Depeche Mode are revered for their angsty ruminations on religion and sex, and they’ve been reflecting on the larger state of the world for decades. On 1983’s Construction Time Again they took aim at corporate greed and corruption (“Everything Counts”), poverty (“Shame”) and the threat of nuclear war (“Two Minute Warning”). “People Are People,” an anthem about the ridiculousness of racism, followed along similar thematic lines on 1984’s Some Great Reward.
Thirty-plus years later their fourteenth album, Spirit, is rife with disdain for today’s fractured political climate. And who could blame them. Where past albums married topical commentary and memorable synth hooks, Spirit falls mostly flat. In short, their lyrical hand-wringing is exhausting to listen to.
Spirit, which was produced by James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco, opens with “Backwards,” a lament on the failed promise of technology (“We have lost our soul / The course has been set / We’re digging our own hole”). “Revolution” is a call to arms without a takeaway message (“They manipulate and threaten / With terror as a weapon / Scare you till you’re stupefied / Wear you down until you’re on their side”) and is a musical cliché of a musical cliché. The cinematic “Cover Me” finds Dave Gahan self-righteously drowning in the glow of the Northern lights for no apparent reason (“And you know we’re sinking / We could fade away / I’m not going down / Not today”).
“So Much Love” finally hits the mark. Gahan’s voice is spot on (“You can forsake me / Try to break me / But you can’t shake me / No”) and Martin Gore’s twangy, reverb-drenched guitar played over a clanking drum machine is chum for die-hard fans. “No More,” another welcome breather from the political rhetoric, is a compelling, melancholy requiem about the end of a relationship.
While Spirit is largely an unsatisfying whingefest, there is a lot of passion behind their preaching. In the end, the uneven album at least affirms Depeche Mode’s core tenet that everything counts in large amounts.
What do you do after you’ve attained most of your career goals before you’re 40? If you’re Danish DJ/producer Anders Trentemøller, you dream up new ones for yourself.
From the mid ’90s through the mid ’00s, Trentemøller dominated global dance floors with his sound comprised of shards of minimal and tech-house, forging sinewy club tracks for labels such as Audiomatique, Tic Tac Toe and Poker Flat and presenting a cavalcade of superb remixes (the Knife, Röyksopp, Moby). He played all the right clubs and high-profile festivals and was enjoying a successful career that many mixers would envy. However, instead of leveraging more opportunities for greater success behind the decks, Trentemøller’s vantage point near the top rung of the global DJ ladder allowed him to envision a new creative scenario for himself where he could expand his horizons and explore his other sonic passions which were rooted in rock music. His somber, utterly compelling self-produced 2006 album Into the Great Wide Yonder was a bold step in his evolution, with songs like “Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!!” demonstrating that he could write distinctive, gorgeously textural tunes and produce a lavish live show that rocked. (Watch our 2010 interview with Trentemøller here.)
Trentemøller has been working hard to keep the momentum going, and he will present his as-yet untitled third album in September on his In My Room label. Talking from Copenhagen while taking a break from a mastering session for the new album, Trentemøller is trying to find the words to describe his latest work. He’s been toiling away in the studio on it for a year, so it’s understandable that summarizing the focus of your life’s work in a few sentences can be a bit tricky.
“It’s always hard for me to describe my own sound,” Trentemøller says. “There’s still some electronic elements but there are a lot of indie rock elements as well. There are live guitars, bass and drums on it, and I’ve worked together with some vocalists singing on the album. Some of the songs are with vocals and the others are instrumental and have more of a cinematic feel to it… [The music] is all done by me, and I played some instruments.”
At the end of May Trentemøller will release the album’s first single, “Never Stop Running” featuring Jonny Pierce from UK indie band The Drums. “We did a nice track together,” he offers. “I’m really looking forward to see how the single goes. It’s a really nice kind of a pop song [laughs].”
Interestingly, Trentemøller says he won’t be remixing the new single — at least not now. “I don’t think so. I’ve been thinking a lot about remixes, and I am tired that songs always need to be remixed. A single now can have five or seven remixes these days. I feel this song is so strong that it can stand alone. Maybe later in the process, two or three months, there could be a remix but I actually decided this time not to do remixes and keeping the focus on the song.”
While his band has performed at Glastonbury, Coachella and Roskilde, Trentemøller — the band — will be introduced to a wider audience beginning this month when they open for Depeche Mode on six of the legendary band’s “Delta Machine” shows in the UK, Germany and Switzerland.
“The DJ thing gave me time to not play and focus on the band and make new music…. It’s fun to DJ but heart lies in playing live with the band because the feedback is much more direct in a way.”
Trentemøller says that when he received news of the support slot he was pleased, but admits he was a little distracted at the time because he was in the studio multitasking on production, album artwork and planning his band’s upcoming European festival tour and live show. (His range of responsibilities go hand-in-hand with his DIY work ethic: “I have 100% freedom to do what I like… I like to be in control of my own music and how it sounds and is played.”)
