Published on
November 8, 2024
Category
Features
Essential weekend listening.
This week’s rundown is by VF’s Kelly Doherty and contributors Annabelle Van Dort, Emily Hill and James Hammond.
Beatrice Dillon
Seven Reorganisations
(HI Records)
Stepping off the grid both rhythmically and electronically, Seven Reorganisations appears as Beatrice Dillon’s first acoustic record and presents a studio and live performance recorded with the Explore Ensemble. Where the set BPMs, locked grooves, and electronica of past work unveiled Dillon’s crisp production and rhythmic scope, these works venture into more abstract territories that toy with musical space and interplay between the sextet. A fine way to inaugurate Dillon’s new HI imprint. – JH
claire rousay
The Bloody Lady
(Viernulvier Records)
claire rousay makes an appropriate move into the score sphere with The Bloody Lady, a reimagined score created for Viktor Kubal’s 1980 animated movie of the same title. A gentle accompaniment to the movie, The Bloody Lady is sparse but emotive, wielding melancholy through economical synths and tender textures. Less oriented around hyper-personal found sounds than rousay’s other work, The Bloody Lady showcases her deep understanding that less is more. Another stellar entry from the cult hero. – KD
Wakuénai (Curripaco)
Music for Shape-Shifters: Field Recordings from the Amazonian Lowlands, 1981-1985
(Sublime Frequencies)
This collection from Sublime Frequencies heads back to the early ‘80s and starts with recordings of Wakuénai people by Jonathan Hill before progressing into recordings conducted by the Wakuénai people themselves. Catfish trumpets and ceremonial flutes are at the heart of many of these recordings and are striking in their low-end resonance and channelling of the Wakuénai’s surroundings and spiritual practices in the Amazonian Lowlands. An archival stunner that celebrates the enveloping and transmuted sounds of Wakuénai culture. – JH
LWS
Palloon
(Can You Feel The Sun)
Edinburgh-based DJ LWS debuts on Can You Feel The Sun, joining the family alongside Peach and label heads Parris and Call Super. Four-track EP Palloon is a UK techno voyage that dabbles with slightly experimental electronics. “Steady On” is a dynamic rollercoaster with soaring highs and lows whilst “Faster, Dryer” on the flip pulls to a building pace teasing well-programmed percussion. The record rounds off with “Unstuck”, a driving number that has kept dancers alight on the dancefloor for many moons and more to come. – EH
Jack J
Blue Desert
(Mood Hut)
Jack J, the iconic mastermind behind Canadian label Mood Hut, joins forces with Diego Herrera and fellow Pender Street Stepper Liam Butler on a phenomenal dreamy eleven-track album. Juston firmly roots himself in singer-songwriter mode on his finest body of work so far. Hypnotizing and nourishing in all the right ways, it’s an absolute must-listen. Infectious chords, ’80s synths and ’90s downtempo percussion come together in a brilliant melting pot. Not to miss as they go on a debut live European tour. – EH
Leon Dinero
One Way Love
(Daptone Records)
Daptone release a honey-toned Victor Axelrod production on a 7” – the irresistible “One Way Love”. A rocksteady flip of an R&B classic from the catalogue of fellow Daptone signee James Hunter, Dinero and Axelrod’s version is a soulful groover that would light up a dancehall in 1960s Kingston as much as a dancefloor today. Another magical collaboration from two of the best in the game! – AVD
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