Eleh - Homage to the Pointed Waveforms

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Genre: Drone, Electronic, Minimal

Label: Taiga Records

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Individually numbered edition of 500 copies on 200g virgin vinyl, packaged in custom 2-colour embossed letterpress jackets that just look amazing. Taiga Records bless the world with the first new Eleh material since their 2010 split side with Ellen Fullman. As the final release in a series dedicated to specific sound waves, it follows explorations of 'Square' and 'Sine' wave functions with three explorative compositions of triangle and sawtooth waves created on a dense modular system. They are the logical conclusion of live research performed in Barcelona, Brussels and Madrid during spring 2011. Side A contains a version of the piece that was conceived for the shows, which evolved during the three performances as it was continually reworked. It can be delineated into three distinct sections, each with more emphasis on (relatively) dynamic rhythm and noise than we're used to hearing from Eleh records. The B-side features two tracks mixed with "travel memories" and reflecting on that arrangement. The first is more reduced, yet prickly, and with sublime, almost melodic tone sequences to close. The third and final piece is a head-swallowing drone of near-cinematic potential, with a conclusion that's more than worth your patience. It should be noted that any perceptible distortion on the the 1st track of side B is "a problem of the audio itself, its structure and specific combination of frequencies", and can be taken as "a collaboration between Eleh and an unknown phenomenon". Don't sleep...

Leyland Kirby - Intrigue & Stuff (Vol. 1)

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Genre: Ambient, Minimal, Experimental, Drone

Label: History Always Favours The Winners

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Yet another curve-ball from oldskool Lancashire Raver Kirby. Changing colour like a confused chameleon, never blending in with its environment. This release was unannounced and comes as a minimally packaged hand-stamped white label which is a stark contrast to the breathtaking sleeves from his trilogy that were embellished with breath taking artworks from the highly under rated painter Ivan Seal. As with Kirby's recent out put this does feel very much like a journey of self-discovery and a magical roller-coaster of emotions. The tracks here sparkle with uplifting and vibrant tones with speckles of old new-beat and 808 State, David Lynch and way beyond influences, along with his more dreamy and cerebral direction. The general mood is difficult to quantify and comparing to other contemporary artists is practically impossible. This is very much electronic music at its most potent and soul stirring. Over analysis of these tracks would be dangerous but I can say there is a very "classic" electronic music spirit present.