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Arguably Europe's most influential festival for electronic music, Barcelona's Sónar has been showcasing the latest and greatest in techno, electronica, and beyond for well over 10 years now. For the first time in its history, Sónar will take place in two cities simultaneously, in Barcelona and La Coruña, and kicks of tomorrow, Thursday.

For those of you heading to Spain as well as for everyone who can't make it, we have compiled our favourite releases by some of the many outstanding acts playing at Sónar this year.

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 SÓNAR 2010 ESSENTIALS 
 
EP released 16-06-2010 on Clone Royal Oak
Young virtuoso Space Dimension Controller has been grabbing attention with his striking, other-worldly productions. His second EP follows up last year's 'The Love Quadrant' and includes a remix from fellow rising star, Kyle Hall.
Album released 03-05-2010 on Warp Records
Flying Lotus' highly anticipated third album is here, and it's nothing short of epic: 17 tracks in under 50 minutes see FlyLo's famous free-style breaks travel between free jazz, orchestral harp arrangements, computer game sounds and a wonderful guest appearance by Thom Yorke. Incredible album.
Album released 01-10-2009 on BigBeak Recordings
Following up on Patrick Pulsinger's previous jazz excursions 'Easy To Assemble, Hard To Take Apart', dp-S is a collaboration project of the Austrian producer with bassist Werner Dafeldecker. 'Conjecture' combines abstract jazz fused with modular electronic sound generation. Highly Recommended.
Compilation released 29-04-2010 on Minus
This is the deluxe version of MAKING CONTAKT, which includes the documentary as separate HD video chapters, the CONTAKT SPECIAL bonus concert, as well as the complete 12 track audio soundtrack.
Album released 31-05-2010 on Macro Recordings
Stunning début album of Vienna's Elektro Guzzi - techno's first real live band. Recorded live with a classic set-up of guitar, bass and drums and masterfully engineered by Patrick Pulsinger, this record breaks down the demarcation line separating man from machine. Murder material!
Maxi-Single released 22-03-2010 on Aus Music
Following up on last year's track of the year, 'Hyph Mngo', Joy Orbison proves that he is rightfully one of the most talked about artists at the moment. Sticking to his trademark sound of catchy chords and vocal snippets, 'The Shrew...' gets further treated to an equally brilliant Actress remix.
Album released 26-10-2009 on Warp Records
Fusing influences from George Clinton, DJ Premier, Prince, classic hip-hop and R'n'B, Glasgow's Hudson Mohawke sees the world through a neon-colored kaleidoscope of his own. His debut album for Warp reaches deliriously over the top and emphatically showcases HudMo's brilliance and imagination.
EP released 07-05-2010 on Project Mooncircle
Another bomb by Jahcoozi's Robot Koch, this time bringing out the witchcraft for this delicious afro-dub flavoured EP. Voodoo rhythms meet trippy dubstep, slow-motion breaks and spacious sound-layers across the EP's six tracks. Wonderful free-styling release.
Album released 05-04-2010 on Rinse
Not that we expected anything less from UK funky shooting star Roska, but his debut album for Rinse FM's label has 'hit release' written all over it. Roska combines influences from old-school house, dubstep, R&B with a timeless feel, catchy melodies and light-footed rhythms. Great album.
Maxi-Single released 28-05-2010 on Permanent Vacation
Getting rave reviews across the press and an invitation to this year's Sónar, John Talabot is quite the man of the moment, and 'Matilda's Dream' is definitely another reason to check out his work: Epic, drifting acid house with a deep and melodic cosmic disco vibe. Nice Jaques Renault remix too.
EP released 17-02-2010 on International Deejay Gigolo Records
For the single release of 'U Can Dance' Hell has commissioned remixes by artists worthy of the task: Carl Craig, Simian Mobile Disco, DFA's Tim Goldsworthy and Kikumoto Allstars. All three remix volumes are included in this specially priced package, as is the track's gorgeous video. Hit!
EP released 19-04-2010 on Ramp Recordings
Since her recent invitation to the Red Bull Music Academy, LA's Tokimonsta has garnered much attention for her brand of inspired instrumental hip-hop. The 7-track 'Cosmic Intoxication EP' delivers a small taster of this young lady's talent. Must have for fans of FlyLo or HudMo!
Album released 26-10-2009 on Warp Records
Warp mainstays Broadcast team up with The Focus Group, a.k.a. Julian House, long time friend of the band and renowned artwork designer, to explore their mutual love for film, library music and electronics with psych-pop colour on a lovely mini-album. Full new Broadcast album coming in 2010!
Album released 09-04-2008 on Raster-Noton
The Japanese master of scientific sound exploration, Ryoji Ikeda, continues his ongoing interest in abstract rhythm tracks with 'Test Pattern' - dry, percussive noises arranged in dense, shifting structures. Recommended for advanced listening pleasure.
Album released 16-11-2009 on Touch
On his fourth release for Touch, pioneer of the drone sound, Phil Niblock, has produced three large scale compositions, based entirely around the use of stringed instruments. 'Touch Strings' brings out distinct overtones and subtle harmonics in an unravelling tapestry of sound.
Album released 11-05-2009 on Sahko Recordings
Jimy Tenor's second collaboration album with Kabu Kabu, a group of west-African musicians living in Berlin, 'Joystone' expresses Tenor's love for classic African jazz, funk and soul. Former Fela Kuti bandmate Nicholas Addo Nettey contributed vocals to the album's last track, 'Dede'.
Album released 26-10-2009 on Stattmusik
The collaboration project of a producer based in Zurich and a vocalist located in Tokyo, Tim & Puma Mimi are just as famous for their long-distance concerts via video conference as they are for their recordings of quirky multi-instrumental j-pop for brilliant Swiss label Stattmusik. Check!
Album released 01-12-2009 on LuckyMe
Long-time Hudson Mohawke partner in the Heralds of Change, Mike Slott has finally released his album debut this year as well. Brittle, stumbling hip-hop tracks, just how we like our wonky business. Perfect.
Maxi-Single released 09-02-2010 on Innervisions
Clocking in at close to 10 minutes each, the Innervisions all-stars Henrik Schwarz, Âme and Dixon release two great live cuts: 'Chicago' and 'Berlin-Karlsruhe-Express', both perfectly capturing the energy of their highly regarded live PAs.
Featuring:
Matthew Herbert, Space Dimension Controller, Cluster
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