Things To Make A Soundcard Depressed
March 18, 2012 6:14 PM Subscribe
Please recommend me pretty electronic music for my earholes.
So lately I've found myself thoroughly enjoying some select pieces of what has been called, some places, "Intelligent Dance Music", or IDM. Whether you like the term or not, have a listen to the "sweet cuts" listed below to get an idea of what I'm talking about. I've only found a handful of stuff so far and was wondering if Mefites had some further recommendations? I have particularly enjoyed the following tracks, which are the more touching and heartbreaky and transcendant songs from the relevant records. Would love to hear about more stuff I should be checking out, I find it all very relaxing and nice.
Specific examples:
Apparat "Black Water" (from The Devil's Walk)
John Maus "Hey Moon" (from We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves)
M83 "You, Appearing" and "Skin Of The Night" (from Saturdays = Youth)
So lately I've found myself thoroughly enjoying some select pieces of what has been called, some places, "Intelligent Dance Music", or IDM. Whether you like the term or not, have a listen to the "sweet cuts" listed below to get an idea of what I'm talking about. I've only found a handful of stuff so far and was wondering if Mefites had some further recommendations? I have particularly enjoyed the following tracks, which are the more touching and heartbreaky and transcendant songs from the relevant records. Would love to hear about more stuff I should be checking out, I find it all very relaxing and nice.
Specific examples:
Apparat "Black Water" (from The Devil's Walk)
John Maus "Hey Moon" (from We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves)
M83 "You, Appearing" and "Skin Of The Night" (from Saturdays = Youth)
Mixcloud links to get you started
Apparat
John Maus
M83
posted by Rubbstone at 6:33 PM on March 18, 2012
Apparat
John Maus
M83
posted by Rubbstone at 6:33 PM on March 18, 2012
Lol I just sampled your links AFTER I posted... I based my reply on your opening line about recommending pretty electronic music... those links aren't really much like what I recommend in my post... apologies!
All I can think of is James Blake, I'm afraid. But hey! He's like a god 8)
posted by Monkeymoo at 6:37 PM on March 18, 2012
All I can think of is James Blake, I'm afraid. But hey! He's like a god 8)
posted by Monkeymoo at 6:37 PM on March 18, 2012
As it happens, two of the artists you list are not usually described as IDM artists - IDM is a sound associated with Warp Records (particularly in the 90s), Planet Mu, Merck Records, Skam recs, etc. Apparat only sometimes works in the genre commonly described as IDM.
So, focusing only on IDM and near neighbors:
Aphex Twin is the obvious suggestion, followed canonically by Autechre, Arovane, Squarepusher, Boards of Canada, etc.
In modern times, I like (taking a very broad view of the genre) Proem, the slower-than-breakcore output of The Flashbulb/Benn Jordan, Kettel, Secede, Loess, Maps and Diagrams' earlier material, Mrs. Jynx, Paranerd, Sense, Sonmi451, Yagya, Xela's older stuff, edIT, Deru, Esem, Proswell, Ilkae, Mr. Projectile, Landau, Lackluster...
Basically start with Merck Records' output and work backwards, because Merck albums have a tendency to contain a lot of introspective, wonderfully crafted songs with delicate and melancholy synth/keys/etc. melodies over torn-up, interesting drum tracks. Merck artists also tend to incorporate field recordings and occasional side-panned vocal samples which adds a layer of nuance that is missing in a lot of "IDM". Also look at anything new to come out of Sending Orbs
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 6:38 PM on March 18, 2012 [4 favorites]
So, focusing only on IDM and near neighbors:
Aphex Twin is the obvious suggestion, followed canonically by Autechre, Arovane, Squarepusher, Boards of Canada, etc.
In modern times, I like (taking a very broad view of the genre) Proem, the slower-than-breakcore output of The Flashbulb/Benn Jordan, Kettel, Secede, Loess, Maps and Diagrams' earlier material, Mrs. Jynx, Paranerd, Sense, Sonmi451, Yagya, Xela's older stuff, edIT, Deru, Esem, Proswell, Ilkae, Mr. Projectile, Landau, Lackluster...
