I lurve shortlists. Not because I intentionally exclude people from excellence, but because shortlists are intense and conducive to direct experience, as opposed to "100 cool songs I haven't really listened to". I favor music with experimental production and catchy melodies which unites diverse styles, so if you're into that too, you'll bliss out to these.
They're also great for listening to while making that next (non-musical, unless you're remixing) masterpiece of yours.
Trifonic
The brothers Trifon make soundscapes that'd be lovely in a smoky cyberpunk bar and they should've scored Neuromancer. Beyond the tropes, I had to buy their debut, Emergence, because they slice a deep wound in what so many have only dabbled in: combine rock instrumentation with stutter edits. I first heard "Parks on Fire" and thought it was a lost track from BT's This Binary Universe. Surprise, Brian Trifon of this duo worked with Brian Transeau (BT^2, heh) on that masterpiece.
Even on the more uptempo tracks, there's a rich sense of texture and ambience. Even better, Trifonic have collaborated with master visualist Scott Pagano in an audaciously well-synced video:
Ugress
His journals are one of the most insightful electronic musician blogs. Instead of bland tour diaries, Gisele, the mad scientist behind this moniker and other pseudonyms, shares videos of new gear, opinions on the RIAA's dumbassedness, and inspiring stories behind how he makes music. Quite a potent package adding dimension to his actual works.
Ugress' 4th longplay is due out later this year, and he recently announced the Schizophonica EP. He's eminently listenable, blending crackly samples with 80s synth lines: "VHS" stood out to me from the first few seconds in, recalling the many cheesy (enjoyable) videos I used to watch as while I struggled to adjust tracking to stabilize the image.
Lunar
I'd say "young and talented", but that's lost its punch. Regardless of age, Lunar's somewhat of an enigma. He has a blog, but doesn't share personal info (unless you read his Twitter): he keeps it centered on the music, but has amassed fans from StumbleUpon and other places, eager to hear what he cooks up next. I first heard about him while stumbling, pressed play, and was hooked — elegant simplicity.
And what's Lunar known for? Classical, orchestral lines interweaved with breakbeat. There're slight glitches, not to the distracting degree of digital wankery, but enough to keep the flow juggled yet momentous. Well-suited to accompany epic journeys seeking an anti-hackneyed vibe. Infact, I'd like to hear more Lunar in student films and viral videos; Lunar told me both his albums are under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license. Here's looking forward to album #3.
(And I give him credit for turning me on to Bandcamp.)
Potential Paintball Massacre
A surprise, because I wasn't expecting much due to the sloppy toxic logo and other MS Painterly art on his MySpace page. But then, that's because my notions of drum 'n' bass were being challenged: I'm so used to the clichés that it's hard to ascend to fresher planes, and that speaks to the ideological incest of the genre.
And so, here's how PPM does it: rapid-fire, meticulously-programmed beats + video game-style lines (that sound like Castlevania meets Mega Man) + SHRED GUITAR! No sirree, there aren't many in this category to begin with, and even those who've succeeded (like Matrix & Futurebound) don't have this degree of progression in their tracks which PPM continues to evolve. The tracks aren't mastered the punchiest, which is a disservice to the rich sound, so I hope future ones will rock hard. Maybe PPM and esoteric DnB luminary John B should team up, but undoubtedly, PPM deserves more exposure.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow.. yes, I definitely see what you meant with Trifonic's "Parks on Fire" – and amusing to see one of TBU's main directors producing that video, too. (If you've not watched the DVD accompanying TBU, do! 1.618 and The Antikythera Mechanism are ones I'd particularly recommend on the visual front)
Okay, that calls for reciprocation:
A video from Royksopp's new album, Junior: Happy Up Here – put there by themselves, one will note. ^_^ Curiously, whilst all their videos have tended to be enjoyably inventive, there doesn't appear to be any DVD out yet, though thankfully, the iTunes Store has them all in an easily downloaded form.
And a fun bit of Goa trance with more creativity than the genre typically displays: Secret World, by zackregit.
And have you heard Acid Brass, an arrangement of the KLF's "What Time is Love", played by a full brass band? It works remarkably well, though it must surely have been tough on the players. ^_^
@Porsupah: Royksopp has a new album? I'm EXCITED! "Remind Me" (recently parodied here) is among my fave music vids, up there with Justice's "DVNO".
I've seen the TBU DVD; I read that much of it was commissioned from DeviantArt artists. That's resourcefulness.
I haven't heard "Acid Brass" but I'm a big fan of KLF from back in the day. They exuded a personality and fun, yet philosophical depth that most "rave" acts never did.
THX 4 RECIPROCATING!
have you heard Ben Sage. melodic drums and bass, i loves it thought i would share