Immersed in Wires with Jai Paul, Feldberg, DRUGS

I have been listening to a good deal of softer, quieter and more laid back electronic tunes over the last few months, which has meant this mixtape slowly building and evolving since last December. So some of these tracks are brand new, whilst others are some of my favourites from the end of 2009 – it has been my most played playlist though so I though it was about time I shared.

The mixtape opens up with Television Keeps Us Apart, who are a Swedish band who just make some of the most beautifully layered and melodic soundscapes – and have released their most recent EP for free right now.

Future Islands have been a favourite of mine for a good long time now, but here In the Fall slowly and effortlessly drags itself along and Katrina Ford is on hand to add to the vocal beauty on display.

The Boston duo behind Magic Man beak understated vocals through a heavily distorted and verging on the chaotic beat, beeps and squeaks.

Pallers build from a simple and repetitive synth line and beat, with strings and vocals that roll around the room allowing you to lose yourself in the moment. Stunning.

Alan Pownall has been feature on TBW before, but here Seams gives him the remix treatment – turning Colourful Day into something reminiscent of Postal Service as it trips, clicks and falls its way through the four minutes.

The Lost Levels are on here with just a slow vocoded melody and a whistling synth behind it, but that is all this song needs. It’s a slow labour of love.

Jai Paul is one of the artists I’m most excited about right now after first hearing him over at Abeano. Soft-natured and crackling harmonized vocals on top of some almost dubstep bass. Rumour has it XL just got their hands on him…

The Good Natured and Portmanteau then up the tempo as the drum pops and bassline squelches throughout Your Body is a Machine

Feldberg‘s wonderful Dreamin’ is remixed by Kyte, turning the pop gem into something more spacious open as the synths sweep across and the beeps splash the senses.

Tropical Depression‘s Miniature Mountains is soft, clean and at times uplifting but hints of desperation and despair.

Thieves Like Us have produced a wonderful piece of synth-pop that subtly and calmly glides through its 3 minutes.

NewIslands are remixed by Is Tropical who throw in a growling bassline over the hauntingly beautiful vocals of the original.

D/R/U/G/S ends the mixtape on a high note with their mesmerising and elegant Love (Love/Lust). It’s fragile, simple and enduring.

01. Television Keeps Us Apart – Voices
02. Future Islands – In the Fall (Featuring Katrina Ford)
03. Magic Man – Darling
04. Pallers – The Kiss
05. Alan Pownall – Colourful Day (Seams Remix)
06. The Lost Levels – Robot
07. Jai Paul – BTSTU
08. The Good Natured – Your Body is a Machine (Portmanteau Remix)
09. Feldberg – Dreamin’ (Kyte remix)
10. Tropical Depression – Miniature Mountains
11. Thieves Like Us – Forget Me Not
12. NewIslands – Out Of Time (Is Tropical Remix)
13. D/R/U/G/S – Love (Love/Lust)

Or you can download the whole mixtape as a zip file:
Immersed in Wires