As this is the first post of what hopes to be many, I think it's worth letting you know what you're in for.
Generally take quite a common stance in that I listen to anything and everything, however it seems that my general tastes naturally gravitate more towards electronic music. That doesn't mean I don't love music from all across the spectrum. To give you an idea here are some of my all-time favourite albums:
You still with me? Great!
I find a lot of music through Spotify, whether it's a suggestion by my personalised Discover Weekly playlist or falling down a ‘Related artists’ wormhole, I seem to net myself quite the haul.
So, my intention is to share with you my listening habits every month or so in the hope that maybe I'll strike a chord, but I'd also love to hear your recommendations, so make sure you post your suggestions in the comments.
Without further ado, let's get started.
Starting off with a chilled vibe, Andrew Ashong is a British-Ghanaian soul singer-songwriter and DJ from South London, and ‘Special’ is a track from his self-titled EP from 2014.
If you like the idea of soulful, laid-back, jazzy beats with a psychedelic twist, look no further. The bass line, loose guitar and stripped cross-stick drumming make for a relaxing groove that will have your head swaying without warning.
Moving into Europe as soulful jazz turns into soulful, funk, disco. Session Victim are a German duo that have been making music on and off since 2000.
‘Eo’s Place’ is the last track off their 2014 album, ‘See You When You Get There’ and is a low-key, end-of-the-night type of record that has an infectious splaying keyboard spine permeating through, tying together funky beats and melodious chords.
Oh man do I love this next record! Füxa is and experimental rock band from Detroit and ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ is their 2012 cover of Fun Boy Three’s classic record from 1983.
Füxa takes an already well-defined track and completely reinvents it by remixing it in a spacey, lo-fi synth-based rock style with a haunting take on the lyrical delivery that takes the listener on a psychedelic moon walk amongst the stars.
For my last single selection I thought I’d turn it up a notch. I don’t know much about this artist but the ’Still Going Theme’ is a piano based dance track from 2007 that is reminiscent of the House music I used to listen to growing up. Man, I remember the days. 😍
Anyway, if you want to get down to a classic sounding track with a strong piano led chords that gets the juices flowing, get off here.
Italian dance music composer Indian Wells has had an interesting upbringing growing up in a mountainous Italian village; not something I’d traditionally link to dance music composition but whatever works is fine by me.
'Where The World Ends' is Indian Well’s 2017 release that opens by greeting the listener with the four and a half minute atmospheric builder ‘Voices’. Sounding like it leans into Boards of Canada for inspiration (which is no bad thing), it sets clear intentions for the rest of the record with glitchy vocal sampling and jumping synths that pique interest right from the start. From there momentum builds through the swirling, tumbling keyboards and continuous , driving beat of the aptly named 'Cascades,' but it's when we get to the confidently stomping beats of 'The Alps' that the album really reaches the pinnacle.
From there the album leads you down the south face with the trip hop sounds and dark rhythms of ‘Les Ardennes’, bears its teeth one more time for the driving beats with ‘It’s Where The World Ends’ before settling on the low-down ‘Parola’.
Indian Wells' use of decisive beats, blowing bass, cascading keyboards and abstract vocal samples makes for a really interesting listen and although some people may prefer a more lyrical based approach to their dance music, I would suggest you give 'Where The World Ends' a moment of your time. There's plenty to wrap your ears around.
Do you have any music recommendations? What do you think of these? I’d love to hear from you so leave a reply in the comments.
Thanks for reading and listening!
