5 Years of NFOP

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Jason Grier & Lucrecia Dalt: “Clouds”.

29 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
Not sure if I entirely grasp idea and concept, but over at Open Ceremony's astro blog, you may stream and download a couple of worthwhile tracks by some very rad artists such as Puro Instinct, Outer Limitz, Part Time, and Geneva Jacuzzi, all somehow related to the zodiak signs and accompanied by some weird and cryptic words. Anyway, definitely worth checking them all out, and maybe I just don't get it and you will, whatever. Above all however, the collection includes this marvelous, super sweet duet of HEM Berlin head Jason Grier and Barcelona artist Lucrecia Dalt, whose highly recommended Commotus LP may still be streamed in full over here. "Clouds" will also appear on Grier's forthcoming full-length of the same name (that's the cover art above), which is up for pre-order now here. This is the decrypted tracklist of the "compilation": Cancer - Snow Wite: Psychedelic Days Leo - Strip Steve x Puro Instinct: Astral Projection Virgo - Totaaly Radd: Insomnia Libra - Outer Limitz: I Kontakt Scorpio - Celibacy: Crav the Grav Sagittarius - Part Time: I Wanna Take You Out Capricorn - Alex Black Ivory: Buildings Built for Us Aquarius - Geneva Jacuzzi: Dark Ages Pisces - Jason Grier x Lucrecia Dalt: Clouds Aries - BLOK: Skin Off Taurus - Softness: Pursue Gemini - Swahili Blonde: Purple Ink Read more → Not sure if I entirely grasp idea and concept, but over at Open Ceremony's astro blog, you may stream and download a couple of worthwhile tracks by some very rad artists such as Puro Instinct, Outer Limitz, Part Time, and Geneva Jacuzzi, all somehow related to the zodiak signs and accompanied by some weird and cryptic words. Anyway, definitely worth checking them all out, and maybe I just don't get it and you will, whatever. Above all however, the collection includes this marvelous, super sweet duet of HEM Berlin head Jason Grier and Barcelona artist Lucrecia Dalt, whose highly recommended Commotus LP may still be streamed in full over here. "Clouds" will also appear on Grier's forthcoming full-length of the same name (that's the cover art above), which is up for pre-order now here. This is the decrypted tracklist of the "compilation": Cancer - Snow Wite: Psychedelic Days Leo - Strip Steve x Puro Instinct: Astral Projection Virgo - Totaaly Radd: Insomnia Libra - Outer Limitz: I Kontakt Scorpio - Celibacy: Crav the Grav Sagittarius - Part Time: I Wanna Take You Out Capricorn - Alex Black Ivory: Buildings Built for Us Aquarius - Geneva Jacuzzi: Dark Ages Pisces - Jason Grier x Lucrecia Dalt: Clouds Aries - BLOK: Skin Off Taurus - Softness: Pursue Gemini - Swahili Blonde: Purple Ink

Unknown: #007.

29 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
Here we go again. In fact, this might actually the best, most mature track so far, despite of/because of those Burial/Holy Other vibes that might be more evident than ever. By which we do not want to suggest that Unknown's constantly excellent output in the last few months has been derivative or a rip-off in any way. More like: Whoever he or she might be, they certainly know what's good. Read more → Here we go again. In fact, this might actually the best, most mature track so far, despite of/because of those Burial/Holy Other vibes that might be more evident than ever. By which we do not want to suggest that Unknown's constantly excellent output in the last few months has been derivative or a rip-off in any way. More like: Whoever he or she might be, they certainly know what's good.

Arca: “Manners”.

29 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
We have no idea who NYC producer Arca actually is, but that's just fine as we know that UNO is putting his music out, which should be enough for us to be into that guy. And indeed, "Manners", the first taste from his upcoming physical debut Stretch 2, is a terrific track with bittersweet synth chords and saccharine vocal manipulations, all built around an agreeable rhythm that will keep your feet moving. We like this a lot. Stretch 2 is out August 6 via UNO. Pre-order now over here. Read more → We have no idea who NYC producer Arca actually is, but that's just fine as we know that UNO is putting his music out, which should be enough for us to be into that guy. And indeed, "Manners", the first taste from his upcoming physical debut Stretch 2, is a terrific track with bittersweet synth chords and saccharine vocal manipulations, all built around an agreeable rhythm that will keep your feet moving. We like this a lot. Stretch 2 is out August 6 via UNO. Pre-order now over here.

