Music Journal #004

The new Darkstar record, News From Nowhere, is quite enjoyable. The playful beginnings, with the enchanting Timeaway and bouncy Armonica are good tracks in their own right, with a slow-burning interlude and singer-songrwriter-type track providing a breather maybe a tad too early. Amplified Ease sounds like a reworked Animal Collective cut and the final tracks wind things down nicely. A very consistent, pleasureful effort.

Toro y Moi's third album, Anything in Return, turned out to be a little bland. The formula that had worked well for him in the past began to wear out its welcome and it seems he headed down the dance route. Which is cool, it's just that this record has a 'catching-up' feel to it - he keeps his productions as Toro y Moi tuned to a specific pop aesthetic and I think that holds him back here, unlike on his releases as Les Sins for example.

Of course I'd been convinced to check out Darkstar's debut, North, after hearing News From Nowhere. It begins with the same magic that carries through to their second album, with the tracks Gold and Deadness, while Aidys Girl Is a Computer is bouncy and irresistibly dance-able. The release takes a turn towards a more serious, somber tone with gloomy, introspective synths. Dear Heartbeat develops these themes into something of a revelation, a welcome growth of the sound into maturity, then When It's Gone closes the record in a slightly haunting manner.


Roots Manuva's latest EP, Banana Skank, is typically solid of the UK hip-hop pioneer. He certainly has his own sound for sure, but I think one of the things that makes Manuva great is his ability to flow over any kind of beat comfortably. At times it seems like his pace of delivery is what slows the tempo down, as opposed to vice versa.

Shank EP, from Trevino - an alias of one Marcus Intalex - is another steady entry into its artist's catalogue. Shank and Tactical Manoeuvre are the two interesting tracks of the bunch while Spin Away is enjoyable to a lesser extent. Makes Sense is okay, but these two weaker tracks wouldn't stand up much on their own outside of a set.

Skalpel's self-titled album from 2004 is a showcase of Polish jazz, with elements of soundtracks too. I didn't find it very forward-thinking at all yet I still really enjoyed the record. Its dark, somewhat brooding tone was softened by its more mellow aspects making it a really easy listen despite being quite atmospheric.

For whatever reason, I'd never really expected to enjoy Tokimonsta's music despite her presence on the Brainfeeder roster. Her Cosmic Intoxication EP fixed those thoughts however, as I particularly appreciated its focus on using strange sounds, akin to production from the likes of Amon Tobin and Noisia.

I've come to expect good things from Dark Sky after their Frames EP and after seeing that Modeselektor were keen to put an EP from them out on their 50WEAPONS label. Thankfully, I was impressed by the Black Rainbows EP which was filled with quirky takes on the bassy techno sound which is so popular these days. The sounds on Tremor and Totum were especially pleasing - now, just to hear these on a soundsystem...

Samiyam is the moniker of eerie hip-hop instrumental beatsmith Sam Baker, and the simply-named Sam Baker's Album made for a solid listen. Standout tracks came few and far between but every track on the record was good, that's for sure.


The Neighbourhood sound is that of a pop-oriented cross between The Invisible, The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. It's a refreshing mixture, if nothing groundbreaking or new, and their EP I'm Sorry... certainly didn't fail to impress. Female Robbery and Baby Come Home are the songs I come back to.

Our Loving Is Hurting Us is a little softer than the other stuff I've checked out from oOoOO, although the spacey, ghostly forest-fairy vibes help the release more than fit in on the Tri Angle imprint. The vocals from Butterclock work well and all the tracks are extremely well-polished and produced.

I have to say I was ever so slightly disappointed with Gold Panda's Trust EP, however that is all probably down to the fact that Lucky Shiner is essentially one of the best LPs of the past few years. As expected/hoped for, the songs are as beautiful as ever and the EP is good overall. Trust and Burnt Out Car In A Forest are mournful and enchanting.