Category Archives: Switched On

Switched On – Pye Corner Audio – Lake Deep Memory (quiet details)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

quiet details describe their temporary new signing, Martin Jenkins, as “a leading protagonist of widescreen dystopian electronica” in his Pye Corner Audio alias.

Lake Deep Memory, his contribution to the quiet details series, was inspired by a trip Jenkins made to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala in 2024, where he had played a festival – and the music is his capture of the volcanic landscape in the vastness and ethereal soundscapes across the album. He also aims to portray the spiritual importance of the lake to locals.

A crucial element of his process is the “noises and submerged sounds that a lot of artists try to eradicate, such as noise, hums and hiss. Those are the quiet details that I bring to the foreground”, he says.

The artwork originates from a photo Martin took at the lake, which was then captured with analogue photography and processed at the quiet details studios. The album is also available as a continuous mix, with all eight tracks running without a break.

What’s the music like?

Extremely relaxing – but spiritually invigorating, too. The title track forms slowly, the flowing water of the lake portrayed in musical form, while Pyroclastic Flow has the steadying presence of a slow, three-note motif, like a chime. The listener becomes enveloped by the 360 degree ambience of Beneath The Noise Floor, a surrounding cloud of comforting minor-key noise, hanging in the air. Similarly Memoria Del Agua is suspended, though its weight is heavier and nearer the ground.

Rich colours are introduced for Infinite Symphony, with synthesized strings in slowly shifting open-air chords. Fumarole has a brighter outlook, a bracing chord that grows in stature through its long, sustained duration.

Finally Volcanic Rock has a sharper edge to its sound, and more of a melodic pattern that comes through from low to high range, its intensity growing but beautifully managed.

Does it all work?

It does – either as individual tracks or as a complete whole.

Is it recommended?

It is. If you need some time out and want some new music to go with it, Pye Corner Audio offers a wholly enlightening experience.

For fans of… Bvdub, Scanner, Global Communication, Biosphere, Loscil

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,559 – Monday 9 June 2025

Switched On – Lindstrøm – Sirius Syntoms (Feedelity)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

“I wanted to create something that feels freeing,” says Hans-Peter Lindstrøm about his latest album. “Music that lifts you up but also has depth—something that resonates emotionally and physically.” This is after a comparatively heavy previous album Everyone Else Is A Stranger, which – like 2019s On A Clear Day I Can See You Forever – saw him operating within bigger structures. For Sirius Syntoms he takes something of a ‘back to basics’ approach.

What’s the music like?

Lindstrøm’s latest is more of a stripped back affair, focusing on grooves and individual synth lines with less evidence of the airy pads he has used so effectively on previous albums. Yet it works really well, and sounds like it was a lot of fun to make. This sense of fun runs through all the instrumental tracks, with the breezy Cirkl a highlight, while Thousand Island Man is full of the joys with plenty of play between the synth parts. Lindstrøm brings a nice house piano and bird-like synth calls to These Are A Few Of My Favourite Strings, while the title track closes things out with an infectious groove, with a riff that reeks of Dan Hartman’s Relight My Fire.

Does it all work?

Pretty much. There is nothing radically new in Lindstrøm’s approach this time around, but equally the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ adage applies itself well.

Is it recommended?

It is. For an album of feelgood electronic music, you don’t have to look much further!

For fans of… Prins Thomas, Mr Scruff, Lemon Jelly, Todd Terje

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,558 – Sunday 8 June 2025

Switched On – Peter Gregson: Peter Gregson (Decca)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Cellist Peter Gregson releases a self-titled album, his most profound and direct expression yet.

This is partly because his set-up is a very personal one, his cello complemented by a homemade synthesizer. As he describes in the press release, “A modular synthesizer typically would have an oscillator, and then go into filters, maybe a sequencer, reverb, delays – things to create a complete sound world”.

The synthesizer is entirely in thrall to the cello, with a mic input allowing him to use every sound the cello makes, at a wide range of frequencies, for expressive purposes. This he does on the album, with nine fluid and personal pieces.

What’s the music like?

Intimate – but with surprising and pleasing twists and turns along the way.

Vision is cleverly realised and highly expressive, using treated pizzicato to good effect from the outset.

Constellation repeats the trick but with a more obviously poppy riff, the pizzicato supporting a songful line, over which Gregson develops an appealing electronic chatter that becomes ever more mesmerising.

Song is at the heart of utterances such as Ritual and Prayer, which by their titles are more inward looking pieces but where Gregson also reveals the influence of composers who wrote more explicitly for the cello, such as Ernest Bloch.

Does it all work?

Yes, it does – Gregson plays with a beautiful sound, and the electronic enhancements are tastefully and thoughtfully applied.

Is it recommended?

It is, both for those looking for periods of reflection and for listeners who enjoy the creative process laid bare..

For fans of… Max Richter, Julia Kent, Nils Frahm, Ryan Teague

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,553 – Tuesday 3 June 2025

Switched On – Gordon Chapman-Fox: Very Quiet Music To Be Played Very Loudly (Lunar Module)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This album marks a new chapter for the much-loved Castles in Space label, marking the launch of their Lunar Module CD imprint. Label devotees will note that Gordon Chapman-Fox is the man behind Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan, and here we get to see his immersive, ambient side. The intention is for the listener to turn up the volume and dive headlong into the wide-open sound world.

