Review: This is not the first compilation to drop whose sole aim is to raise funds for NHS Chartities Together - R&S Records and Bass Agenda both delivered similarly epic sets - but "Care4Life" may well be the strongest and most diverse. As you'd expect, each one of the 45 tracks is previously unreleased, and the cast list reads like a who's who of dance music culture. Notable highlights include an ultra-deep, saucer-eyed number from Daniel Avery, an unheard rework of the Chemical Brothers' "Catch Me I'm Falling", a superb revision of Harvey's Locussolus project by Kiwi, Matthew Herbert in jazzy broken beat mode, a rare solo outing from Optimo's JD Twitch, a rip-roaring rave workout from Jas Shaw, and thumping peak-time bangers from Dusky, Eats Everything and Patrick Topping.
Review: Nathan Fake's most recent album, Providence, was also one of his most critically acclaimed works. Now the UK producer hands over "Degreelessness" (featuring Prurient) from the album to remixers Huerco S and Overmono. The decision to pair up Fake with Huerco S was an inspired one, with the US artist turning "Degreelessness" into a dreamy, languid affair. By contrast, the Overmono version uses Fake's tripped out sense of melody to create a soaring but glitchy dance floor track, supported by steely, angular drums. This package proves to be an embarrassment of riches for fans of the singular UK producer, with a new track, "Bosky", navigating a path between his melancholic sound and swinging, assured electro beats.
Review: Given that the precocious Nathan Fake was a pioneer in the area of melodic, indie meets electronic, it's strange to hear him calling a release Paean. Despite this, it's business as usual for the UK producer, with a cascade of melodic lines and psychedelic modulations unfolding over a rattling break beat. By contrast, the Coda remix is but a short, noisy outro and Lukid's version is a noisy, bass-heavy broken beat reshape. It's the Lone version that most articulately captures the spirit of the original version. The synth sounds redefine the term 'breezy' and, over brittle break beats, veer into melodies so sweet that they could replace the sugar in your morning cup of coffee.
Review: Nathan Fake returns with his long awaited third LP. Steam Days is pitched almost directly between the pastoral sounds of his debut Drowning In A Sea Of Love and the razor-edged, abrupt Hard Islands. Some tracks are pushed through sharp, angular rhythmic shapes, such as the strobing bass of "Harnser" or the abrasive "A World of Spectrum", which utilises steam powered, clockwork rhythms, while some show his knack for soft-focus melodies, such as the wistful "Paean" which sounds like Ghost Box hauntology made techno, and the washed out trance of "Sad Vember".
Review: When Nathan Fake first rose to prominence it was due to the fact that his mixture of dreamy melodies and noisy rhythms matched intelligent techno with shoegazing indie - and sounded totally fresh. "Iceni Strings", the latest release by the precocious UK producer, tells a different story. While it is suffused with the hiss of glitchy percussion and sublime melodies, it also features ice cool synths and a dance floor sensibility that had been hitherto lacking in his music. "Sense Head" sees him explore this approach farther, with a jacking, rolling groove supporting spiralling acid lines and his signature detuned melodies. Fake traditionalists will be heartened by the inclusion of "Bauxite Dream" a gloriously lazy, glitchy break beat affair with a sensuous synth melody at its core.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.