Fort Romeau “SW9”

Kingdoms, Fort Romeau‘s sterling debut, was a surprising turn for the typically rough-and-ready (perhaps amateurish, on occasion) 100% Silk. On that mini-LP, Mike Norris, a keyboardist who cut his teeth as part of La Roux’s touring band, delivered a set of lavishly textured house tracks, introducing himself as an artist with an unusually elegant vision in an era where brute-force live jams are quickly becoming the norm. Kingdoms cohered so magnificently that one might suspect he took quite a bit of time preparing its contents. By spending around a year putting together “SW9,” its proper follow-up, Norris outwardly confirms this theory, though its title track was actually released as a free download on this site last year. Still, its companion tracks, one of which is a remix from German maverick Lowtec, show that he’s lost nothing of his spirit.

Norris’ R&B-sampling deep house is not especially unique—plenty of other producers have mined similar territory in the wake of the so-called future-garage boom. What sets his tracks apart is more understated. He’s aware that tear-jerking hooks are often supported by miniature details. “SW9,” for example, is underpinned by spools of rustling hi-hats, which do as much to push the track along as the anthemic bassline and delicately yelped vocal chops. They’re topped off by seductively swelling chords and, as on so many of his tracks, a fine layer of filtered dust. Without having heard the original “Love,” its dub version resembles a take on “SW9.” Norris employs a similar bassline and vocal, but its melodic side is plusher, as its overhang synthetically renders the twangy tranquility of slide guitar. Norris’ tracks often crest on these sorts of luxurious atmospherics. Lowtec’s remix of the title track, however, puts them in a kind of chokehold—the chords remain, but are relegated to a supporting position behind a skippy rhythm and the persistent bleeping of a dial-up tone. While the original’s yelps are almost optimistic in tone, the remix’s modulations lend them a disquieting urgency. Like most of the producer’s material, it’s both imminently functional and subtly odd, though it feels slightly cluttered next to Norris’ originals. If any criticism can be leveled against those originals, it’s that they suggest the producer hasn’t progressed much, if at all, since his debut, as both could easily have appeared on Kingdoms and “SW9” was clearly made around the same time as that record. Should Norris continue repeating the same motifs, his sound—finely wrought as it is—could grow tiresome. At the moment, however, there are few producers balancing delicacy and thrust with this degree of musicianship.

Peverelist Releases New Single on Livity Sound

Livity Sound, the white-label imprint co-founded by Bristol vet Peverelist alongside Kowton and Asusu, is preparing to break its one-year silence with a new single from Peverelist himself. Taking up his shortened moniker Pev for the release, the fifth offering from Livity will feature brand-new tune “Aztec Chant” with “Livity”—a song which has been available as a streaming clip on his SoundCloud for at least two years—on the flip. “Aztec Chant” b/w “Livity” is out this week; the artwork and tracklist are available below. (via Juno Plus)

A – Aztec Chant
B – Livity

Sandwell District Announce Mix for Fabric

Sandwell District, the brainchild of Brooklyn’s Function (a.k.a. Dave Sumner) and Dublin-bred, Berlin-based Regis (a.k.a. Karl O’Connor), is prepping its first release since the project went on hiatus last year: a 75-minute mix for Fabric. (In fairness, Sandwell District has occasionally included the contributions of LA-based Silent Servant, but he is not on board for this particular outing.) The mix builds on the pair’s 20-year involvement in the techno scene, and is also said to serve as a tribute to Berlin, noise, post-punk, and other forms of electronic music. While Regis contributed several 10-minute chunks to the mix, Function apparently executed the proper whole, crafting a selection that reflects both his mindset over the past year and his intense work ethic in the studio while preparing his new Incubation LP, which actually drops this week. Preorders for Fabric 69 and more info are available here, with the artwork and tracklist available below.

