Trailer Trash Tracys: Ester
Former No Pain in Pop act explore the merits of the solfeggio scale on their debut album for Double Six.
Ensemble Economique: Crossing the Path…
“An eloquent exploration of the beauty, terror and unknowability of the world.”
Octo Octa: Rough, Rugged and Raw
100% Silk release their first album, a 36-minute cassette from New Hampshire’s Octo Octa
Matthew Dear: Headcage
Matthew Dear collaborates with Fever Ray’s producers and The Drums’ singer on new EP for Ghostly.
Pete Swanson: Man with Potential
Yellow Swans lynchpin “goes techno” on an often superb solo venture for Type.
Skream: Skreamizm Vol. 6
Dubstep poster boy tackles drum’n'bass, grime and more on the latest in his Skreamizm series.
The Weeknd: Echoes of Silence
The Weeknd keeps the bar high on the conclusion to his massively hyped mixtape trilogy.
Blawan: Peaches
Hessle Audio affiliate closes a breakthrough 2011 on an extended EP of “gnarly acid techno” for Clone
Drexciya: Journey Of The Deep Sea Dweller I
An invaluable guide to the early work of Detroit techno’s most eccentric and mysterious outliers.
Bebetune$: Inhale C-4 $$$$$
James Ferraro releases his hip-hop mixtape. Yes, really.
Tin Man: Vienna Blue
Techno romantic Johannes Auvinen releases his second album of the year.
Garde & Eames: Bricks
Vancouver-based duo release collaborative album of no frills, hardware-driven house and techno.
Juicy J: Blue Dream & Lean
Memphis rap vet and founding member of Three 6 Mafia releases a remarkably consistent new solo mixtape.
Dimlite: Grimm Reality
Swiss producer further fattens his unique brand of electronic funk on his third record for Now-Again.
Mr. Oizo: Stade2
French electro veteran releases a new album for Ed Banger; for better or worse, there are no real surprises to be found.
Ricardo Donoso: Progress Chance
Brazil’s Ricardo Donoso turns to Digitalis for an album that “perhaps defines 2011 culture like no other.”
Zomby: Nothing
Zomby follows his Dedication full-length with a new seven-track EP for 4AD
Pusha T: Fear of God II – Let Us Pray
“A consistently unexceptional album from a traditionally exceptional artist”
Julia Holter: Tragedy
“To consider this as anything less than one of the very best albums of the year would be demeaning.”
Hive Mind: Elemental Disgrace
Mego sub-label Spectrum Spools continue to chart the growth of the US synthesiser underground.