February 2013 best albums

Autechre - Exai

I must admit, when I first came across Autechre all I could think was "I just don't get it". To the casual listener, it is easy to understand why with the extremely glitchy abstract sounds and general fuckeduppedness. However in over 20 years together the duo have created some stellar albums, and many argue that Exai is up with the best. At 17 tracks lasting just over 2 hours, Exai takes you on a long haul of IDM which can leave some restless. Nevertheless, Autechre is raw, physical and unrelenting as ever.

8.0  / 10

Hear - jatevee C

Benjamin Damage - Heliosphere

As soon as I heard the first track of the album I thought I was on to a winner. Heliosphere is the debut from Benjamin Damage, a Welsh techno producer based in Berlin. The first listen you enjoy the main heavy (but not agressive) beats from each track, however it is when you have a few more listens do you admire some of the intricate layers added into each song. With songs like "Delirium Tremens" and "Swarm" you could close your eyes and feel like your in a rave, and I sure would love to if he's playing.

8.5  / 10

Hear - Swarm

Darkstar - News From Nowhere

London trio Darkstar have transformed themselves from your standard post-dubstep artist into a purveyor of great alternative and electronica music. There is something very mystical and foggy about this record, which has some resemblance with Animal Collective. However I think it is best to distance the two artists, with Darkstar seeming to have more of a 70s psychedelic influence. Overall I was pleasantly suprised by the quality of this album and hope to hear more in the future.

7.5  / 10

Hear - Amblified Ease 

My Bloody Valentine - mbv

Much has already been said about My Bloody Valentine's first album in over 20 years. Like if they never were apart, MBV is a testament to the incredible talent of the noise pop artists. As always with My Bloody Valentine expect a wall of distorted sounds with the guitars turned to volume 11. However that is not true for all the tracks, with some being more subdued creating wonderfully mystical atmospheres. I don't think any fan of the band can leave disappointed with this even after 20 years.

8.5  / 10

Hear - She Found Now