cry5tal 1it3 by shamane

Fresh from the mind of the Shamane is this brand new long player that’s gonna make you thirsty for more, as you should! Cry5sal 1it3 is glimmering brilliant madness, pickled and distilled in the roasting 2020 sun – allow yourself to rest back and soak it in…

The Popular Culture Shamane, for those unfamiliar, is an abstract multimedia artist who has manifested a vibrant world around themself. Pushing artistic limits of electronic music, glitch art and even poetry – Shamane is the quintessential digital age renaissance figure. A brief cruise of the website reveals a universe of exploration, allowing the Shamane to assault each and every one of your senses.

Now that we’re caught up, back to cry5sal 1it3! This latest full-length album finds the Shamane exploring into the stratospheres of sound. Weaving together the ever-unique vocals with synthscapes that are as melodic as they are dissonant. The free-form of the compositions are satisfying and natural, with the tracks finding footing in addicting riffs, proceeding to exploit and explore the surrounding area. At 23 tracks, it’s a healthy stack and a substantial sonic journey.

There is of course an element of humor to the Shamane’s work, showing its head in silly song titles that really speak to the artists poetic nature. You don’t need to read the included 30-page rhyme book to tell, but it certainly helps with the immersion! It’s actually this emotional element to the Shamane’s work that draws me so close, there is both a humor and a sadness to be found. When listening and paying closer attention, you begin to reveal layers of nihilism and melancholy, the stressed and depressed energy of the digital age. Then, on a dime, a flourish of hope and ecstasy – perhaps a smile or a laugh, right around the corner.

Cry5tal 1it3 offers some very subtle and thoughtful pieces. Some personal highlights such as “every allegory needs a bear” and “i’ll cook an 8 course dinner for a horse” open up brilliantly after repeat listens. Headphones encouraged for this puppy. Also if you have a puppy on your lap it couldn’t hurt!

Anyway, you either get it or ya don’t, people! It’s an acquired taste but boy howdy is it delicious. I really encourage you all to cleanse the palette and dive in – give a listen, a watch, a read – however you want to consume – and perhaps the world will grab you like it did me…

Cry5tal 1it3 is available now both Digitally and on Cassette Tape via Virtual Dream Plaza

Straight to Tape by Pan Amsterdam

I don’t know who this Pan Amsterdam fella is but golly gee his music is brilliant. Maybe not the Daniel Johnston of hip hop but most certainly the Jad Fair. He’s going “Straight to Tape” and straight to the top of the charts and our hearts. His latest EP is another look inside the mind of a bonafide weirdo philosopher. His music is avant-garde in the least pretentious way. If Busdriver makes you think you should read more, then Pan Amsterdam makes you think you should’ve rented more movies at Blockbuster when you had the chance. His comedic timing is nothing short of golden. “You’re the wolf of Walmart, sell me this pen.” Pan (can I call him Pan?) is a savant of bogus poetry. A beautiful genius at that. “More kosher than gefilte fish.” Picking up where Das Racist left off, Pan Amsterdam has filled the void for stream of consciousness free jazz rap. “Straight to Tape” has been playing on repeat and I’m just now seeing that it’s only 12 minutes. Re-playability is hard to do in the land of drive thru’s and infinite possibilities. Pan Amsterdam creates a world you can get lost in. Not some fantasy planet either, this world’s like yours just slightly different. Instead of 2001: A Space Odyssey, you’re really into Mars Attacks. You listen to Beck’s anti folk albums instead of Radiohead demos. Whatever mad scientist laboratory accidentally birthed this album should win the Oscar.

Listen/download over on Pan Amsterdam’s Bandcamp:

http://panamsterdam.bandcamp.com/album/straight-to-tape

Spacedtime on the Beat (Vol. 2), by Spacedtime

Big collection from one of my favorite producers Spacedtime. Over 20 tracks of recent productions featuring tons of great emcees.

Piramida Maslowa, by NoName Kolektyf

Millennium Jazz Music brings us this funky album from Polish group NoName Kolektyf

Epiphanies – BFPSP

Some delicious new raw & lyrical content from Bostonian duo BFPSP

20XXビート, by WTCHDCTR

Tonight I am listening to some haunting and beautiful beats by WTCHDCTR, his latest EP titled “20XXビート” is 4 tracks of luscious and spaced out beats, soaked in reverb, dripping with style.

This project has a relaxed warmth to it that is quite pleasing to the ears. Swelling synthesizers rest behind the action in each song perfectly, creating quite the cosmic-soundscape to paint beats and melodies on top of. WTCHDCTR does this by means of intriguing vocal samples, tracks being motivated by trap style drums. There is minimal urgency in these tunes, and thats exactly what you want from something like this, perfect beats for a warm summer night. Slightly melancholy, whether by nostalgia or situation, only enhances the beauty.

The tracks maintain a fairly chill vibe, On My Mind being the obvious acception. However, even so the relaxed and spacey attitude is still there, in whispering synths paired with eerie vocal cuts. The deep bass lulls you inward, while the haunting melodies keep you hypnotized.

For what it is, “20XXビート” is a great little release. I feel like theres nothing I havent heard going on here, but in this instance it’s done so well! Though its only 4 tracks, you can pick this one up on Cassette via the bandcamp page. Also available for digital download, or stream it above! Whatever you do, enjoy!