01 Silent Servant – A Path Eternal [Hospital Productions]
02 Function – Voiceprint (Loop/Edit) [Ostgut Ton]
03 VCMG – Spock (Regis Remix) (Loop/Edit) [Mute]
04 Boyd Rice / Frank Tovey – Extraction 7 [Mute]
05 Raime – Exist In The Repeat Of Practice [Blackest Ever Black]
06 Ike Yard – Loss (Regis Version) [Blackest Ever Black / Desire]
07 Vatican Shadow – Church Of All Images (Regis Version) [Blackest Ever Black]
08 Fiedel – Andreas (Bonus Beats) [Fiedelone]
09 Cub – CU2 (UST Funk Mix) [Cub]
10 Mary Velo – Detune [Frozen Border]
11 JPLS – Basis [Minus]
12 Rrose – Wedge [Eaux]
13 Ø – Syväys [Sähkö]
14 Rrose – Wedge [Eaux]
15 Function – Modifier [Ostgut Ton]
16 Carl Craig – Darkness [Planet E
17 Markus Suckut – Hunt [Figure SPC]
18 Samuel Kerridge – Waiting For Love Part 1 [Downwards]
19 Untold – Motion The Dance [Hemlock]
20 Surgeon – As You Breathe Here Now [Semantica]
21 Mark Ernestus – Mark Ernestus Meets BBC [Honest Jon’s]
22 Plastikman – Plasticine [Plus 8]
23 Trevino – Uptight [Klockworks]
24 VCMG – Spock (Regis Remix) [Mute]
25 Planetary Assault Systems – Flat Tire [Mote-Evolver]
26 Factory Floor – 16-2-16-9-20-1-14-9-7 [Blast First Petite]
27 James Ruskin – Into A Circle [Jealous God Music]
28 SS/S – Sicario de Dios: Siglo 2 [Jealous God Music]
29 Laurent Garnier – At Night [F Communications]
30 Function – Voiceprint (Reprise) [Ostgut Ton]

Computer Graphics “Synthavision”*Car Crash Set*

Computer Graphics is the new alias of prolific Russian producer Pixelord, who has momentarily set aside his love for space-age bass and footwork to try his hand at producing more house-minded tracks. “Synthavision” is pulled from the project’s forthcoming debut EP of the same name (artwork above), which is set to drop March 12 on Pacific Northwest label Car Crash Set. The record’s title track is equal parts cosmic and filtered house, where fly-by samples and reappropriated rhythmic textures exist in the same space as overdriven four-on-the-floor and ’80s-tinged synth patches. From the sound of it, Pixelord seems to be as much at home making twisted house as he is crafting galactic beats. A preview stream of the rest of the EP and the full tracklist can be found after the jump.

01 Time Gate
02 Elevator Song
03 Synthavision
04 Driving to the Beach

Synthavision

Hyetal Preps New LP for True Panther, Shares First Single

Two years after the release of his debut full-length, Broadcast, Bristol-based producer Hyetal is readying a new LP, this time for True Panther. The new record, entitled Modern Worship, is set for a May 20 release date in Hyetal’s native UK, with a worldwide release the following day. Lead single “Northwest Passage,” one of three tracks from the LP to feature collaborations with vocalist Gwylim Gold, is streaming below. We’ve also posted the album’s complete tracklist.

01. Forefathers
02. The City Is Ours
03. Playing the Game
04. Lake Rider
05. Northwest Passage

06. Left
07. Moving Statues
08. Lovers
09. Jam The Network
10. 1000 Lights
11. Cloud Bridge
12. Four Walls

10 Parties Not to Be Missed at SXSW

Beginning this week, the music portion of the annual SXSW festival gets underway, meaning that an impossible number of showcases, performances, parties, and BBQs—both official and unofficial—are set to pop off. This year in particular, it seems that the historically indie-focused festival has snuck in more electronic-oriented events than usual. As such, we here at XLR8R have done our best to assess the week’s many offerings in order to present the 10 most essential SXSW parties to hit whilst running around the clusterfuck of music, culture, art, food, and drink that is Austin, Texas during SXSW.

Body High Rooftop Party
Tuesday, March 12 at Speakeasy
412 Congress Ave. • 9 p.m. • Free w/RSVP
Samo Sound Boy‘s and Jerome LOL‘s Body High label looks likely to serve up one of the week’s first highlights with its Tuesday night rooftop party. Both Samo and Jerome will be there, operating as DJ Dodger Stadium, while label regulars Myrryrs and the mysterious DJ Funeral will also serve as selectors throughout the night alongside a crew of the label’s friends and associates. And, of course, Body High promises some “secret guests” will be, well, on top of the building before the party is through.

John Talabot

Gorilla vs. Bear and Yourstru.ly Showcase at the Hype Hotel
Wednesday, March 13 at Whitley
301 Brazos St. • Daytime • Free w/RSVP
Throughout the week, the Hype Hotel will be busy trying to assert itself as a hub for all things indie, but not without an effort to rope in a few electronic-music types along the way. The Gorilla vs. Bear- and Yourstru.ly-curated daytime party appears to do so best, with DJ sets from Jerome LOL and John Talabot on the bill next to live performances by the UK wunderkinds of Disclosure and SoCal beat alchemist Shlohmo. Sure, there’s some questionable indie-rap/pop to get through in between, but we promise the payoff will be worth it.

