These days in techno what’s old is new again, with scores of records echoing sounds fifteen years past. On the one hand, there’s a rebirth of dub techno. On the other, there’s a revival of the intelligent Detroit style. Think Juan Atkins at his most melodic combined with John Beltran and Terrace. (The main labels along this line are AW-Recordings, Down Low, Frantic Flowers and Millions of Moments/Styrax.)
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This incredible album from the mysterious Dutch producer Jochem Peteri shows it’s still possible to craft a completely unique sound. Peteri bucks the trend of cookie-cutter dub techno. A couple of his tracks sound like old house records pitched down underwater.
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Somehow this CD got stuck at the bottom of my to-review pile. Upon re-listening, I discovered a nice collection of understated, melodic IDM.
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In the trinity of artists recording analogue synthesizers to wobbly tapes, Boards of Canada is the father and Christ. is obviously the sacrificial son. That would, appropriately, make Freescha a ghost. While Nick Huntington and Michael McGroart have been creating music since the late nineties, they are often overlooked, perhaps due to their California location. This retrospective of their first three EPs is evidence of just how essential they are.
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To celebrate their 50th release, n5MD have pulled out all the stops with a double-disc label overview. This collection shows how far the label has come from its MiniDisc-only days. Unfortunately, it also shows how much the IDM scene has been transformed into instrumental indie rock.
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I’m glad there’s a record label where IDM hold-outs can still experiment.
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A flawed work, but one with several moments of genius.
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An alien world where the oceans contain waves of hissing static.
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Reel-to-reel razorblade masterpieces.
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Beautiful ambient post-rock.
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