In Rotation: January 2015

Okay, I know I missed last month, but I’m back with a vengeance to write about what I’ve been digging my teeth into most frequently this month. But before you read this, check out my last entry, where I break down my top 20 albums of 2014, all of which I highly recommend you check out. Anyway, onwards with this months 3 picks…

       1. Viet Cong – Viet Cong

Starting the list with a new release from post-punk outfit Viet Cong. This album was my first exposure to these guys, and what an introduction it has been. This album is everything you could want from a post-punk album without any of the filler. At only 36 minutes, you can stick this album on at any time of day and for a short while get lost in its immersive atmosphere and pulsating energy. I have a sort of love-hate relationship with post-punk. As fascinated as I am by it, it can often get tedious for me and rarely has much replay value. However, this album has been in heavy rotation recently and a nice breath of fresh air in the genre for me.

      2. Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury

Next we have a classic hip hop album from hailed duo Clipse, made up of Pusha T and Malice. This is flawlessly produced by The Neptunes and the beats perfectly back up the delivery from both of these top class MC’s. The content is what you’d expect from Clipse; drugs, drugs and well, more drugs. But who cares? This is hip hop, and if you’re getting caught up in moral detail then you’re going to miss a hell of a lot of great albums. The deliveries on every song are sharp and aggressive, yet composed and intricate at the same time. The lyrics are grandiose and bragadocious, and that’s what makes this album for me. Put this on when you want to fire yourself up or just vibe out to some great beats and two of the best MC’s of the 2000’s.

    

          3. Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2

Finally we have another new release. This time an EP from legendary electronic musician Aphex Twin (AKA Richard D. James). Last year Richard made a splash with his new full-length album Syro The album made my top 20 of the year, but I was still left wanting a little bit more from Aphex Twin, considering the plethora of classics he’s come out with in the last 25 years. This EP only came out in the last few days, but I’ve hardly been able to turn it off. Here we have Richard creating sonic portraits purely of the acoustic variety. The beats and grooves are so infectious and catchy, yet he still manages to throw curve balls at you with the occasional unorthodox beat or melody. I love the drums on here, which sound very African inspired, adding to the addictiveness of these tracks. Throw this on wherever and whenever and feel yourself being drawn into Aphex Twin’s weird world once again.

Thanks for reading! I promise to continue this series without skipping any more months in the future. Stay tuned for more content in the meantime!