News| 01.08.2013

At a slight loss regarding what I should review this week, I’ve decided to bail instead. It’s a slow week anyway. So instead, here is a list of worthwhile releases that have been out in the last few weeks…

But first! Some important news regarding TWG: We have three new exclusive-to-TWG releases set to come out this month!

First we have ‘Into The Ether’ by warm analog manipulator Origami Repetika, bringing another small slice of gorgeous melodic tunes and stunningly subtle atmosphere. Out this weekend!

Secondly, we have ‘Imprints’ by experimental chiptster Guardia; 10 tracks, lusciously demanding melodies and enough hip hop swagger to fill a mixtape. For a taste of what’s to come, you can listen to an unmastered version of one of the tracks, ‘God Guard’, right here! Also, sneaky peeky at the artwork>> 

Also this month we’ll be bringing you a release by Horrorpunk chiptune king Let’s Disinfect!. The release is self-titled, and if the already released track from it, ‘Contact!’ (which can be heard here) is anything to go by, expect the usual singable punk heavy chip anthems.

As well as these releases, we have PLENTY more in the pipeline, so keep tuned….

Elsewhere in chiptune: 

Nonfinite released a fifteen minute dub/techno/chip-electro mix, entitiled ‘It Does Not Follow’. expect the usual level of insane quality and panache as you would do from a Nonfinite release.

In celebration of Frank Twisk’s, organiser of EINDBAAS, 30th birthday, Lunar Park (aka Monodeer), Men of Mega, xyce, Ultrasyd and RoccoW have teamed up to release a tribute called ‘The FrankTwisk Ep’. 5 original tracks and 5 remixes, if you haven’t checked it out already, jump on it! Happy Birthday man! 

Ricky Burgal, recently released his debut release on Love & Tonic Records. ‘Assorted Women’ features wonky beats, swagger and bludgeoning groove. I highly recommend!

Also, if you haven’t already, check out the last two releases reviewed here, StormBlooper’s ‘Jawn-Dis’ and seatrash’s ‘Sedition’. The former is hyper cyberpunk unce, the former understated melodic genius.

And, finally, small plug, I recently repackaged all my previous releases and some B-Sides under a release called ‘past’ and put out some demos and WIPs of my upcoming full length under ‘present’.

So, until tomorrow’s WeeklyTreat, (which is being supplied by ELECTRIC CHILDREN), all the best, and if you're attending BRKfest this weekend, I hope my jealousy stings you. And have a good time of course x~

Review| seatrash- sedition

Recently Bit Shifter re-released his iconic ‘Information Chase’ on bandcamp. The re-release, whilst well received, showed clearly how unkind time has been to it. The crumbling of this monumental release’s power emphasises the need for a new totem pole of LSDJ simplicity, a new definer for chiptune’s growing reach and artist base, and its creator has arrived. Whilst ‘sedition’ is not the monolith of genius that the cultural predecessor of ‘Information Chase’ would need to be, it scratches at the door so violently it wouldn’t be heresy to suggest a sophomore effort would knock it clean off the hinges.

The melodies in ‘sedition’ are frequently perfect. ‘making things right’ straddles 80s ballad leads and 00’s power pop accompaniment, reeking of little-scaleian emotion with “lump in the throat” beauty. ‘falling’ slowly evolves into Eastern tinged arps speaking stunning phrases, and the title track overlaps its counter and lead melodies until the thick weave of serenity has you trapped.

The release rarely misses hitting blistering highs and euphoric brilliance. Album closer ‘with you’ highlights this perfectly; once it finds its feet it constantly hits home with passion, falling into 80s synth pop ballad territory with the skill of Depeche Mode.  The only obvious gripe is the production, which is lo-fi at best, though whilst it doesn’t add anything to the music, it doesn’t take away from it either.

Overall, ‘sedition’ is understated splendour. Its presentation and distribution has been muted at best, and it is a genuine shame, as the powerful grip within these five tracks won’t be nearly as praised as they should. Whilst no icon of the scene yet, the songs are individually better written than anything I’ve heard in a long time, and future first time LSDJers (and veterans) would do themselves a great service by taking notes from Seatrash. Eyes peeled for his next release; with some direction it’s likely to be one of the greatest releases in chiptune for some time. 2013 is the new 2006 people.

Favourite track: making things right

Download and stream the entire release here.