There is a reason because there aren't many guitars or analog instruments on this list. Living in London doesn't help you to believe there are chances for humanity outside robots, computers, hardwares and circuits. The city's "glass and steel monster" is going forward; trees are struggling to survive and everything is not changing for good.
My deepest desire for 2018 is to be able to listen to real organic sounds, warm instruments and to the human soul voice one more time.
Another digital year, another list of (mostly) digital music.
2017's LP
Four Tet - New Energy (Text Records)
A bridge between the best heritage of British music traditions and exotic impressions from the eastern World. The new energy of the title is the chance to a meditative state in an imaginary space without any borders.
Arca - Arca (XL Recordings)
The voice is a weapon, the elegance is an attitude, the adrogyny is a filter, the alienation is the rescue.
Jlin - Black Origami (Planet Mu)
Turn one of the purest expression of urban sound into an overwhelming piece of musical architecture isn't easy and painless, but Black Origami take footwork out from the ghetto, to help the ghetto to save itself from itself.
Forest Swords - Compassion (Ninja Tune)
The most personal and researched of his works. We are not just listening to the perfect match between experimental research and contemporary tendencies, but to the analysis of the existence: desperation and hope.
Thundercat - Drunk (Brainfeeder)
"Drunk" is the black universe in 2017: an intoxicated emotional perception, freaky melodic, monolithic and experimental, seductive and developed. And terribly funky and soulful.
Pacific Coliseum - Ocean City LP (Coastal Haze)
Balearic feels in a sonic space, relaxing and hazy ambient clouds in a synth land.
Shackleton with Anika - Behind The Glass (Woe To The Septic Heart!)
Dense and unusual developing melodrama experience. Spirituality, mysterious tribal music and an intense voice melt together in the most unusual and frustrating album of Shackleton.
Timothy J. Fairplay - Where is the Champion? (Charlois)
The post apocalyptic work that better represents the anxious mood of the year that is dying today. Proto-techno, horror disco and forlorn wave. Future dystopia of the year that will come.
Lee Noble - The Hell of You Come In (No Kings)
Moog Source / Korg MS–10 / Korg SQ–1 / Yamaha SK–10 / Sequential Circuits Six–Trak / Modular synthesizer / Delay pedals / Manipulated cassette tape / Guitar / Samples / Voice / Percussion
Da Vosk Docta - Even if You Didn’t Expect It
Polish artist that watch the UK music scene, this great work mix incredibly trap, dubstep, grime, ambient and some gothic sensations, in a monolith of quality, consistency and creativity.
2017's EP
Chafik Chennouf - Dual Aspect (Opal Tapes)
The Amsterdam-based artist who likes to play with a maelstrom of drones, distortions. It's surprisingly engaging despite the unfriendly sound.
Pender Street Steppers - Pender Street Steppers (Mood Hut)
Silky smooth, from house to the Paradise.
D.K. - Distant Images (Antinote)
The distant images of the title are reached finally. We can see a beautiful sun growing in front of us, without forget the same high level of evanescence that it makes everything looks like a dream.
Mana - Creature (Hyperdub)
I've loved his work as Vaghe Stelle. Now Mana have reached the connection between classic epicism, progressive attitude and intelligent electronic music.
The Blaze - Territory (Animal63)
I'm shining like the moon
I'm feeling like a bloom in the black sun
I remember when I was young
The flavor is so strong
I've missed it so long
