Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world In this month’s article I will be talking about some of the new 12”s which have been distracting me from the shit-storm that is modern life and brightening up my days. We have the lush house grooves of Demuja, Qnete and Cinthie, the experimental techno urges of Nina Kraviz, the ambient soundscapes of Umber & Gavin Miller, the undefinable sounds of Iron Curtis and Lone, and lots more. By JOHN BITTLES
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world There are some songs which can make an entire generation of music lovers get misty-eyed. From the gorgeous synth swells and Sara Nelson’s stunning vocals that help make Massive Attack’s peerless Unfinished Sympathy such a delight, to the soaring strings of Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve, these are songs which grip the listener by the lapels and drag them back to a better time in their life. Most bands/artists spend their entire careers attempting to create a track with the power to epitomise a specific time or
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world With a strong emphasis on house music (for no other reason than this is what has been floating my boat recently), this month’s reviews section is full of deep dancefloor grooves. We have the smooth melodies of Robag Wruhme, the disco flecked eclecticism of Benjamin Fröhlich, Anthony Naples’ dark and gritty jams, the club friendly pop of Hot Chip, some deep techno pulses from Kölsch, and lots more. By JOHN BITTLES
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world Usually when I am sitting on the street with my placard reading ‘I write about music for a living, please give generously’ people will take pity and throw a few coins in my lap. The other day though, someone took umbrage at my sign, demanding that I follow them home. After a hearty meal of pot noodle and chips he insisted that I watch coverage of the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Festival. 20 minutes of charmless pop later he switched the TV off, turned towards me
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world Finding great new music can be difficult in today’s over-saturated cultural landscape. With a glut of new releases hitting the likes of Spotify every week, trying to sort through the crud to find something worthy of your time can seem overwhelming. Over the last few weeks I have spent countless hours doing just that to bring you the bona fide crème de la crème of what’s on offer. By JOHN BITTLES
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world With Brexit looming ever closer, those of us who live in the UK are preparing ourselves for the worst. If the hard-line Brexiteers get their way we will be dragged back to the dark ages, but with worse hair, clothes and hygiene. And even though, as I write this, hundreds of thousands march in London, while a petition to revoke Article 50 has reached over four million signatures, there is a feeling of powerlessness upon the people, that we are being forced off a cliff no matter
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world Now that we have moved to a monthly format I have had lots of time on my hands. Rather than trying to listen to numerous albums a day I have been able to take my time and get to know the nuances of some hand-picked gems. This month I will be dissecting some of the the best LPs to hit the shops so far this year. We have the haunted electronica of Pye Corner Audio, the emotion rich indie rock of Twilight Sad, the fuzz-filled psychedelica of
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world Every so often a record will come along which makes you sit up and take notice. Right from the very first bars you know this is the one for you. One such 12” entered my life a few weeks ago in the form of Thought Crime, the sumptuous new EP by Red Pig Flower. Containing a generous helping of deep, melodic house, lush ambiance and smooth techno beats, each of the record’s four tracks are rich with personality and soul. By JOHN BITTLES
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world With a cruel arctic chill threatening to overwhelm the country, it’s time for any sane person, or maybe just me, to consider giving up on the outside world and indulging in an extended duvet break. This week’s selection of albums will make the perfect soundtrack to cosying up in a home-made blanket fort with either your loved one or yourself. By JOHN BITTLES
Music | Bittles’ Magazine: The music column from the end of the world Slam are a band who need no introduction. With a name inspired by a legendary Phuture track the DJ/production duo of Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle have, over the years, been responsible for some of the most vital techno and house to find its way to these ears. Their DJ sets in clubs such as Glasgow institutions Sub Club and The Arches have become the stuff of legend, while tracks like Positive Education, Stepback, Azure and Vapour are the highlight of any night spent on the dance
