Review: In her third album for Hyperdub Loraine James invites us into a captivating new chapter of her personal and sonic journey that takes inspiration from her past and present. She delivers a record that resonates with the musical inclinations of her teenage years, offering a nostalgically languid and delightfully eclectic collection of music inspired by odd genres like 'math rock' and 'emo-electronic sounds'. For some the album could evoke memoriesa of artists like DNTEL, Lusine, and Telefon Tel Aviv - with James's sonic palette skilfully woven into an unique sonic landscapes. Extracting sensitive and introspective tones through complex, deft and wild production, the album can drifts into serene ambience, as if searching for moments of everyday bliss ("2003"), to stripped backed wax poetics of "D?j? Vu ft. RiTchie" alongside a new wave & acoustic breakbeats sound in "I DM U". As gentle and deep as it gets. Quality.
Review: Born in Mexico and raised in the Sierra, now based in Houston, Panch Briones aka Santa Muerte drops his debut EP on Hyperdub. His melodic electronic music is said to take inspiration from the mythology and religion of Mexican culture, merged with the bass heavy sound of his hometown's hip-hop scene. The Eslabon EP begins with the off-kilter and deeply emotional groove of "Tonantzin", followed by the deeply meditative bass frequencies of "Coahuiltecan", moving into the industrial tinged ambient epic "Emma" and ending with the complex and entrancing rhythm work on glassy-eyed number "Laberinto".
Review: There aren't many labels that can genuinely hold a candle to the electronic mastery that Hyperdub have been able to deliver over the last decade alone, seeing their catalogue now bulging at the seams with the most intuitive dance music innovation. This latest collection takes the title '10.4' and supplies us with a deep dive into the full spectrum of where Hyperdub are at, with legendary figures such as Ikonika, Cooly G, Scratch DVA, Martyn, Funkystepz and many more all making their return for a fabulous compilation display. From the high energy rave-inspired synth slinks of Ill Blu's 'Bellion' to the unorthodox percussive bubbles of 'Noyfb' from Laurel Halo & iconic glitchy melodies of Burial's 'Lambeth', this is a truly fabulous exploration into just how abstract electronic dance music can get. Another exceptional collection from a truly outstanding imprint!
Review: Escapology is Kode9's soundtrack album to the 'sonic fiction' Astro-Darien, which will be released later in the year on Hyperdub's sub-label Flatlines. The project began in 2021 as a two week audiovisual installation at Corsica Studios in London, utilising a multi-channel installation of the 50 speaker Acousmonium, courtesy of Paris' INA-GRM, and incorporating "off-world atmospheres into slices of high definition, asymmetric club rhythms, woven through thrilling sound design and vertiginous sonics." From the intoxicating, polyrhythmic sound design of "The Break Up" to the deconstruction of club music on "Torus" being just some examples, the Hyperdub chief has finally brought forth his follow up long-player to 2015's Nothing - and it is certainly worth the wait.
Review: 700 Bliss is the experimental club project of Philadelphia-based DJ Haram and Moor Mother. This is their first full-length release for Hyperdub, where they incorporate noise rap, club music and hip hop with punk and jazz. Featuring guests such as Lafawndah on "Totally Spies", Orion Sun on "Nightflame", and Muqata'a on "Candace Parker". There is also Alli Logout appearing on "Capitol", M Tellez lending their talents to "More Victories" and Ase Manual contributing production on "Lead Level 15". Nothing To Declare is loud, playful, fun and quite possibly one of the best rap albums of 2022.
Review: AIDOL is the soundtrack to a work by London-based Chinese-Malay visual artist and musician Lawrence Lek. The film, featuring Hyperdub founder Kode9 as an 'unforgiving label boss,' plays on futuristic, neon pop and megacity themes of EDM superstardom alongside visions of China's global ascent, artificial intelligence and technology. Said to be a continuation of Lek's 'sinofuturist' universe, everything from Akira inspirations and Aldous Huxley references ("Welcome To SoMA") to the sonority of The Knife's music (in "Call Of Beauty (ESports Reprise))" can be felt here, with the added touch of the main character's voice, Diva, created with a vocaloid vocal synthesizer. With spoken word collaborations from Sophie Guo, Xiaoyi Nie, Xiaoran Wu and Joni Zhu adding to Lek's story of a 'fading superstar' who hires an AI songwriter for a comeback performance, tracks also feature Seth Scott who's worked with Lek in the past, of note 2017's Geomancer. More than a ghost in the machine. 5 stars.
