8 in 1 (4)

Grime, post rock, trance, new wave, here's a couple of tracks I've been enjoying during lockdown...

‌Carli - Lights and Strobes 

As featured in Jamie XX's latest Essential Mix, and boy is that an essential mix, is this spacey, ravey, uplifting... shit is this trance? I don't know what it is, or how this track works, but it's flipping great.

Aaronson - Pale Fire

Your favourite band from Barry (sorry Metabeats), Aaronson are back with a new EP of post-rocky post-rockiness. Buy You Are Not A Stranger Here on Bandcamp and all the proceeds go to the #saveourvenues campaign. 

‌Kraftwerk - Numbers

RIP Florian Schneider.

JME - 96 of my life

I remember Benji B rewinding this months ago on his show while walking the dog on a pitch black morning. There was a big thing about how JME's Grime MC was a physical release only, no streaming. But now it's on YouTube, and the sun rises at 5.30am, and everything is better. Well not everything...

‌Lori & The Chameleons - Touch

Kitch new wave that references Japan and features Bill Drummond of the KLF? Yeah go on...

‌Oscar Cash - Distant Horn (Salted Caramel Ice Cream)

I missed this first time around. If you got the deluxe edition of Metronomy Forever on vinyl, then you also got Oscar Cash Forever. The only mainstay in the band besides Joe Mount, well since Night Out anyway, keyboardist Oscar Cash offers a warped lounge take on the album. It's now on streaming services and was announced on Metronomy TV, the band's weekly show on Instagram. Metronomy TV is perfect lockdown viewing, with new music, covers, and oddball visuals. There's even a cooking section. You can catch up with Metronomy TV on YouTube.

‌Hodgy Beats - Bubble Gum

Had a phase a few weeks back when I went deep into the micro SD. Wasn't long until The Odd Future Tape appeared.

Yeah, make it stretch like bubble gum.

‌Junior Boys - Birthday

‌LA Priest played this on a recent episode of Radio 1's Chill Mix and it jolted me back to Llantwit Major. Birthday features on one of those Jockey Slut compilations, Disco Pogo for Punks in Pumps Vol 11. Sad boi electronica for sad boi Sam, post Manchester, pre Falmouth. Jeez what a time. Anyway,Jockey Slut may have closed in 2004 but they've got an Instagram that's definitely worth a follow.

Related post: 8 in 1 (3.0)

Original Image: W.carter / CC BY-SA

All 4 The Techno

How's your sourdough starter and your YouTube yoga going? Yeah, me neither.

Instead, I'm getting through lockdown by grinding through FIFA Mobile (Sammyfax - OVR 117 come at me bro) and with All 4, Channel 4's catch up service. Still 4OD though.

I like All 4. I like its limited choice. I like its freeness too. Yeah, the adverts are a pain but I could always upgrade to All 4+. I won't but I could.

Anyway, freedom from choice. It means I actually watch stuff rather than endlessly scroll before becoming paralysed through dawdling.

This limited choice applies to the 20 odd films that are available. And in the Strange and Unprecedented Times ™ it's meant I've been able to tick off two classics. Both have killer soundtracks too.

First up is Assault on Precinct 13. John Carpenter's cult action b-movie from 1976 absolutely holds up and the minimalist electronic soundtrack is a joy.

You've got a few days left to catch it on All 4.

Unlike Trainspotting, which I don't think ever leaves the service. Here's Underworld's Dark & Long (Dark Train) from the lovely scene where Renton comes off the scag.

I'm thinking Sexy Beast next, but whatever it'll be it will thankfully be a quick decision. What I'm not thinking is taking up yoga.

Related post: All 4 Amen