the beat farm

music, tunes & jams

tom vickress

toronto, canada

Essentials

MARCH ESSENTIALS - 2013


Suuns - Images du Futur,  Secretly Canadian

Montreal’s Suuns continue to pump out great post-punk jams with an electronic and psychedelic influences on their newest record Images du Futur. Filled with as many dreary moments as upbeat and catchy ones, this will likely remain one of the most eclectic and engaging listens of 2013.

Read my full review of the album HERE

Listen to “Edie’s Dream” HERE



KEN Mode - Entrench,  Season of Mist


KEN Mode continue to be one of the most uncompromising forces in hardcore and metal today, and Entrench stands as one of their loudest statements yet. Considering all of this noise is coming from three guys, it’s easily one of the best records of 2013 thus far.

Read my full review of the album HERE

Listen to “The Promises Of God” HERE

DJ Koze - Amygdala,  Pampa

I can’t say I know a whole lot about Stefan Kozella, but what I can say is that every track on his newest effort Amygdala has a unique and often subtle beauty to it. With features from other great producers like Caribou’s Dan Snaith, Apparat’s Sascha Ring and Matthew Dear, it has a lot to offer. So, throw this puppy on a get lost in a wash of some unique and colourful deep-house waves.

Listen to “Track ID Anyone?” HERE



Lapalux - Nostalchic,  Brainfeeder

Nostalchic is Brainfeeder stalwart Stewart Howard’s first official full length, and while it still incorporates a fair amount of influences in electronic music it is still completely beautiful and engaging. With the vocal parts of the record being split between sampled and live vocals, as well as the copious amounts of synths used, it really shows Howard’s skill for song-craft.

Listen to “Without You ft. Kerry Leatham” HERE



NAILS - Abandon All Life,  Southern Lord

Abandon All Life is likely the longest NAILS record that we’ll ever witness, because this band is about getting straight to the point with their songs. Filled with skuzzy distortion, pounding blast beats and menacing screams, Kurt Ballou has helped to create one of the densest injections of Thrash I’ve heard in a while.

Listen to “God’s Cold Hands” HERE




Rheteric Ramirez - Dear Diary,  Hellfyre Club


Rheteric Ramirez has come into his own with this new collection of tracks available through Hellfyre Club. His poetic nuances tie with a wide range of beats to bring some of the most enjoyable hip hop of 2013. While it’s a little short, it only goes to show how much of a mark Ramirez can make in such little time.

Listen to “Dear Diary” HERE



EP’s:

Shlohmo - Laid Out,  Friends of Friends

Henry Laufer, the man behind Shlohmo continues to be one of the most unique presences in electronic music with this new collection of tracks. From the hauntingly beautiful collaboration with How To Dress Well’s Tom Krell to the vocal sample driven highlight “Later”, each song on this EP hits like a ton of bricks.

Listen to “Later” HERE



Chvrches - Recover,  Glassnote

Scotland 3-piece Chvrches are another group that prove just how great retro synths can sound when tied to pop music. Though Recover is only 3 songs, each have an undeniable beauty to them. Go ahead, try listening to “Recover” without it getting trapped in your head.

Listen to “Recover” HERE



HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Men - New Moon,  Sacred Bones

Listen to “Electric” HERE



Blue Hawaii - Untogether,  Arbutus

Listen to “Try to Be” HERE



Youth Lagoon - Wondrous Bughouse,  Fat Possum

Listen to “Dropla” HERE

Read my full review of the album HERE





FEBRUARY ESSENTIALS - 2013

Grouper - The Man Who Died In His Boat, Kranky

Liz Harris has returned with another phenominal record that utilizes acoustic ambience to evoke moments of disconnect and isolation. It’s subtle and straighforward at the same time, and Harris’ voice takes the record to a whole new level. Anyone looking for music to relax or daydream to, pick this thing up right now.

Listen to “Towers” HERE

Read a full review written by Phil Maye HERE




My Bloody Valentine - mbv, Self-Released

After 22 years, Kevin Shields returns with a bang and shows us that sometimes music is well worth the wait. The record is hazier and more subtle than their previous efforts, but still stands as a strong and beautiful homage to the groups past. Effects are lathered on every surface within this record, and it sounds freakin’ amazing.

