07.Actress ‘Rip’ (Honest Jon’s)
How it sounded then: “Known to the taxman as Darren Cunningham, the Werk Discs boss is one who’s excavated his own hidden, very private oubliette for what we’d best describe as bass-inspired ambient techno — but that’s
only part of it. Erring more towards soundscapes than the trudging four-to- the-floor forms of his previous two full-length opuses, ‘R.I.P’ marks itself as a dark, mythological concept album from the outset. Like Zomby’s ‘Dedication’ before it, it’s best appreciated within headphones. Its metamorphosing, fragmented and off-beat dealings with mood, melody and far-out digital frequencies — while often bewildering — make for a challenging-yet- enthralling listen throughout.”
How it sounds now: Happy to be an iconoclast, Actress seems to revel in his contrariness and refusal to conform. Sticking to his principles and continuing to create next level, futuristic techno, on the basis of ‘RIP’, the rest of the world are coming round to his way of thinking.
08.Rusko ‘Songs’ (Mad Decent)
How it sounded then: “Rusko’s role in the US dubstep explosion shouldn’t be played down. So it’s with relief that his sophomore album, ‘Songs’, is not designed to solely tap into the trance-step tidal wave in search
of the US dollar. There may be the odd collaboration with a Rihanna-style vocalist (‘Dirty Sexy’) and some solar synths fit for a Tiësto set (‘Opium’), sure, but even these are imbued with the vibrant Toy Town sense of humour not only characteristic of his sound, but his personality too... fun, frenzied and fantastic, ‘Songs’ is a reminder that dubstep does not start and end with Skrillex these days.”
How it sounds now: Stomping all over the US like a brontosaurus on benzedrine, ‘Songs’ has rightfully catapulted Leeds lad Rusko into the American big leagues. Luckily, his take on dubstep has a little more flavour and tongue-in-cheek humour than some, and is already making a significant dent on the impressionable minds of the next generation.
09. Guy Gerber ‘Fabric 64’ (Fabric)
How it sounded then: “At the helm of the 64th installment of the eminent Fabric series, Supplement Facts boss Guy Gerber veers off with 16 brand-new tracks produced and mixed especially for the occasion. The
result is a hypnotic journey through lush drawn-out chords, shimmery pads and reverbed vocals... the main man proves to all and sundry that he is a true pro, as he steers his way through a subtle mix of atmosphere, rhythm and dub in equal measures.”
How it sounds now: Another coup for the techno and house renaissance man, ‘Fabric 64’ has upped Gerber’s standing to vertiginous heights. Predictably huge and yet remarkably subtle, too.
10.Hot Chip ‘In Our Heads’ (Domino)
How it sounded then: “After four albums, umpteen solo projects and a move to an independent label, the latest offering from Hot Chip proves the boys still have a spring in their step... it’s not just [their] seemingly limitless
imagination... that makes this one of their best albums to date. The fact is, Hot Chip are dripping in great songs.”
How it sounds now: Whether pumping out of the radio, at live shows, or at DJ gigs, Hot Chip’s latest batch of tunes sounds fresh, catchy and probably their clubbiest music to date. Infectious, fun, but with a seam of lyrical depth buried in the bright synthscapes, ‘In Our Heads’ is the sound of Hot Chip at their peak.
11. The xx ‘Coexist’
12. Lone ‘Galaxy Garden’
13. Claro Intelecto ‘Reform Club’
14. Session Victim ‘The Haunted House Of House’
15. Grimes ‘Visions’
16. Daphni ‘Jialong’
17. Chromatics ‘Kill For Love’
18. Mike Dehnert ‘Fachwerk 25’
19. Carl Taylor ‘True Faith’
20. Flying Lotus ‘Until The Quiet Comes’
21. I:Cube ‘Megamix’
22. Light Asylum ‘Light Asylum’
23. Iamiwhoami ‘Iamiwhoami’
24. Dub Pistols ‘Worshipping The Dollar’
25. Peaking Lights ‘Lucifer’
26. Mr G ‘State Of Flux’
27. Shed ‘The Killer’
28. Para One ‘Passion’
29. Spectrasoul ‘Delay No More’
30. Marconi Union ‘Different Colours’
31. System Of Survival ‘Needle And Thread’
32. Jimmy Edgar ‘Majenta’
33. Holy Other ‘Held’
34. Royal T ‘Rinse Presents’
35. DFRNT ‘Fading’
36. Jessie Ware ‘Devotion’
37. Boys Noize ‘Out Of The Black’
38. Breakbot ‘By Your Side’
39. DJ Shadow ‘Reconstructed: The Best Of’
40. Lukid ‘Lonely At The Top’
41. Matthew Dear ‘Beam’
42. Bat For Lashes ‘Haunted Man’
43. Saytek ‘Live On Cubism’
44. Maetrik ‘Live At Cocoon’
45. Blondes ‘Blondes’
46. Ed Davenport ‘Counterchange’
47. Shades Of Gray
‘Soul Machine’
48. Nikola Gala ‘The Woman I Love’
49. Addison Groove ‘Transistor Rhythm’
50. Melody’s Echo
Chamber ‘Melody’s Echo Chamber’
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