Downbeat

Black Mask: Us and Them

Valerie
It's rare to find good quality music being offered for free online but when you do find them, you're rewarded with a new artist to love and great new music to enjoy. Us and Them is an indie hip hop album that's a good find. It was recorded and released by a group of friends who call themselves Black Mask. Originally made up of Maulskull, America Smith, B-Nuggs, INfluence, Noby One, Joe Kirschner, Dean Wakerlin, Dustin Thompkins and Milton Minasko; the crew has downsized to a six piece from a nine. Despite the dwindling number, they still churn out music that's worth grazing your ears.
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Splitter: Lost At Sea

Valerie
Releasing their latest effort, Lost at Sea; it seems Splitter has picked a rather appropriate title for their latest record. Fusing electronic and dance music, with a healthy dose of catchy beats; this is an album that's worthy as a soundtrack to a chill night out with friends or if you simply feel like peering out of the world's kaleidoscope and getting lost in it. This is the third record for the band. It was released in August 2011 and offered with a name-your-price option over at BandCamp.
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Eric Delay: Four Moments

Valerie
After years of absence, Eric Delay is back with an intriguing new EP that shows him in his best shape. Four Moments is the result of rediscovering his own music and style. The artist supposedly had to "deny all the familiar sounds of the standard moves, starting with a blank face, not knowing what to get" while he was creating the tracks. The compilation is composed of minimal sounds that resonate in an ambient electronic groove. From beginning to end, you get a beautiful airy atmosphere filled with subtle instruments and sample.
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Mark.Nine: Bicycles

Valerie
Containing a mix of flowy and sometimes gritty instrumental tracks, Bicycles is more of a metaphore for how these two wheeled contraptions allows us to travel and take us to places. Mark.Nine's sound is a lot like that. It's both soothing and disturbing (on occasion) compelling its listeners to seek what's beyond. There's a mix of uptempo rhythms, to ethereal sounding cuts; there are even slight dance tracks contained within some of the singles. Not much is available about the singer, even his Facebook info section only states that he's "a figment of your imagination." His sound is real though and it's quite worth taking a listen to.
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Superpoze: Lost Cosmonaut

Valerie
Looking to try out some instrumental electronic rap hip hop? Give Lost Cosmonaut a listen and you'll find a whole new world of hip hop. This 12 track downtempo beat fest was created by Superpoze; a self described "beatmaker from Caen, France." He first debuted in the music scene with his EP record, Snowpixel and soon after, he went straight on to create this compilation. The artist mixes downtempo hip hop with catchy rhythms and great sampling. It's this skillful mixing and form that gives the tracks on Lost Cosmonaut that extra sense of personality. Definitely something that should be worth listening.
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DFRNT: Actaeon EP

Valerie
Continuing on with their bevy of strong releases, Cut Music debuts their tenth compilation album. This time it's from Scottish producer DFRNT. Known for his minimalistic style, the artist has created a record that includes 3 originals and 2 remixes. Actaeon EP comes with a collection of 5 tracks that resonate with cryptic drum and bass that ebbs and flows beautifully. Coupled with the occasional vocal sample and ethnic instrumentation, the record is a moody compilation that crosses boundaries.
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Wacky Southern Current: In a Realm of Uncertain Summer

Valerie
Wacky Southern Current is a compilation of 9 tracks that herald a beautiful post rock feel. This time around, the artist returns to No-Source netlabel for releasing their second album, In a Realm of Uncertain Summer. The title is a bit misleading since the tracks are neither wacky nor completely Southern, in fact, it's a set of melodic, acoustic post rock that serves as a the ideal mood setter for your quiet moments. Made up of Marco Cervellin, the Italian instrumentalist manages to balance a range of genres in one relaxing record. This is slightly different from his first release, but it still captures fleeting emotions to a tee.
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Ending Satellites: 7 Billion Passengers Only One Flight Left

Valerie
Cinematic is one of the words that best describe Ending Satellites' new album 7 Billion Passengers|Only One Flight Left. Hints of rock, alternative and electronica litter across the album; making it an intriguing record to have. According to their site, the album is "both musical and photographic." The goal is to provide listeners a chance to explore the melodies along with images (which you can find on their site.) The album has a beautiful concept and it also features collaborations from several talented artists.
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Beat Culture: Tokyo Dreamer

Valerie
A fairly fresh ambient compilation that's already generating buzz among internet music fans; Beat Culture's Tokyo Dreamer is looking forward to a great year. The young musician behind the album is Korean born, USA based, Sunik Kim. He's fairly new in the musical playing field but he's definitely showing promise by expertly combining various synth sounds with careful pianos and pitched shift vocals. As a results, the album is a rich hodge podge of sound that reflects an electronic ambient feel along with a hint of shoegaze rock for those few.
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