Listen to “Only Tomorrow” HERE



Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II, JAGJAGUWAR

Portland’s own Unknown Mortal Orchestra come off the strong reception of their first LP with their second conveiniently titled “II”. By focusing more on lo-fi production values as well as some influence from psych rock, this record is bouncy and fun, something that soundtracks the transition into spring perfectly.

Listen to “So Good At Being In Trouble” HERE

Read my full review of the record HERE




Iceage - You’re Nothing, Matador 

Iceage is a force to be reckoned with. They fit under the label of “punk”, but thats not all you’re going to get out of this group. You’re Nothing is a testament to the ever changing styles of music and is brought together through agressive and angry themes. If you’re looking for punk that doesn’t directly appeal punk lovers of the past this thing is right up your alley.

Listen to “Ecstasy” HERE

Read my full review of the record HERE



Baptists - Bushcraft, Southern Lord

Baptists are 4-piece onslaught from the west coast of Canada, and their newest effort Bushcraft seeks to do away with the distractions and cloudedness of urban life and return to life in the forest among the elements. By tying these themes to fast, agressive and powerful songs in the vein of crust punk and powerviolence, it makes for a very compelling listen.

Listen to the single “Think Tank Breed” HERE

Check out an interview I did with the drummer Nick Yacyshyn HERE




The Underachievers - Indigoism, Brainfeeder


Hailing from Flatbush, NY, The Underchievers are a new, but undeniably talented duo of MC’s that love to rap about psychedelics, their roots and supernatural or spiritual underpinnings. Aside from the refreshing change of subject matter they work alongside a plethera of beats and manage to work their flow over each one differently. It’s a solid listen from a group that likely has a long future ahead of them.

Listen to “The Mahdi” HERE

Download the mixtape for free HERE



EP’s

Greys - Drift, Kind of Like Records

Strong riffs, think tones and an energy thats hard to match are what make Greys a group to keep your eye on. Their newest effort Drift is only 3 tracks long but is packed with such a punch that you won’t easily forget it. Any fans of loud/noise rock should check this thing out for sure.

Listen to “Carjack” HERE

Check out an interview done by Phil Maye HERE




Giles Corey - Hinterkaifeck, Enemies List Home Recordings

Giles Corey has released another soft and sullen collection of dark, acousticly driven songs that are incredibly easy to lose yourself within. With his previous efforts being fueled by suicide and isolation, its still present on Hinterkaifeck but in a new light. 

Listen to the EP HERE

MIXTAPES:

ANTWON - In Dark Denim, Greedhead

Download the tape for free HERE

Giraffage - Needs, Alpha Pup

Download the tape for free HERE




HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Guards - In Guards We Trust, Windish Agency or Black Bell Records

Listen to “Silver Lining” HERE

Read my full review of the record HERE




Foals - Holy Fire, Warner Bros or Transgressive

Listen to “My Number” HERE

Read my full review of the record HERE




Apparat - Krieg Und Frieden, Mute

Listen to “A Violent Sky” HERE




JANUARY ESSENTIALS - 2013

Nosaj Thing - Home, Innovative Leisure

LA’s Patrick Chung has taken the past few years to carefully craft this sophomore release, and the results are an engaging and interesting record. With more focus on production techniques and beats, Home is a great record to waste time to.

Read my full review of the record HERE

Listen to “Eclipse/Blue” HERE



Emancipator - Dusk to Dawn, Loci Records

On his third full length, Doug Appling brings together another really strong collection of instrumentals. The awesome part being that they are all actual recorded instruments, something that we’re seeing increasingly less of among instrumental artists today.

Listen to “Minor Cause” HERE

Foxygen - We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic, JAGJAGUWAR

“21st Century” houses influences from classic rock to glam-rock to psych-rock, and it works oh-so well. If you want a collection of tracks that remind you of the great music of the past while still sounding current, these are for you.

Read my full review of the record HERE

Listen to “San Francisco” HERE

Local Natives - Hummingbird, Frenchkiss Records

By taking a more contemporary stance with the writing on this record, Hummingbird shows how Local Natives have matured their sound in the past couple years. Its a strong collection of well written, engaging tracks, and some of the strongest the band has written yet.