Surefire Boat Party
Wednesday, March 13 at Capitol Cruises
208 Barton Springs Rd. • 12:45 p.m. • Ticket Required
In addition to its official showcase, the Surefire Agency will also be hosting a boat party that exclusively features B2B sets from jocks of a rather high caliber. To begin the day, XLR8R‘s own Nick Hook will team up with Brooklyn bad girl Jubilee, followed by kindred bass spirits Kingdom and Bok Bok together on the decks before Jimmy Edgar and Machinedrum work side-by-side to bring the ship back to port. The event’s Facebook page says the boat party is “sold out,” but who knows, there still might be room for a few stowaways.

Andy Stott

Resident Advisor Official SXSW Showcase
Wednesday, March 13 at Elysium
705 Red River St. • 12:45 p.m. • Badge/Wristband Required, Limited Tickets at Door
For its Wednesday night showcase, Resident Advisor has put together one of SXSW’s most solid line-ups. Budding outfits Archie Pelago, Huerco S., and Blue Hawaii will start the evening off while veterans Optimo, John Talabot, and Andy Stott round out the top of the roster. It’s really hard to argue with a line-up like that.

Mixpak vs. Tormenta Tropical SXSW Showcase
Thursday, March 14 at The Kabaret Room at Speakeasy
412 Congress • 8 p.m. • Badge/Wristband Required, Limited Tickets at Door
On Thursday, Mixpak and Bersa Discos will combine forces to bring a wide array of global riddims to SXSW. Sets from Mixpak boss Dre Skull, Dubbel Dutch, Brenmar, Toddla T, and veteran low-end specialist The Bug appear primed to make for a happening—albeit eclectic—dancefloor throughout the night.

CNTRL: Beyond EDM SXSW Special
Thursday, March 14 at Bungalow
92 Rainey St. • 7 p.m. • Badge/Wristband Required, Limited Tickets at Door
Richie Hawtin‘s “educational” music and technology tour, CNTRL, will return to North America for a special one-off show at SXSW. Amongst the night’s offerings, the most alluring appears to be the closing set featuring Hawtin himself and CNTRL co-founder Loco Dice teaming up behind the decks. Kicking off the night with DJ sets from Turbo boss Tiga and Canadian house supergroup Azari & III is not a bad look at all.

Bicep

Icee Hot Official SXSW Showcase
Friday, March 15 at Barcelona
209 E. 6th St. • 8 p.m. • Badge/Wristband Required, Limited Tickets at Door
For the second year, the members of San Francisco’s Icee Hot crew have been asked to put together an official SXSW showcase, and given the group of artists they’ve assembled for Friday night, it’s easy to see why. London duo Bicep is the night’s official guest of honor, while South London Ordnance, Grown Folk, Turbo affiliate Nautiluss, and Unknown to the Unknown boss DJ Haus will provide quality tunes alongside Icee Hot residents Ghosts on Tape, Low Limit, and XLR8R‘s own Shawn Reynaldo.

Night Slugs ? Fade to Mind Official SXSW Showcase
Friday, March 15 at The Madison
307 West 5th St. • 8 p.m. • Badge/Wristband Required
Transatlantic club-music allies Night Slugs and Fade to Mind are bringing out a good portion of their respective rosters for the labels’ collaborative showcase in Austin. Representing the UK imprint will be label heads Bok Bok and L-Vis 1990, while the Fade to Mind crew will be heard across sets of adventurous club music from Kingdom, Nguzunguzu, Total Freedom, MikeQ, and Fatima Al Qadiri.

Sepalcure

Percussion Lab Official SXSW Showcase
Friday, March 15 at Silhouette Lounge
718 N Congress Ave. • 8 p.m. • Badge/Wristband Required
As if there was not enough to do already on SXSW’s Friday night, Percussion Lab has also put together an official showcase that appears likely to leave dancers satisfied. Headlining the occasion will be Sepalcure, who will be preceeded by a night of heady dance music from Daedelus, Grenier, Archie Pelago, and Percussion Lab’s own Braille.

Numbers Official SXSW Showcase
Saturday, March 15 at Barcelona
209 E. 6th St. • 8 p.m. • Badge/Wristband Required
The Numbers label has Saturday pretty much on lockdown as far as electronic music offerings go. The imprint has done its best to transplant its roster in Austin by bringing out the core of the Numbers crew, including Jackmaster, Spencer, Redinho, and—perhaps best of all—UK tunesmith Rustie to supply the tunes for the evening. Even better, Numbers has also enlisted Rinse FM stalwart Oneman to assist in the effort.