When Trentemøller got home from the studio later that night, the news finally hit him and he was able to properly enjoy the big news.
“I was jumping around when the news sunk in,” he gushes. “When I was a teenager I listened to their music. I was very honored when I was asked to do support for them. It’s going to be fun to go out and play those big stadiums. We’re going to play for a lot of people. It’s going to be a little nerve-wracking because while we’ve played festivals for 50 or 60,000 people, but this is for one of my favorite bands and that means a lot to me.”
After “15 years of struggling, gigs and hours in the studio,” Trentemøller’s talent and confidence have given him a second act that aren’t usually afforded to DJs. As the cultural pendulum shifts and the world gravitates to DJ culture like moths to a flame once again, Trentemøller sees the irony in switching gears but says he has no regrets.
“Finally things are happening, people are going to our shows and buying our music. It’s really, really nice. I’m very grateful,” he says.
“For me my focus is definitely playing with a band. The DJ thing gave me time to not play and focus on the band and make new music,” he explains, noting that he hasn’t quit spinning altogether. “Last year I did music for a movie…. It’s fun to DJ but heart lies in playing live with the band because the feedback is much more direct in a way. When people go to a concert people are there for the music. Sometimes at a club it’s more about the party — that’s fun too but I prefer playing live.”
Opening for Depeche mode and touring his new album will present Anders Trentemøller with a lifetime’s worth of experiences. It will be interesting to see what he dreams up next.
Trentemøller will support Depeche Mode on their “Delta Machine” stadium tour in the UK, Germany and Switzerland beginning on May 13. His band’s European tour begins at Heaven in London on May 30. His third album will be released in September on In My Room.
Little equals the fresh possibilities and excitement a new year brings for music fans. 2012 was a very good year for dance/electronic music, especially with the underground bass and house scene thriving while stadium DJs dominating stages that had once been the sole stomping grounds of rock bands in years past. The good news is that 2013 looks like it’s going to be an even bigger and better year for our genre, with something on offer for every fan and DJ. Here we present an overview of 125 releases coming this year. Better buckle up because it’s going to be a bump ride.
January
Damiano von Erckert & Tito Wun / Mr. Pink, What Have You Been Smokin’? (ava.)
Two deep house explorers both contribute five songs for a 10-track album. Could the album title be a wink and a nod to Reservoir Dogs? You’ll have to listen to the album to find out.
Various Artists / Hot Waves 4 (Hot Creations)
Label compilation picks up where its third installment left off. The set includes the new track from Human Life & Anabel Englund called “Falling.”
Kuniyuki Takahashi / Feather World (Mule Musiq)
Many may remember Kuniyuki Takahashi from his notable 2010 collaboration with Henrik Schwarz. On Feather World the Sapporo-based artist explores deep house and jazz with talented guests including Norwegian pianist Bugge Wesseltoft, Japanese sax player Tetsuro Kawashima and West African vocalist Sona Diabaté.
January 4
Various Artists / A State Of Trance (Armada)
Armin van Buuren presents his end-of-the-year compilation including 103 tracks and remixes in a two-hour mega-mix.
January 8
Justice / Helix EP (Ed Banger)
Parisian electro duo issue an extended version of the song from the band’s most recent full-length, Audio, Video, Disco, in addition to exclusive remixes by Domenico Torti and Gesaffelstein.
January 11
Various Artists / Max Graham presents Cycles Vol. 4 (Armada)
The fourth edition of the Cycles series finds Max Graham navigating himself through 14 tracks from the likes of Gary Saville, Dan & Sam and Matt Lange.
January 14
Feed Me / Death By Robot EP (mau5trap)
Jon Gooch continues to mash up electro with dubstep, and his latest effort is timed with a lengthy Feed Me With TEETH tour of the U.S. kicking off this month.
Michael Mayer / “Mantasy Remixes” (Kompkat)
After releasing his second album Mantasy in 2012, Kompkat co-founder offers a remix EP featuring interpretations from Philipp Gorbachev, The Mole and Barnt.
Mumbai Science / Impact EP (Lektroluv)
Belgian DJ/producer duo Jonas Kiesekoms and Maarten Elen drop an EP of fresh tunes for Lektroluv.
Mike Wall / Different Colours (Hidden Recordings)
Berlin artist crafts an album of diverse moods and sonic textures.
New Order / The Lost Sirens (Rhino/Warner)
Long-awaited mini album from iconic Manchester band finally sees the light of day. It features an unreleased mix of the Waiting for the Sirens’ Call track “I Told You So” as well as an extended version of “Hellbent,” which was previously released on the 2011 compilation Total: From Joy Division to New Order.
January 15
DJ Muggs / Bass For Your Face (Ultra Music)
Legendary hip-hop producer of Cypress Hill fame continues his exploits in the world of dubstep and glitch. Key collaborations include Chuck D of Public Enemy on “Wikid.”