Basically start with Merck Records' output and work backwards, because Merck albums have a tendency to contain a lot of introspective, wonderfully crafted songs with delicate and melancholy synth/keys/etc. melodies over torn-up, interesting drum tracks. Merck artists also tend to incorporate field recordings and occasional side-panned vocal samples which adds a layer of nuance that is missing in a lot of "IDM". Also look at anything new to come out of Sending Orbs
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 6:38 PM on March 18, 2012 [4 favorites]
You would probably like a lot of the soundtrack to Lost in Translation:
Death in Vegas--Girls
Squarepusher--Tommib
Sebastien Tellier--Fantino (link is a different version than the one in the movie)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:57 PM on March 18, 2012
Death in Vegas--Girls
Squarepusher--Tommib
Sebastien Tellier--Fantino (link is a different version than the one in the movie)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:57 PM on March 18, 2012
One of my favorite albums is:
The Postal Service - Give Up
You may have heard the second track, "Such Great Heights", but I love listening to the whole album front to back.
I really enjoy the discography of Say Hi (formerly Say Hi to Your Mom). The older, the better, in my opinion.
There's a lot of good electronic music from the German label Morr Music. I like the following albums: B. Fleischmann - The Humbucking Coil, Duo 505 - Late, and Electric President - Electric President.
Lastly (and off the top of my head) there's artists like Lali Puna, The Notwist, Psapp, and a little album called "Parking Lot Music" by E*Vax.
I hope I didn't spread this too thin. Just trying to pass on some good music to a fellow MeFite. Good luck with your thread (I will be gathering answers for my own listening).
Enjoy!
posted by Jeff Morris at 7:03 PM on March 18, 2012
The Postal Service - Give Up
You may have heard the second track, "Such Great Heights", but I love listening to the whole album front to back.
I really enjoy the discography of Say Hi (formerly Say Hi to Your Mom). The older, the better, in my opinion.
There's a lot of good electronic music from the German label Morr Music. I like the following albums: B. Fleischmann - The Humbucking Coil, Duo 505 - Late, and Electric President - Electric President.
Lastly (and off the top of my head) there's artists like Lali Puna, The Notwist, Psapp, and a little album called "Parking Lot Music" by E*Vax.
I hope I didn't spread this too thin. Just trying to pass on some good music to a fellow MeFite. Good luck with your thread (I will be gathering answers for my own listening).
Enjoy!
posted by Jeff Morris at 7:03 PM on March 18, 2012
"Skin of the Night" has a very strong "quiet Nine Inch Nails song" thing about it.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:17 PM on March 18, 2012
posted by Sys Rq at 7:17 PM on March 18, 2012
oh, and because I love it so much:
Röyksopp: "Only This Moment"
posted by 4ster at 7:21 PM on March 18, 2012
Röyksopp: "Only This Moment"
posted by 4ster at 7:21 PM on March 18, 2012
This might be a bit more upbeat than what you wanted: Einmal in der Woche schreien by Siriusmo.
From what you posted, it sounds like you like chillwave more than IDM.
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:43 PM on March 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
From what you posted, it sounds like you like chillwave more than IDM.
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:43 PM on March 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Skin of the Night and Hey Moon share playlist space in my music collection with Jamie Woon, Miike Snow, and Emiliana Torrini. I have a whole playlist based on Skin of the Night, but not all the songs are electronic.
posted by melissam at 8:11 PM on March 18, 2012
posted by melissam at 8:11 PM on March 18, 2012
Artist/Songs worth checking out
-SBTRKT (pronounced Subtract)/Wildfire, Hold On, Trials of the Past, Right Thing to Do, Something Goes Right
-Active Child/Hanging On, Playing House, High Priestess, You Are All I See
-How to Dress Well/Escape Before the Rain, Decisions, You Won't Need Me Where I'm Going, I Wish (R.Kelly cover), Ready for the World, Suicide Dream 1, 2, and 3 (especially the orchestral versions)
posted by livinglearning at 8:21 PM on March 18, 2012
-SBTRKT (pronounced Subtract)/Wildfire, Hold On, Trials of the Past, Right Thing to Do, Something Goes Right
-Active Child/Hanging On, Playing House, High Priestess, You Are All I See
-How to Dress Well/Escape Before the Rain, Decisions, You Won't Need Me Where I'm Going, I Wish (R.Kelly cover), Ready for the World, Suicide Dream 1, 2, and 3 (especially the orchestral versions)
posted by livinglearning at 8:21 PM on March 18, 2012
Baths? His album Cerulean is full of this type of music.
posted by houndsoflove at 8:31 PM on March 18, 2012
posted by houndsoflove at 8:31 PM on March 18, 2012
If you were to say IDM most people would not associate it with the music you posted, that’s something else entirely.
