These are the tunes that have been on high rotation inside and outside the ENCODER Sound Mastering Studio over the last few weeks. Available in playlist form at your preferred streaming service, follow the links: Spotify | Apple Music [If you really love an artist’s music, scoot over to Bandcamp to send them a few dollars more directly]…[the final two track on this list are unavailable on streaming services, so a record store or Bandcamp dive is the way to go there]
FOAM — Body Into Mine, Coping Mechanism (2017) — This track has a great groove and syncopation. I really like the first vocal entry beginning with the refrain, kind of tipping the song structure on its head.
Radiohead — Everything in its Right Place, Kid A (2000) — The keys are so fluffy and warm on this one, and it really bounces you into the album beautifully. The track kind of swirls and builds and then becomes very clear and concise towards the end.
Bjork — Jóga, Homogenic (1997) — The vocal delivery is impeccable, of course. I also really love the approach to rhythm where we are simultaneously slow and wide, and rhythmically complex — dropping through layers of subdivision. And, the strings are lush and feel really good.
The Vines — Animal Machine, Winning Days (2004) — This album is pretty great for walking around town, and singing along. The bass and drums kind of roll over each other in the down section, it sits really well.
Huntsville — (Er), Pond (2015) — I’m continuing my Huntsville trip. This is the first track I ever heard of theirs. The bass drum is so thick in this track, and the minimal interjections from the other players leave a lot of nice space. There’s also a brain bending shifting of time between the snare drum brush playing and the driving bass drum, so subtly tense.
Guiding Lights — Happy Ending, Cold Reading (2020) — I was on a little guitar kick this week, and this tune from Polish band Guiding Lights is great.
Elliot Smith — Needle in the Hay, Elliot Smith (1995) — Guitars and voices, just so clear and close. The melodies and lyrics have to be compelling, and they are. It’s a fairly iconic track.
Pixies — Caribou, Come On Pilgrim (1987) — The reverbs on this recording are nice, and the snare drum is a cool blend of trashy and fat but nestled nicely in the midfield.
Ilmiliekki Quartet — Take It With Me, Take It With Me (2010) — This Finnish band melds timbral manipulation with modern melodies. Its availability on streaming services seems limited so a CD hunt is on the cards (TUM Records, TUM CD 020).
lia t — fleeting, sketches222 (2020) — There is a wonderful coexistence of pristine synthesised layers and field recordings on this record. In this track I love that sense of deep soundstage and the subtle air/fuzz that moves side to side further enhancing this depth. (Only available on Bandcamp on the Deep Water label).