11/20/20: KILN, Luke Abbott, and more
Welcome to the November 20th edition of First Listen Friday! This week we’ve got two outstanding new electronic albums to talk about, a few remixes, and some great live performances.
KILN released their new album Astral Welder today. This is KILN’s first album since 2013 and KILN has a very unique somewhat experimental electronic-based sound. This album bleeps and bloops as well as the best electronic music released this year but it also fizzes and rattles. The use of guitar, found sounds, and environmental recordings really adds to the texture of the tracks. The texture of the sounds isn’t something that always stands out on albums but I was drawn to it on this one, and it makes for a very engaging listen. I really enjoyed this whole album, definitely something to put on and let play. It’s hard to choose favorites because I found something to like across the board but I’d say the opener “Mug Dauber”, “Oceantumblers”, “Plum Hax”, and “Cartoon Garden” all stood out.
Luke Abbott released his new album Translate today. As soon as the pulsing synthesizer hits on opener “Kagen Sound” I knew I was in for a treat with this album. Abbott’s been releasing great electronic music since 2010’s Holkham Drones (see “More Room”) and he’s also part of experimental jazz / electronic outfit Szun Waves. The second track “Our Scene” doesn’t let up, and then the static-y, warped “Flux” eases up a bit leading into the more frenetic, 9-minute “Ames Window”. I’d love to play whatever RPG “Roses” sounds meant to score. The most impressive track for me may have been the closer “August Prism” with its slow build swelling about halfway through the track and settling into a groove and reaching its peak before dissipating as the album comes to a close. Translate ended up being one of my favorite electronic albums of the year so far alongside Kelly Lee Owens and Patricia’s new albums, definitely check this one out.
Com Truise released “Fuse”, a single from his forthcoming In Decay, Too.
Tycho released another track from the forthcoming Weather remixes album, which will arrive on December 18th.
Cut Copy released Octo Octa’s remix of their track “Love Is All We Share”. It’s a very rave / dnb take and it makes for an interesting reworking of the original.
I almost went with 100% electronic music this week and then I found this new Andy Shauf single. It’s a gorgeous yet sad tune and I had to include it.
Outstanding new Tiny Desk Concert from Michael Kiwanuka with material from both Love & Hate and his most recent album Kiwanuka.
This has to be one of the best weeks in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert history because they also released this performance from Adrianne Lenker which is wonderful.
As always, here’s the Spotify playlist of selections from this week’s newsletter. Have a great weekend and enjoy the new music!