New releases last two weeks: All genres

Review: There are few nu-metal bands from the formative late 90s/early 00s scene who achieved the monumental crossover appeal of Linkin Park. From their turntable spinning, frenetic rap-metal beginnings on 2000's global breakout Hybrid Theory, to the refined maturation of their formula on 2003's career-height Meteora, to their Jay-Z collaborative album Collision Course to the shedding of skin and rebranding as a genre-less alternative rock entity on 2007's Minutes To Midnight; as popular and accessible as they were, the band clearly constantly strived for sonic progression. Papercuts collects the highest charting singles from the group over two decades, with the most recent contribution being the previously unreleased 'Friendly Fire' recorded during the sessions for 2017's One More Light, which ultimately serves as the final new piece of recording from the band and vocalist Chester Bennington who would tragically take his own life later that same year. Ignoring the standard sequencing of a greatest hits which often lists the tracks in chronologically released order, here the cuts are compiled to sonically complement each other and reflect the band's ethos rather than a single line commercial pattern. Here is why the anthemic double platinum 'In The End' is juxtaposed with the minimalist rap-rock of MTM banger 'Bleed It Out', or why the previously unreleased fan favourite demo 'QWERTY' lands right between the U2 indebted 'What I've Done' and the original breakout single that started it all 'One Step Closer'.

Review: It's been seven years since the tragic passing of Chester Bennington and the abrupt end of nu-metal legends Linkin Park, while their legacy remains praised and intact by avid fans. Papercuts offers up a career-spanning greatest hits collection, yet rather than sequencing each bundle of tracks chronologically in terms of specific album release, the cuts are mixed with the design of flowing as naturally as possible, with the anthemic 'Faint' from 2003's Meteora rubbing shoulders with their iconic Jay-Z Collision Course collab 'Numb/Encore'. Elsewhere, 'One Step Closer'; the breakout single from 2000's genre-defining debut LP Hybrid Theory is followed directly by 'New Divide', which served as the lead single from the Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen soundtrack. From their rap-metal beginnings to their signature style of nu/alt-metal to the their calmer accessible later era, this compilation delivers a succinct yet sprawling distillation of Linkin Park's most vital contributions to the several dynamic scenes they helped to elevate.

Review: Swiss producer and DJ Lea Lisa gathers together some of her favorite tracks to play out with in a double pack compilation for Favorite Recordings. As you might be able to tell from some of the artists and tracks on here, Lea likes her house music deep, tracky, sometimes soulful and verging on proper techno. Featured here are key tracks like 'Ekeyz' from Pure Science, the club mix of 'Be There' by Kerri Chandler and 'Blax Thanxs' by Abacus. One very desirable addition is the early 90s gem 'Emotional' by Think. This very strong gathering of deep house tracks may be one of the best this year. Act quick and grab a copy.

Review: Lo Moon's I Wish You Way More Than Luck presents a landscape of lush melodies and atmospheric layers. While the album showcases the band's penchant for slow-building intros and dreamy soundscapes, that rewards patience listeners. 'Water' stands out as a refreshing departure, with its immediate presence and energetic vibe, encapsulating the album's titular message with conviction. Despite the album's tendency towards extended intros and gradual crescendos, tracks like 'Evidence' resonate deeply with their melancholic undertones. Ultimately, while Lo Moon's sophomore release offers moments of brilliance, it may shine most with people who like their music with a lot of depth. A pop album with depth that may surprise most.

Review: LOCKLEAD's Kemickal Affairs EP delivers four tracks designed to ignite dancefloors with an electrifying blend of house vibes. Side-1 kicks off with 'Zero's Delight,' a spirited and slightly jackin' house anthem that sets a fun and sexy tone. Following up is 'State Of Peace,' delving into a more techy and minimal groove, perfect for those seeking a deeper, more introspective vibe. Flipping to Side-2, the title track 'Kemickal Affairs' takes the listener on a journey through a deeper groove, reminiscent of 90s era house sounds but infused with a contemporary energy. Closing out the EP is 'Morning Krew,' characterized by its pumping bassline and seamless fusion of house and tech elements. With its dynamic range and infectious rhythms, Kemickal Affairs is destined to work well on any club floor.

Review: Premier dub techno outlet Greyscale from Lithuania welcomes back Lotech/Hijack following the success of his last album here, Static Phase. He has served up another full length's worth of sublime deep dub techno explorations here, and that marks his rather remarkable 36th full length in total. Winter Constellations is inspired by the Canadian's love of star gazing and the vastness of space and results in plenty of widescreen and cinematic tracks that are subtly detailed with celestial moods. From the power of 'Let's Forget Who We Are' to the infinite depth of 'Auriga' via the airiness of 'Night Sky Dreaming' and 'Horologium', this is another masterfully immersive work that really exploits the album format.