Review: More next level dubs from The Bug allows Hyperdub to present In Blue, a new collaborative project between Kevin Richard Martin and producer-vocalist Dis Fig, aka Felicia Chen. With the album described by the pair as 'Tunnel Sound' its seven tracks conjure up a foggy vision of what's been expressed as narco-dancehall, zoned-out soul and dread drenched in low end frequencies and melancholic meltdowns. Not too distant from Martin's work in King Midas Sound, Chen gives this project a fresh personality through her experimental and stylistic charm of 'hushed confessionals' and 'bittersweet vocals' sung with 'seduction' and 'delicate delivery'. Mixed entirely during lockdown somewhere in Brussels, its deeply impactful tones boom with an unrivalled supersonic, with slow tempos shining through in "In 2 U" alongside more functional techno semantics in "Forever" - bringing to mind albums like Eno's Small Craft On A Milk Sea and KMS' legendary Waiting For You. Five stars.
Review: It's always a very exciting experience to see a new album with the Hyperdub tag land in the store. This latest outing sees them welcome the wonderful Jessy Lanza for a full length album project by the name of 'All The Time', introducing us to her fantastically unique vocal ability and sense of electronic glamour. The design across the album is pretty damned beautiful, from the floating flutey bridges of 'Alexander' to bubbling soundscapes of 'Baby Love' and everything in-between. It's a long play project for certain, with our highlights being the 80's inspired moogy grooves of 'Lick In Heaven', alongside the warped synthesizer pushes and catchy vocal inflections of 'Ice Creamy'.
Review: Whenever we are lucky enough to be gifted with a brand new Hyperdub project, we jump for joy, then calm down, dim the lights and get stuck in start to finish. This latest project from Nazar is a masterful display in sound design and we feel is most certainly one to take in on a long play. From the more contemporary structures of 'Immortal' and 'Intercept' to the stunning soundscaping of 'Mother' and 'Retaliation', this one covers an incredible amount of ground across just ten tracks. It's an incredible body of work, with our favourite track being 'Why', which showcases and incredible level of percussive creation.
Review: As we approach the end of the decade, an era, we can look back on what we now understand to have truey shaped musical evolutions. That was done without saying at the end of the 2000s thanks to Burial and the tectonic influence his debut album and Untrue LP had on popular culture. In this 2011-19 time period it's been Keysound, Nonplus and Text that have since shared the music of Burial outside of his known home, with Hyperdub collecting this selection of the artist's music as part of the label's 15th anniversary run of releases. Hazily so, this compilation shines a light on the trail blazed by Burial with productions like "Street Halo", "Come Down To Us" and "NightMarket", to Burials two most recent cuts "Claustro" and "State Forest".
Review: As ever with a Hyperdub drop, we know to expect the unexpected as we are gifted this top draw showcasing of compositional mastery from Doon Kanda, on his brand new album 'Labyrinth. The project is astonishingly good, focussing not one specific area of electronic music, but instead infusing everything into almost every track, from the spooky piano chops and lofi drums of 'Mino' to the Scott Storch style synthesizer patterns and epic OST vibes of 'Enigma'. This is definitely one for the long players, with our stand out track coming in the form of the twisted string work of 'Dio'. Incredible scenes.
Review: With 19 Hyperdub artists on show here, this intrigue of a collaboration to help Hyperdub commemorate its 15th year of operation sees the label connect with late night television network Adult Swim. The likes of Burial, Ikonika, Fatima Al Qadiri and Kode9 all sign in with tracks specifically made for the compilation, with stand out numbers coming from Skratch DVA via the toxic and percussive "Baka" alongside the white noise crackles and subtle dub and industrial techno grooves of Nazar's "Unruly". Other oddball highlights include Mana's "Climbing The Walls" and the slow march of Doona Kanda's "Perfume". Late night TV has never sounded so good.
Review: As ever with Hyperdub, we were ready for the unexpected when we dived into this latest album project from Loraine James, who supplies us with some extremely forward thinking ideas across 11 original compositions. We kick off with the shimmering glitchy tones of 'Glitch Bitch', leading into the distorted frequencies of 'London Ting', the gunshot breaks of 'So Scared' and squelching tones of 'Hand Drops'. Next, 'Blissful' lands with soulful vocal features, alongside the skippy 8bit rolls of the title track 'For You & I', the housey drumwork of 'My Future', the unusual blips of 'Scraping My Feet' and unpredictable drum slices of 'Sick 9'. We then finish up with more vibrant glitch therapy in 'Vowel' before 'Words Ears Mouth' ties everything up nicely.
Review: Whenever anything in our inbox bares the Hyperdub emblem, we are immediately filled with excitement at the prospect of diving into something most likely weird and wonderful. We kick off this latest EP project from DJ Haram with a slice of the unexpected in the tabla-heavy tunnups of 'No Idol', followed by the eastern inspired string swings of 'Interlude', the percussive mastery and incredible suspense of 'Gemini Rising' along with the creative gunshot rhythms of 'Body Count'. This is then followed by the long awaited title track 'Grace' which is stooped in futuristic energies and melodies, with the instrumental version of 'Candle Light' providing the finishing touches. We are then given an untitled remix of 'No Idol', followed by the 700 Bliss overhaul of 'Candle Light', rounding off a rousing body of work.
