2000's

    Now More Than Ever by Logistics

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    Now More Than Ever
    Logistics
    2006

    Like his contemporaries High Contrast and London Electricity, Logistics helped evolve the drum and bass scene out of an era of technical exercises by adding melody and playfulness to the sound. With 24 tracks spread across two albums, they can’t all be bangers. However, when his tracks do hit, they sure are enjoyable!

    Recommended Track: Winter Blues

    Apocalypso by The Presets

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    Apocalypso
    The Presets
    2008

    Before EDM consumed the heart of electronic music, musicians were still experimenting with how to weave their humanity through synths. Rather than evoke a 1980’s pastiche, The Presets arrange the instrumentation of previous decades into an emotional thrill of ecstasy and aggression.

    Recommended Track: This Boy’s in Love

    Ladyhawke by Ladyhawke

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    Ladyhawke
    Ladyhawke
    2008

    This whole album is filled with the driven excitement of youth that refuses to stop. You don’t fully understand yourself or others but the only way you’ll find answers is to dive in and mix it up. Bodies heal and so will your emotions.

    Recommended Track: My Delirium

    Get Ready by New Order

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    Get Ready
    New Order
    2001

    Back in 2001, MTV only played decent music videos between midnight and 4 am and it was in that late night haze that I discovered this album. While it’s far from a perfect album, there are a significant number of tracks that hit. And when they do hit, they hit hard and prove that New Order “still got it.”

    Recommended Track: Crystal

    one-room survival by Serani Poji

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    one-room survival
    Serani Poji
    2002

    I’m always up to hear some Shibuya-kei. This album (trans. One-Room Survival) came as a recommendation from my daughter which shows how well she knows me. It’s hard to have a bad day with such happy music.

    Recommended Track: ラブレイバー / LOVELABOR

    Blue Rev by Alvvays

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    Blue Rev
    Alvvays
    2002

    This album is like My Bloody Valentine and The Smiths found a new lead singer and released a compilation album together. It’s exciting to find new artists still playing with shoegaze because it’s a genre I feel deserving of more exploration.

    Recommended Track: Pressed

    Lost Souls by Doves

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    Lost Souls
    Doves
    2000

    One of my favorite things about shoegaze is not having to pay attention to lyrics. The sounds of this album are a big, warm hug like traveling through a foreign country where you don’t know the language. The impression is more important than the text.

    Track recommendation: Catch The Sun

    Puppy by Fluke

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    Puppy
    Fluke
    2003

    This album picks me up, takes me into light speed, and never lets me fall. Its smooth beats continually slipping the listener across space and time.

    Track recommendation: Another Kind of Blues

    Black Cherry by Goldfrapp

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    Black Cherry
    Goldfrapp
    2003

    Try and ignore all the mainstreaming Target’s TV ads gave Goldfrapp. This album is a sensual beauty bubbling up through singed electric waves.

    Track recommendation: Strict Machine