Category: Electronic

Please Keep Shimmering – Tom VR

Since I came across this album today I’ve had it on repeat. It was released in 2021 on Seb Wildblood’s All My Thoughts imprint, and the music shares a lot stylistically with his releases. You’d also be forgiven for at times mistaking it for Four Tet or Jacques Greene. Which is all really to say that it is pretty lush.

The world of Please Keep Shimmering is heavily textured, flitting between organic ambient soundscapes and tracks that are more recognisable as house. In the words of RA, it “flutters and glistens”. He also introduces subtle IDM influences in a really cute way that never overpowers the deep groove. The album is a rich, contemplative, work of art. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Please keep shimmering.

Hyperdrama – Justice

Iconic French electro duo Justice have released their first album since 2021. Tame Impala (twice), Thundercat and Connan Mockasin all pop up on vocals. All in all it’s a nice release but I can’t shake the analysis from this tweet…

French electro doesn’t need polish.

Bonus tracks: my two Justice faves: one classic, one newer.

Journey – Bondax

Post #365, would you believe it?! And we have a whole new visual identity to celebrate the milestone. You could now read a new post every day for a year* – what a year it would be.

Journey is Bondax’s second full length album, and it’s a real treat just in time for the summer. Feel good electronic music to soundtrack escapades in the sun. The album sits somewhere in between Flight Facilities’ blissed out electronica, and Disclosure’s high energy dance music – and for me, that’s a very nice place to be.

They have a great set of vocalists on the release, including one of my all-time favourites in Andreya Triana, also Tara McDonald and SHELLS; you can read my post on Fade (feat. SHELLS) here.

* Yes I know we are in a leap year

Harry’s Musical Emporium announces new investment

Harry’s Musical Emporium Announces Successful Acquisition!

We are delighted to announce the successful acquisition of Harry’s Musical Emporium by new investors!

A New Chapter for Music Tech Innovation

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Harry’s Musical Emporium, allowing us to accelerate our growth and solidify our position as a leader in the music technology industry. The combined expertise and resources of the new investors will fuel our mission to meet our growth goals.

Building on a Strong Foundation

We are incredibly grateful to our previous investors for their unwavering support in helping us reach this point. Their belief in our vision has been instrumental in our success.

A Shared Vision for the Future

We are excited to embark on this new chapter with our new investors. Their commitment to innovation and their passion for the music industry perfectly aligns with our own values. Together, we will continue to develop cutting-edge music tech solutions that empower and inspire creators around the world.

Looking Ahead

With this acquisition, we are well-positioned to meet our growth goals. We are confident that the best is yet to come for Harry’s Musical Emporium, and we look forward to sharing our continued journey with you.

Romantic Gestures Vol. 1 – Fort Romeau

There aren’t many more consistent house producers over the past few years than Fort Romeau. Now he has released a sumptuous 8 track number called Romantic Gestures Vol. 1 on his own Romantic Gestures imprint. RA describe it as vibey and romantic, which gets at half of it. What makes it special for me, is that these tracks are as at home in your headphones as they would in a big room club. Punchy house music made intimate. Lovely stuff.

Make sure you stick around for the second half of the release, when it really gets going. Here are my thoughts from the last time I raved about him, and specifically the last track on the album Be With U.

How it Feels – Riva Starr

Now this is a party track. It has all the elements; you couldn’t ask for a funkier bassline; jammy organ synths; some soulful vocals; and a nice bit of crowd noise to give it a subtle pick-up. If it doesn’t get you stepping then I’m sorry, but not much will.

Bonus track: I can’t give How it Feels much more of a compliment than to say it reminds me of Maceo Plex’s Love Somebody Else. One of my all-time favourites. You can listen to that here. You can and you should.

Shakespeare – Akala

One from the vaults. It’s Akala’s Shakespeare from his debut album It’s Not A Rumour from 2006. The album (and it’s 2007 follow-up Freedom Lasso) span hip-hop, electro and rock and I have to say they opened 14-year-old-me’s eyes. Akala is a great lyricist, combining humour and meaning with crazy delivery. He has grown to become an important figure in society with his activism. This track goes back to the start of his journey – enjoy.

Bonus track: I was reminded of Shakespeare whilst watching Emerald Fennel’s new dark comedy, Saltburn – well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it already. There’s a great party scene which features Tomcraft’s Loneliness. Shakespeare‘s backing track is lifted directly from it. Two very different tracks with two very different energies, but both hit in their own way.

Hollywood (Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duck Remix) – Madonna

A couple of week’s ago I had the absolute pleasure of being at the opening night of Madonna’s Celebration Tour. Production levels were off the charts. If you get the chance to go to one of the remaining legs, I can’t stress enough that you should make it happen. The show made the most of her insanely rich back-catalogue with hit after hit. She’s an amazing performer, and it was an amazing show.

For today’s track we are rewinding to 2003, and a grinding, nasty remix of Hollywood by Jacques le Cont (aka Les Rythmes Digitales, real name Stuart Price). The speed is lifted and the drones are amplified, giving the track a new, dark energy. Interestingly, this was the version of the track that Madonna performed during the MTV Video Awards. After this remix, Price went onto work as a producer on Confessions of a Dancefloor amongst other collaborations with Madonna.

Bonus track: it wasn’t easy to pick, but this was my highlight from the show.

Push – Gabe Gurnsey

“This is a prime example of a pure temptation. Oh boy, your touch is heaven. This is the kind of feeling I could ride forever. Let’s push, together.”

It’s Gabe Gurnsey’s Push, released Erol Alkan’s Phantasy Sound label. The vocals are from Gabe’s collaborator and girlfriend Tilly Morris.

Uncomplicated electro house with an infectious energy. Rip in.

Let’s Gruv – Jon Gravy

I learnt something new today. Turns out there is a “thriving electronic underground scene” in Vienna. Who knew? Jon Gravy (real name Felix B. Nowak) is a product of that very scene, and we are lucky to have him.

Let’s Gruv was released back in 2020. The stand out track from the release is Golden Hour. A nice deep, pulsating groove picks you up, but what really makes it pop is a complete killer of a piano hook. This is all supplemented by drifting, swirling disco vocals that give the track colour and depth, without ever feeling too busy. It’s a beauty.

I was just going to post about Golden Hour, but then Maintain came on and I was digging that as well. He’s good this fella. Enjoy.