Review: Hyperdub have to be one of the best labels in the world for discovering cool new sounds and themes, and it appears they have done so again here as they unveil a weighty four track offering from Lady Lykez. This EP is packed with energy, kicking off with the pulsating vocal rhythms and scattering carnival drum rolls of 'Muhammed Ali', which as a remix features the legendary Lioness. We take a afrobeats style spin next as the murky swings of 'Lyke U' wade into play, followed by the vibrant tribal percussive leads of 'Drmatic'. The EP then finishes up in funky fashion as the bouncy drumwork and skippy flows of 'Buzz Lightyear' see us over the finishing line.
Review: With the legendary status of Kode 9's Hyperdub imprint already embedded into the fabric of British dance music, we expected nothing short of a banger when this new EP from Nazar hit our shelves. We weren't to be disappointed as we kicked off with the epic orchestral harmonies of 'South Border' and the twisted electronic abandon of 'Warning Shots'. Following we land amongst the kuduro style snare loops and rave synths of 'Airstrike', alongside Shannen SP, before we then touch on title track 'Enclave', which is a ticking time bomb of unpredictable electronic flavour. We finish up with the super sidechained rhythmics of 'Konvoy' and the luscious soundscaping of 'Ceasefire', combining shimmering lead synths into beautiful harmonies.
Review: Closer Apart is the debut album by UK/South African duo Okzharp and Manthe Ribane. While vocalist/artist/dancer Ribane still resides in South Africa, Okzharp now lives in London where operates as a DJ/producer. He cut his teeth in the band LV, one of the first acts to sign to Hyperdub. Recorded between Paris and Vienna while on tour during intermittent moments such as flights, airports and hotel rooms when the duo could collaborate. They started work on it in the studio of filmmaker Chris Saunders, who is now working on the visuals and stage show for the duo's new album. Ribane and Okzharp's previous collaborations include the two Hyperdub EPs Dumela 113 and Tell Your Vision.
Review: For the youngest member of the infamous Teklife crew, DJ Taye has come up in the ranks rather fast. Being a champion of the ever-revered footwork style, out of Chicago, he fits in perfectly with the Hyperdub sound - a label which was certainly on the radars of legends like DJ Rashad and DJ Spinn, the producer's two main idols. Still Trippin is the man's third studio LP, and it's fair to say that it might well be his most complete piece of work to date. With sixteen tunes to get stuck into, you got everything that the best of the bass sound has to offer in here, from psyched-out grime to rap-led two-step...all flavoured by an inimitable Midwest flex. This is dance gear for the head-nodders and corner-dwellers - some absolutely BAD-ass material.
Review: Kuwaiti musician Fatima Al Qadiri returns for her third release on Hyperdub, following up last year's full length entitled 'Brute'. "Shaneera" is the English mispronunciation of the Arabic word, 'shanee'a'. In one iteration of the word, it is queer slang used in Kuwait and some Arab countries - a positive and desirable light is shed on these attributes here. The lyrics are suggestive, incorporating some original and re-recorded material from Grindr chats, online drag and femme comedy skits. The language is a mixture of Kuwaiti and Egyptian Arabic, plus an Iraqi proverb. Sonically, the record combines Khaleeji (Arab Gulf), Western drum kits and Arabesque melodies. Al Qadiri is based in New York City and explores experiences of war, memory, Western perceptions of other cultures and issues of socio cultural identity throughout her work.
Act One (feat Embaci/Jacob Samuel) - (2:55) 60 BPM
Cry Theme - (3:44) 69 BPM
Tommy - (1:48) 79 BPM
Runs Reprise - (0:55) 57 BPM
Everlong - (3:00) 67 BPM
Farewell Sorry - (3:24) 59 BPM
Review: This album marks Klein's deepest plunge yet into the deep, dark ocean of her musical imagination on her Hyperdub debut. The London born producer (now based in Los Angeles) with Nigerian roots grew up in Camberwell in the south of the city; a rough place at the time but somewhere that she has grown proud to come from. Inspired by pop, RnB, gospel and with a particular nod to big producer Rodney Jerkins, this release starting from the charming acapella/vocal collage intro of "Prologue" (ft atl, Jacob Samuel, thisisDA, Pure Water, eric sings) to the textural industrial noise terror of "Cry Theme" and the jagged and angular (not to mention abrasive) take on urban music with "Ever Long", Klein is a force to be reckoned with.
Review: Cooly G; it's been too long. Well, in EP format it's been too long. Last spotted improvising and collaborating with dBridge and Kabuki on Exit, "Magnetic" is her first multi-track EP since 2015's "Armz House". "Hard" is takes the lead with a shimmering rhythmic pattern that hints at toughness but gets sweetened with chords. Those hungry for tougher tones should jump on her heavy hitting "Grimm" while "Distorted" closes the deal with iced out electro references and some of her darkest bass dynamics to date. Get magnetised.
