Best of 2021

Happy New Year HME crew. I’m looking forward to what 2022 has to offer, but before then, one final post on 2021.

I’ve started to form a bit of a theory: are personalised end of year wrap-ups a bit like dreams? Everyone finds their own fascinating and everyone else’s immensely boring…

Anyway… here are my most played tracks of the year courtesy of Spotify and Soundcloud.

Soundcloud here

Rare, Forever – Leon Vynehall

I’m not going to not post Leon’s 4th album am I?

It is… interesting. Moody, ominous soundscapes that set out to disorientate are the order of the day. Rare, Forever is more reminiscent of Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders’ sprawling Promises than it is of say, his debut album Music for the Uninvited, or the follow-up Rojus. But where Promises is reminiscent of a daydream, in Rare, Forever we meet the nightmare. A rare bright spot is An Exhale, which really does feel like a relief after the intensity of Worm (& Closer & Closer). None of this is to say that the release isn’t engrossing, but if you are coming to Leon to feel uplifted after a tough Winter then look elsewhere.

You can read more of my thoughts on Snakeskin ∞ Has-Been here, or his previous album Nothing Is Still here.

Bonus track: An Exhale reminds me of this number by Kenton Slash Demon. Enjoy

Promises – Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra

If you are any kind of music fan, this has to be the sort of artist combination that will pique your interest. Floating Points is respected as one of the most talented and original electronic music producers out there. Add in Pharoah Sanders, an all-time legend from the world of jazz, with experience that stretches back to the sixties. Top it off with The London Symphony Orchestra. Et voila.

So, does Promises live up to the big-name billing? Yes, probably in ways you wouldn’t imagine. Think of the album as your companion on a spiritual journey, or a meditative splurge. Either way, let it surround you. Let the atmospheric synths, and the mastery and artistry of the players cast a spell.

It took five years to create and you can see why. It is the kind of album that does not come around very often.

Bonus track: this Tape Notes podcast episode is a deep dive into Floating Points aka Sam Shepherd’s production process for his last album Crush. I found his process pretty mind-blowing – I didn’t realise the extent to which an electronic music producer’s craft can be in the actual creation of instruments. He goes into detail on how he has built and tweaked his setup. A lot of it will go will probably go over your head (as it did mine), but the dedication is plain to see.

Crush – Floating Points

Floating Points (nee Sam Shepherd) is not your usual music producer. What I mean by this is that he has a PHD in neuroscience. Anyway he has a new album, it’s called Crush, it’s out on Ninja Tune, and he created it over the course of 5 weeks having been inspired by his time supporting the XX on tour. Pretty sick all round really.

Two tracks to pick out. Les Aplx was the first single out. It is a really tasty classic Floating Points bubbling kind of number – think Nuits Sonores. It rolls straight into my top pick, Bias. Now this one is a little bit special. It starts off all chilling and foreboding and then sparks into life with a proper thump. A bit nerdy, but check out that pause-drop on 2:40. OOSH!

By the way, thank you for coming to read my blog. If you fancy a really well written review of the album you are in the wrong place. Head here -> https://www.residentadvisor.net/reviews/24333

Dance of the Shaman (Man Power Remix) – Darius Syrossian

It’s my birthday week and I’m having a couple of celebrations. Friday I’m headed to the Choose Love x Dance For Refuge Easter Fundraiser in aid of Help Refugees at Mick’s Garage. Come with me and see Ben Gomori (obv) and headlining, Man Power.

Here is a remix by the Man himself. It’s a brooding house journey with some latin infused pianos and a large touch of the Nuits Sonores about it. And that can only be a good thing.

If you want to find out more about Man Power, his bio is pretty jokes, find it here. Also on the line-up: Brassica, Iona and MLE. It’s gonna be a party.