KC and the Binja Ninja / Time EP (Broken)
MickSir reinvents himself as KC and the Binja Ninja and whips up three powerful tech-house jams.
Various Artists / Show Me The Future (Friends of Friends)
Label compilation featuring exclusive originals from the likes of Ryan Hemsworth, Dreams, Octo Octa, Evenings, Kid Smpl and more.
January 16
Shall Ocin / Crash Into My Love EP (Culprit)
Culprit continues to give up-and-coming producers a leg up. On the label’s 32nd release, they shine the spotlight on Argentian-born and Barcelona-based Nicolas Abalos (a.k.a. Shall Ocin), a promising newcomer whose dexterous dance floor cuts are precise and movement inducing.
January 17
Harem Tone / The First Step EP (ToneKontrol Recordings)
New label owned and run by Jay Riordan who also records as Harem Tone. Riordan uses his experience producing and remixing for Baroque, Remedy, Nice & Nasty, DXR and Circle Music Germany to craft a nice EP filled with proper basslines and beats that are simultaneously influenced by house and techno.
Various Artists Punch Music’s Strongbox (Punch)
Fourteen-track label compendium featuring curated tech-house tracks from Muzarco, Gary Beck, Nir Shoshani, Guy J, Yariv Bernstein, Peter Horrevorts, Roland M. Dill, Miki Litvak, Dan Drastic and Marc Marzenit.
January 21
Analog Session / Hot Elephant Music (Hot Elephant Music)
The debut album from Alexander Robotnick and Ludus Pinsky’s Analog Session delivers a melange of blend of electro, disco and techno over the course of extended tracks.
Chubby Dubz / EP3 (Loungin)
Deep house explorers Oliver $ and Gene Siewing team up for the third Chubby Dubz EP featuring the vocals of Elbee Bad.
Force of Nature / Expansions (Endless Flight)
Tokyo party starters Force of Nature are KZA and DJ Kent, two producers who’ve worked together for years. The pair unite for a tidy compilation featuring tracks from Joakim, Lovelock and Compuphonic feat. Marques Toliver.
Volta Cab / Strange Days EP (Illusion Recordings)
Sixth release from Illusion Recordings comes from Russia-based deep house explorers Volta Cab. The title track delivers their twist on the genre, but only a fool would overlook the deeper cuts on the EP.
Various Artists / Fabriclive 67 Mixed by Ben UFO (Fabric)
One of the three luminaries behind Hessle Audio, Ben UFO mixes the 67th edition of Fabric’s famed mix series. The 28-track session features big tunes from Tim ‘Love’ Lee, Herbert, Circuit Breake and Pangaea.
Various Artists / John O’Callaghan – Subculture 2013 (Armada)
Subculture Recordings label boss John O’Callaghan crafts a 14-track journey highlighting his two-year-old imprint’s best moments featuring trance and tech-house tracks and remixes from O’Callaghan and others.
Various Artists / Pop Ambient 2013 (Kompkat)
Running since 2001, this venerable compilation series returns with Kompakt co-founder Michael Mayer making his debut appearance with the Wolfgang Voigt remix of “Sully.” Look for tracks from Matias Aguayo and Jörg Burger’s Terrapin, Mikkel Metal and Leandro Fresco.
January 22
Birdy Nam Nam / Defiant Order (OWSLA)
French turntablists/producers who have a production credit on the new A$AP Rocky album offer up a new single packed with remixes.
FaltyDL / Hardcourage (Ninja Tune)
NYC beatmaster steps up his game with an intimate, personal album that’s been gaining a lot of interest courtesy of his current single “She Sleeps” feat. Ed MacFarlane of Friendly Fires.
Roots Manuva / Banana Skank EP (Big Dada)
Lastest release from Rodney Smith is a hard-hitting four-track EP created around the last track of his 2011 album 4everevolution. Our man is joined by long time Banana Klan collaborator Kope.
Toro Y Moi / Anything In Return (Carpark)
Toro Y Moi’s Chaz Bundick returns with his third album influenced by a move to Berkeley, CA and the subsequent extended separation from loved ones. Expect house-influenced 4/4 grooves and adept sampling on this release.
Young Fathers / Tape One (Anticon)
Edinburgh’s Young Fathers, the trio of Alloysious born in Liberia, Kayus raised by Nigerian migrants, and producer G of Scotland, announce their first release with new home Anticon.
January 23
Piemont / The Gap EP (Mr. Carter)
After issuing tracks on labels including My Best Friend, Reposal Schallware and Terminal M, Frederic Moering-Sack and Christian Jonqueieres present their first effort for the Mr. Carter imprint, a tech-house affair crafted purposely for the dance floor.
January 25
Ian Pooley / What I Do (Pooled Music)
Four years since the release of his last album, In Other Words, veteran producer Ian Pooley returns with What I Do, an album inspired by his global travels, various inspirations and analog gear.