Review: Luke Eargoggle joins forces with Dataintrang here for a seasonally appropriate ice-cold electro outing on Return to Disorder. It kick off with side-long opener 'Top Of The Pyramid' which is full of sidewinding synths and squealing analogue lines over corrugated bass. After that one comes the manic and high tempo electro-shocks of 'Not Unique' with snappy snares and darkened vocals. Last but not least is the most brutal assault of them all - '7 Days A Week', a melange of wild acid lines and liquid metal leads with turbulent bass and a general sense of intergalactic warfare.

Review: Jay Lumen remains a true titan of Hungarian techno, continually pushing a sound which happily gorges on psy and trance elements without losing that all-important big room thrust. On the latest single for his Footwork Audio label, 'Universe' toys with big synth strokes and high emotional stakes peppered with incredible sound design flair before the explosive drop, while 'Grooveride' rolls out on a funked up undercarriage and incisive rave stabs. 'Ode To Earth' is another gargantuan, throbbing monster of tech-trance and 'Once Again' channels a bit of high-pressure Midwest intensity alongside the gnarly modernist elements which make his releases so potent in the dark techno zeitgeist.

Review: Groove Arcade's Arcade Sounds Volume 1 showcases a diverse quartet of artists whose talents converge in this captivating deep house offering. Lungo's 'Take It Back' sets the tone with its infectious funk and playful samples, exuding an uplifting and vibrant energy. Mostly James' 'Almost Forgot' takes a more subdued approach, blending techy elements with a pulsating rhythm, creating an irresistible dancefloor anthem. On the flip side, Emi Omar's 'Shonen' exudes a sultry and sensual groove, its techy textures intertwining with a hypnotic beat. Lastly, Hanfry Martinez's "8.20" pays homage to New York's 90s house scene, delivering a classic and groove-laden track that will ignite dance floors. Together, these four tracks form a cohesive collection that embodies the spirit of deep house, providing a vibrant and energetic soundtrack for any occasion.

Review: Brian Williams' Lustmord project has existed in different forms for over 40 years, though it's only in the last couple of decades - when it has become a vehicle for his solo work - that new musical missives have become a regular occurrence. On Much Unseen Is Also Here, the former industrial musician turned soundtrack composer once again showcases his mastery of pitch-black sonics, creepy soundscapes and horror-inspired dark ambient workouts. As you'd expect, the sound design is incredible - listen on good quality headphones for the ultimate listening experience - while Williams' penchant for throwing in suspenseful chords, billowing aural textures and unsettling vocalisations adds further layers of paganistic mystery.

Review: The self-titled name of the debut album featuring Luther Vandross is reissued for the first time by Sony. Originally released in 1976, Luther was a five person soul, disco and rhythm and blues ensemble with Luther Vandross as the lead vocalist. A popular session singer at the time, Luther eventually outgrew the band and went solo, but not before two full albums worth of material - this being the first. At the time, the record flew under the radar with the singles 'It's Good For The Soul' and 'Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)' not making much of an impact on the charts. As the years have gone on and with the success of Luther as well as the resurgence in music of the period, the two albums have gained a lot of interest.

Review: This EP's four tracks explore a range of styles within the house genre, from driving grooves to more ambient-tinged. The A-side opens with 'Mind Floating' (Ruffy Pagan Renip), a hypnotic track with a deep bassline, psychedelic synths and a driving beat, followed by 'Chcem Strongly' (Ruffy Surf N' Turf), a more relaxed and ethereal track with cosmic ambient techno and early trance influences. The B-side features two remixes of 'Mind Floating'. The Special Character Peaky Renip remix is a chord-heavy take on the original, while the original 2010 Secret version is a more electro-oriented interpretation. Carnedd Dafydd is a strong release from Luv Jam and Maria Slovakova, showcasing their versatility and skill as producers. The heavy balance of psychedelic and chill out is premier.

Review: After a long emergence in and adjacent to the South London underground music scene, producer, singer, performer and outlandish mask donner Lynks returns to the fore with the announcement of their debut album, Abomination. Moving between the well-paired, current twinnings of post punk, art pop, and rubbery electronica, Lynks lays down a whopping debut full-length here, commenting on casual hookup culture and queer psychic contemporaneity amid a brash and ironically relentless weirdo rave faux-schlock.

Notes: Maggot Brain Issue 16: Spring 2024

This is a really packed, special issue of Maggot Brain, with the feature cover story a comprehensive interview by celebrated writer Sasha Frere-Jones with essayist, Lucy Sante (who's written for every issue of MB since the start), on the occasion of her awesome memoir about transitioning, I Heard Her Call My Name.

Phill Niblock: A tribute to the genius musician, filmmaker, label head, and generous promoter of ecstatic sound, by Steve Silverstein.

