Music Visions: August 2025
Nmesh - The Molokai Compendium (2025)
The king of bizarro sample plunderphonics is back with a new album. The Molokai Compendium sits snuggly as one Nmesh's most consistent and, dare I say, conventionally friendly releases. In my books, it's very much a positive change, as it rewards the listeners with plenty of head-bobbing grooves and earworm sample chops. Where previous Nmesh releases were held back by bloat and inconsistent sequencing, the Molokai Compendium is able to web its vaporwave influences more cleanly to the ambient/electro compositions. While Nmesh always impresses with new ideas, I like it when an artist can build on their fundamentals.
Favorites: On the Telephone, RMS Ephratha PA, Heavyweight Subliminal, MRO Crib Move 5, Cocktails on the Beach, Sunnex T-3 Process Line, No Other Function, Friendly Skies (feat. Torn Hawk)
Phase 7 - Playtime (1980)
For the debut album of Hawaiian funk/soul band Phase 7, it's no exaggeration to call this the embodiment of a tropical vacation. The grooves on this are so heartwarming and emotionally driven, you'd be forgiven if you shed a tear. The moments of band banter and crowd interaction feel just as essential, immersing you into their world and bringing back that clarity to your soul. If you're into city pop or vintage funk records, this is a must-pick for your collection. It's even got a reissue to boot!
Favorites: Playtime, Could It Be Love, So Good to Be In Love, Dance the Night Away, You and Me
Night Burger - Burnin' Fast (2012)
I honestly don't remember how I stumbled upon this album back in the day but it resurfaced again as a recommendation on my last.fm. I rated it highly back in 2018, and listening to it again, I must have been in a really morbid mood. Think of the cold, back-alley lo-fi sound of Dirty Beaches but if it was the soundtrack to Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. You would not want to walk alone at night with this in the background, with drums breaking soft beds of menacing drone. The sound of Burnin' Fast is a mood killer but it's good at its unease.
Favorites: Degraded Cool, Smooth Age, Burnin' Fast, Did You Know Him?
Astroblur - archangel_2000 (2025)
It's always a treat to hear the musical progression of Astroblur, each record a sonic refinement of ambient, trance, and D&B. Archangel_2000 is crisp, razer-sharp, in its glitched out percussion and symphony of synth textures. For as long and heavy as these tracks may feel, there is a bliss and warmth to the production that doesn't wear out the ears. I always felt Astroblur's music would sit well inside a DDR/PIU cabinet setlist, but this album feels primed for the sickest Tron-inspired racing game.
Favorites: shockwave flash., torrent protocol., ultimate aurora., vortec space., 2000., heavy black heart.