January 28
Derrick May & Jimmy Edgar / We Love Detroit (We Love Recordings)
What happens when one of the pioneers of techno connects with one of electronic music’s brightest stars? That question is answered on this monumental compilation collaboration between Derrick May and Jimmy Edgar.
Ejeca vs Rhythm Controller/Citizen – Split 10″ (W&O Street Tracks)
The third release on Waze & Odyssey’s own label is a split 10″, on one side nu house hero Ejeca goes up against Rhythm Controller on the dance floor igniting Raid, while on the flip, Citizen goes to show why he’s being talked up as one of the most exciting new producers around.
Hot Coins / The Damage Is Done (Sonar Kollektiv)
Danny Berman sets aside his Red Rack’em alias for the moment for a new moniker: Hot Coins. This new project investigates the darker, sleazier side of the ’70s and ’80s and features City Hayes and Crazy P member Chris Todd among others.
Nicole Moudaber / Roar EP (Intec Digital)
After two killer EPs on Drumcode, techno deity Nicole Moudaber offers up another banger for Carl Cox’s famed imprint.
Various Artists / Hospitality D&B 2013 (Hospital)
Thirty-track label sampler from one of the best drum ‘n’ bass labels in the game includes big (and several unreleased) tunes from Netsky, High Contrast, Placid, Ayah Marah and more. Rewind!
Various Artists / Dubstep Allstars Vol. 10 Mixed by Plastician (Tempo)
The tenth installment of Tempa’s ongoing series taps Plastician to handle mixing duties. The 21-track journey includes his re-rub of Cato feat. Doctor’s “Brap” as well as tracks by J:Kenzo, LAXX & Walsh and Mutated Mindz.
Various Artists / Fresh Meat 1 (Cheap Thrills)
New and up-and-coming artists that Cheap Thrills are feeling, all out on a new compilation.
Various Artists / Noir In The House (Defected)
Danish DJ/producer Noir (a.k.a. René Kristensen) connects with London-based Defected label for a 29-track compilation displaying his poppier brand of house. Look for tunes from dOP, Nick Curly, Maya Jane Coles, Nina Kraviz and Shlomi Aber.
January 29
Pearl Necklace / Soft Opening (Smalltown Supersound)
Debut album by New York duo Bryce Hackford and Frank Lyon create their minimal techno through sampling field recordings, library records, dusted disco cuts and more. Special guests include Alexis Georgopoulos (a.k.a. ARP) and Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT.
Various Artists / Modern Underground Music V.2 (Black Catalogue)
Detroit’s Monty Luke unveils a sampler of his Black Catalogue label, a five-track EP of R&B and soul-infused house and techno, featuring Lance De Sardi, AbJo and Luke himself.
January 30
John Dimas / Living Lies (La Vie En Rose)
After issuing tracks on labels such as Dame Music and One Records, Greek native John Dimas spreads his musical wings for Terence:Terry: recently launched imprint. Expect an album loaded with deep chords, 808s and Chicago inspired house.
February
Hieroglyphic Being / Imaginary Concepts (Mathematics Recordings)
Chicago producer Jamal Moss pushes his creativity to the next level with his experimental alias Hieroglyphic Being. Released on his own Mathematics Recordings, the album features ten “Imaginary Landscapes” Moss and is accompanied by a four-minute video clip of “Imaginary Landscape 2″ featuring visuals by Chanel Von Habsburg Lothringen.
Justin Velor / 2013 (Brutal Music)
Manchester-based Brutal Music get the new year started in a big way with the 13-track debut album from Justin Velor (a.k.a. label head Dom Thomas) that’s appropriately titled 2013. The album features four guests (Jez Williams, Marie Chantecaille, Gerry Love and Leee John) with co-production by 808 State’s Graham Massey.
Population One / A Simpler Form EP (Reduction)
Famed Detroit DJ/producer Terrence Dixon offers the first release from his new label in the form of a three-track EP under the Population One alias.
Streetwalker / Future Fusion (Cititrax)
Streetwalker, a collaboration between Beau Wanzer and Elon Katz, release a debut album on Minimal Wave offshoot Cititrax. The release’s six songs were all recorded live in one take to one-inch tape, with no overdubs and no MIDI. All the synthesizers and drum machines were run through amplifiers.The selections were beautifully mastered for vinyl with artwork by Spencer Longo that’s limited to 999 copies.
February 4
The Asphodells / Ruled by Passion Destroyed By Lust (Rotters Golf Club)
Ten-track debut album issued on Andrew Weatherall’s Rotters Golf Club gets a global release after being issued back in November in Japan. The duo is comprised of Weatherall and Bird Scarer alumnus (and former Battant member) Timothy J. Fairplay.
Benoit & Sergio / Bridge So Far (Hot Creations)
Red-hot production duo make their debut on the mighty Hot Creations label. It’s a two-track featuring a bound-to-be-huge vocal effort.
