Listening Clark :: Class Of 2023 :: Module Twenty-Three
For the last time… this year anyway.
We have got a lot to get through on this last edition though, peeps, so first off, now that we have hit the end of the listening year (because I need at least the month of December to reset my brain from all of this auditory madness), please find below part four of four of my quarterly Spotify playlists…
Listening Clark :: Class Of 2023 :: Module Twenty Three
A Grisaille Wedding – Rainy Miller x Space Afrika
Two of the United Kingdom’s most auspicious production outfits join forces to give anyone who will listen quite the revelatory journey into the dark night of UK electronic music’s soul, aided in no small effort by vocal contributions from some of the country’s most head-turning artists from the alternative hip hop scene.
Eros: Bridge, Grime, Eröd & Ginastera – Mithras Trio
Having received numerous accolades from competitons across the world after forming during their studies at the Guildford School of Music and Drama, these champions of contemporary classical music find their prodigious footing quite assuredly on their debut recording.
Hypnotized – DJ Manny
A dancey diversion to Chicago now, courtesy of an established star from that city’s prominent footwork movement and their latest album, which features some of the year’s most playful beatsmithery, ultimately becoming a fine of example of that sub-genre’s sense of community and inclusivity.
Intiha – Ali Sethi
The Pakistani-American performer’s debut album comes with some very promising credentials, not just with Sethi’s own musical filmography but in his main collaborator being one Nicolás Jaar, whose febrile production skills offer Sethi a soundbed of truly lovely swoonage.
Ison – Abadir
The Egyptian producer and DJ continues to deliver more propulsive dance-fusion on his latest longform, this time inspired by a childhood memories populated with various masses and services, hoping to forge his own collection of hymns that often find their own particularly modern sense of fervent awe.
New Blue Sun – André 3000
The debut solo effort from one of hip hop’s most universally adored artists has been a long time coming, and though many fans’ hearts may have sunk when it was revealed that Mr Benjamin’s first LP was actually a nu-jazz instrumental odyssey, you should never count the gentleman out, as those willing to dive in can expect a transporting treat.
Phoenix – Lakecia Benjamin
Their first album of new material since surviving a car-crash that resulted in multiple surgeries, the saxophonist’s fourth LP goes full force in terms of politique and power, the performer rising to the occasion much like the title implies with equal amounts dignity and ferocity as if nothing can stand in their way.
Quaranta – Danny Brown
Another hip hop luminary known for their rambunctious nature does a tonal heel turn in the shape of Danny Brown’s sixth album, which sees the wildcard wordsmith growing older with their sense of humour mostly intact, but this time informed by a forlorn disdain at the passage of time, revealing a fascinating new dimension to this incorrigible character.
Touched By An Angel – Klein
Quietly but prolifically working in a sonic realm that takes in contemporary classical, industrial drone and Art-&-b since their debut in 2016, the London born singer/songwriter/producer presents their most epic collection of soundwork yet, finding that fraught space between genres that simultaneously comforts and affronts.
Who Can See Forever Soundtrack – Iron & Wine
And we close out with a live recording courtesy of Samuel Beam’s alt-folk-rock project, performed for their accompanying concert movie of the same name and works as both a handy navigator of Beam’s illustrious career, as well as an impressive artefact of his skills as a performer and storyteller.
So, 23 entries for the year 2023; almost makes those thousands of hours worth it just for that cute little factoid; but a more earnest and less bitty retrospective is on the horizon surely? Maybe…
But in the meantime, please have a listen to my new winter beats mix, for some alternative holiday music vibes and such…
Will I be back sooner rather than later? Let’s see, but in the meantime…
xxxo