What about Air?
posted by bongo_x at 8:56 PM on March 18, 2012
What about Air?
posted by bongo_x at 8:56 PM on March 18, 2012
As a couple of people have said, the tracks you link probably wouldn't be considered IDM by most- IDM, as I think of it, tends to be much more abstract, less "pretty" and song-oriented, and doesn't usually have vocals. As far as "true" IDM goes, though, you might like Boards of Canada, who usually have a very pretty/nostalgic/emotional sound. (A particularly representative track.)
In general, though, chillwave is probably more what you're after, as joeyjoejoejr said above- I'm not especially well versed in that genre, but one band in that chillwave/dream pop/electronic shoegaze category I really like is Sleep ∞ Over- this track especially.
I'd also put in a recommendation for the music of Tor Lundvall, a (IMO) terribly underrated ambient/electronic artist whose music doesn't sound much like that of anyone else I know of, but which generally falls into the "pretty electronic music with vocals" category. Very atmospheric music- here's one of my favorite songs of his.
posted by a louis wain cat at 9:15 PM on March 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
In general, though, chillwave is probably more what you're after, as joeyjoejoejr said above- I'm not especially well versed in that genre, but one band in that chillwave/dream pop/electronic shoegaze category I really like is Sleep ∞ Over- this track especially.
I'd also put in a recommendation for the music of Tor Lundvall, a (IMO) terribly underrated ambient/electronic artist whose music doesn't sound much like that of anyone else I know of, but which generally falls into the "pretty electronic music with vocals" category. Very atmospheric music- here's one of my favorite songs of his.
posted by a louis wain cat at 9:15 PM on March 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Washed Out
Fuck Buttons
Toro Y Moi
Emeralds
Mark McGuire
Skyramps
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:51 PM on March 18, 2012
Fuck Buttons
Toro Y Moi
Emeralds
Mark McGuire
Skyramps
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:51 PM on March 18, 2012
Here are some electronic pieces (and artists) I've particularly found pretty emotive:
VLetrmx21 - Autechre
Ruined Lives - Oneohtrix Point Never
Strathcona - Loscil
Minus Lex - Ametsub
5.9.78 - Boards of Canada
The Glow - HECQ
Some artists have already been mentioned, but I would hope that you find something out of this random selection that's interesting.
I'd definitely posit 'VLetrmx21' as music to make a soundcard depressed.
posted by TimeStove at 11:51 PM on March 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
VLetrmx21 - Autechre
Ruined Lives - Oneohtrix Point Never
Strathcona - Loscil
Minus Lex - Ametsub
5.9.78 - Boards of Canada
The Glow - HECQ
Some artists have already been mentioned, but I would hope that you find something out of this random selection that's interesting.
I'd definitely posit 'VLetrmx21' as music to make a soundcard depressed.
posted by TimeStove at 11:51 PM on March 18, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Just a quickie to say thanks for the awesome responses so far - starting to go through 'em now - and that it appears that yes, IDM is not what I'm talking about, and it's more chillwave or...similar. Woo!
posted by tumid dahlia at 4:22 AM on March 19, 2012
posted by tumid dahlia at 4:22 AM on March 19, 2012
I find this to be a good source to scratch an 'introspective with keyboards' itch.
http://pansentient.com/category/synthpop/
Last.fm/Spotify recently introduced me to Jon Hopkins: Opalescent, not sure if it fits your bill but it made me stop and look it up and I've been getting alot of M83 tracks pushed to me by such services recently.
posted by Ness at 4:27 AM on March 19, 2012
http://pansentient.com/category/synthpop/
Last.fm/Spotify recently introduced me to Jon Hopkins: Opalescent, not sure if it fits your bill but it made me stop and look it up and I've been getting alot of M83 tracks pushed to me by such services recently.
posted by Ness at 4:27 AM on March 19, 2012
Air France
posted by Threeway Handshake at 5:36 AM on March 19, 2012
posted by Threeway Handshake at 5:36 AM on March 19, 2012
Have you heard The XX? Try the song "Islands" from their first (and only-to date) album.
posted by teriyaki_tornado at 7:14 AM on March 19, 2012
posted by teriyaki_tornado at 7:14 AM on March 19, 2012
You MUST listen to Blue Sky Black Death. Check out their album Noir for gorgeous, instrumental electronic stuff. Then, after Noir, get Slow Burning Lights, BSBD's album with Yes Alexander on vocals.
