Review: Having come to light through her captivating Movement LP and a series of singles for Rvng Intl, Holly Herndon is a shining example of the ground that can be covered through the academic approach to electronic music production. That so much of her distinctive sound is powered by the canny processing of her own voice only adds to the impact, and so it is on her follow up album which lands on indie giant 4AD. The drama and shocking sound design is palpable at every turn, with more noticeably song-based structures coming through at times, only to be side-swiped by brutal drum programming at others. With a style that no-one else could dream of coming close to, Herndon has confirmed herself to be amongst the great electronic artists of our times.
Review: The latest release from the excellent Public Information sees them return to the works of early electronic pioneer F.C. Judd with a selection of remixes from some well chosen contemporary artists. Originally the subject of a retrospective release from Public Information early in 2012 entitled Electronics Without Tears, F.C. Judd was an under-appreciated figure of early electronic music who experimented with oscillators, filters and amplifiers, alongside his own self-built electro-mechanical drum machine and experimental synthesiser, primarily during the 1950s and 60s. Interpretations On F.C. Judd is the result of the label haven given all artists involved access to Judd's entire archive of sounds, tone experiments, field recordings and lectures, and left them to "produce an audio artefact befitting of Judd himself". RVNG artist Holly Herndon, techno veteran Perc, Bandshell, Karen Gwyer, Ekoplekz and Throbbing Gristle's Chris Carter all contribute to an engaging collection of works.
Review: There's definitely a high surge of experimental music coming out of New York at the moment, with Rvng Intl being at the forefront of this wave. Holly Herndon makes her debut for the label after an interesting first release on cassette for "Third Sex", and "Movement" sees her sound mould into a distinctive mixture of noise and synthesis experimentation. The opener, "Terminal", sets the scene for what is inevitably going to head down dark, unknown territories - its brooding bass howls protruding between glitchy noises. "Fade" adds a more familiar percussion arrangement but is quickly disemboweled by echoing lyrics and swirling polyphonies; not to mention its following track, "Breathe", another apocalyptic bundle of groans and swirling effects. "Control And" is as daunting as it is marvellous, but it's the muffled, delayed techno of "Movement" which truly stands out as Herndon's best work so far. It's her most focused moment yet, one which seems to be heading towards more grounded territories, only to be torn apart by the awkwardly brilliant "Dilato". Highly recommended!
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