With issues around Artificial Intelligence very much becoming ubiquitous, this brilliant second studio album from Glasgow duo Man Of Moon is timely. As the title, Machinism, suggests, there are songs that allude to humans and machines, sometimes in symbiosis, sometimes not. There’s a sense of unease, throughout, as themes of societal problems in our dividedContinue reading “Album Review: Man Of Moon- Machinism”
Tag Archives: Experimental music
The Space Age Genius of Tomita
Before Air or Aphec Twin, there was Isao Tomita. Born in Tokyo, Japan in the early 30s, he’s often overlooked for similar sound pioneers. While Kraftwerk and The Radiophonic Workshop were rightly praised for their forward-thinking approach to electronic music in Europe, Tomita was quietly, brilliantly, doing his own thing in Japan. Sadly, his passingContinue reading “The Space Age Genius of Tomita”
Overlooked Classics: Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition
Overlooked may be a strong term, but this album by Danny Brown remains, for me, a trailblazer. There’s an old adage that goes, “you’re only as good as your friends” . I believe this is as true of artists and their collaborative colleagues. Featured here are Kendrick Lamar; Kelela, Be Real, Petite Noir and EarlContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition”
Kim Gordon Returns
The mighty Kim Gordon has just released one of the year’s best singles,in my opinion. Takes from her forthcoming second album, The Collective, Bye Bye is a stormer, with ESG influenced noise, trap beats and Gordon’s unmistakably defiant, half sung, half purred vocals. With a video to accompany the single starring her daughter Coco asContinue reading “Kim Gordon Returns”
Overlooked Classics: AC Marias -One Of Our Girls
Formed by Wire’s Bruce Gilbert and Graham Lewis, with film maker and singer Angela Conway, AC Marias made an album which pretty much seemed to disappear into the ether as soon as it had arrived. That’s probably as apt a metaphor as you could wish for, given the strange nature of this beautiful album. EvenContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: AC Marias -One Of Our Girls”
New Release: Soho Rezanejad, Agnese Menguzzato and Simone Antonioni- Exit Blue Klein
This is simply beautiful. Electronic composer Soho Rezanejad has teamed up with musicians Agnese Menguzzato and Simone Antonioni for this collaboration, Exit Blue Klein. As she title suggests, it’s alluding to the controversial painter Yves Klein, and his predilection for the colour blue in his work. An ethereal, reverby piece using guitar, cello and vocals,Continue reading “New Release: Soho Rezanejad, Agnese Menguzzato and Simone Antonioni- Exit Blue Klein”
Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light
Irish artist and composer Hilary Woods makes uncompromising, experimental music. This new album is beautiful and challenging, entrenched in past, present and future worlds. From drones to elegiac strings, field recordings and choral sections it’s restless and stately. The film accompanying ‘When The Bough Has Broken’ is comprised of old reels depicting life in DublinContinue reading “Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light”
Overlooked Classics: Deerhoof- The Magic
You never know what you’ll be served by the mighty Deerhoof – will it be the melancholic strangeness of Milk Man, or the effervescent avant pop of Vs Evil? With The Magic, it’s both, and more. It’s widescreen Deerhoof, but still with that experimental side. It’s Deerhoof at angles, which is to be expected. ThisContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Deerhoof- The Magic”
Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn
This film, directed by Charles Atlas for The South Bank Show in 1989, was what made me fall in love with SY, and admire Zorn. Using a fanzine type approach to his montage – talking heads floating in front of New York street scenes, it’s a typically playful approach from Atlas (more of whom, later).Continue reading “Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn”
New Release: Gazelle Twin- Black Dog
Just in time for Halloween, or Samhain if you’d rather, Gazelle Twin is back, with a new album titled Black Dog. As Elizabeth Bernholz explains, it’s inspired by nightmares going back to childhood trauma, and essentially,”It’s all about confronting fear”. The title track is out now, with Bernholz’ trademark pitchshifted growls and whispers set againstContinue reading “New Release: Gazelle Twin- Black Dog”
Hit The North 