Cedstick's Electronic Album of the Week

Ametsub - The Nothings of the North



Glitch-IDM is often over-bearing, with an emphasis on the glitch all too prevalent in these kinds of works, but Ametsub likes to keep things clean and simple... well, as clean and simple as one's forays in to this genre can be. Most songs are based around simple piano melodies, which he then cuts, pitches, reverses and switches to sate the term "IDM," without grating on your ears like nails across a chalkboard. Ambiance is the mold from which Ametsub forms and cuts his art, upping the tempo in some works, but staying true to the easy-listening -- intricate and busy in many cases, but surprisingly un-intrusive as your background.

Nothings of the North is a nice, casual listen, whether you're a pensive, looking to sit-down for some one-on-one time with an album, or need some background music while you work.

A nice taste of the album as a whole (minus the piano I emphasize )

Reso - Temjin EP



At face value, when you think of Reso, you think of dubstep that'll punch your fucking lights out and hate-fuck your girlfriend, but everyone familiar with the artist knows he's much more than that. His albums encompass all electronic genres -- dubstep simply being his guiding genre -- and mixes them so well they feel as though they exist as their own established sect, so refined is his style. Temjin EP is the perfect example of his genre-blending, technical approach to electronic music, starting with grimy, heavy-hitting dub-breaks of Armored Core, slowing things down a little with the jazzy Channel Pressure to ease you in to the down-tempo Hemisphere. Reso kicks the tempo up again with the electro-styled Hyperglide to prep you for the intricate breakcore of Mind Games, a song for the introspective, and ends it all with a bang: Otacon, easily one of the most epic dubstep songs produced.

PS -- he's got a new album out as of last month, named Valken EP, so check it out if you like this one. War Machine might destroy you, though.

Steeped in nerd culture for the average nerd here.

Trentemøller - The Last Resort



Whoa, guys, chill. Chill, ok? Can you guys just chill?

'Cause Trentemøller can. Minimal and Ambiance are the basis for The Last Resort, touched throughout with the familiar sounds of Electro-House for the mainstream. Anders -- our dear Trentemøller -- has an affinity for the Mood, and sets them well, with an emphasis on the down-tempo, down-time. The only thing I can say against this album is his attempt at balancing the pulse-like sedatives with a more climactic, formulaic song. Thankfully, the latter doesn't really compromise the former, the album flowing and cohesive. To that end... just listen to it... I'm so chill right now, guys...

I was initially going to choose something a bit more up-beat for this week, but I've had Snowflake caressing my mind four the last couple of days since we found-out Trentemøller will be in-town in a month. I just had to share the album.

Sorry for the cut beginning and the shoddy quality. Best I could find on Youtube.

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma



One of 2010's best albums that you bastards haven't even heard of, 'cause you're all wrapped-up in your MTV Top-40 Kanyes and yer' Gagas. Cosmogramma sets the benchmark for modern-day Trip-Hop, bringing a completeness to the genre that no other artist has yet touched on. It feels like all of his previous works have been iterations to refine Steven Ellison's sound and finally take-on the challenge of incorporating decades of musical culture not only of African-American background, but all backgrounds -- even Thom Yorke got in on this album -- and mark his own time in our history. Rich, layered, diverse sounds, amazing production value, diversity from song to song, and one of the best album closers I can think of off the top of my head makes this worth the purchase.

I'll warn you now that, though they're good one-offs, the arrangement and flow of the first three songs is kind of awkward, but the pacing of the album steadies itself with the fourth. Best listened to when under influence.

I feel bad choosing just one song to give you an idea of the album, as it has so many different elements and influences throughout. For that reason, I'm going with something more traditionally trip-hop and conventional, rather than sticking on one of his more funk-, jazz- or soul-oriented tracks. Note: this isn't the Thom Yorke song, despite him being sampled in it.

Telefon Tel Aviv - Map of What is Effortless



I'll start you guys off with an album touting a more conventional sound in many of it's songs. Most of this album is comprised of chill, down-tempo IDM with pop'ish vocals, both female and male singers. Personally this is a once-in-a-while mood album, but a good listen nevertheless.

Also, since I'm awesome, this is the Japanese release with two extra songs, one of which is one of the best of it's year in my opinion. Excuse the file size, but I prefer to listen and deliver the highest quality I can.

One of the slower songs.