Selections: Louisahhh
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. This week, Louisahhh highlights howling punk, rabid EBM, techno and electro, and 8-bit electroclash magic
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. While hearing new music played out by your favourite selectors has been put on hold as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s never been easier, or more important, to support the artists and imprints releasing tracks, albums, EPs and comps in the midst of all the madness. In lieu of opportunities to discover new records on the dancefloor, Selections will give you the chance to nab sounds from the crates of tastemakers, and support the people behind them while you’re at it. Win-win, right?
This week, Louisahhh highlights some of her recent favourites, spanning howling punk, rabid EBM and electro, and 8-bit electroclash magic. Louisahhh lands on HE.SHE.THEY. this month with her thrilling debut album ‘The Practice Of Freedom’. Its 12 tracks find the Paris-based New Yorker in the finest form of her career, delivering lyrics on love and loss, sex and addiction, over forthright productions from US artist Vice Cooler.
Swirling together the propulsive swagger of techno and EBM with coarse industrial sonics and an edge-of-your-seat punk rock volatility, the album is harsh and aggressive but also peppered with more tender moments — Louisahhh’s vocals providing melodic notes that juxtapose the noise and grit as much as they add to the rugged aesthetic. It’s a deeply personal work, indicative of an artist who’s found her ideal format, and provides a stunning listen that disrupts the narrative of what a ‘dance’ artist’s album should sound like.
The album, which you can pre-order here ahead of it's release on 12th March, is sure to make many end-of-year lists come December. For the time being though, we asked Louisahhh to dip into her Bandcamp and put together a list of her own. Check out her Selections below.
“I found out about this track via Bandcamp's front page and the energy is really inspiring. It howls and shrieks, there is a punk saxophone, the words are entirely unintelligible, I can't really figure out any structure, but I feel like it's really well produced. I want to listen to more rock music like THIS.”
“Dear friend Jensen Interceptor has a great label called International Chrome and he's been releasing 'International Chromies' compilations that are some kind of rave-ghetto tech hybrid. All proceeds go to charity and it feels like the most fun investment in an altruistic cause (and seriously some of the most playable, catchy and nasty/delightful tracks I've heard in a while).”
“Kaos/Oaks has been putting out really cool compilation EPs that are very playable and feature cool artists like the wildly talented Peder Mannerfelt. 'The B 2.0' is really raucous and unique, fitting somewhere between peak-time techno and EBM — Hands in the air! Punch the floor! Repeat!”
“Danny is one of the coolest producers working, always ahead of the curve. He released a couple of rad EPs with legendary Miami label, Schematic, and the track 'Twisted', which kicks off the 'Protocol 305' EP oscillates between IDM and booty/electro bass.”
“This track (in fact, this entire EP) by formidable Polish producer VTSS is dark, jaunty and hitting a sweet spot of what the future might feel like in a dark, sweaty, stompy club (when we're allowed to do that sort of thing again). VTSS seems like she's a harbinger of glory for the next wave of riot grrls in club music, and it makes me super happy.”
“This track from Berlin-based Wallis appears on a great compilation from R - Label Group called ‘Sektion1’, and is super effective, alternately bouncing and pounding its way into the bratty refrain of ‘don't you think we need to stop?’. Once again, I am impressed by up-and-coming producers who happen to be women making some of the toughest, most fun and aggressive club music out there right now. 'Hard Definitions' is a strong case in point."
“Initially released in 2004, The Soft Pink Truth's awesome, weird, perfect album 'Do You Want New Wave Or Do You Want The Soft Pink Truth?' was re-issued digitally via Bandcamp and I was delighted to re-discover the perfect cover versions of Crass, Teddy and the Frat Girls and Minor Threat in some 8-bit electroclash magic. Could not recommend this more.”
“Maelstrom (my partner in noise and chaos) has his second album forthcoming on our label, RAAR. The lead single, Maalish, is a departure from his last work in that it's much more slick and sound-designed than the bounty of club-focused electro that he's been releasing in the last few years. This track sounds like it is selling flying cars; it's IDM from the future while still being human in interesting and essential ways.”
“Full disclosure, Vice produced my forthcoming album and I think he is the most talented and prolific human being I've ever met. The 'No Light’ EP exemplifies this in its dynamic, ferocious, relentless take on industrial pop or digital punk or whatever this undefinable thing is that he does. These tracks are challenging to fit into a DJ set unless you're very innovative, technically gifted or bold, but for rolling around the floor of your home or screaming along with while doing the dishes (my personal favourite lockdown activities), there is nothing better.”
“This is probably the song I've played the most out of anything I've bought on Bandcamp because it is absolutely perfect: tough and moody and chugs along, but in a kind of sexy, murky-yet-exacting way. Sterile Hand is the project of Silent Servant (Juan Mendez) and vocalist Ori Ofir making nasty, ideal EBM that isn't pretentious but works in almost every single context in which it is played. 'The Hunter' is another secret classic from this excellent EP.”
