Last week, I stumbled upon the musician/digital artist, Ultre. His latest release, The Nest and the Skull, is a beautiful blend of acoustic instruments and electronics. The abstract tracks feature an array of instruments including guitars, pianos, violins and cellos. The music is accompanied by electronic beats, sampled sounds, breaths, hiccups and manipulated beat boxing rhythms. The sound is thick and atmospheric, similar to Burial’s 2007 album, Untrue. A lot of records sound dead and cold when too many electronic elements are used, but The Nest and the Skull utilizes nice, warm production techniques. Similar artists include Autechre, Dntel, Cex, Mouse on Mars, Prefuse 73, Access to Arasaka and early Telefon Tel Aviv.

This release is going to join my collection of “work albums.” Among the others are Funki Porcini’s Fast Asleep, and FFWD’s self titled album. They’re perfect to listen to when I need to sit down and design/code for hours.

To view artwork and videos by Ultre, visit Ultre on MySpace. The Nest and the Skull is available from Amazon and other online music retailers for a special price of $5.99.

MP3: Ultre – Struggle and Nothing

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Last month, Venetian Snares (Aaron Funk) left thousands of mouths wide open with his latest full length release, Filth. It’s an impressive newcomer to his already incredible repertoire of music, encompassing breaks, hardcore, acid, jungle, drill ‘n’ bass, drum ‘n’ bass and experimental styles.

Before hearing the album I thought that in order to truly describe the song titles (“Deep Dicking,” “Labia,” “Chainsaw Fellatio,” “Splooj Guzzlers,” etc.), it would have to be conceptual. I had already decided that it was going to be mediocre.  I thought Funk would have to go beyond synth manipulation and use literal sounds and effects, but by the time I got to the fourth track, “Mongoloid Alien,” it started to make sense. It was intense, ugly and disturbing. The more I listened, the filthier it got. After the final track, “Pussy Skull,” I felt totally exhausted and used up physically and mentally, while asking myself, “how the fuck did he do this?” The amount of detail and manipulation is mind blowing. I probably over use this term… but it’s absolutely sick!

Each track is an entirely new onslaught of abrasive bleeps, blips, breaks and detuned pads. I don’t think the beat ever remained stable for more than 10 seconds. It’s amazing how he can evoke so much feeling without the use of organic sounds. It’s practically all synthetic. Among all the noise though, were points of rest and a few pretty moments. Even hell must have a high point.

Keep your eyes open for Horsey Noises, the new Venetian Snares EP, slated for release this June. Check out Venetian Snares on MySpace for clips and tour information. Albums and MP3s can be purchased from Amazon and Bleep.

MP3: Venetian Snares – Deep Dicking

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If you’re into dubstep but are getting tired of the same rolling bass lines, rhythms and synths, you need to check out Broken Note. Actually, anyone looking to hear something new and heavy needs to check out this young, fresh duo from London. Loosely categorized as dubstep artists, their tunes feature elements from jungle, breaks, hardcore, drum and bass and industrial. They’ve brought their own unique style to the underground electronic music scene. It’s heavy, dark and absolutely sick!

As headliners to shows titled “Helloween,” “Brutal Bastard Core Breakdown,” “Tinnitus,” “Rebeltronics,” “Frequency Abuse” and “F@ck You I’m Furious!,” you can get an idea of what they sound like. It’s dark, edgy, relentless, philthy and slick. Toss in some warm pads, hellish samples, constantly evolving aggressive breaks and you’ve got Broken Note. Don’t be fooled by the posted track, “Dubversion.” It isn’t as harsh as more recent releases. For young 20-somethings, the production is surprisingly top notch, especially from their later 2008 releases. Similar artists include Vex’d, King Cannibal, iTAL tEK, Tech Itch, Architect and Raiden.

For over a year now, Broken Note have been packing dance floors throughout the UK and surrounding areas. Their sets consist of laptops running Ableton Live, turntables and a host of MIDI controllers to warp the sounds. You should be able to find some live clips on YouTube. They’ve been played live or featured on the air by DJs including Amon Tobin, Mary-Anne Hobbes and Juno Reactor.

An upcoming Breakbeat/Dubstep compilation, Frequencies of the Mind, will feature “Sullen,” by Broken Note. To get updated news and live show dates, check out Broken Note on MySpace. Releases can be ordered from Ad Noiseam.

MP3: Broken Note – Dubversion

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We’re seeing a lot of great collaborations this year. The latest may be from the innovative producers Burial and Four Tet. I’m saying “may be” because the release has been such a well-kept secret that no one really knows if it’s a collaboration or if it’s just a split release. Either way, I’m really diggin’ it. The a-side, “Moth,” is a beautiful 9 minute minimal tune. Although it’s extremely repetitive, I could listen to it for hours. The b-side, “Wolf Club,” sounds as if Four Tet had a heavier hand in it. It’s a choppy tech-house track with Asian influences. It’s a bit on the long side, but still a very cool tune. I actually like these tracks better than Burial’s and Four Tet’s solo tracks. Maybe Will Bevan and Kieran Hebden should become a permanent duo. Thoughts?

MP3: Moth – Burial & Four Tet

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Emalkay’s latest tracks, “When I Look at You” and “Angie Got Stoned” are HUGE! They’re deep and dirty dubstep/left-field tunes that need to get cut immediately. Emalkay posted clips of each track to his site three weeks ago, but hasn’t mentioned anything about a release. DJs at dubstepforum are going crazy trying to find full versions.

Compared to Emalkay’s previous releases, these tracks are much more chill and groove oriented. They’re totally hypnotic and the use of female vocals as rhythmic elements works perfectly. I normally prefer dark and heavy dubstep, but i just can’t stop listening to these tunes.

From being somewhat new to the scene, Emalkay’s been extremely busy. He has DJ sets booked for the next 7 months and recently remixed Two Fingers’ “What You Know About.”
Hopefully we’ll hear about a release soon and maybe he’ll even drop the full tracks here at Sawtooth…

To download live sets and view his event schedule, visit Emalkay on MySpace.

MP3: Emalkay – When I Look at You / Angie Got Stoned

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