Barker & Baumecker: “Analogical”.

29 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
Collaborations between Berlin residents Andreas Baumecker and Sam Barker (who's responsible for one of our favorite tunes of 2012 so far) are nothing new, as the two have already put out EPs together during the last few years, but this September will see the first proper full-length as Barker & Baumecker, Transsektoral. The album is excellent, obviously the work of two curious and playful minds whose joint effort easily overcomes any recent allegations that suggest a creative stalemate in contemporary Berlin techno. Below you may listen to "Analogical", a superb tune that may exemplify the duo's approach, though "merely" being an outtake from Transsektoral and not to be found on the record itself. Transsektoral will be released September 10 on Ostgut Ton. Read more → Collaborations between Berlin residents Andreas Baumecker and Sam Barker (who's responsible for one of our favorite tunes of 2012 so far) are nothing new, as the two have already put out EPs together during the last few years, but this September will see the first proper full-length as Barker & Baumecker, Transsektoral. The album is excellent, obviously the work of two curious and playful minds whose joint effort easily overcomes any recent allegations that suggest a creative stalemate in contemporary Berlin techno. Below you may listen to "Analogical", a superb tune that may exemplify the duo's approach, though "merely" being an outtake from Transsektoral and not to be found on the record itself. Transsektoral will be released September 10 on Ostgut Ton.

Video Premiere: Golden Retriever - “Serene Velocity”.

29 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
Sprawling, massively expansive sonic explorations by Portland, Oregon residents Jonathan Sielaff and Matt Carlson aka Golden Retriever, whose stunning and inventive experimentalism so far saw releases on distinguished imprints such as NNA Tapes or Root Strata. "Serene Velocity" is taken from the duo's forthcoming full-length Occupied with the Unspoken, a four-track piece that perfectly exemplifies the duo's unique approach to composition, characterized by the sole employment of layer over layer of the unheard-of interaction of a bass clarinet and an analogue modular synth that result in dense and astonishingly rich textures and unexpected harmonies. The video by Jamie Potter marks a compelling interpretation of the musical process, taking up the underlying minimalism to create a floating, deeply entrancing stream of imagery. Occupied with the Unspoken is out July 24 on Thrill Jockey. Pre-order now over here. Read more → Sprawling, massively expansive sonic explorations by Portland, Oregon residents Jonathan Sielaff and Matt Carlson aka Golden Retriever, whose stunning and inventive experimentalism so far saw releases on distinguished imprints such as NNA Tapes or Root Strata. "Serene Velocity" is taken from the duo's forthcoming full-length Occupied with the Unspoken, a four-track piece that perfectly exemplifies the duo's unique approach to composition, characterized by the sole employment of layer over layer of the unheard-of interaction of a bass clarinet and an analogue modular synth that result in dense and astonishingly rich textures and unexpected harmonies. The video by Jamie Potter marks a compelling interpretation of the musical process, taking up the underlying minimalism to create a floating, deeply entrancing stream of imagery. Occupied with the Unspoken is out July 24 on Thrill Jockey. Pre-order now over here.

Kool Thing: “Plan.Life.Go”.