Review: Given her stratospheric rise in recent years, it's something of a surprise to find Dust is Laurel Halo's first album since 2013. It's the Michigan native's third full-length excursion and was apparently recorded over a two-year period at the EMPAC performing arts centre in upstate New York. Interestingly, it's even more difficult to pigeonhole than her previous sets, with Halo and collaborators - including Lafawandah, Michael Salu, Maxmillion Dunbar and experimental percussionist Eli Keszler - gleefully fusing elements of wonky electronica, skewed R&B, drowsy synth-pop, neo-classical, humid Balearica, creepy jazz and off-kilter ambience. In other words, it's a hugely vibrant and entertaining set that's more than worthy of your hard-earned cash.
Review: Four years have passed since Ikonika last dropped a body of work this size on us. And boy is she making up for lost time.... Instantly hitting with warmth and humour on "Girlfriend" she sideswipes us into a vast musical world where dots are joined between west coast funk, grime and R&B with stark linear style. From the sensual stutters and swoons of "Noblest" to the grainy, immersive Boards Of Canada-style "Do I Watch It Like A Cricket Match?" by way of the rich juicy west coast funk elements of the otherwise barbed "Lossy" and delicate futurist soul of "Hazefield", this is the warmest and most expressive Ikonika has sounded so far.... And it sounds amazing. Distractions are good for the soul, right?
Review: Having emerged on critical futurist labels such as Classical Trax and Plasma Abuse, Scottish beat chiseller Proc Fiskal makes his debut on Hyperdub. Weighing in at seven tracks, "The Highland Mob" is his biggest statement yet and hits at temp that works perfectly for halftime or footwork sets. Loaded with alien sounds, gully dynamics and more eight bar switches than a soundclash, highlights include the loose string charm of "Lamentation", the sinewy rhythm and dark jungle aesthetics of "Acidic Hoes" and the west coast prang of "Bad Mind". Get mob handed.
Review: Canada's Jessy Lanza, recent LP Oh No, was rightly celebrated for its dream-like fusion of pop, RnB and synths. Now we get a selection of remixes of album tracks. First up, Morgan Geist of Metro Area delivers a celestial, high altitude nod-out version of "I Talk BB" that seems to take George Michaels' A Different Corner as inspiration. Elsewhere "Could B U" stays on the same lit vibe but sounds like Timbaland and Aaliyah bouncing on cotton wool clouds. Lastly "Going Somewhere", in the hands of DVA HI:EMOTIONS, is a collage of weird bleeps, vocal snippets and soft Fairlight melodies. Simply gorgeous.
Review: Gervase Gordon aka Okzharp has already appeared on Hyperdub before; the artist came through with an unscrupulously future-minded 'bass' EP last year, a release that we thought sat perfectly well within the general Hyperdub sound. He's back after an appearance for Keysound, and he's joined by the vocal talents of Manthe Ribane across these four tunes. "Teleported" proceeds to drop some pure tribal vibes on us, and the tune feels like the soundtrack to a post-apocalyptic film set in Africa in the year 2050; a sublime start to this newfound collaboration, and we recommend this EP for that tune alone. "B U" and "Maybe This" are a cunning reinterpretation of grime seen through the eyes of American soul and blues, while "Piki Piki" is ventures into what we like to call post-r&b; careful now, we don't that is a genre in itself, but rather a great description for what this track sounds like to our ears.
Review: Endgame has released some pretty killer music on some pretty killer labels thus far, but this new EP for London's legendary Hyperdub is a step up. That is not to say that the music he released before was any less good than these three bangers, but this is Hyperdub-approved, as we're sure you'll understand. "Felony Riddim" sets the scene for an EP that is trapped in its own singular web of bass, a raw and adventurous style that is hard to describe due to its multi-faceted nature and aggregation of sounds. If you're into juke, grime, bassline and dubstep, then this will tick all the boxes because it merely uses those genres as a blueprint for something much darker and more cerebral.
Review: And after a highly anticipated three-year wait, Canada's Jessy Lanza is back on London's mighty Hyperdub with a new album, the strangely apt Oh No. As we well know, Lanza's style cannot be compartmentalised into one genre, but similarly to her previous releases for the same label, Lanza offers a singular approach to electronics. With her voice riding high above the majority of these tunes, Lanza's style is one that flutters between synth-pop and ambient, with poppy party tunes like "Never Enough" falling ever so perfectly into the more sparse and experimental R&B of "I Talk BB". Put it this way, if you're into both soul and electronica, Lanza's solved all your problems, and she's here to charm you with ten sublime pieces of mood music.
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