Electronic music is by definition always reinventing the wheel, always moving forward, looking for new sights and sounds to redefine what we listen to forever. 2014 has been a great and a terrible year for the scene.
Arguably now split between EDM and electronic music and the chart gentrification of drum and bass and house, the underground scene is leaping forward to stand out more than ever before. As an indirect result IDM is back in force, kicked into gear by the return of Aphex Twin, meaning 2015 is going to be a year to remember in electronic music.
These are the things we're looking forward to...
Bloc. 2015
Yes Bloc. is back. After a disastrous 2012 at London's now defunct Pleasure Gardens venue, the brand invested in a new venue in Hackney Wick, seeking to revitalise the brand's name. After a brilliant two years at Autumn Street, they are back with a vengance, returning to Butlins and their spiritual home in Minehead. When most festivals are sunk in a mire of amorphous house music, this is exactly the kind forward thinking event the scene needs.
Snow Ghosts' new album
Throwing Snow and Augustus Ghost are set to reunite once again next year for their second album on Houndstooth. The debut was one of the most original albums we've heard in a long time, bringing together field recordings, live strings and gothic undertones for a truly original listen. This truly could be a great album.
Bjork's new album
Announced in October, it looks like Bjork's latest offering could be one of her best yet, that is if her recent listening habits are anything to go by. Working with Arca and turning up at Evian Christ's Trance Parties can only indicate that there are going to some seriously interesting sonics on the new release.
Giorgio Moroder's 74 is the new 24
That is one hell of an album title right? Now we all know Giorgio Moroder is an absolute legend and a progenitor of the long history of disco. To be perfectly honest this is an album that could go one of two ways, it could be absolutely amazing or it could be time for Moroder to retire. We're hoping for the latter. Just hope you don't see him fist pumping at Ultra. Keep it classy sir.
Grime, grime, grime
While 2014 was arguably the year of grime MC's, with Skepta and Wiley once again returning to dominate. On the production side there was some truly incredible innovation from producers like Mr. Mitch, Logos and Dark0 and all the Boxed label affiliates. This is a trend that is feeling like a movement and we can't wait to hear more.
Oneohtrix Point Never's new album
Things are stirring over at the producer's camp, particularly following a collaboration with PC Music's A. G. Cook, entitled 'BUBS' which debuted last week. If you haven't explored OPN's music before, get ready for some seriously mind-bending sounds and an album that could give PC Music the credibility it needs.
Shlomo returns
Having being suspicously quiet for the majority of 2014, the producer has with the excellent 'Emerge From Smoke' (quite an apt). A complex and ambient track, it contains a similar play on rhythm and melody as originally pioneered by Burial. This could be an album to push things forward massively.
The Prodigy's "violent new album"
It's been a long long time since The Prodigy released a new album. Invaders Must Die was something of a watershed moment, a "have you heard this?" album, whether you enjoyed it or not. The new LP from Liam and company is likely to be the same, divisive and hopefully brilliant. Just be thankful they sidestepped the Dubstep craze.
Joker's Mainframe
Cited as a "cinematic" album, it looks like the Bristol producer is finally back in his stride, compiling a record that offsets strings with video game effects and epic synths. If the new single 'Midnight' is anything to go by, it will be brilliant.
Grimes' long-awaited record
Assuming it actually comes out next year, what we have heard so far is sounding absolutely incredible. Having teamed up with Blood Diamonds for the trap-infused 'Go', we're hoping for more of the same when the record drops.
