Fireground
Refreshing Part 1

Following his compelling comment on the modern-day culture of call centres, Disruptive Muzak – awarded Album of the Year 2016 by Boomkat – Sam Kidel turns his analytical artistry towards the ominous gatekeepers of online communication with a rave-inspired rebel spirit to match his scientific methodology.First exhibited at EBM(T) in Tokyo, Live @ Google Data Center trespasses in Google’s data centre in Council Bluffs, Iowa to perform electronic music amongst the humming banks of servers and endless cable runs, without actually breaking in. In a process he describes as “mimetic hacking,” Kidel used architectural plans based on photos of the data centre to acoustically model the sonic qualities of the space.The resulting acoustics on Live @ Google Data Center simulate the sound of Kidel’s algorithmically-generated notes, rhythms and melodies reverberating through the space, as though a bold illegal party was being held in the maximum security location. Kidel’s manipulation of his generative direction of the music, all inspired by images of the data centre.

Hotline Recordings has you pressing all the right buttons with another devastating deep dubstep outing. This one is from Cardiff boy Quartz and has all the classic genre hallmarks next to some fresh new perspectives. 'Black Decay' rides menacing bass and crispy hits with some jungle fills and eerie sustained chords. 'Abstract' picks up the pace with a broken beat that rides over a booming bottom end with plenty of fizzing synth energy filling in the spaces and 'Pale Tongue' layers up tough drum patterns and dark warehouse vibes.

Calisthenics is the first album by Institute for Certified Nomadic Illicit Sonic Practices (ICNISP), the Berlin-based duo of Brazilian musicians Marina Cyrino (flute) and Matthias Koole (el.guitar).With a mixture of electronic and acoustic sound sources, objects and preparations, inside amplification and no-input mixing, the duo leads guitar and flute towards a common hybrid terrain.Partly inspired by drawings of the Handbook of Calisthenics and Gymnastics: A Complete Drill-book with Music to Accompany the Exercises by J. Watson, first published in 1864, ICNISP came up with a series of musical exercises to stay healthy and fit (irony alert!) during the several lockdowns over the past few years. In a playful way, the title Calisthenics also translates an agitation present in many of the duo's energetic playing modes.On Side A, Calisthenics comprises 7 tracks - or exercises - of different lengths, with a focus on specific instrumental materials or preparations. Side B consists of one track in which a larger form unfurls, with elements of the exercises concatenated into a Full Arch.

Terrific Deluxe edition. Gatefold, glow in the dark vinyl, lyrics, photo book, stickers... The festival-friendly funk troupe return with their 'Mood Valiant' featuring Arthur Verocai on string arrangements!