Music Visions: November 2024 #2
qualia - Activity (2013)
Qualia's Activity is an early experiment of vaporwave, ambient, and light electronic house. It's not the most talked about in vaporwave, but I would consider it essential if you want to delve deeper into the genre rabbit hole. It's been a while since I had heard it but it holds up really well. It's got groovy bops and snappy plunderphonic snippets.
Favorites: New U, Bandwidths, Exile, KX-DT333-B
Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn - Quiet in a World Full of Noise (2024)
Ladies and gentlemen, we've found an album of the year. Their first collaboration on Pigments set a promising tone for the duo, full of cavernous strings and beautiful jazz textures. Here on their second venture, they go even more minimal. Dawn Richard's rich vocals blossom over soothing woodwinds, melancholic sax, and chilling silence. This is easily one of my favorites of 2024.
Favorites: Stains, Quiet in a World Full of Noise, Stay, Moments of Stillness, Breath Out
Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio - El circo (1991)
I recently found out about this band through a mutual's post casually sharing their favorite bands, and with such a unique name, why not try it! I'm fortunate to not be disappointed, and in fact, their discography in general is really fun and jammy. If you're not into ska, much less Latin-influenced ska, I can't say you'll be convinced yet it's worth hearing. El circo's got elements of punk and alternative rock of the era. It's got your ballads and its fast-paced moments. It's even got some meaningful lyrics, talking about the good and bad of the Mexican experience, the lives of the lower class. It's a multi-faceted album that deserves your ears, even if you're not familiar with Spanish.
Favorites: Pachuco, SolÃn, Kumbala, Pata de perro, Querida
Various Artists - "REBELLION" einhänder remixes album I octet (2007)
I recently got to experience the joys of Einhänder, a game that was on my list but never a priority. What really caught me was the techno soundtrack, and I was made aware of this 2007 remixes album from a friend's recommendation. In comparison to the original soundtrack (which I listened to before this), the variety of electronic styles and the way these compositions keep your attention is marvelous. Some of my favorite cuts on here are rhythmic, epic-sounding, and fill the room up with the joy of dance. These artists really did their homework of smoothing out Einhänder for the dance floor, and in some instances even surpasses the original. Give it a shot if you can.
Favorites: JOYHTV - "Ruins", Rute - "Badlands", Lix - "Conflict", Lix - "Thermosphere", Rute - "Earthlight"