FJAAK – Havel

Lot of stuff from the past few decades mashed together and it is a blast. In a way it’s like watching Stranger Things: it draws pretty direct inspiration from certain sources but still creates something for the now that I can interpret as the product of today. This music is many things from leftfield through techno to breakbeat, but it couldn’t have been written in those past eras because we needed to take that journey and get to the now with all these stuff in our heads to have this mash-up today. I am probably over-explaining this for the RA review that I’ve just read which lacks originality. Anyway, I don’t. I think FJAAK is unique in the blend it creates. It sounds like the soundtrack of me growing up. And I would absolutely love to listen to their selection in a party setting.

Belief Defect – Decadent Yet Depraved

Wow, this is intense, surprising, deep, a journey. Apocalyptic bass heavy rhythmic noise with an industrial feel to it. Bites with sharp teeth and consumes with acid. And this is a debut album, taking off at Raster – not bad, not bad. Reminds me of when Diamond Version was new.

Burzum – Sôl austan, Mâni vestan

What I like about Burzum is that it’s soothing like My Dying Bride but doesn’t have the doom edge to it. I love listening to The Angel and the Dark River, the only caveat is that it sets my mood and mindset to a specific place. Burzum leaves me where I am, it just provides calmness and space for me to float in. Well, maybe not all Burzum records, but this one and Hliðskjálf certainly are like that.

Modeselektor – Wealth

Just like recently going through everything Booka Shade in 2018, I did now the same with Modeselektor. They were not that productive, but the 4th Modeselektion is still not bad, and my favorite of the year was Wealth. Reminds me of the heavy-hitting flow that took me by surprise when The Dark Side of the Sun appeared.

CUTS – A Gradual Decline

Melancholic, part wondering, part sharp and penetrating, electronic with a shoegaze attitude. And a powerful concept: “addresses the planet’s current fragility using actual field recordings of ice collapsing from glaciers.”

Black Devil – Disco Club

Timing, Forget the Timing is my latest unescapable earbug for quite some time now. It is beyond my comprehension how this track (and album, for that matter) could be made in 1978. And its story of being rediscovered and reissued by Richard D. James. Mind. Blown.