Grouper / The Man Who Died In His Boat (Kranky)
Portland-based one-woman musical entity Grouper issues an 11-track concept album on the experimental Kranky imprint. The album is based upon “the wreckage of a sailboat washed up on the shore of Agate Beach” in Oregon.
Laura Jones / Sensoramic EP (Visionquest)
A disciple of Leftroom, Laura Jones takes the lessons she learned touring in 2012 and imparts them into her debut release focusing on the deeper side of techno.
TM404 / TM404 (Kontra-Musik)
Prolific Swedish producer Andreas Tilliander dons his TM404 alias for an album featuring eight polyrhythmic productions recorded live in one take without any post arrangement using a combination of Roland gear, including the TB-303, TR-606, TR-7-07, TR-808 and MC-202 drum machine.
Wraetlic / Wraetlic (Convex Industries)
Scottish producer Alex Smoke returns with a new studio album under his Wraetlic moniker.
Various / 5 Years Desolat – 2012 (Desolat)
After a killer 2012 that featured high profile releases from DJ Sneak, Basti Grub, Aldo Cadiz, Francisco Allendes & Paola Poletto, and Shlomi Aber, Desolat takes a quick victory lap with a five-year anniversary sampler featuring tracks by Loco Dice, Shlomi Aber, Alexkid, Benny Rodrigues and others.
Various Artists / Channel Zoo Compilation One (Channel Zoo Recordings)
Ibiza party series makes the logical progression into label with their first compilation mixed by resident DJ Michael James featuring tracks from Axel Boman, Kerri Chandler, Dana Ruh, Leif and others.
Various Artists / Night Slugs All Stars Volume 2 (Night Slugs)
London club night/record label kicks off 2013 with a banger of a compilation featuring tracks by Egyptrixx, L-Vis 1990 and Girl Unit.
Various Artists / San City High All Stars (San City High)
Kissy Sell Out brings together new and fresh edits of his own tracks and those that best represent his label. Artists include Eats Everything, Kissy, Hervé, Lee Mortimer and Dillon Francis.
February 5
Darkstar / News From Nowhere (Warp) The follow-up to 2010’s North features the single “Timeaway.” Says James Young about his band’s second album, “This record is it’s own thing, in its own bubble and time.”
Tosca / Odeon (!K7)
Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber draw influence from their native Vienna and conjure up a moody, ambient 10-track work of art featuring collaborations with vocalists Sarah Carlier and JJ Jones.
February 6
Hav Lyfe / Hav Lyfe (Sonic Router)
Mysterious producer’s self-titled 10-track full-length, an exploration into the bowels of bass, is the third album from London-based blog-turned-label Sonic Router.
February 8
Marc Romboy & Ken Ishii / Taiyo (Systematic Recordings)
The distance of 7,000 kilometers didn’t prevent from two techno titans from uniting on what will be one of 2013’s most breathtaking albums. Over the span of seven tracks Romboy and Ishii (virtually) explore a wealth of groundbreaking sounds and musical ideas.
February 11
C2C / Tetra (Casablanca)
After releasing the single “Happy” featuring Derek Martin at the end of 2011, French foursome C2C step out with their diverse debut album.
K-X-P / Menace II (Melodic)
Finnish foursome known for their krautrock roots embark on a poppier journey. They are describing their sound as “electronic Motörhead techno.”
Semedo feat. Capracara / “Love Illusion” (DJ Wool Remixes) (Body Work)
Body Work returns after a brief hiatus with a remix set of newcomer Semedo’s “Love Illusion” featuring re-rubs by Capracara and DJ Wool.
February 12
PVT / Homosapien (Felte)
Australian trio follow up their 2010 album Church With No Magic on Warp Records with Homosapien, their fourth studio album and Felte debut. Richard Pike has assumed the role of front man, and the threesome forge a unique soundscape beneath his voice.
Salva / Odd Furniture EP (Friends of Friends)
Frite Nite label boss Paul Salva follows up his collaborative remix of Kanye West’s “Mercy” with an EP for the FOF label.
February 13
Detboi / Sliding Doors (Cheap Thrills)
After a pair of EPs in 2012 for Hervé’s Cheap Thrills, Detboi welcomes 2013 with a big artist album.
February 18
Art Department / Social Experiment 003 (No.19)
Nearly three years since Soul Clap contributed to No.19’s Social Experiment 002 comes the latest mix in this series by Art Department on member Jonny White’s imprint. The group, which includes Kenny Glasgow, contribute two previously unreleased tracks and exclusive jams from Jamie Jones, My Favorite Robot, Gregorythme and Jackin Rabbit featuring Robert Owens.
Black Strobe / “The Girl From The Bayou” (Remixes) (Blackstrobe Records)
Arnaud Rebotini’s latest and greatest gets a reworking from the likes of Mustang.
Flume / Flume (Transgressive)
21-year-old Aussie Flume issues his 2012 self-titled debut through Transgressive Records. Buy on sight.
Jamie Lidell / Jamie Lidell (Warp)
Talented British soul singer now living in Nashville after stops in Berlin and New York offers a self-titled, self-produced 11-track affair.