Lea Lea “Black Or White (Goth-Trad Remix)”*Wah Wah 45s*

Trusted low-end tamer Goth-Trad (pictured above) adds some welcome bass weight to the soaring vocals of Lea Lea on his remix for the UK songstress’ forthcoming single, “Black or White.” With this rework, the veteran Japanese producer puts together somewhat of a trademark production—it’s dense, dark, and packed with a neverending array of intricate sonic details, which those with a keen ear will pick up in the bits of clattering percussion and distant FX that lurk in the track’s corners. Lea Lea’s “Black or White” single is set to drop on March 25, with the original track being joined by this and two other remixes from Other Echoes and iZem.

Black Or White (Goth Trad Remix)

Versalife Vantage Point

Dutch producer Boris Bunnik is a man of many aliases, yet a core sensibility always shines through, regardless of the moniker he chooses. Vantage Point is the first full-length from his more overtly electro-focused Versalife project, but in many ways, it picks up where his 2011 album as Conforce, Escapism, left off. Much of the story, as always, is in Bunnik’s meticulous, aquatic sound design; the listener is immediately taken into a lushly detailed world, with the album working more like a tour of its features than a collection of tracks per se. So, while few of Vantage Point‘s 10 tracks would stand out in an EP setting, when experienced as a whole, they offer a mutually reinforcing listening experience that elaborates on Bunnik’s Drexciyan fixations.

The opening pings of “Subdomain” cover all the bases; skittish, wide-ranging arpeggios, razor-sharp synth pads, sonar bass, and a generous helping of claps and ticking rimshots create a soupy medium for the listener’s gills to grow back in before things really get underway with “Sonic Signals.” The album’s second track finds a gingerly stepping but unexpectedly weighty 808 figure harnessing frazzled synth blasts that could be the the muffled cries of some mythical underwater beast, bringing things up to a manic level that persists throughout much of the LP. While the template follows James Stinson’s and Gerald Donald’s lead, Bunnik makes a science of their nervy mythologies; if not quite predictable, there’s something about these tracks that feels inevitable, showing little of the dislocation that his idols turned into art. Bunnik throws a wrench in the works on “Normal Behavior,” whose breakdowns halve the track’s tempo, stretching a moist Reese bass into a teeth-gritting, gravelly smear before abruptly righting itself, but it doesn’t suffuse its surroundings with a palpable sense of instability.

The paranoid hi-hats of “Recombinant Creations” are among the album’s most obvious nods to Detroit; they skip along, conjuring images of a jet ski moving at full clip over marine whitecaps while basslines bubble up threateningly from below. It’s all very bare bones compared to the more relaxed, generous curvatures of Escapism, a stripping away of the producer’s flesh in order to let the drum machines and rubbery bass wallops do the talking. There’s nothing objectionable about Vantage Point in this sense—it’s another masterful feat of engineering. And while Versalife’s mastery suggests the album amounts to more than a collection of stylistically focused tableaus, that greater meaning remains elusive. That’s the trouble with using such freighted sounds. Technical precision aside, the proceedings can feel like just another homage to a much-respected style. Versalife is at its strongest when the music strikes out into its own ambient terrain, as it does on creepy, glowering interlude “Further Corrections.” It’s a moment when the process of revision gives way to a feeling of original vision, and its shapeless pings come off like the birth pangs of something new, that for the most part lurks beneath the faultless surface.

Video Premiere: Compuphonic “Sunset (feat. Marques Toliver)”

Compuphonic‘s “Sunset” has been around for a while now, as it was uploaded to YouTube eight months ago and eventually garnered over three million plays. Now, the song has seen a proper release via the Get Physical imprint, a fact which has been marked by the tune recieving some stellar—albeit a bit quirky—video treatment from animation/film studio Salon Alpin. The silky house tune essentially soundtracks an edited version of the studio’s Much Better Now animated short, which follows the story of a bookmark who comes to life in order to surf the pages of a book. Compuphonic’s Sunset EP is out now, and features an impressive cast of remixers, whose contributions can be streamed via the player below. The Belgian producer will also be making his way to the States for the first time soon, debuting his act in North America at SXSW before heading to NYC for a performance at Let’s Play House.

Hourglass Sea “La Concorde”**

For those who enjoy a maximalist approach to music production, Bradford-based producer Hourglass Sea‘s Live from the Crematorium LP offers just that, with live drums stacked on top of complex, synthesized percussion. A particularly rapid rhythm ensues on “La Concorde,” a song taken from the aforementioned album, as a ping-ponging melody, speedy four-note arpeggiations, and multiple other instruments fill all possible space in the hybrid acoustic-electric song. The remaining 12 songs on Live from the Crematorium will be let go one at a time for free throughout this month before the entire batch is neatly packaged by for release in early April.

La Concorde

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