What’s the music like?

There is an appealing subtlety to Chapman-Fox’s ambient work, though as he says it is most definitely not background music. It is instead music where you can enjoy the evolution process, either through close study or by stepping back to take in the whole. Working with orchestral sound libraries, Chapman-Fox creates an analogue sound, keen to keep the human elements of a wordless choir or of a bow scraping across a stringed instrument.

Components begins what is effectively a four-movement suite like the onward approach of a cloud, with broad textures and widely spaced drones, but also a front that has more defined musical features. Fringe acquires a brooding edge, with delicacy at its core but a structure that moves slowly but surely. Emphasis brings forward this vulnerability, the wordless choir a soothing constant as a soft, keyboard instrument traces lines against the sky. Finally Singular, which is less defined initially, but whose scratchy sound gains a treble element that glints against the dense backdrop rather beautifully.

Does it all work?

It does – and by moving slowly yet incrementally, Chapman-Fox achieves his objective to make people listen, either by stealth or by direct attention.

Is it recommended?

It is. Play this music very loudly and it will be an all-encompassing experience, while at the very least it will bring intense moments of calm to your world.

For fans of… Tim Hecker, Fennesz, Max Richter, A Winged Victory For The Sullen

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,552 – Monday 2 June 2025

New music – HAAi feat. Jon Hopkins, Obi Franky, ILĀ and TRANS VOICES – Satellite (Mute)

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from the press release, edited by Ben Hogwood

London-based, Australian-born producer, songwriter and DJ, HAAi (aka Teneil Throssell) has announced details of her highly-anticipated new studio album – HUMANiSE – out on 10 October 2025 via Mute on limited edition clear double gatefold vinyl and limited edition CD in eco card packaging.

You can watch the video for Satellite featuring Jon Hopkins, lead vocals by Obi Franky, plus ILĀ and TRANS VOICES, a crescendo of celestial glitch-pop that references early Kompakt records, 90s rave and 2-step, below. The accompanying visualiser is by Dobermann Ltd, who Teneil has been working closely with on the artwork.

Teneil goes on to say, “Satellite encapsulates everything HUMANiSE stands for: the importance of your people and the unique humaneness we offer one another in a rapidly changing world. I feel so lucky to have shared this track with Jon and Obi, ILĀ and TRANS VOICES.

This album is for my trans and queer family and our allies, to say thank you for lighting up every space you’re in. I will always be in your army.”

Talking about the track, Obi Franky explains, “Inspired by my father’s passing, I decided to write a message that I believe we share for each other. And this can apply to various situations for so many people including those that live far away from each other. Sometimes being reminded someone’s energy is there is enough to keep you going. We are all satellites and have the power to create a sense of unity, the power to receive and give what ultimately a human wants – love.’

HUMANiSE stands as an immense evolution from the debut, Baby, We’re Ascending, and arrives at a prolific time for the artist. Her BBC Radio 6 Music A-listed track, ‘Can’t Stand To Lose’ was reworked by HAAi and Tom VR and soundtracked a groundbreaking visual which premiered on the Outernet’s digital exhibition space for Women’s History Month. That was followed soon after by a collaboration with KAM-BU, Shapeshift, and recent (and forthcoming) DJ appearances that include Coachella, Movement, Glastonbury and helming her community-focussed night in London, UNiSON.

In all of her work, Teneil has always sought to conquer new frontiers in electronic music, and on the new album, she’s drilling deeper into the grid. HUMANiSE reckons with what it is to be human in an increasingly digital world, as AI threatens to eclipse everything and our screens separate us from each other. The result is an ambitious and thrilling epic: embodying a sonic step up, exploring the sweet spot between machine-led dystopia and emotion-filled utopia.

“Throughout the album, I kept thinking about a machine with a human heart,” she says. Where previously she’s been hidden by a laptop, or obscured behind the decks, more recently she was, “inspired to return to my songwriting roots and use my voice more in my own music.” “Throughout the album, I kept thinking about a machine with a human heart,” she says. Vocals are front and centre, stunningly delicate and giving a newfound dimension to her kinetic productions. “It took a long time to get there, it’s such a vulnerable thing to do,” she continues, “but for this album, it was important for me to allow this ‘human heart’ to be front and centre.”

The human heart has another focus on the album: unity and community. HAAi explains, “Even though HUMANiSE is about how the world is starting to change beyond our control, it’s important to keep a sense of togetherness and hope.” These ideas of community and a sense of belonging is of utmost importance, and she has returned to work with friends including Jon Hopkins, Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip, singer Obi Franky and rapper KAM-BU, artist Kaiden Ford, as well as poet James Massiah, who guests on All That Falls Apart, and two choirs: TRANS VOICES with choir leader ILĀ and a gospel choir led by Wendi Rose. But this is no clique, the community she surrounds herself with is inclusive, with ample space for the listener on a journey where you are suspended in dreamlike euphoria, drawing the most human part of you to the surface – the part where nothing matters more than family, friends, and togetherness.

HUMANiSE is out on 10 October 2025 via Mute on limited edition clear double gatefold vinyl and limited edition CD in eco card packaging. You can pre-order here

Published post no.2,548 – Thursday 29 May 2025