Lusine / The Waiting Room (Ghostly International)
Ambient/IDM artist Jeff McIlwain has explored everything from minimal house to abstract hip-hop. On The Waiting Room the Seattle-based producer follows up 2009’s A Certain Distance with an album of lush soundscapes, of which five are fronted by vocalists.
Max D / House of Woo (RVNG Intl)
After dropping “Woo” in November, Future Times head/one half of DC dance duo Beautiful Swimmers Maxmillion Dunbar presents an album focused around 4/4 house grooves.
Trus’Me / Treat Me Right (Prime Numbers)
Manchester-based producer (a.k.a. David Wolstencroft) delivers his third album on his own Prime Numbers label. The eight-track release is a departure of sorts from what he presented on 2010’s In The Red and will no doubt sound as equally as sublime.
Vince Watson / Serene (Pyramids of Mars)
Scottish producer known for his work in techno explores the world of ambient sans drums on Matt Edwards (Radio Slave)’s Pyramids of Mars. Cover art was created by photographer/contemporary artist Natsumi Hayashi.
Voigt & Voigt / Die Zauberhafte Welt Der Anderen (Kompakt)
After working on a slew of tracks over the past decade or so, brothers Wolfgang Voigt and Reinhard Voigt unite for a full-length album for Wolfgang Voigt’s mighty Kompkat label.
February 19
Brandt Brauer Frick / Miami (!K7)
BBF’s third album finds the trio pushing itself into new creative territory. Always ones to put a twist on their albums, for Miami they collaborated with Jamie Lidell, Om’mas Keith, Gudrun Gut, Erika Janunger and Nina Kraviz.
Dobie / We Will Not Harm You (Big Dada)
British bass king Dobie has been around the block and then some, working with Soul II Soul back in the day, issuing a solo album for Pussyfoot and remixing an incredible list of names ranging from Massive Attack to Wiley. He follows last year’s Nothing To Fear EP with a full-length that took shape over an 18-month period.
Fatboy Slim / Big Beach Bootique 5 (The End)
Norman Cook serves up a live document of his two-night residency at at Brighton’s Amex stadium this summer.
Inc. / No World (4AD)
L.A.-based brothers/session players Andrew and Daniel Aged take the lesson they learned playing with 50 Cent, Beck, Raphael Saadiq, Cee-Lo and more and forge a post-R&B album on their own.
M Machine / Metropolis Pt. II (OWLSA)
Second installment of their epic album from three San Franciscans who produce in a studio/warehouse that Journey used to own. Very narrative and conceptual and tasteful.
Major Lazer / Free The Universe (Mad Decent)
Delayed second album from the Diplo-fronted Major Lazer finally sees the light of day. Expect to hear collaborations with Bruno Mars, Tyga, Flux Pavillion, Wynter Gordon, Shaggy, Wyclef, Ezra Koening from Vampire Weekend, Dev and more, mon.
Matmos / The Marriage of True Minds (Thrill Jockey)
The musical union between Drew Daniel and M.C. Schmidt continues on an album influenced by four years of parapsychological experiments based upon the classic Ganzfeld experiment. They used the resulting transcripts as poetic and conceptual scores to generate the nine songs on this album. Guest include: Dan Deacon, Dominique Leone, DJ Dog Dick, Leslie Weiner and Holger Hiller (Palais Schaumberg), Jason Willett (Half Japanese), Angel Deradoorian, Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak) and more.
Mitzi / Truly Alive (Future Classic)
After teasing us with the infectious “All I Heard” in late 2012, this Aussie foursome conjure up a joyous live sound that draws from disco, house, pop and Garage.
Natasha Kmeto / EP (Dropping Gems)
Portland-based singer, songwriter and producer Natasha Kmeto reveals her ____ EP on Dropping Gems, a soulful take on electronic music featuring vocals by Kmeto herself, with an LP to follow-up in Spring 2013.
Various Artists / Change The Beat: The Celluloid Records Story 1980 – 1987 (Strut)
The history of influential street smart New York City ’80s label Celluloid Records is told over a sprawling two-album collection featuring nuggets from Time Zone, Fab 5 Freddy, Manu Dibango, Grandmixer D.ST and Future 2000 feat. The Clash. Too bad there’s nothing by The Golden Palominos.
February 22
Benjamin Damage / Heliosphere (50Weapons)
After issuing 2012’s collaboration with Doc Daneeka They! Live, Damage sets off on a slightly different musical direction, mixing up tunes for the dance floor with headier tracks.
Mano Le Tough / Changing Days (Permanent Vacation)
Influential Irish DJ/producer takes his career to the next level with a 10-track debut album informed by his many years behind the decks, spinning at institutions like Panorama Bar, Trouw and Robert Johnson.
February 23
µ-Ziq / Somerset Avenue Tracks (Planet Mu)
Planet Mu label boss Mike Paradinas celebrates his imprint’s 300th release with a 12-track offering of unreleased productions.
