topo2 world - edition 002
New and old music recommendations a plenty and not an end-of-the-year-list in sight. Revealing my Dutch album of the year and a sneak peek into the second topo2 record fyeo 🤫
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Hello, hello - Bert from topo2 here. A warm welcome to all new followers that either started following this newsletter due to generous hyperlinking from kind people or via topo2’s first release by upsammy. In a nutshell this personal bulletin is plainly about me recommending you some music. For more info please check out the intro to my first newsletter, sent out a month ago.
I’m writing to you a bit later than planned, but from a very special moment in my life as I just welcomed my second child into this crazy world. In between milk bottles and sleepless nights, I however managed to curate more than 30 music recommendations for you. In the topo2 news bulletin a bit about upsammy’s record and there’s also a secret link to preview a track from the next record on the label, exclusively for readers of this newsletter!
For those who are wondering, yes I also will share my best of 2024 list. However, as a firm believer in the fact that a year consists of 12 months, I will share that list somewhere end of January or the start of February to make sure I’ve included as much as possible from 2024.
Some practical stuff before we dive in: as this is quite a long text, I recommend reading it in your browser - it also makes it easier to skip trough the embedded music players.
Have a great end of the year and enjoy all the music - I will be back with you in the new year ðŸ«
ps. special thanks again to my friend Kees de Klein for all the artwork!
a. new releases that deserve your attention
Every mailer, I’ll serve you at least ten releases (and usually a few more) that came out recently and caught my eye.
1. PROXYGEN - PROXYGEN (optic portal, oct 2024) | experimental/idm
The year is not over yet, but this is probably my Dutch album of 2024. On hearing it the first time I had to check a couple of times to see if it was still on or that a renowned name in electronic music creeped into my playlist and took over - that’s how I impressed I was with the work. The LP consists of very original ideas in the sphere of IDM, experimental techno/breaks and ambient that are well executed and produced in a pocket of this spectrum momentarily overflown with mediocrity. The Hague’s PROXYGEN aka Cosmox070 is a producer to watch and his first album on Spekki Webu’s sublabel Optic Portal should be all over the place. If there’s one release you want to check from this list, let it be this one.
2. Andriy K. - Poetry of the Vanished Territories (Oscilla Sound, nov 2024) | ambient/dub
I’ve been a fan of most of Andriy K. work for quite a while and this new release is awesome. More dubby and trippy than other stuff but a huge tip if you’re into the 3XL/mu tate/Serwed orbit.
3. Mel Keane - Airs (wherethetimegoes, dec 2024) | experimental/folk
This will be a returning theme but I’m not really into folk or anything with a lot of moody string instruments and equally moody vocals and choirs. This release is not that per se, but playfully touches it in a way that is so fresh and irresistible I found myself playing this for one entire day on loop.
4. Sacre - Orchestration of My Joy (Plor, may 2024) | ambient/experimental
Tipped by my friend upsammy, this release on Dutch label Plor by Sacre needs your attention. A lovely thing to listen to on your headphones, but also great stuff for adventurous dj-sets.
5. Ab ovo – Le temps retrouvé (1994-2007) (Vrystaete/Ant-Zen, june 2024) | electronics/idm
Recommended to me by Luke Cohlen a few weeks ago, this compilation of the French Ab ovo outfit is a joy for everyone into the ambient/electronics/techno realm. Vinyl can be found on the excellent Vrystaete label via this link.
6. Legowelt - A Field Guide To The Void (Clone, nov 2024) | electro, techno
The GOAT delivers as always. His newest album is vintage Legowelt and like most of his work at another level completely.
7. ITX035 - MPU105 (Ilian Tape, nov 2024) | ambient
Ilian Tape is such a joy of a label as it’s so clearly run by people with a broad taste in music. In my time at the Dekmantel label I always struggles to cater all the corners of the spectrum, but Dario and Marco Zenker can make it work to release an electronic free jazz thing like Rolrolrol, a high profile Skee Mask release or this beautiful ambient record from ITX035.
8. Loek Frey - Avernan (OQAD, dec 2024) | experimental/techno
One of the kindest souls in experimental techno, Loek Frey, did his second release on his own OQAD imprint, and it will not surprise to be more of his minimalistic trippy stuff. Every release of him gets more mature and defined and this might be the best yet.
9. ELLLL - Earth Rotation (BRUK, dec 2024) | experimental/electronics
ELLLL is an artist who is hard to pinpoint, something I always look for when on the look out for music. This album on BRUK is her debut on the lp format and her art really blossoms on it as never before. Dubby tracks, instrumental collages, techno bangers that could be played peaktime - it’s all there.