29 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
Berlin via Dublin and Sydney duo Kool Thing, consisting of Julie Chance and Jon Dark (with the help of Valentin Plessy on drums), has been floating around in the Berlin scene for a bit now already, among other things supporting Maria Minerva and MEN. This Saturday, June 30, the girls will celebrate the release of their first proper single "Plan.Life.Go" at Marie Antoinette, and if you happen to be in Berlin, you should definitely come around and join the party. Below, listen to the nicely constructed and slowly unfolding song that heads off rather harmlessly with a single guitar-based chord progression for more than three minutes before it unexpectedly turns into an immensely catchy, straightforward jam compellingly built around the girls' forceful vocals. The Plan.Life.Go 12 inch single including remixes by Irish producers REID and Toby Kaar is going to be released by Dublin-based Fatty Fatty-spinoff Laser Guided Melodies. Pre-order the vinyl now over at Clone. Check out Toby Kaar's remix of the tune as well: Read more → Berlin via Dublin and Sydney duo Kool Thing, consisting of Julie Chance and Jon Dark (with the help of Valentin Plessy on drums), has been floating around in the Berlin scene for a bit now already, among other things supporting Maria Minerva and MEN. This Saturday, June 30, the girls will celebrate the release of their first proper single "Plan.Life.Go" at Marie Antoinette, and if you happen to be in Berlin, you should definitely come around and join the party. Below, listen to the nicely constructed and slowly unfolding song that heads off rather harmlessly with a single guitar-based chord progression for more than three minutes before it unexpectedly turns into an immensely catchy, straightforward jam compellingly built around the girls' forceful vocals. The Plan.Life.Go 12 inch single including remixes by Irish producers REID and Toby Kaar is going to be released by Dublin-based Fatty Fatty-spinoff Laser Guided Melodies. Pre-order the vinyl now over at Clone. Check out Toby Kaar's remix of the tune as well:

Video Premiere: Window Twins - “Thunder and Lightning”.

28 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
Window Twins is the side project by San Francisco psych pop kings Tim Cohen (of The Fresh & Onlys and Magic Trick) and Jon Bernson (of Exray's and Ray's Vast Basement), who first joined forces a couple of years ago to release the LP I'm This Tall City on Howells Transmitter in early 2009. Despite being busy with their other bands and ventures, this fall the two will be back with Window Twins' sophomore record Wish. Below, you make take an exclusive look at the video for the duo's first single off that LP, "Thunder and Lightning", made by Bernson himself together with Colin Held. The folks' upbringing in the Bay Area's sun-loving weirdo scene is unmistakable, though they've managed to craft quite a distinctive sound here that certainly does not sound like a mere derivative, creating a dense, pleasantly muffled atmosphere. Wish will be released October 16 via Volar Records (LP) and Crash Symbols (cassette). Read more → Window Twins is the side project by San Francisco psych pop kings Tim Cohen (of The Fresh & Onlys and Magic Trick) and Jon Bernson (of Exray's and Ray's Vast Basement), who first joined forces a couple of years ago to release the LP I'm This Tall City on Howells Transmitter in early 2009. Despite being busy with their other bands and ventures, this fall the two will be back with Window Twins' sophomore record Wish. Below, you make take an exclusive look at the video for the duo's first single off that LP, "Thunder and Lightning", made by Bernson himself together with Colin Held. The folks' upbringing in the Bay Area's sun-loving weirdo scene is unmistakable, though they've managed to craft quite a distinctive sound here that certainly does not sound like a mere derivative, creating a dense, pleasantly muffled atmosphere. Wish will be released October 16 via Volar Records (LP) and Crash Symbols (cassette).

Video: Daytime Actress - “(TIPS)”.

28 Jun 2012 — Henning Lahmann
Awesome/hilarious new collaboration between our man AyGeeTee and US-based Daytime Television, an eight-minute trip that would be mind-boggling in every possible sense of the term even if it were not for those lunatic visuals. The frantic, shambolic drum and noise patterns are so shamelessly repetitive that you lose track of time after the first few minutes, but this sinister monster of a tune just won't let you go before you've digested the very last of those disturbing dance moves. Exhaustion is what follows. In a good way, I guess. Read more → Awesome/hilarious new collaboration between our man AyGeeTee and US-based Daytime Television, an eight-minute trip that would be mind-boggling in every possible sense of the term even if it were not for those lunatic visuals. The frantic, shambolic drum and noise patterns are so shamelessly repetitive that you lose track of time after the first few minutes, but this sinister monster of a tune just won't let you go before you've digested the very last of those disturbing dance moves. Exhaustion is what follows. In a good way, I guess.
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