Singles & EPs Round up - 4th April, 2021

Popp: Live Performance for Framework Festival Video

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I like it when drummers stop beating out the rhythms for others to keep time to and concentrate on creating vibes and atmospheres all of their own. Even better if there is three of them. Here Popp do their cosmic percussive thing during this 30 minute live performance at the Framework festival.

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meeting by chance - Watershed Moment (Bandcamp)

Meeting by chance really is a master of classic chillout sounds. I don't know if it's just me looking in different places these days, but has chill out gone slightly out of fashion? Whatever. Class and style are eternal and quality chillout is quality chillout regardless of the the year count.

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Jas Shaw - Sollbruchstelle I - Become the scenic route (Bandcamp)

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The exquisite first part of a tryptich (I hope the next two installements will be as good) from Shaw, as he explores rhythmic soundscapes and soft to the touch electroacoustic material, in this pleasing, pacifying exercise in eclectic ambient artistry.

Grotta Veterano - Unfolding Drama (Facture)

Frayed, faded and pleasingly stonewashed ambient denim from Veterano on the ever reliable Facture label out of Bristol. The tones and instruments fade in and out of your consciousness, but the nagging comfort & familiarity they provide is reassuring and ever present.

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Julianna Barwick - Open (Moog Music)

moogmusicinc · Julianna Barwick - Open

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Lovely track from Barwick who uses her voice to great effect on this drifting slice of ambient electronica, taken from an intriguing compilation full of A-list over the underground electronic composers. It's part of a promotional push from Moog to advertise their Moog Sound Studio, so you know it's going to sound good.

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ELKHORN - SOUTHERN STAR (WARHEN)

I'm not usually big on live releases, but in this case I'll give Elkhorn a pass as it is a really lovely, lazy and hazy hive of acid folk and astral Americana. Well apart from the hillbilly hoedown finale, which used their second pass, but even then they manage to slip a few shrooms into the punch.

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Ola Szmidt - C Tactile Afferent (Bandcamp Self Release)

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I loved Szmidt's first release and got really excited about following her trajectory, but she lost me a bit along the way as she pushed all sorts of experimental boundaries. Well I'm firmly back on board the Ola train with this one, which is a perfectly balanced slice of expremely listenable, pleasingly experimental singer songwriter endeavour.

Chris Dave - Thine People (drumhedz 713)

Not quite sure why this dude is not much bigger, this is a consumate collection of soul, jazz, Afro, hip hop beats and pieces. Your man is on the drums & production but he's got as sharp an ear as anyone for great vocal collaboarations. Start to finish soul rooted fire.

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H.M.S. RMA - Naughty Cool (Alter)

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Thought I'd round off this week with  something a bit more raucous, so say hello to the "art punk" of  the good ship H.M.S. RMA and its motley sonic sailors. They do whatever the hell they want with healthy slices of post punk funkiness, club culture nods and  wayward whimsy thrown into the galley's mixer.