Picked!

Jon Egeskov's fourth album on Raster Noton, one approximately every three years since 2003. Contrasting the more melodic drones of 2009's 'The Drive', 'Mantle' relishes reductionist micro-electronica, penetrating pulses and bursts of noise weaved into sinister rhythmic work-outs. Recommended.

Picked!

Sasu Ripatti returns to Raster-Noton for another album under his Vladislav Delay moniker, and 'Kuopio' is a truly stunning work.

Weightier and more definied than last year's 'Vantaa', it maintains a perfect equilibrium between the sprawling techno dubs of his early Chain Reaction recordings and the stochastic precision currently championed by producers like Mark Fell.

If anything, Sasu Ripatti's acclaimed style of experimental and inventive techno has only gotten better and more sharply defined over the past 15 years.

The album's nine long tracks subtly evolve and seamlessly shift between purely delay-driven experimentation and weaving subtle harmonic fabrics of sound that recall Ripatti's Luomo alter-ego's pop apeal. The prevailing polyrhythmicality of tracks like 'Vastaa' and 'Hitto' serves as a perfect counterpoint to the album's deep and warm pads and echoes. Mesmerizing and utterly recommended.

Hard-hitting electronics of the Bristol duo debut on Carsten Nicolai's renowned imprint. Their unmistakable weighty splintering noise more mechanically formed into frictional micro-rhythms, blistering seismo-bass lines lurching at near-bleeps - a perfect synthesis of their two worlds. Recommended.

Presenting his first full-length record on raster-noton, Grischa Lichtenberger stretches the minimalistic sound palette for which the label is so notable for. 21 tracks from Autechre-esque angular rhythmics, electroid bass and off-kilter beats, detailed electroacoustic compositions and even ethnic melodies. Impressive.

Finding time alongside the Moritz Von Oswald Trio, Sasu Ripatti has a new album upcoming with this EP appearing in advance. Densely rhythmic with minimal structures yet intriguing sonic textures, ingeniously straddling synth-pop and C20th avant garde. An intense and truly stunning EP. Highly recommended.

Picked!

Presented as a sequel to 2009's 'Liedgut', the multi-monikered Uwe Schmidt references the Romanticism of Schubert's forlorn journey. Icily carved melodies and achingly detailed textures, sampled piano reworked with his skilled electronics but the delicate, emotional atmosphere remains - very beautiful stuff.