10 Landmark Modular Albums
From Morton Subotnick to Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, these 10 records have defined modular synthesis in their own unique and thrilling style
Devo: In The Beginning Was The End… 50 years of De-Evolution
As comic-book lab scientists Devo celebrate their 50th anniversary with a new boxset of archive treasures, they’ve also announced a farewell tour. Have the spudboys really run out of sap?
Alison Goldfrapp: Happy and Glorious
A majestic collection of 21st century synthpop – complete with hints of disco, a sprinkling of acid house and a big dollop of glamour – ‘The Love Invention’ is the long-awaited debut solo album from Alison Goldfrapp. Backed by some fabulously playful AI-generated visuals, it’s no surprise that the record rocketed straight into the UK Top 10 in the week of its release…
British Electric Foundation: Electric Storm
‘Music For Stowaways’ remains one of the most innovative and important electronic albums of all time. And the story of how it all came together has some pretty incredible twists and turns…
100 TRACKS OF TOMORROW
Musicians have been writing and recording tracks about the future since pretty much forever, and we’re marking our 100th issue with 100 of our favourite examples. They’re mostly electronic, of course, but you might find some surprises along the way…
Ladytron: ’Tron and On and On
Almost a quarter of a century after they formed, Ladytron are still reaching new audiences. With their 2002 hit ‘Seventeen’ having gone viral on TikTok, the electropop futurists are back with their first album in five years, the swaggering ‘Time’s Arrow’. Quite the journey it’s been, too. Prepare for a bumpy but exhilarating ride
Sleaford Mods: Grim Tales
“In England, no one can hear you scream…” So say Sleaford Mods on their latest album, ‘UK Grim’. Maybe their angriest record to date, it depicts the gritty reality of the here and now with typically acerbic rage and stinging wit. Rooted in barbed electronics and driving, clubby beats, it finds the Nottingham duo on blistering form
Jean-Michel Jarre: Man Of The Future
Jean-Michel Jarre is forever looking to move inexorably forward. His latest album, ‘Oxymore’, is a musique concrète record created with 21st century technology, pushing 3D binaural sound to incredible new levels and keeping the French maestro several steps ahead of the curve. Headphones on…
Simple Minds: Natural High
Simple Minds have just put out a new album… and it’s their best since the band’s heyday in the 1980s. From the striking cover to the upbeat tunes and sometimes dark lyrics, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill explain how ‘Direction Of The Heart’ came together, as well as reflecting on their enduring friendship and the 40th anniversary of their 1982 classic, ‘New Gold Dream’