Portal Royal - Flared Up Remixes

I became a fan of Port Royal sometime last summer when they released their album "Afraid to Dance." At the time I was going through a lot of electronic gazey music (ulrich schnauss / m83) and it really hit a chord (ha).

This new album Flared Up (Remixes) is a remix album of their LP Flares, and it's awesome. There are about 4 or 5 songs in the middle that completely flow and feel lush and full.

I swore off remixes after a 4 year stint as a bedroom trance dj, subscribing to the idea that "original ideas are just better." After hearing this album, and its reinterpretations I was forced to reconsider the idea of originality as something completely different.

The relevant songs on here are Karola Bloch (manuel), a guitar chopper by D_Raddio (who also just released a new album, which I need to post about on here... soon) and another Karola Bloch (as dialect this time) that is more ulrich schnauss then the man himself could ever be.

This is really great album, and if you can spare the $ to purchase it you will experience some of the best sounds this year

Dive Index - Mid/Air

This album is completely awesome. It has a very glitchy / electronic theme to it similar to DNtel (of The Postal Service), Bjork, Alias, Efterklang, Ratatat, & Regina Spektor. Vocals sound like Sarah McLachlan, & Broken Social Scene.

Completely well rounded and sonically tantalizing. Be sure to give it a listen, and even a buy. The myspace songs don't do it justice.

Vector Lovers - Afterglow

I really didn't expect this album to kick it so much. Found it on boomkat. This is a great electronic album full of sound and motion. Fills up the spectrum really well with great production. It's got a great glitch, idm, indie, house, techno feel to it and really stands out as one of the more innovative records I've heard in a while. Sprinkled around the album are some tracks with vocals, and even a downtempo track or two.
Absolutely worth the buy. Check it out.

Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War

So I fell in love with Stars' second album "Set Yourself on Fire." It became one of those albums I would listen to when I just wanted to hear something familiar. When I heard the Stars' album had leaked on Pitchforkmedia.com I grabbed myself a legit copy to check out.

First off let me just say this is not "Set Yourself on Fire." It does, unfortunately lack that sort of glimmer (to this music snob) that SYOF did have. However, it does have a certain sense of intimacy that one can get used to.

Most of this album is rainy day music. Cold damp atmosphere type stuff that you would normally find in train car on your way home from the city (Take a guess where I was when I first heard the album).

Songs like "Personal" express the idea that we are in a different time of relationships. The second song "The Night Starts Here" displays the groups mature look on production, crafting a consistent control of melody and rhythm.

The album as a whole is great and worth the money. Buy it online or wait until September when it drops in stores.

Valgeir Sigurdsson - Ekvilibrium

I have been waiting for this album to show up for some time. Ever since I found it on Boomkat a few months ago.
The album is textured and an excellent portrayal of glitch at its finest. Crazy electronic album, if you can find it (it's on sale @ boomkat) grab it. damn good stuff.