Read my full review of the record HERE

Listen to “Breakers” HERE

Ducktails - The Flower Lane, Domino Records

Real Estate’s Matt Monadile enlists the help of various musicians on his newest effor, from indie-rockers Big Troubles to Daniel Lopatin to Cults’ Madeline Follie. The result is a gentle collection of memorable surf rock jams.

Listen to “Letter of Intent” HERE

EP’s:


 

Milo - Things That Happen At Night/At Day, Hellfyre Records

Milo is easily one of the most unique and necessary voices in hip-hop today, and these two EP’s perfectly display not only his technical ability and dense vocabulary, but his skill as a artist.

Listen to the EP’s HERE

Gold Panda - Trust, Ghostly International

Gold Panda’s latest collection of songs may not draw from as many influences as his debut Lucky Shiner did, but it is still a very enjoyable collection of deep and engaging electronic tracks.

Listen to “Trust” HERE

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

FIDLAR - FIDLAR, Dine Alone Records

Read my full review of the record HERE

Listen to “Cheap Beer” HERE

High Highs - Open Season, ITunes

Listen to “In A Dream” HERE

NOVEMBER ESSENTIALS - 2012

Crystal Castles - III,   Universal Music

Toronto’s Crystal Castles have come through with one of the shortest, but most solid releases yet. By stripping down their sound, and focusing on darker lyrical themes these stand as some of the duos more creative tracks, and definitely warrant a listen.

Listen to the single “Wrath of God” HERE

Holly Herndon - Movement, RVNG Intl.

By use of some of the most creative electronic production techniques yet, Holly Herndon has made one of the most intricate and subversive releases of 2012. Movement is a mix between experimental ambient numbers and forward-thinking dub tracks, not like anything else I’ve heard in 2012.

Read my full review HERE

Listen to the single “Movement” HERE

Flume - Flume,  Future Classic

The young Australian producer Harley Streton’s debut stands as a bold statement through the use of powerful vocal samples, strong beats and smooth production. It’s a great start to what’s likely going to be a very successful career for the producer.

Listen to the single “Sleepless” HERE

Heems - Wild Water Kingdom, Self-Released/Greedhead

Das Racist member Heems comes through with another solid solo release after his Nehru Jackets offering from earlier this year. With more diverse production and some new collaborations with Childish Gambino among others Heems continues to kill the free mixtape game.

Read my full review & download the mixtape HERE

Action Bronson - Rare Chandeliers,  Vice (Download it HERE)

Action Bronson and The Alchemist are a match made in heaven. Even though one is from Queens and the other from L.A., Rare Chandeliers prove that where you came from has nothing to do with how you work together. Filled with amazing and infectious beats plus Action Bronson’s ever improving flow, this is another free mixtape that you shouldn’t pass up.

Read my full review & download the mixtape HERE

Captain Murphy - Du∆lity, Self-Released (download it HERE)

Flying Lotus, who recently outed himself as the myterious figure, Captain Murphy, has been one of the more interesting mysteries in music this year. Since Flying Lotus released his third studio effort last month (which was an essential), he was one of the least suspected people. Either way, Fly-Lo proves through some great production and interesting flow and delivery that he is more of a powerhouse that previously imaginable. 

Grab the mixtape for free HERE

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Raint Milo - Limey EP

Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopatin - Instrumental Tourist

Sufjan Stevens - Silver and Gold (time to start pumping that X-mas music!)

OCTOBER ESSENTIALS - 2012

Flying Lotus - Until the Quiet Comes

Flying Lotus comes through with another very solid full length effort. With much more lush, dreamy soundscapes along with some louder and glitchier bangers, Fly-Lo has once again proven why he is a top gun in producing electronic music.

Listen to the song “Putty Boy Strut” HERE

Metz - Metz

This Toronto trio continue to display their strengths on their major label, self-titled debut. With loud, punchy guitars and rhythms and awesome production, this is a must listen for this month.

Listen to the track “Wet Blanket” HERE

Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, m.A.A.d City

Kendrick’s major label debut is one of the best rap narratives to be told in some time. I did a full review of the record HERE. It’s great, you should listen to it if you haven’t already.

Listen to the track “Backseat Freestyle” HERE (poor quality video)

Tame Impala - Lonerism

Kevin Parker, the mastermind behind Australia’s Tame Impala has put together his most solid collection of track yet for Lonerism. With upbeat psych-rock jams and slower emotional cuts too, this album captures the heart from start to finish.

