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Listening Notes: This is Electronic

When it comes to electronic music, I feel a bit hesitant and almost feel it's better to give up on describing it. Therefore, these notes appear quite brief because of the difficulty in finding more words for each release.

Ba5il - Lovelab (2024)

70%

Basil Chapman (Ba5il) presents a kind of eurobeat with elements of acid techno, gabber, and rave that reminds me of the Initial D soundtrack—the kind often used for memes on "Rave in 1995"—and the rest is quite energetic in a 90s sort of way.

Highlight: Rave in 1995

Ex Uus - Hentai (2008)

70%

While the psytrance I know sounds hypnotic or psychedelic, Ex Uus's Hentai feels more game-friendly with additional rave elements. Well, it's basically ecstasy. Same thing. No tracks truly stand out; I'm mostly just wary of the rather long durations.

Highlight: -

Ghosting Season - Fade Out (Lost Tracks) (2016)

75%

Manchester electronic group Ghosting Season ended their career with three tracks from a projected second album that never materialized. This seems to be the most emotional offering to my ears, despite the laser synths streaking through "Rapture" and the energetic hi-hat taps on "Through Me." The acoustic interlude is just as strong as the other two.

Highlights: Rapture, Through Me

Imprintz - Imprintz (2008)

75%

This is the first catalog entry from a Belgian netlabel, CyberCrunk, and the only one available on Bandcamp.

Imprintz is not only energetic but heavy enough to crack the floor, even though it only contains two tracks. It would probably fit well as a soundtrack for the WWE or a racing game. If played at an event or a club, I think it could incite a riot akin to moshing in the hardcore and metal scenes. Lol...

Highlights: Demens, In the Limo

Kh3rtis - Philomath (2019)

75%

Kh3rtis seems to be a psychic who knows that the closing section should be a cool-down session. The flow of ambient, relaxed beats, and spoken word audio clips in several tracks like "Leper" and "Annabelle Lee" serve as lullabies here, rather than just a simple goodbye.

Highlights: Bhag Job, Manna-Rism, Leper, Annabelle Lee

 A Path Untold - Secret Subtle Light (2015)

75%

Downtempo? Future garage? Perhaps both. Since I often find a sense of unfamiliarity within the electronic sphere, I tried looking up info on future garage, but I still don't quite grasp it.

If I pay attention, the drum beats are like brief touches to the floor, except for "Shifting 9's" which is bolstered by a bassline and a somewhat dark atmosphere—much like the album cover featuring an animal skull, which led me to expect some kind of folk or dungeon synth. According to A Path Untold, the concept explores themes of self/collective discovery, finding light, and spirituality, which makes what I'm hearing more understandable. There isn't a specific song I'd call a standout, but the most relevant is "Triangle Games."

Highlights: Empyrealms, Triangle Games, A Light in the Path of Exile

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