Skam, 2003
While Autechre’s latest album is still sinking in, this EP by the mysteriously related group Gescom is an instant hit. The beats here will sound familiar to any Autechre fan, but lush textures harken back to a funkier time. I still haven’t heard all of Gescom’s vinyl output (Skam, Source, and Clear take notice—now’s a good time for some reissues) so I’m not sure what “Megamix” is a variation of, but it’s by far my favorite track. A precise stuttering rhythm guides over fourteen minutes of intense beats, bass pulses, and snippets of sound. Imagine a DJ mix chopped into hundreds of pieces. Outstanding.