LORN "Ask The Dust" (2012)

Original stuff here. This is the kind of discovery that makes me happy because it's unique. Lorn got his own signature, identity, personality. The Gothic lover I used to be connects with this (even though it's not "Gothic"). This is not a happy album, darkness is the word. The ingredients of this Electronic opus is a dose of Gothic mood, a pinch of Downtempo, a tiny bit of Dubstep, a dash of Breakbeat and a scary low voice. "Diamond" seems like a possessed Downtempo electronic piece from hell. "Dead Dog" has that Breakbeat pattern that is so recognizable from early Ninja Tune artists...but darker. Loving it; a lot!

My favorite tracks in order:

• Diamond
• Weight Me Down
• Everything Is Violence
• Mercy
• Dead Dogs

SLOW MAGIC "Triangle" (2012)

Could they be influenced by Human League (Looks like "Travelogue" image cover, "Feel Flows" synthetiser)? Could be and it's a good thing. Is it just another hypnotic-electronic band? Maybe. I hear a lot of these sounds lately but, I'm enjoying this album a lot. That's what counts.

EMPTY SPACE ON A CHESSBOARD "Quarrel" (2012)

I like IDM when there is a melody in it (yes, it's possible), not just chaos. In "Quarrel", the beat is IDM ans the atmospheric guitar sounds like some Ethereal and/or Shoegaze. Will it make my top 10 of the year? No. Is it good? Yes, definitely.

 

SOLAR FIELDS "Random Friday" (2012)

Listening to "Random Friday" is like hearing a story in 9 chapters. It begins with the hypnotic and ambient "Light Control" and progressively the deep bass will make one with the atmospheric trance sound. It ends beautifully with the ambient "Polarity".

SANTIGOLD "Master Of My Make-Believe" (2012)

I wasn't expecting this album to be better than 2008 "Santogold" first album. I was happy to hear that she raised the bar higher to give an album with more adventurous beats, even more catchy and still being; Santigold. Yep, this will end in my 2012 favorites!

GRIMES "Visions" (2012)

Hypnotic, Electronic, dreamy, four on the floor, weird, dark...just so good. Grimes is Claire Boucher and Claire Boucher is a wonderful musical talent from Montreal, glad to say! This album is a gem.                                                                                     

 

BLUE FOUNDATION "In My Mind I Am Free" (2012)

The more I listen, the more I like. Will it end up in my 2012 top list? No. But some tracks are worth it like "Lost" featuring Sara Savery. A good Electronic-Dream Pop album. No more, no less.

INFECTED MUSHROOM "Army of Mushrooms" (2012)

I raise my hat to Infected Mushroom; a well established band in the Psychedelic Trance scene for making a drastic move to Dubstep. This is courageous. Do I love the album? No. Do I like it? Yes...but it's just a question of taste because it is well done as usual. My favorite without a doubt (which I love) is "U R So Fucked".

BASSNECTAR "Vava Voom" (2012)

I never knew the sound of a Ping Pong ball could sound so amazing! Well done Bassnectar!