Tresa Leigh: An in-depth feature on the star of Efficient Space's beloved Ghost Riders compilation! Really a beautiful, untold story.

Dredd Foole: As his legacy is revealed through Corbett vs Dempsey's archival series, Foole talks to Six Organs of Admittance's Ben Chasny about the role of his band the Din in the Boston underground. Plus sidebars from Christina Carter, Kris Price, and Phil Milstein.

Loopsel: Mike McGonigal on some of the most elusive, beautiful contemporary music, straight out of Gothenburg.

Jeff Noon: An illuminating interview with the British speculative writer on his newest work as well as the 30th anniversary of the stunning Vurt.

Sleater-Kinney: 30 vital years of uncompromising music, by none other than Audrey Golden!

Hudson of Feature Inc.: A celebration of the most innovative gallerist of our lifetime on the occasion of the Soberscove Press book about his work and life.

Shabazz Palaces: The creator of vital, spiritual hip-hop beautifully interviewed by Detroit-based musician and writer Zachary Weedon.

Birtha: Nate Carson's in-depth feature on the pioneering, all-women boogie-choogle act.

Shonto Begay: One of Maggot Brai's favourite contemporary writers, JD O'Brien, in deep discussion with the great Native American painter-with particular emphasis on how his works engage with and are influenced by music. This piece alone is so well-written and illustrated it's worth buying the issue for.

Some columns: The debut of archivist Andy Zax's fabulous 'Extinctophonics' column! Cassette reviews, plus copious book and record reviews as well! Ana Gavrilovska on Detroit-based jazz duo Balance! Nate Carson on the Earth documentary, in the debut of the music documentary column! The latest Icons column finds Michelle Dove exploring the work of Chicago's beloved Douglas McCombs! 13 Questions for contemporary folk great Lael Neale by Mike McGonigal! And more Lucy Sante!

Review: Clem Alford's one-shot project presents a captivating fusion of Westernized ragas, featuring Alisha Sufit's enchanting vocals and Jim Moyes's psych-leaning guitar elements. Tracks like 'Alan's Christmas Card' and 'Black Cat' showcase the unique blend of Indian instruments with Western touches, while 'La La' and 'Take Away Kesh' delve into more traditional compositions. This album serves as a fascinating historical piece, highlighting the skill of Alford and Moyes in blending Indian and Western sounds. Recommended for fans of indo-prog and world music, it captures a technical zeitgeist at the intersection of cultural influences. With its creativity and historical significance, this album earns high marks for cultural reasons as much as musically.

Review: Magic Number is Ross Hillard, a downtempo and orchestral composer whose engineering and bass playing can be heard on an array of releases, most notably for the likes of his own house favourites including Louie Vega, DJ Spen, Kerri Chandler, Lay-Far and Atjazz. Now debuting his first record on the latter artist's eponymous label, Badly Written Songs sounds like a slice of humble pie, but it's actually well-thought out title: in Hillard's own words, "(it's) a tongue-in-cheek reference to how transient electronic music can be." Thus, writing songs in this genre might not have been the most sensible and sustainable idea - but we all love house music, so we put everything into it, hoping that people don't discard it too soon. True to an engineer's tastes, the album is ultra-dynamic and bright throughout, serving up a consistent guest-vocal steeze reminiscent of Charles Webster or Herbert's gravitas.

Review: Magick Brother & Mystic Sister took inspiration for their name from a serial Gong album, and sure enough this Barcelona-based four-piece know exactly where they're aiming with their heavily psychedelic, tripped-out strain of cosmic rock. Following on from their self-titled debut, now the band are back with the first instalment of a two-part album release called Tarot - so far, so mystic. The groove on 'The Hierophant' is a great place to start in diving into the intoxicating headspace of the band, where some outernational instrumentation collides with the propulsive krautrock-informed rhythm section and the Canterbury scene's affinity for funk. It's a visceral trip no self-respecting pscyhonaut should be without.

Notes: Introducing the CTRL CASE PUSH 3 - the perfect protective solution for live performers on the go. Custom designed to a hold the new Ableton Push 3 and is a very lightweight and convenient solution to carry the standalone instrument well protected to your next studio or live session. Crafted from rigid Durashock moulded EVA shell and a high-density foam interior it is furthermore equipped with an accessory panel to organize power plug, audio cables and accessories.