February 25
Atoms For Peace / AMOK (XL Recordings)
Supergroup led by Thom Yorke finally gets around to issuing its much-promised debut album that blends rock with electronic music. Expectations are high for quite good reason when you consider the lineup: engineer Nigel Godrich, bassist Flea and drummers Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco.
Compuphonic / “Sunset” (Remixes by Aeroplane, Waze & Odyssey, etc.) (Get Physical)
One of 2012’s deepest and best vocal house tracks is reworked and reimagined.
Daniel Steinberg / Treptow (EMI)
Sophomore full-length from the German producer and includes the track “Joy and Happiness.” Album encompasses a quirky concoction of crisp tech house beats, infectious hooks, playful vocal samples and darker minimalist flavors.
Jay Shepheard / Home & Garden (Retrofit)
UK-born, Berlin-based deep house/disco DJ/producer presents his debut album on his own label, the 11th release following on from a string of 12″s featuring along side himself artists including Catz ‘n Dogz, Iron Curtis, Matthew Burton, Martin Dawson and others.
Mekon / Piece Of Work (Wall of Sound)
Electronic music journeyman John Gosling has worked with the likes of William Orbit and Afrika Bambaataa during his 25-year career. With his fourth album, Piece Of Work, he pays homage to homage to the late Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV (who appeared on his third album, 2000’s Relax With Mekon). Interesting fact: Mekon was Wall of Sound’s first signing 19 years ago.
Ultrademon / Seapunk (Fire For Effect)
Formerly known as Fire for Effect, Kansas-born and now Chicago-based Albert Redwine’s debut album taps into the essence of ’90s house and techno, peppering it with dashes of pop, trap and soul.
Various Artists / Silicone Soul – Darkroom Dubs Vol.3 (Darkroom Dubs)
Silicone Soul’s Craig Morrison and Graeme Reedie commemorate ten years with a label compendium featuring tech-house tracks from Of Norway, Alex Niggemann & Marc Poppcke, Terje Saether and others.
February 26
Alice Russell / To Dust (Tru Thoughts)
British soul presents her first solo album featuring the killer single “Heartbreaker” featuring remixes by New York’s Falty DL and Parisian house producer Yakine.
Kavinsky / Outrun (Casablanca)
After releasing three EPs through the Record Makers label and turning heads with “Nightcall” (which appeared in the film Drive) produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk, the French electro provocateur unveils his debut album produced by rising French DJ/producer Sebastian.
Mister Lies / Mowgli (Lefse)
The musical alias of Chicago upstart Nick Zanca, Mister Lies is a downtempo exploration of what can happen when you experiment with a laptop and controllers along with microphones, synthesizers and samplers.
Sally Shapiro / Somewhere Else (Paper Bag)
Elusive Swedish italo-disco pop princess Sally Shapiro returns with her third album arriving after her 2012 teaser in the form of her single “What Can I Do.”
March
Depeche Mode (Columbia)
Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher are back with their 13th album and first for Columbia.
Michael Canitrot / TBA (Aime Music)
Known for his various singles, remixes and So, Happy in Paris? club night, David Guetta and Bob Sinclar’s protégé releases a new album.
Footprintz / Escape Yourself (Visionquest)
Debut album from Footprintz’s Clarian North and Adam Hunter was produced by Ewan Pearson and references ’80s noir-pop that’s synth heavy and dreamy.
March 4
Blue Hawaii / Untogether (Arbutus)
Canadian duo embark on their first album, an 11-track effort written separately and then recorded over the course of the year across Canada.
Hervé / The Art Of Disappearing (Cheap Thrills)
A derivation from Hervé’s classic sound finds the master conjuring up a chilled out, dark, downtempo album made for “disappearing.”
Nu:Logic / TBA (Hospital)
Ongoing collabo between drum ‘n’ bass artists/brothers Dan Gresham (Nu:Tone) and Matt Gresham (Logistics) will spawn another album this month.
March 5
Autechre / Exai (Warp)
Legendary experiemental duo Autechre drop their 11th album in the form of the 17-track Exai. The duo’s release will be available as a double-CD package or as a four-piece 180 gram vinyl box set with download codes redeemable at Bleep.com.
Chris Carrier & Hector Moralez / Lotus Seven (Apollonia)
The debut album on Apollonia Records, the label owned and run by Dan Ghenacia, Dyed Soundorom and Shonky, finds Chris Carrier and Hector Moralez exploring hip-hop, disco jams and soul-warming joints.
Helado Negro / Invisible Life (Asthmatic Kitty)
Brooklyn via South Florida’s Roberto Lange stretches out on his third album. Known for his quixotic songs sung in Spanish, Lange sings in English for the first time on an LP featuring contributions from Bear in Heaven’s Jon Philpot, Mouse on Mars’ Jan St. Werner, Devendra Barnhart, Matt Crum and Eduardo Alonso.
