Spectacular Diagnostics: Ancient Methods (Stream)

Another essential new release from November, is the new album from Spectacular Diagnostics. Following on from the earlier acclaimed, Natural Mechanics, Ancient Methods saw Spec delivering his second win of the year. That win is thanks in part to the guest spots on the album, which featured billy woods, ELUCID and Nosaj, as well as plenty of typically tight instrumentals, including my personal favourite, Crystal Ball Emoji. You can peruse the album for yourself below, then go show your support over on Bandcamp and cop the vinyl before they all vanish.

Spectacular Diagnostics: Raw Transmissions + LP News

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Spectacular Diagnostics has been busy putting together a new album, which looks like it could be his second win of the year, following on from the release of Natural Mechanics back in May. While that album presented a lighter and mellower side to Spec’s production, Ancient Methods will be a return to a sound similar to that he captured on Raw Unknown in 2020. And like that album, this new project will feature a few notable guests, including billy woods, ELUCID and Nosaj. Pre-orders for the album went live yesterday, along with the first single, Raw Transmissions, which you can hear below.

Messiah Musik: Gonif (Stream)

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A stack of new beats from Messiah Musik, as he unveils his latest instrumental project. You can get a decent taste of Gonif below, then head over to Bandcamp to grab a download.

L’Orange: The World Is Still Chaos, But I Feel Better (Stream)

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Continuing the instrumental run, we have the brand new release from L’Orange. Having already set himself up with a contender for Album of the Year with Imaginary Everything, alongside Namir Blade, the North Carolina producer thought he would brighten up the second half of the year with a new solo project. As the title suggests, the album’s mood reflects the current position we find ourselves in, as we face the litany of problems the world is experiencing and then learn how to cope. You can listen to The World Is Still Chaos, But I Feel Better below and there are downloads available over on Bandcamp.

Blockhead: Space Werewolves Will Be The End Of Us All (Stream)

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The magnificently titled, Space Werewolves Will Be The End Of Us All, is the latest release from Blockhead, as he continues his series of regular reminders that he is one of the most entertaining producers of the last two decades plus. No surprises for guessing that sci-fi is the sampling theme. You can indulge yourselves with a preview below, while downloads, streams and physicals are available via blockheadnyc.com.

HashFinger: Eighths

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New music from HashFinger landed last week, in the form of his latest album, Eighths. The Bradford beat master has been teasing us with a couple of tasters from the album over the last few months but now you get to experience the full project. And because he likes to do things properly, if you cop the vinyl edition you will get four exclusive tracks, which are not featured on the digital release. For more info on that, as well as the various bundles that are available, head over to Bandcamp. You can also stream a small selection of the songs below to get a feel for the overall sound.

L’Orange: Durbin Was a Trap House

Another first glimpse here, thanks to the lead single from L’Orange’s upcoming album. The prolific producer has been steadily releasing collaborative albums for the last few years, working alongside a list of notable artists, but with this latest effort he is switching things by focusing on the instrumental side of his work. The World Is Still Chaos, But I Feel Better is due for release on 3 September via Mello Music Group.

Spectacular Diagnostics: Natural Mechanics (Stream)

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Following on from a couple of exquisite singles, the full album from Spectacular Diagnostics is given life today. Natural Mechanics sees the Chicago producer taking proceedings in a different direction to last year’s Raw Unknown, with a decidedly more mellow and dreamy sound threaded through the duration of the album. Heavier on the instrumentals too, although there are some superb features from Jeremiah Jae, lojii, Pertrelli Purple and Immi Larusso. You can explore the full album below and then check out the vinyl edition via Group BraCil. Shout out to Matt Littler on the artwork.

Elaquent: Bedtime Stories II (Stream)

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Elaquent returns with another fresh beat selection for us, as he delivers the follow up to last year’s Bedtime Stories EP. This second chapter continues in the same vein as its predecessor, offering up five new cuts which are all steeped in that feeling of after-dark enjoyment. You can preview the EP for yourself below and then head to Bandcamp to grab a download.

Telemachus: Wisdom of the Ancients

A nice little release from Telemachus here, featuring some brand new music inspired by Neil Oliver’s book, Wisdom of the Ancients: Life Lessons from Our Distant Past. Released last year, the book delivers lessons from our ancestors, which Telemachus says has provided him with “the perfect balm to the 24 hour news cycles of death and disease”, when combined with his ongoing reconnection with the natural world. The EP is part of a series of audio responses to literature, which collectively fall under the title, Volumes. You can hear the EP below and head to Bandcamp to check the rest of the series. For more on Telemachus’ connection with nature, check out my recent Q&A with his alter ego, Forest DLG.