2000's
Now More Than Ever by Logistics
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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