Best New Releases from November 2019
As the frigid chills of winter begin to creep in, November brings warm harmonies, twisted moods and a deep sense of nostalgia for summer festivals, road trips, and rooftop parties. This month sees Konduku returning to Nous’klaer Audio with his second album, Ripperton curating an exquisite compilation on his own imprint, the legendary Sebastian Mullaert bringing his long-awaited album to Kontra Music, Phil Kieran crafting a mesmerizing novel of sound with influences from Kraftwerk, Bach, and Popov Vuh, enigmatic producer Personal Message returning to Solar Phenomena with his fourth outing and much more to enjoy.
Lord Of The Isles
Luminous Black and Emerald
Tamed Musiq
Swiss house music maestro Ripperton curates an exquisite two-part compilation ‘Zendama’ which features contributions from Ripperton favorite artists in the likes of Lord Of The Isles, Mary Yalex, Matt Karmil, Iron Curtis, Crowdpleaser, Jackmate, Dj Nature and Andy Hart.
“I think it always starts with a desire”, describes Ripperton, “And I remember that I just wanted to put some songs from producers I love on a record. But things never go as well as we think and so we end up with a compilation split on two EPs. The common point between all these pieces is that the people who make them are wonderful humans, very involved in making good music and keeping a positive spirit. I took a lot of care and time to finish this project and I look forward to sharing it with you and I know already that they will make you, think, smile and dance! “
The atmospheric techno beauty “Luminous Black and Emerald” by the Scottish producer Lord Of The Isles is described as:
Just that name already makes us dream, doesn't it? The man plunges us here into a purified odyssey on the edge of the house and techno. Underwater landscapes pass by with their unique reflections as only the lord of those isles could make you feel. "
Bonn
Endless (Iron Curtis Remix)
Polycarp Records
Bonn, a partnership of Hamburg-based duo Simon Ferdinand and Basch, return to the helm of the Polycarp Records to present a remix package of recently released debut album “Forget Forgot Forgotten”. The ”Bonn Remixes” EP sees incredibly skilled producers Iron Curtis and Lauer remodeling the analog-driven originals “Le Jardin” and “Endless”.
Berlin-based multitalented Iron Curtis hogs the A-side with a remix continuing the vein of excellent music production from his recent “And The Temper” EP released earlier this year via Midgar Records. He takes a completely new approach to sonic architecture and sound design for a gorgeous “Endless” track while fully retaining the charm of the original.
Sebastian Mullaert
Wonderphalt
Kontra Music
The legendary Swedish electronic music producer, an accomplished musician, visionary, live performer, and a creative mastermind behind the Circle Of Life project Sebastian Mullaert brings his signature style and undeniable elegance to Malmö’s Kontra Music with a long-awaited debut solo “A Place Called • Inkonst”. The album is described by the label as “The album is an exploration of improvisation, an approach that has become far more than a method for Mullaert: For him, this is a way of encountering the present. The tracks are expressions of chance; collisions and collaborations of sound waves caught in the moment by Mullaert, like snapshots of fleeting harmony. ”
On the opening “Wonderphalt”, beautifully layered textures and atmospheric sounds create enigmatic settings, while delicate melodies tell interwoven stories of sound and space exploration.
Toma Kami
This Side Up (Forest Drive West Remix)
Oscillate Tracks
After releasing two compilations and a split EP, Berlin party series-come-label Oscillate Tracks continuing upward trajectory with a first solo release from the Paris-based producer Toma Kami. Masterfully crafting a myriad of sonically intense and irresistible percussive rhythms, “Oscillate Tracks 004” features three original tracks complemented by an outstanding remix from the Londoner Forest Drive West.
An atmospheric techno producer Forest Drive West adds his magical touch to the “This Side Up” where futuristic elements enwrapping listeners in a powerful mix of percussion-driven rhythms generating ever-changing dynamic patterns with ambient textures.
Leif
Igam-Ogam
Livity Sound
Bristols' flourishing Livity Sound welcomes Welsh producer, Freerotation resident, and UntilMyHeartStops co-founder Leif for a new EP. Having established himself as a forward-thinking producer with previous releases on Whites, UntilMyHeartStops, Idle Hands and his newly-fledged Tio Series imprint, Leif presents “Igam-Ogam” EP with a complex mixture of subtle tones and deft rhythmic structures.
The title track is an intrinsic beauty of leftfield rhythms, deep bass frequencies, and atmospherics of nebulous synth lines.
Konduku
Belki
Nous’klaer Audio
Following a very impressive debut album “Kiran” from last year and a string of releases on Nous’klaer Audio and Idle Hands, Konduku returns to his home base Nous’klaer Audio with a sophomore album "White Heron" possibly inspire a new generation of listeners. Across 8 tracks, Konduku presents a colorful winter tale that blends polymorphic rhythms, textured ambiance and flickering, abstract patterns of rhythmic disarray.
The album’s closing track “Belki” comes to life in 3D, masterfully exploring complex rhythms and putting the mind into motion.
Phil Kieran
Descending Order
Maeve
Berlin-based Maeve records continue to shine a spotlight on the underground electronic music scene with a debut album from the veteran Irish producer and DJ Phil Kieran. Masterfully crafting a mesmerizing novel of sound influenced by Kraftwerk, Bach, and Popov Vuh, a new album “Life Cycling” is an impressive collection of 13 tracks that explores a vast spectrum of genres from kosmische, ambient to cutting-edge electronica.
Brimming with sonic vibrancy and dreamy atmosphere, the "Descending Order" offers a blissful journey into deeper shades of hypnotizing groove, gentle melody and subtle electronic touches.
Personal Message
Soft Shadows
Solar Phenomena
The enigmatic producer returns to Canadian Solar Phenomena with his fourths record “Common Shift” EP showcasing artist’s signature intelligently crafted sound. Enriched with atmospheric textures, abstract sonic vignettes of left-field synth patterns and rhythms, the five-track EP is another formidable exhibition of his sophisticated craftsmanship.
The closing track “Soft Shadows” is a multi-faceted kaleidoscope of shifting abstract moods, left-field instrumental colors and futuristic atmosphere.
Qnete
In Transit
Uncanny Valley
Uncanny Valley continues its 50th release celebrations with the fourth edition to a vibrant VA series that stretches over seven colorful records. Following PINK, RED, and ORANGE, the next installment BLUE sparks chemistry with the label artists such as Credit 00, Gnista, Break SL, AGB, and Qnete.
Leipzig-based artist Marvin Uhde, a.k.a Qnete contributes a gorgeous house track fused with raw energy. “In Transit” constantly morphs into a hypnotic deep house excursion through waves of twisted emotive synth lines, moodiness, and tranquil sonic sensibilities.
Conformal
Moss + Gen Loss
Lagaffe Tales
Swedish producer and "Lima Express" label boss Conformal brings an elegant fusion of deep house rhythms, dreamy synths and mesmerizing techno to the Icelandic label "Lagaffe Tales". The digital-only three-track package sparkles cozy winter vibes with the warm radiance of its subtle melancholic sounds. "Juice" EP comes with an emollient remix of the "Moss + Gen Loss" from the label honcho Jonbjorn.
With its dreamy tone and poetic ambiance, the second track "Moss + Gen Loss" creates a vivid sound world saturated with a frosty Icelandic imaginary.