10. Molero - Destellos Del Éxtasis (Holuzam, oct 2024) | experimental/electronics
Molero’s first album on Holuzam was something of an underground hit, so his sophomore release cam with high expectations. Although it’s early days it look like it doesn’t get the same reception which I think is weird as it’s yet again a stunning piece of art - as is the front artwork by Fenna Schilling, who is a great DJ.
also new and recommended:
Fan Club Orchestra - VL_Stay (12th Isle, oct 2024) | ambient/experimental
Ekoplekz - Dirtbokz (Selvamancer, oct 2024) | experimental/acid
Elin Piel - Vaka (Northern Electronics, aug 2024) | ambient
Kutmah - AT THE LOST GATES (VOL1) (self-released, oct 2024) | beats/hiphop
Felbm & Louis Reith - G, A & D (Objects and Sounds, sep 2024) | ambient
Tolouse Low Trax - Fung Day (TAL, nov 2024) | electronics/beatdown
windscreen strings - instinct (33-33, aug 2024) | experimental
Nico Georis - Plant Music Vol​.​3 - The Golden Teachers (Leaving, nov 2024) | ambient
the concept horse - PUBLIC DETAIL (Students of Decay, nov 2024) | experimental
Saafron - HiReishi (ddust, dec 2024) | beats/house/electronica
Dorian Concept - Music From A Room Full Of Synths (-OUS, dec 2024) | experimental/jazz
Merope - Véjula (Stroom, nov 2024) | pop/folka/ambient
The Jaffa Kid - -0- (self-released, dec 2024) | breakbeat/jungle/techno
b. music that’s still very much worth your time
Most of the newsletters and music media I read are featuring recent releases and I thought it would be nice to point you towards older stuff as well.
1. Mobach - Cold Rain (Syncom Data, 2013) | electro/electronics/dub
A mostly overlooked gem on the Dutch Westcoast label Syncom Data by Mobach, a not to active Dutch producer. Dub, techno, house - a versatile record with Granular Frost as a clear highlight.
2. The Newcomer - PARALYSIS ERA (self-released, 2023) | experimental
Brilliant producer The Newcomer did a few uploads on their bandcamp between 2020 and 2023 that hit my spot. Weird electronica going everywhere - can’t wait to hear new stuff.
3. Palta - Anden Plade (Extra Help, 2018) | ambient
Natal Zaks aka Palta aka Central is a very skilled and multitalented artist, and a very kind human being. This Palta release on his sub-label Extra Help is such a nice piece of ambient and is still in rotation 7 years after buying it.
4. TKB - Slow Yamaha (Frustration Jazz, 2023) | ambient/experimental
Some of the most subtile ambient bubbly stuff I heard in years, I got intensly hooked to TKB’s music. Running long distances in the Dutch landscapes with this on my ears prooved meditative and is still a routine I’m coming back too.
c. the left-overs
As the ecosystem is bigger than music releases this part of the mailing focusses on dj-sets, new recordstores, articles you need to read or events that need to be attended. Occasionally it will also feature tips from friends of topo2.
Dear Jon K did a great mix for Truants. He’s one of the kindest people I came across in music and, as said so often by many, one of the best DJs too. Enjoy the questionnare as well!
DJ Marcelle hounouring Muslimgauze with a 3-hour, 3-deck session in typical Marcelle fashion. Recorded live in Barcelona’s Mà gia Roja eight years ago, this is a mix I keep coming back at.
In the last email I recommended following the new mailout Futureproofing, and days after they posted this interview with artist/label-owner/PR-agent Brian Foote. Big tip!
The mix series from 12th Isle is usualy a sure shot, as are their releases. This installment from Ongo Gablogian from 3 months ago is still in the rotation at topo2 HQ.
d. topo2 headlines
1. Strange Meridians, upsammy’s album on topo2, released a month ago and I’m so grateful for all the attention it got. Granted, her art is objectively very relevant but so much music seeing the light of day these days is also that but doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
The record sold out on my Bandcamp in a few days, but is still available in selected shops around the world. Please see stockists on my website if you still want a copy of the vinyl. We were blessed with very kind reviews at Futurism Restated, Pitchfork, First Floor, Boomkat, and Turn Tokyo. The record was listed in Pitchfork best electronic music of 2024 and in the eoty-lists from Mixmag and Futurism Restated. Much love to all for spending time with the record and rating it so highly.
The record is still available digitally via my website and I’m thinking of doing a small repress run so people late to the game are not condemned to doing business with the sharks of Discogs.
Picture of upsammy performing parts of the album live at the release party in Amsterdam’s murmur, back in November.
2. If you made it to this point, your reward awaits: a sneak peek into the next release on topo2, exclusively for readers of this newsletter. It’s a very special release for me and can’t wait to share it with you early 2025.
