Looks to be a rainy weekend as we get drenched by hurricane run-off. Hunker down with these Tier 6 winners.
Autechre - LP5 VS. Nacht Plank & Futuregrapher - Music for Kettle (Grandma’s Edition)
Autechre - LP5
Music for Kettle (Grandma’s Edition) is a standout ambient recording, to the point of nearly overturning the momentum that keeps me coming back to LP5 (despite the annoying but characteristically mid-90's “hidden track). In the end, LP5 contains some fascinatingly mathy moments that clearly contributed to the evolution of the “intelligent dance music” genre and, by extension, Venetian Snares. That gives it the win.
The Skatalites - Hi-Bop Ska VS. Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin
Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin
Hi-Bop Ska has an almost irresistibly infectious energy that seems to lift the spirits of a room that clearly aligns it with styles that sit at the root of reggae’s stylistic tree. Hjalmar clearly owes something to the music that The Skataltes are dedicated to, but the way that they subtly shift the focus by injecting the characteristic Icelandic liminality is attention-grabbing. Also -great, memorable songs that transcend language barriers further cements their placement.
Toehider - I Have Little to No Memory Of These Memories VS. Pepe Deluxe - Comix Sonix
Toehider - I Have LIttle to No Memory Of These Memories
Toehider might be enjoying a home team advantage here, as it is a complexly composed album that just didn’t click in January, but has worn very well with repeated listens as it has reappeared throughout the year. I think, however, that in this particular “showdown of the genre-hoppers,” I Have LIttle to No Memory of These Memories has a laser-sharp focus, whereas Comix Sonix's more playful approach is a bit less well-defined.
Subsignal - A Poetry of Rain VS. Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn
Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn
As an excellent example of late-period neo-prog, A Poetry of Rain has also worn well as it has traveled from Tier 1 to here. It has several magical moments that buoy the entire album. In comparison, Asgeir Trausti’s debut is almost a sustained moment, creating a distinctive environment that is relatively unique and unhinged from any shorthand genre descriptors.
Viewer’s Choice
Jlin - Akoma VS. Nacht Plank & Futuregrapher - Music for Kettle (Grandma’s Edition)
Jlin - Akoma
The Skatalites - Hi-Bop Ska VS. Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin
Hjalmar - Skyjaborgin
88Kasyo Junrei - ◯△☐ VS. Pepe Deluxe - Comix Sonix
Pepe Deluxe - Comix Sonix
Slift - Ilion VS. Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn
Asgeir Trausti - Dýrð í dauðaþögn
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