Owens' I'll Be Your Friend
-Claude Van Foxbat
Friday, 3 July 2015
Colder Weekend Tunes
A stonking 10 degrees (that's Celsius by the way) colder than yesterday. And I am loving it. Before I head away for the weekend I thought I'd hook you up with more tunes to see you through.
Been digging up more EBTG recently. They were around for a long long time and their sound evolved pretty drastically from their pop-rock debut in '84. By the mid 90's when Walking Wounded came out, they were experimenting more with electronic things but rather than go down the Trip Hop route like their collabs with Massive Attack, Drum & Bass was the order of the day. I still quite like it, admittedly I have a soft spot for 90's D&B but I think the tune is still incredibly smooth, and Tracey's voice compliments it in fine fahion.
'Nother shout out to Yoko Kanno again for introducing me to Ilaria Graziano. She's not got much work under her belt, but her contributions to the Stand Alone Complex soundtrack are some of my favourites. Long intro type thing on this one, but stick it out because the second half of the song is sweet as.
Re-posting this A:xus tune too, becuase I am still madly in love with it and it fits the warmer weather as well as it did the cold back in January. He's well on his way to climbing my ladder of favourite house crafters, I thought he'd only had a limited output in the early 00's but even 9 years on with Suite Disappointment A:xus still has it.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Pam Glew - Wilderness (2013)
Been digging up more EBTG recently. They were around for a long long time and their sound evolved pretty drastically from their pop-rock debut in '84. By the mid 90's when Walking Wounded came out, they were experimenting more with electronic things but rather than go down the Trip Hop route like their collabs with Massive Attack, Drum & Bass was the order of the day. I still quite like it, admittedly I have a soft spot for 90's D&B but I think the tune is still incredibly smooth, and Tracey's voice compliments it in fine fahion.
'Nother shout out to Yoko Kanno again for introducing me to Ilaria Graziano. She's not got much work under her belt, but her contributions to the Stand Alone Complex soundtrack are some of my favourites. Long intro type thing on this one, but stick it out because the second half of the song is sweet as.
Re-posting this A:xus tune too, becuase I am still madly in love with it and it fits the warmer weather as well as it did the cold back in January. He's well on his way to climbing my ladder of favourite house crafters, I thought he'd only had a limited output in the early 00's but even 9 years on with Suite Disappointment A:xus still has it.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Things I've Seen
It is hot as shit right now. And I'm ding all I can to avoid rendering videos on my rig to hopefully keep the temps down, so I had a look around to see what I had waiting for me to post. Starting with more from my recent bud Celadon City, if ever there were a time his tunes were apt it'd be now with this heat. Once again he kills it on the intro, and once again I have yet another song to add to my summer collection.
Something a little different now, got a line dropped on twitter the other day which doesn't often happen with promos for me outside of Mississippi a while back. But it works out because you have to keep your pitch punchy. I actually meant to put this up last time but it didn't fit with the techy post. A duo from a bit further south than I, with laid back 2-step garage-esque track and a video that does it's best to keep the spirit of slightly surreal dance music videos alive.
And finally one last tune from Kevatta that I could have done with last night as I hoped for a breeze to come through my window. Once again perfectly scratches my hip hop instrumental itch. Definitely going to keep my eye on their feed from now on for more of this.
-Claude Van Foxbat
Something a little different now, got a line dropped on twitter the other day which doesn't often happen with promos for me outside of Mississippi a while back. But it works out because you have to keep your pitch punchy. I actually meant to put this up last time but it didn't fit with the techy post. A duo from a bit further south than I, with laid back 2-step garage-esque track and a video that does it's best to keep the spirit of slightly surreal dance music videos alive.
And finally one last tune from Kevatta that I could have done with last night as I hoped for a breeze to come through my window. Once again perfectly scratches my hip hop instrumental itch. Definitely going to keep my eye on their feed from now on for more of this.
-Claude Van Foxbat
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