Maximum Hedrum / S/T (Spectrophonic Sound)
Sam Spiegel unveils his new project, an electronic-funk hybrid featuring contributions from vocalist Derrick Green from the Brazilian band seminal heavy metal Sepultura and renowned German musician and producer Harold Faltermeyer. Funk legend George Clinton guests on the single “Keep In Touch.”
Úlfur / White Mountain (Western Vinyl)
A veteran of Swords of Chaos and in Jónsi’s touring band, White Mountain is Úlfur Hansson’s debut under his own name. Alexandra Sauser-Monnig of Mountain Man contributed vocals to the album, and Skúli Sverrisson (who has worked extensively with Laurie Anderson, Blonde Redhead, etc.), contributed bass and guitar. Hints of collage-y field recordings mingle with subtle electronics.
Various Artists / Friends Will Carry You Home Too (Pets Recordings)
Second installment of the celebrated compilation series compiled by label bosses Catz N Dogz also marks the label’s third anniversary. The 21-track compilation includes cuts by Squarehead, Jay Shepheard Trikk and digital exclusives by Mooryc and Adam Zasada.
March 11
Hugo & The Prismatics / The Consequences of Loop (GoodVibe Records)
Debut album that uses offilter percussion and strains of jazz to supercharge this act’s grooves.
Goldie / Metalheadz: Goldie (FFRR)
Twenty-year best-of collection from the drum ‘n’ bass pioneer’s vault.
March 18
Goose / Control, Control, Control (Goose)
Belgium band known for its releases on Skint and !K7 release their new album after success at home. Expect to hear a bristling mix of rock and electro.
March 19
Deptford Goth / Life After Defo (Merok/Cooperative Music)
South Londoner Daniel Woolhouse’s highly anticipated debut arrives after his knockout 2012 single “Union.” Awash in lush synths and dreamy vocals, this is one of 2013’s most important albums.
Team Ghost / Rituals (Wsphere)
Team Ghost is Nicolas Fromageau, who started M83 with Anthony Gonzalez and was on their first two records. With a sound filled with swirling guitars and shoegaze, it’s all spiced up by electronic elements.
April
April 1
Various Artists / Electric Voice II (Electric Voice)
Canadian imprint presents its second label compilation featuring contributions by Das Ding, Ike Yard and Tropic Of Cancer.
April 2
The Third Man / Beyond The Heliosphere (EPM)
Debut album from The Third Man, who has previously released material on Ai, Taberncalce and ART. The album’s first single will also feature remixes from John Heckle and Claro Intelecto.
Zoon van snooK / The Bridge Between Life And Death (Lo Recordings)
ZvS’s latest was recorded in Iceland and is comprise of “childlike electronica, found sounds and more.”
April 8
The Knife / Shaking The Habitual (Brille)
Swedish electro-pop duo return with their fourth album and a big European tour in 2013.
April 22
Miss Kittin / Calling From The Stars (wSphere)
After rocking it on her 2012 “Hide” collab with Kris Menace, Miss Kittin strikes on her own with an album featuring her trademark lyrics and mish-mash of electro and techno. Cool fact: Miss Kittin self-produced the sprawling double album.
May
Phaseone / If I Tell U (Adultswim)
St. Louis producer steps out with a big album harkening the essence of Flying Lotus but clearly defining his own turf.
Will Saul / Getting Closer (!K7)
Saul’s second album features guests including Joe Dukie, Paul ‘Tikiman’ St.Hillaire, Scuba, Appleblim and Ewan Pearson.
June
AlunaGeorge / TBA (Island Def Jam)
British electro-pop duo comprised of Aluna Francis and George Reid deliver their debut after the much remixed 2012 single “Your Drums, Your Love.”
On the Horizon
AraabMuzik: he’s hard at work on his follow up to Electronic Dream with co-productions with Skrillex and Diplo. Austra: The band is also currently in the studio, preparing the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut full-length, Feel It Break. Classixx: L.A. outfit will release an album on Innovative Leisure. Compuphonic: Belgian house maestro who scored the massive club jam “Sunset” might have his debut out this year. Daft Punk: Hey, you never know, right?! Danny Bird: Drum ‘n’ bass legend will issue an album on the mighty Hospital imprint. Fenech-Solar: The band continue recording their new album as taster track “All I Know” has given their fans a brief glimpse of what’s in store on the new album. Katy B: After dropping her New Danger EP, Ms. B is expected to deliver a new album in the spring. M.I.A.: Delayed Matangi is scheduled to be released in 2013. In addition to the soundtrack, it will include an autobiography, a documentary, and an art exhibition. Nervo: Aussie twin sisters will present their debut album after a string of smash singles The Prodigy: Much talked about How To Steal A Jet Fighter will hopefully see the light of day by the summer Stafford Brothers: Aussie DJ brothers’ debut on Cash Money will feature plenty of big-name guests Steve Angello: new album forthcoming from 1/3 of the SHM.