Listen to the track “Apocalypse Dreams” HERE

Andy Stott - Luxury Problems

This is Andy’s most sonically diverse record so far, and features a slew of samples from his childhood piano teacher on top of his dense and atmospheric textures. A full review can be found HERE. A must get for lovers of ambient music and beat music.

Listen to the song “Numb” HERE

Death Grips - NO LOVE DEEP WEB

Death Grips decided to strip all the bright and poppy samples and sounds off their previous 2012 realease The Money Store and stick to the raw, hard-hitting basics. It makes for a strong statement on NO LOVE DEEP WEB, not to mention the amount of shit the group is now facing. Who needs a major label? If there is any group that can survive without one it would be Death Grips. They might get sued for this album too, thats just too badass.

Listen to the track “World of Dogs” HERE

datacat - 9DOORS

Though it was released on the last day of October, this album holds a punch that takes only one listen to realize its originality. Jam packed with 8-bit sampling, dissonance and incredibly powerful beats, this is easily one of the more interesting listens of 2012. Any fans of loud and abrasive electro beats with a hint of rap (yeah, there’s some rapping on a few tracks here) should check this puppy out. Very interesting stuff.

Stream the album in full/download for free HERE

EP’s

Kyson - Blackstone EP

A great little collection of beat music filled with gentle grooves, beautiful melodies and gentle vocals. Definitely gets me excited for any future releases from the Berlin-based artist.

Listen to the single “Ocean Tides"and others off the album HERE

Angel Haze - Classick mixtape

Angel Haze proves how original you can sound, even on a collection of tracks with pretty much NO original production on it. With ferocious and limitless flow and an attitude that can only be compared to bad-asses like Azealia Banks, Angel is going to make it far in no time. Just you wait.

Listen to the single “Gossip Folks” HERE

Honorable Mentions:

Smoke DZA - K.O.N.Y

Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind

Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams







SEPTEMBER ESSENTIALS - 2012

Levek - Look A Little Closer, Lefse




How To Dress Well - Total Loss, Acephale




The Gaslamp Killer - Breakthrough, Brainfeeder



Grizzly Bear - Shields, Warp



Animal Collective - Centipede Hz, Domino



Freddie Gibbs - Baby Face Killa, Free @ Datpiff

Honorable Mentions:

Joey Bada$$ - Rejex

King Krule - Rock Bottom

Mount Eerie - Ocean Roar

Thee Oh Sees - Putrifier







AUGUST ESSENTIALS - 2012

Groundislava - Feel Me

Holy Other - Held

Wild Nothing - Nocturne

Four Tet - Pink

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes

Matthew Dear - Beams


HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Swans - The Seer

Jessie Ware - Devotion

Yeasayer - Fragrant World








JULY ESSENTIALS - 2012

Aesop Rock - Skelethon

Purity Ring - Shrines 

TNGHT - TNGHT

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

Delicate Steve - Positive Force


HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Com Truise - In Decay

The-Drum - Sense Net EP

Fang Island - Major








JUNE ESSENTIALS - 2012

Peaking Lights - Lucifer

Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel…

Japandroids - Celebration Rock

d'Eon - LP

Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse

Liars - WIXIW

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Big K.R.I.T - Live From the Underground

Fantastic Mr. Fox - San'en EP

Disclosure - The Face EP








MAY ESSENTIALS - 2012

The Walkmen - Heaven

Here We Go Magic - A Different Ship

Killer Mike - R.A.P Music

Sigur Ros - Valtari

Alunageorge - You Know You Like It

El-P - Cancer for Cure

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

White Lung - Sorry

Ab-Soul - Control System

Lower Dens - Nootropics

Mount Eerie - Clear Moon







APRIL ESSENTIALS - 2012

CFCF - Exercises

Death Grips - The Money Store

Torche - Harmonicraft

High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis

BADBADNOTGOOD - BBNG2

Spiritualized - Sweet Heart, Sweet Light



HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Suckers - Candy Salad

Willis Earl Beal - Acousmatic Sorcery

M. Ward - A Wasteland Companion




MARCH ESSENTIALS - 2012

The Men - Open Your Heart (Sacred Bones)

Julia Holter - Ekstasis (RVNG Intl)

Action Bronson & Party Supplies - Blue Chips (Self Released)

THEESatisfaction - awE naturalE (Sub Pop)

Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile (Warp)

Exalt - Breach False Minds (Feast or Famine)

Elephant & Castle - Transitions (Plug Research)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Ceremony - Zoo (Matador)

Pond - Beard. Wives. Denim. (Modular)

Kindness - World You Need A Change Of Mind (Terrible, Polydor)

Big K.R.I.T. - 4Eva N A Day (Cinematic)

The Shins - Port of Morrow (Columbia, Aural Apothecary)

The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet (Warner Bros.)