Fits

Ableton Push 3
Ableton Push 2
Ableton Push

Specs

Outer measures: 43 x 37 x 10,5 cm
Inner measures: 39 x 33 x 5 cm
Weight: 1,3 kg

Notes: The new MULTI-FORMAT CASE PLAYER/MIXER (V10/A9) SET is specifically designed for transporting two CDJ/Multimedia Players and a 6 or 4-channel club mixer, such as the Pioneer DJM-V10, DJM-A9, or Ecler Warm 4. The case is universally compatible with all current models from Pioneer DJ, Denon, Allen & Heath, Ecler, Rane and Reloop, and can be adjusted to different device sizes using the included foam strips. Crafted from 9 mm vinyl laminated plywood, sturdy aluminum profiles, heavy duty butterfly latches and smooth rolling wheels, this case provides ultimate protection for mobile use on the road.

Fits

Pioneer DJM-V10
Pioneer DJM-A9
Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2
Pioneer DJM-900 NXS / SRT
Pioneer DJM-800 / 700 / 600
Pioneer CDJ-3000
Pioneer CDJ-2000 NXS2
Pioneer CDJ-2000 NXS
Pioneer CDJ-900 / 850 / 800
Pioneer XDJ-1000
Allen & Heath PX5
Allen & Heath DB4
Allen & Heath DB2
Allen & Heath Xone 92 / 62 / 43C
Denon LC 6000 Prime
Denon SC-6000 / SC-6000M
Denon SC-5000 / SC-5000M
Denon X1850 / X1800
Denon X1600
Denon SC3900
Denon SC2900
Reloop RMX-90 DVS
Reloop RMX-80 Digital
Ecler Warm 4
Ecler NUO4
Rane MP2015
Rane Sixty-Eight / Sixty-Four

Specs

Outer measures: 125,4 x 59 x 25 cm
Inner measures: 33,1 x 42,5 x 8,4 cm / (CDJ compartment) 43,7 x 45,4 x 8,4 cm (Mixer compartment)
Weight: 21,5 kg

Notes: The new MULTI-FORMAT CASE PLAYER/MIXER (V10/A9) SET is specifically designed for transporting two CDJ/Multimedia Players and a 6 or 4-channel club mixer, such as the Pioneer DJM-V10, DJM-A9, or Ecler Warm 4. The case is universally compatible with all current models from Pioneer DJ, Denon, Allen & Heath, Ecler, Rane and Reloop, and can be adjusted to different device sizes using the included foam strips. Crafted from 9 mm vinyl laminated plywood, sturdy aluminum profiles, heavy duty butterfly latches and smooth rolling wheels, this case provides ultimate protection for mobile use on the road.

Fits

Pioneer DJM-V10
Pioneer DJM-A9
Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2
Pioneer DJM-900 NXS / SRT
Pioneer DJM-800 / 700 / 600
Pioneer CDJ-3000
Pioneer CDJ-2000 NXS2
Pioneer CDJ-2000 NXS
Pioneer CDJ-900 / 850 / 800
Pioneer XDJ-1000
Allen & Heath PX5
Allen & Heath DB4
Allen & Heath DB2
Allen & Heath Xone 92 / 62 / 43C
Denon LC 6000 Prime
Denon SC-6000 / SC-6000M
Denon SC-5000 / SC-5000M
Denon X1850 / X1800
Denon X1600
Denon SC3900
Denon SC2900
Reloop RMX-90 DVS
Reloop RMX-80 Digital
Ecler Warm 4
Ecler NUO4
Rane MP2015
Rane Sixty-Eight / Sixty-Four

Specs

Outer measures: 125,4 x 59 x 25 cm
Inner measures: 33,1 x 42,5 x 8,4 cm / (CDJ compartment) 43,7 x 45,4 x 8,4 cm (Mixer compartment)
Weight: 21,5 kg

Review: Having accumulated millions of plays for their tracks on a video-sharing site, deep house crew Magnetic Family make their vinyl bow via Shall Not Fade offshoot Lost Palms. The EP is titled Songs For The Open Air, and it's a fitting descriptor. Opener 'Haze', for example, is a picture postcard perfect slice of immersive, tactile and dreamy deep house loveliness that sounds tailor-made for unfurling as the sun comes up at an open-air party, while the chunkier and more dubbed-out 'Aerial' has '3am at Barbarellas in Croatia' all over it. Elsewhere, 'North Circular' adds jazzy synth licks, colourful pads and warming organ stabs to loose-limbed classic house groove, while 'A Love' is a more thickset roller with deep bass, eyes-closed vocal snippets and swirling sonics.

Review: If you're reading this then you will know that Instinct is one of the UK's powerhouse garage labels. Run by Burnski aka James Burnham it deals in serious tackle for rude boys and nasty girls. The drums hit hard, the reversed bassline burn goose old school cool and there gun finger salutes come thick and fast throughout this EP from Mance. 'Checkpoint' opens with the dusty drum shuffles and bulbous bass, then 'The Going Is Rough' is a little more soulful and sweet with its rolling basslines and silky pads. 'Beat 93' closes down with a seriously OG garage sound that takes you back to the mid-90s.