SEAHAWKS : escape hatch : Ocean Moon (out now)

Seven: The duo just returned with their fourth studio album, and it arrived perfectly in time to turn this fairly disappointing summer into something tropical via their trademark sound of aquatic sonics and balearic shenanigans - this time around peppered with a lot of padded synths and the occasional reference to Krautland. It’s what you expected from Seahawks - and in this specific case it’s meant to be a compliment - but it feels as if they’ve blown their sound from 35mm to 70mm widescreen this time around. 8.75/10

 

BANKS & STEELZ : anything but words : Warner (out now)

Dars: Nah, thanks. I don’t even know where to start here, since it’s all dusty, outdated and aesthetically challenged to my ears. 1/10

Seven: Right, on paper a collaboration between Interpol’s Paul Banks and RZA should culminate in something interesting, at least. But this here feels so very wrong in so many places, not even teaming up with Kool Keith for one track saved this mess. 1.5/10

MORGAN DELT : phase zero : Sub Pop (out now)

Seven: It’s a summery psych-thing, a bit more focused and less experimental than his debut from two years ago. Still there’s lots of haze and distortion and echo to find here with this one-man-show, but it would be unfair to simply call this another entry to the ongoing psych-boom informed by the gentler sides of the flower-power movement of yesteryear - this here is a very personal interpretation of a specific sound, one that’s clearly located in the here and now. 7.5/10

 

 

MILD HIGH CLUB : skiptracing : Stones Throw (out now)

Dars: Just when we thought LA would be a bad influence on multi instrumentalist Alex Brettin, he sent us a nice picture postcard with the cover-art of Pet Sounds to let us know that everything is just fine. His second album “Skiptracing“ therefore is full of heart and passion, and perfect for a smooth summer ride with the windows down. I just wish that there was a bit more variation on the album - but that’s probably just me. 6.9/10

 

SILVER APPLES : clinging to a dream : Chicken Coop (out now)

Dars: Consisting of 11 new tracks of proto-electro-goodness by the highly influential Silver Apples, “Clinging to a Dream“ emerges as a well made electronic space-odyssey. While there’s some strong Kraftwerk vibes in the thick of it, the whole album openly draws influences from many other artists that are hard to put on paper right now cuz I´m still blinded by the lights. 7.1/10

Seven: Dude, there are no influences from other bands to find here. These guys are true innovators, and for listing all those bands they have influenced since their debut album in 1968 you’d need to start a blog - still they never really gained the attention and respect they so clearly deserve, I think. This is their first new material in nineteen years, and, since you’ve asked, yes, it was worth the wait. 8.75/10

MOTION GRAPHICS : s/t : Domino (out now)

Dars: Geez, there's a lot going on here! NY based electro-wiz Joe Williams takes us on a journey through a musical landscape of rich textures and vibrant colours, filled with chopped up electronics and well-executed sound collage experimentations, resulting in a unique futuristic masterpiece of composition. 7.8/10

 

A TRIBE CALLED RED : we are the halluci nation : Radicalized records/Soulfood (16.09.16)

Seven: The First Nation DJ collective is back, and with them they bring a rather challenging album filled with a lot of guest raps/vocals that are enthroned over an impressive clash of traditional sounds/instruments and some heavy boom bap. It’s definitely a bold and overall political musical statement - and while “R.E.D.“, the first single with Yasiin Bey and Canadian-Iraqui MC Narcy is an absolutely flawless affair, other tracks on the album just suffer from being a bit too overambitious. 6/10