FEBRUARY ESSENTIALS - 2012

Sharon Van Etten - Tramp

Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It

Evian Christ - Kings and Them

Burial - Kindred

John Talabot - Fin

The Caretaker - Patience (After Sebald)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Air - Le Voyage Dans La Lune

Soap&Skin - Narrow

Lambchop - Mr. M







JANUARY ESSENTIALS - 2012

Grimes - Visions (Arbutus Records)

Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory (Carpark Records)

Gonjasufi - Mu.zz.le (Warp Records)

Schoolboy Q - Habits and Contradictions (Top Dawg Entertainment)

Himanshu - Nehru Jackets (Greedhead Entertainment, SEVA NY)

Pop. 1280 - The Horror (Sacred Bones Records)

Loma Prieta - I.V. (Deathwish Inc.)

I assure you, at least one of these albums will tickle your fancy.

Other Recommendations:

Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend (Secretly Canadian)

MondreM.A.N - M A N (Crash Symbols) (one half of Main Attraktionz)

Trailer Trash Tracys - Ester (Domino Records)

NOVEMBER ESSENTIALS - 2011

King Krule - King Krule, True Panther

King Krule- Portrait In Black and Blue by truepanther

Owen - Ghost Town, Polyvinyl

Owen - The Armoire by the beat farm

Caveman - CoCo Beware, Magic Man!

Caveman - Decide by GirlieActionInge

ASAP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP Mixtape

ASAP Rocky - Trilla Feat ASAP Twelvy ASAP Nast by eslimjg

Kurt Vile - So Outta Reach, Matador

Kurt Vile - The Creature by rockfeedback

Nicolas Jaar - Don’t Break My Love EP, Clown + Sunset

Don’t Break My Love - Nicolas Jaar by Monrose

Other Recommendations:

Danny Brown & Black Milk - Black and Brown

Korallreven - An Album by Korallreven

Cass McCombs - Humor Risk

Atlas Sound - Parallax

Crystal Stilts - Radiant Door

High Highs - High Highs EP

OCTOBER ESSENTIALS - 2011

Rustie - Glass Swords,  Warp Records

Water Borders - Harbored Mantras, Tri Angle Records

Zola Jesus - Conatus, Sacred Bones Records

M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming      , Mute Records (US)

Massive Attack vs. Burial - Four Walls/Paradise Circus, The Vinyl Factory

Kuedo - Severant, Planet Mu

Gonjasufi - The Ninth Inning, grab it HERE

OTHER WORTHY LISTENS:

Future Islands - On the Water

Civil Civic - Rules

Big Troubles - Romantic Comedy (came out late Sept)

SEPTEMBER ESSENTIALS - 2011

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Neon Indian - Era Extrana

Das Racist - Relax

Mikal Cronin - Mikal Cronin

Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

Apparat - The Devil’s Walk

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Mastodon - The Hunter

Elite Gymnastics - RUIN

Wavves - Life Sux EP









AUGUST ESSENTIALS - 2011

Oddisee - Rock Creek Park

Danny Brown - XXX

The War on Drugs - Slave Ambient

Newvillager - Newvillager

Thundercat - The Golden Age of Apocalypse

Balam Acab - Wander/Wonder

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Hudson Mohawke - Satin Panthers

Active Child - You Are All I See

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Lenses Alien









JULY ESSENTIALS - 2011

Kendrick Lamar - Section.80

Clams Casino - Ranforest EP

Washed Out - Within and Without

Pictureplane - Thee Physical

Little Dragon - Ritual Union








JUNE ESSENTIALS - 2011

SBTRKT - SBTRKT

Iceage - New Brigade

Com Truise - Galactic Melt

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain

Black Lips - Arabia Mountain

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World

Ford & Lopatin - Channel Pressure

Fucked Up - David Comes to Life