Monkeytown Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: Given the hype that surrounded the release of the first Moderat set back in 2009, we can surely expect more of the same for this second outing from Apparat and Modeselektor. Those familiar with the first album's woozy blend of IDM, Thom Yorke indebted vocal dreaminess, porchlight techno and post-dubstep rhythms will immediately feel right at home. Online reviews have focused largely on II's atmospheric warmth, and the way in which the Berlin-based trio seems to have refined their sound. Both are valid critiques; certainly, there's a maturity and musical complexity to the album that betters much of their previous works. It's not much of a dancefloor set, but that's entirely the point; this is locked-in headphone listening for the wide-eyed generation.

Review: Gatefold 2LP ediiton: While their 50 Weapons imprint may be winding up, Modeselektor's Monkeytown imprint is still in full swing, releasing all sorts of interesting electronic music lately from producers as diverse as Robot Koch, Omar Souleyman and Howling. This time label head honchos Bronsert and Szary team up with good mate Sascha Ring aka Apparat for another session as well.. Moderat, of course! Highlights include the bittersweet and bass heavy pop inflections of "Bad Kingdom" featuring Ring's powerful vocals, the epically future beats of "Let In The Light" or "Ilona" and the upbeat dusty deep house of "Milk". Superb production on display throughout the album and don't forget to check out the killer remixes by Skee Mask and Benjamin Damage (amongst others) available soon as well.

Review: Single LP Editrion: While their 50 Weapons imprint may be winding up, Modeselektor's Monkeytown imprint is still in full swing, releasing all sorts of interesting electronic music lately from producers as diverse as Robot Koch, Omar Souleyman and Howling. This time label head honchos Bronsert and Szary team up with good mate Sascha Ring aka Apparat for another session as well.. Moderat, of course! Highlights include the bittersweet and bass heavy pop inflections of "Bad Kingdom" featuring Ring's powerful vocals, the epically future beats of "Let In The Light" or "Ilona" and the upbeat dusty deep house of "Milk". Superb production on display throughout the album and don't forget to check out the killer remixes by Skee Mask and Benjamin Damage (amongst others) available soon as well.

Review: Given the hype that surrounded the release of the first Moderat set back in 2009, we can surely expect more of the same for this second outing from Apparat and Modeselektor. Those familiar with the first album's woozy blend of IDM, Thom Yorke indebted vocal dreaminess, porchlight techno and post-dubstep rhythms will immediately feel right at home. Online reviews have focused largely on II's atmospheric warmth, and the way in which the Berlin-based trio seems to have refined their sound. Both are valid critiques; certainly, there's a maturity and musical complexity to the album that betters much of their previous works. It's not much of a dancefloor set, but that's entirely the point; this is locked-in headphone listening for the wide-eyed generation.

Review: Moderat performed what they knew would be one of their last concerts in 2017 - at least, for a while, anyway. Having been in need for a hiatus, COVID restrictions kicked in and the pressure to juggle performing and music-making was off. Thus came 'MORE D4TA', an album that strove after connection and collaboration in an era where the potential for such was stunted. Now finally finished and polished, the album comes for all to enjoy, demonstrating some of the duo's most focused and pop-structured production and modular chops.

Review: Over the years, Modeselektor have forged a reputation as fearless innovators, neatly sidestepping genres and frequently confounding critics. Given their tireless touring schedule and the fact they run two prolific labels it's perhaps no surprise that it's been some four years since the last full-length Modeselektor album. Monkeytown flits effortlessly between skittish 140 BPM bass music, clandestine electronica, sludgy hip-hop and even warehouse-flavoured tropical rhythms (see "German Clap"). There are some real standouts, including a dreamy, slo-mo pop outing with PVT, two collaborations with Thom Yorke and a droning Anti-Pop Consortium hook-up. Must-check.

Review: Stark, uncompromised body music from one of the most interesting unapologetic duos to emerge in recent times - Sha Ru make their debut on Monkeytown with this outstanding five tracker. Visceral, political but, most importantly, fully physical; 'They Are Textural' flexes deep shades of electro, breaks and even d&b in provocative brew. An exploration of queer identity that sits somewhere between Madonna, Modeselektor and Massive Attack but through a brutalist, industrial lens; Sha Ru have a powerful and intoxicating vibe that's genuinely one of a kind. Essential.

Review: Depending on how you look at it, this is either Omar's seventh album (officially)... Or his five-hundred and seventh (including the wedding recordings he's made which have since been bootlegged and sold across Syria and beyond). Constantly fusing cultures, his open-armed approach to both community and songwriting reaches a new peak with tracks such as the stomping tech-twists and loopy designs of "Tawwalt El Gheba" and the frenetic, sweaty melting pot "Leil El Bareh". As disparate as the elements seem on paper, Omar's vocals and his band (many of whom he's written and performed with since the early '90s) create a consistency that ties everything together with powerful musicianship that transcends all national, culture and genre boundaries.

Review: Sylvere completes his three part EP series from Monkeytown here with the final instalment and it might just be the case that he has saved the best until last. As is always the way, the Parisian producer known for championing marginalized sounds and communities mixes up heavyweight bass, dextrous melodies and snaking grooves. As vital as his music is, his radical arts collective La Creole is just as important as it provides safe space and floors and believes in "partying as a form of campaigning". And if any of these tunes are heard in such spaces, too can be sure of utter destruction.