In Strict Tempo, vol. 115: Hotter Tracks
The heatwave continues, as does the amount of new music landing in my inbox each week. I’ve not long been back from a restorative three nights in Ibiza. Although I’ve been numerous times for work and with my partner since, it was actually my first lads trip to the island since 2006 or so.
I first went to Ibiza as a wide-eyed teenager back in 2001 or 2002. We learned a few things the hard way, but still the island captivated me in a way few places have since. Those first few years were spent in the bars of San Antonio and Ibiza Town, as well as the big clubs: Amnesia, Eden, Privilege, Space & Pacha. Accommodation was always as cheap as possible, and for the first few years we never bothered paying extra for air conditioned rooms, preferring instead to save our money for drink, food and other Ibizan treats.
This time was different, the rooms were air conditioned, and although a few of our group went to Pacha, the main highlight was a trip to Pikes, which is always fun. There’s definitely something to be said for a solid door policy that tends to keep the dickheads away. They say Ibiza isn’t what it used to be, but they were saying that back in 2002 as well. It’ll never be what it used to be, and that’s what keeps people coming back. But that Ibiza magic is still there, from the incredible sunsets, to the beach bars and places like Pikes and 528 keeping the old-school vibes alive.
Outside of Ibiza it feels like the industry is quiet right now. It normally is in the summer. I think we’re probably in a bit of a state of flux right now, as everyone figures out not only how AI is going to affect things, but also what the future looks like beyond streaming. AI is only going to make the streaming DSPs worse unless they combat it, and they’ll need to decide fairly soon whether they want to be general music streaming platforms, or specialist platforms. The AI slop infecting DSPs might be accepted by the general listener, but music fans are going to want something better, something more curated and whatever that is will decide the direction of the music industry for the future. It’s probably actually a bigger thing than we think - this could be year zero for a new music industry, and it’s one I think we’ll all want to be a part of.
Anyway, enough from me - here’s the latest reviews!
GAS - November 89 [Kompakt]
My love of Wolfgang Voigt’s GAS alias is well documented, so to hear these early GAS tunes compiled onto one EP is a real treat. Heads will probably already know the majestic Tal 90, which was included on the Oktember reissue a while back, and whilst that’s undoubtably the highlight of the release (and indeed, a highlight in the entire history of record music full stop) the other tunes here are well worth a look in as they chart the evolution of one of the most visionary experimental musicians of our time.
Father Dionysus Tabakis - Paradise Metal [Heat Crimes]
I’m still not entirely sure this isn’t some kind of Dean Blunt side project, but everyone who’s everyone has been going on about it, so I thought I’d follow the hype and give it a listen. This is the kind of thing that I’d have probably sold 30 copies of back in the day in HMV to people who asked for something “cool” and were expecting me to give them a Mogwai or Jamie XX CD. There’s enough going on to keep it interesting, and I guess the backstory is interesting enough too, I’m gonna need some more time with it to really get into it.
Actress & CASiSDEAD - Live By You [Ninja Tune]
Is this ambient drill? It’s not Splaszh/RIP by any means. Not really sure on this one, sounds more like something you’d hear at an art installation down in the tanks of the Tate Modern
Uriel’s Bath - Uriel’s Bath EP [Felt Sense]
Nicely shimmering four tracker here starting out on an ambient drift but evolving into a more DIY electronic slant with mesmerising vocals reminding me of somewhere in the ether between Suzanne Vega and Hydroplane
Horse Lords - Demand To Be Taken To Heaven Alive [RVNG Intl]
This is basically just Battles isn’t it?
Panasonic - Muuntaja [Sahko]
Gritty early Vainio trax reissued and probably sold out already. Set the template for so much of what followed, mad to think this stuff is over 30 years old now, and still way better than most of the dub heavy techno that followed.
Adrian Rew - Slot Machine Music, Vol. 1 & 2: Field Recordings from Middle American Casinos [DINTE]
I once spent 48 hours in Las Vegas that culminated in me ending up backstage at a Skrillex show, drinking a light-up neon bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. The hangover the next day was a thing of nightmares. This album of field recordings from American casinos doesn’t feature Skrillex thankfully, but is equally as nightmarish, evoking the soundscape of a liminal space carefully designed to extract every penny possible from your pockets.
Two Shell - Thing About You [Young]
“I’m heartbroken… without your love… heartbroken… ‘cause I’ve had enough”
The Sprigs - For Red Riverbank [Discreet]
Wonderfully charming, Wind-In-The-Willows influenced DIY folk experiments from Rory Salter’s The Sprigs outfit. An album that reveals a little more on each listen, rewarding those who return to it time and time again, much like I have. Discreet really feels like a natural home for this.
Kryptic Minds - The Things The Left Behind [Osiris]
Simon Shreeve returns to his Kryptic Minds alias with this collection of remastered versions of older tunes. Sitting somewhere between broken techno and dubstep, sounding all the better for a bit of 2026 polish, and still fresh to this day
Lolina- Monopoly of Mistakes [Relaxin’]
For someone who’s label is called Relaxin’ Lolina has been responsible for some pretty intense music. This new one here continues her fine recent form, putting a unique touch to electro, what you would of called IDM if it was 2006, and the kind of stuff you think Charli XCX should be making, but doesn’t quite. Not really pop, and certainly nothing that you’d consider particularly radio friendly, but it could be, if only people were willing to take risks.
Morgan Buckley & Ben Donohoe - Sworx [Wah Wah Wino]
Not on any streamers so you’ll have to seek out the LP if you’re not too late already. Outta space electro-jams from two of the Wino crew. Maybe not the weirdest tunes on the label but there’s still plenty here to reward the adventurous.
The Fulmars - The Fulmars [Static Age]
Another one not on any streaming services, I’ve been a fan of the Fulmars since hearing them close the chapter on Blackest Ever Black a decade or so ago. This new one - incredibly their first debut album - continues that lo-fi DIY pop sound and is a low-key AOTY contender.
