This month continues the trend of the French and Aussies blowing up the scene. There is also alot of artists taking over musical vacancies that other artists have moved on from. Also, electro-trance has arrived.
1. Pendulum – In Silico
Well it’s here and it’s an overwhelming success. Pendulum have fused stadium rock with electronic dance in a fresh and uniquely singular sound. They still have alot of room for improvement (make the rock parts more Tool than Silverchair), but this is a fantastic first step. Fans of NIN, Vast, or Prodigy should check this out immediately.
2. The Presets – Apocalypto
Another Aussie outfit, these guys have aimed more for the clubs with this album, and it is their best yet. “If I Know You” could be a club smash in the vein of “Blue Monday”. Fans of Underworld, Depeche Mode, or EBM should also check this out immediately.
3. Apparat – Things to Be Freckled
This is a double CD set of Apparat remixes and others remixing them. When their name is involved you can expect state-of-the-art and next level production that goes for the jugular.
4. Padded Cell – Night Must Fall
These guys have plumbed the best sounds from the 70’s and early 80’s to create a gothic-funk throwback album.
5. Bumblebeez – “Dr. Love”, “Spaceships”, and “Rio”
More Aussies who throw rock’n'rave, grime, electro, and punk together for a decadent party. From the album Prince Umberto & the Sister of Ill
6. The Black Ghosts mixtape
Electro that hits all the right buttons at the right times. Fil OK’s “Wink Wink (touche mix)” is one great electro track.
7. Cut Copy – “Hearts on Fire (Midnight Juggernauts mix)”
I’m astonished at the quality that Midnight Juggernauts continue to shell out.
8. Sebastian – “Momy”, “Army”, and “Dog”
Sebastian is working hard to combine rock and electro with mostly successful results. “Dog” actually tries to incorporate hardcore and electro while remaining club playable.
9. Jdsy – “Else”, “Saboteur”, and “The Beetle”
Imagine Aphex Twin with vocals. Fans of Matthew Dear step right up.
10. Little Boots – “Stuck on Repeat”
Here’s a perfect slice of vocal electro-house that takes the spot Goldfrapp used to inhabit before she went folk.
11. Noze – Songs on The Rocks
Filthy French electro-lounge album that gets jazzy and never bores.
12. Snoop Dogg – “Cool”
Yes, this new Snoop track is THE jam. You’ll hear this out for the rest of summer.
13. Rafael Frost – “Minimum”
Electro and trance are expertly mixed here to produce a slammin number.
14. Kraak & Smaak – “Squeeze Me” original & A Skillz remix
The video for the original is below and the A Skillz remix adds a nasty, grimy bass that should also kill it on the dancefloor.
15. Concord Dawn – “Fly Away Home”
Takes the spot that Pendulum left, which is drum n’ bass with a rock edge.