Seriously, you must.
posted by broadway bill at 7:36 AM on March 19, 2012
Seriously, you must.
posted by broadway bill at 7:36 AM on March 19, 2012
Yes, do try Washed Out (link to "You and I," which I think fits your other examples the best), and Air (link goes to "Another Day"). Also try Memory Tapes (links to "Green Knight" and "Run Out").
posted by en forme de poire at 8:08 AM on March 19, 2012
posted by en forme de poire at 8:08 AM on March 19, 2012
How about Jon Hopkins- Light Through the Veins?
posted by Rufus T. Firefly at 4:24 PM on March 19, 2012
posted by Rufus T. Firefly at 4:24 PM on March 19, 2012
erm...bad link, that should be Light through the Veins
posted by Rufus T. Firefly at 4:25 PM on March 19, 2012
posted by Rufus T. Firefly at 4:25 PM on March 19, 2012
Other possibilities: Blonde Redhead, 23; Washed Out, Amor Fati; Manual, Blue Shibuya Dream.
posted by Sonny Jim at 4:07 AM on March 21, 2012
posted by Sonny Jim at 4:07 AM on March 21, 2012
There have been some excellent recommendations so far, and a lot of them have a common theme: these are artists that evoke an emotional response from the listener. Ulrich Schnauss, Holy Fuck, Four Tet, Boards Of Canada...it's not just about the dancing-in-your-skull phenomenon often associated with the classic IDM acts of Autechre, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and so on*. Instead of head-dancing, the Schnauss/HF/FT/BoC crowd wants the listener to feel something, be it euphoria, melancholy, or an attempt to convey saudade through song. That vague feeling of loss and sadness is probably why Burial still tugs on my strings even after repeated listenings. It also could be because Burial managed to make Beyonce (first 45 seconds) sound like David Gahan, but I digress.
I also appreciated the mention of Electronic Explorations; that podcast and Resident Advisor are two of the most forward-thinking showcases of electronic music these days. EE** focuses a lot more on the fractal-like development of dubstep/bass music, whereas RA veers from nostalgic acid-house raves to techno to bass/dubstep to a night at Medusa's circa 1988. A good podcast from RA that would fit into your request would be episode 286 with Xhin, and episode 297 with Synkro.
*The obligatory fake Aphex Twin IRC chat.
**If any MeFi wins the big Mega Millions jackpot, could you please by Rob Booth a decent microphone? He still sounds like he's using a pair of cheap Koss earphones as a mic, which makes him bloody hard to understand except when he swears.
posted by stannate at 8:56 PM on March 30, 2012
I also appreciated the mention of Electronic Explorations; that podcast and Resident Advisor are two of the most forward-thinking showcases of electronic music these days. EE** focuses a lot more on the fractal-like development of dubstep/bass music, whereas RA veers from nostalgic acid-house raves to techno to bass/dubstep to a night at Medusa's circa 1988. A good podcast from RA that would fit into your request would be episode 286 with Xhin, and episode 297 with Synkro.
*The obligatory fake Aphex Twin IRC chat.
**If any MeFi wins the big Mega Millions jackpot, could you please by Rob Booth a decent microphone? He still sounds like he's using a pair of cheap Koss earphones as a mic, which makes him bloody hard to understand except when he swears.
posted by stannate at 8:56 PM on March 30, 2012
Oh, and I forgot one other source for music: mnml ssgs (aka minimal sausages): two opinionated-as-all-get-out Japanese DJ's who never shy from their views on the music scene, or Japan pre- and post-March 11. Their site is a bit hard to navigate, but the mixes are often worth it--this would be more ambient/classic IDM, but still worth the time to examine.
posted by stannate at 9:06 PM on March 30, 2012
posted by stannate at 9:06 PM on March 30, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
But the best track I've heard for absolutely ages is the thumping Post-Acid sound of Sawlin's 'Datamen Working' which you can hear on soundcloud here.
posted by Monkeymoo at 6:32 PM on March 18, 2012 [3 favorites]