July’s Top 10

The last few weeks have most definitely seen some of the best releases so far this year which in turn has made this months selection that much tuffer to select…

No.1:  Nils Frahm and Anne Müller – 7 Fingers

The album is sequenced in an extraordinary way; alternating between introspective classical pieces and glitchy, propulsive hallucinations creating an all-around, complete listening experience. 7 Fingers is an absolute necessity and will surely stand as one of the better releases of the year. Full info

No.2: Fieldhead – Riser

There is still, amongst the grainy production and experimental techniques, a defiantly pop sensibility at play in this EP. The tracks are catchy and simple but, with Elam’s production shaping and distorting them, they become something other than pop – they sound like they could fall apart in your hands. I had the opportunity to review the digital version of this EP but there is a real physicality, a real presence, to the Fieldhead sound which is strangely incongruent with contemporary music formats.  My advice? Snap up the vinyl if you can – otherwise buy the download and transfer it to tape for a proper listening experience. Full info

No.3: Marta Mist – Distance/Skeletal/Union

This is beautiful, exploratory sound art of a kind unthinkable within the constraints of the short form music I have until recently been accustomed to. Marta Mist have made music that deserves to be actively engaged with rather than simply ‘heard’, and I can only recommend “Distance-Skeletal-Union” with highest praise of the most sincere kind. Full info

No.4: Hummingbird – Our Fearful Symmetry

Hummingbird’s marriage of restrained classicism and contemporary electronic atmospheric manipulation means that “Our Fearful Symmetry” is very much a record of the moment – the ambient/electro-acoustic scene abounds with artists mining the same vein of inspiration – however, while many acts aspire to the creation of reminiscence-evoking beauty it is an uncommon achievement. The artist behind Hummingbird accomplishes a startling ubiquity of grace throughout this album and though it is a debut outing for the project, the strength of the material and its connotative power betray the unmistakable hand of a master at work. Full info

No.5: F.S.Blumm & Nils Frahm – Music For Lovers Music Versus Time

This is certainly a “different” album and thankfully despite this it doesn’t feel forced. F.S Blumm and Nils Frahm have found a way through their collaboration, to showcase their passion for music and in turn provide their listeners with an opportunity to enjoy their work in a way that is by no means conventional. The album encourages listeners to love the sounds they listen to and by taking time to soak up the creativity and appreciate the artistry at work, the depth of the work on display here comes to life. Full info

No.6: Evan Caminiti – West Winds

Evan Caminiti is a guitarist full of big ideas and even bigger sounds. currently known as one-half of the San Francisco Bay Area avant droners Barn Owl, Caminiti has spent a great deal of time the past few years playing and recording gorgeous solo explorations focused primarily on the guitar, but, when need be, accented by additional instrumentation. Full info

No 7: Sonmi451 – Ruis

The piece is a wonderful walk along slowly pulsating sine waves, lingering piano loops, cradling strings and the solar warmth of little cracks, pops and soft hisses. Ruis truly is a hidden treasure. At first it seems to be nothing more but a lovely track, “ordinary” prettiness, though once you put it on while you’re trying to sleep, it becomes as essential as your pillow or your favorite blanket. It is probably the most efficient piece we’ve had the chance to release. A lush, soft and hypnotic path into unconsciousness. More info

No. 8: The Green Kingdom – Prismatic

Following the beautiful Twig and Twine (November 2009, Own Records), Michael Cottone returns with Prismatic, his latest work under the moniker The Green Kingdom. The Detroit based sound artist has once again mixed many disparate influences and ideas into a wonderfully creative album. More info

No 9: Scott Cortez and Thisquietarmy – Meridians

Where as the first piece was mainly made up of droning low ends and sharp high end swells, this piece features intertwining melodic passages of enveloping warmth, sharp digital fuzz and beautiful distant distortion. This track is exactly what I was hoping for from the collaboration between these two projects; 13 minutes of blissful ambient shoegaze. The tones and textures created on this piece are sublime, reminiscent of shimmering sea water lapping against a breath taking landscape or bright sun glare through a frosted window. More info

No.10: Daphne Oram – Oramics (Deluxe Vinyl Edition)

As this remarkable 44-track collection shows, however, her work ranks amongst the most varied and pioneering ever made, and it’s quite incredible to think that this is the first time any of these precious recordings have been available on vinyl. 155 minutes/8 sides of vinyl cut by Lupo at D&M, housed in a heavyweight 300 gram gatefold sleeve, featuring rare archive photographs. More info