ELECTRONIC music. (Part II) The most essential tracks of 2009.

Now that I've powered through the overall top acts of the year, I present to you some of the most staggeringly beautiful and boldly original tracks of 2009. It was a year to be remembered (for music at least), so this is my way of putting it in the history books.

I'll keep the descriptions short and sweet and let the music speak for itself.

****If you'd like a copy of any of these tracks or the albums they come from just let me know and i'll send them your way.

First up:

Instra:Mental - Watching You

The imagery it invokes is intense, the lyrics are simple yet powerful in a way that I can't quite put my finger on. Nonetheless, it might be my favorite track of the year.

Watching You uploaded by elpretentio

read the rest!

Burial and Four Tet - Moth

This is a truly sublime piece. It moves along at a simple 4/4 pace but the textures and samples they use are incredibly easy on the ears. I was so easily immersed in it that it's 9-minute length was completely unnoticeable.

Moth uploaded by elpretentio

Nite Jewel - What Did He Say

Here's a curveball. Still electronic by my standards with it's rolling beat and squelchy bassline (but probably technically something else), Nite Jewel sounds about as sweet as she looks. And she's from LA. bonus!

What Did He Say uploaded by elpretentio

Hudson Mohawke - Spotted

A proprietor of 'Glitch-Hop', Hudson spits out crunchy beats so effortlessly you'd think he was doing so while sleep-walking (or dreaming, that is). This type of sound is second nature to people like him and fellow glitch-hopper and label mate Flying Lotus. They make it look easy. This is off the incredible Mary Anne Hobbs compilation Wild Angels.

Spotted uploaded by elpretentio

Hyetal - We Should Light A Fire

Also from the Wild Angels compilation, this is a sprawling piece with a wide open sound.



King Midas Sound - Meltdown

Really in a class all it's own, this project is the brainchild of musician Roger Robinson and bass scientist Kevin Martin (otherwise known as The Bug). It's the haunting vocals and top-notch production that give this such a distinctive sound. It's out of this world. And by god does it have bass.

Meltdown uploaded by elpretentio

Demdike Stare - Regressor

Dark, real dark. Was lucky to discover this on Kevin Martin (The Bug)'s year-end list of all places. I can see why he likes it. Deep, rolling bass and a warm, oceanic, echoing synth toward the end. Meditative.

Demdike Stare - Regressor uploaded by elpretentio

Dorian Concept - Trilingual Dance Sexperience

Best track title of the year easily goes to Dorian Concept. The song lives up to it's name. It's a frenetic, bouncy track, and was featured on many a set from super-DJ and ambassador of Hyperdub: Kode9.

Dorian Concept - Trilingual Dance Sexperience uploaded by elpretentio

Instra:Mental - No Future

The year is 2010...

Instra:Mental - No Future uploaded by elpretentio

Mount Kimbie - William

Couldn't resist adding one more track from their Maybes EP. The entire thing is just so brilliant that each track demands a listen.

Mount Kimbie - William uploaded by elpretentio

Silkie - Cat's Eyes

Seemingly a wobbler at first site with it's um, wobbly bass, the real key to this track is the angelic, sparse, echoed synth line throughout. What an incredibly inspired sound.
Cat's Eyes uploaded by elpretentio

Four Tet - Love Cry (Joy Orbison Remix)

Another Four Tet re-working, this time by the oh-so-prolific Joy Orbison.

Four Tet - Love Cry (Joy Orbison Remix) uploaded by elpretentio

Stay tuned for part 3, which will be cuts of the best mixes from some all-star live and radio acts of the year. Plus a list of the most epic, club-destroying dubstep bangers/anthems. Thanks for listening.

To be continued...