Squarepusher X Z-machines: Music For Robots - EP 05 April 2014

No dynamics? Please explain, because I don't understand what you mean by that.

Edit: Never mind, I do

Vinyl delay:

"Thanks very much for pre-ordering the new EP from Squarepusher x Z-MACHINES.

We regret to inform you that there has been a delay in the manufacture of the vinyl for this release. The new release date is Monday 19th May for all shops.

The full MP3 download will still be made available to you from Monday 7th April."

But I didn't order it on vinyl, Blerp....

Finally something fast enough to play along those +200BPM amens and what does he do? More prog rock shit.

Fuck yeah prog rock shit!!

Z-Machines in the house

So! How is it?

I'm most curious about dissolver and you endless, as I've not heard them yet.

  On 4/5/2014 at 5:37 PM, StephenG said:

So! How is it?

 

I'm most curious about dissolver and you endless, as I've not heard them yet.

Dissolver is a bit an endurance piece, clocking in at just over 7 mins long. It actually feels much like fast improvised jazz in places, however I'm not so clued up with that style of music that I could provide artists that it sounds close to (I'm sure others here will step in with examples once they hear it). There's a manic cacophonous phase in the final third which feels a little contrived - it falls in line with what Tom brings up in his interview with Stuart Maconie regarding his desire to "...push the robots to breaking point", and to me it literally does sound like that. It does resolve itself towards the end of the track, but I don't think I would miss that section if it wasn't there.

You Endless is a guitar and piano piece (and occasional kick drum), very ambient and lacking the theatrics of more bombastic tracks on the EP - probably the 'straightest' one on there. Very melodic, not discordant at all. Made me think of 'Every Day I Love' from Hello Everything... just a sweet ditty that certainly doesn't scream that it's being played by programmed robots.

  On 4/5/2014 at 8:40 PM, jasondonervan said:

 

  On 4/5/2014 at 5:37 PM, StephenG said:

So! How is it?

 

I'm most curious about dissolver and you endless, as I've not heard them yet.

 

Dissolver is a bit an endurance piece, clocking in at just over 7 mins long. It actually feels much like fast improvised jazz in places, however I'm not so clued up with that style of music that I could provide artists that it sounds close to (I'm sure others here will step in with examples once they hear it). There's a manic cacophonous phase in the final third which feels a little contrived - it falls in line with what Tom brings up in his interview with Stuart Maconie regarding his desire to "...push the robots to breaking point", and to me it literally does sound like that. It does resolve itself towards the end of the track, but I don't think I would miss that section if it wasn't there.

 

You Endless is a guitar and piano piece (and occasional kick drum), very ambient and lacking the theatrics of more bombastic tracks on the EP - probably the 'straightest' one on there. Very melodic, not discordant at all. Made me think of 'Every Day I Love' from Hello Everything... just a sweet ditty that certainly doesn't scream that it's being played by programmed robots.

 

oooo! Thanks! I guess I've not heard world three either. Which is the most "bombastic" of the tracks in your opinion? ah can't wait :)

Remote Amber: Sinister 70s espionage thriller movie soundtrack business right here. Lots of room to breathe, stark notes with the drums cackling away in a darkened alleyway... in places it is similar to, yet far more polished than 'Ill Descent' from Music Is Rotted One Note.

Sad Robot Goes Funny: Poster boy track, the 'Dark Steering' of MFR. Keeps the momentum up, probably the brashest number on here, but a perfectly crafted piece of frenzied robotic jazz.

World Three: A strange pipe organ sound perpetuates throughout. Restrained in a sense due to no freak-out improv phases or high bpm, yet the occasional flourish is found through some quickfire piano or guitar, which are playing together harmoniously rather than duelling it out. It's a piece that doesn't sit still, lots going on at once.

Dissolver: An endurance piece, clocking in at just over 7 mins long. It actually feels much like fast improvised jazz in places, however I'm not so clued up with that style of music that I could provide artists that it sounds close to (I'm sure others here will step in with examples once they hear it). There's a manic cacophonous phase in the final third which feels a little contrived - it falls in line with what Tom brings up in his interview with Stuart Maconie regarding his desire to "...push the robots to breaking point", and to me it literally does sound like that. It does resolve itself towards the end of the track, but I don't think I would miss that section if it wasn't there.

You Endless: A guitar and piano piece (and occasional kick drum), very ambient and lacking the theatrics of more bombastic tracks on the EP - probably the 'straightest' one on there. Very melodic, not discordant at all. Made me think of 'Every Day I Love' from Hello Everything... just a sweet ditty that certainly doesn't scream that it's being played by programmed robots.

In answer to your question Stephen, Dissolver is definitely the problem child of this EP. Once it gets up to speed, there's no stopping it!

cheers thanks for the review

Everyday I love be from Ultravisitor.

But nice review I'm looking forward to hearing it tomorrow.

  On 4/6/2014 at 2:24 PM, DorkingtonPugsly said:

Everyday I love be from Ultravisitor.

But nice review I'm looking forward to hearing it tomorrow.

Of course it is. *slaps forehead*

Haha but that's good to hear! I love that tune.

  On 4/6/2014 at 11:18 PM, DorkingtonPugsly said:

Haha but that's good to hear! I love that tune.

yeah its a goodn!

gonna pick this up as soon as i can.

Oh wow, I'm really loving this.

World Three, Dissolver, You Endless I love to bits.

This is the kind of composition from him that I love, I'm glad I get to hear more of it.

First new release in a while that's put a big smile on my face, I'm such a dork~

yeah this some good musics

dissolver

Dissolver is pretty incredible...

We are pleased

  On 4/8/2014 at 9:38 AM, CraniumXII said:

Dissolver is pretty incredible...

 

We are pleased

absolutely!

I thought it was pretty epic

i've downloaded yesterday from bleep.com & listen them 3 times... It's Squarepusher sound! Sound like his debut from Feed Me Weird Things to Budakhan Mindphone. But don't receive yet this EP...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsaJQenNJUU

proper!

Review on HHV Mag: http://www.hhv-mag.com/de/review/6288/squarepusher-x-z-machines-music-for-robots-ep

  On 4/3/2014 at 7:20 AM, Gocab said:

No dynamics? Please explain, because I don't understand what you mean by that.

Edit: Never mind, I do

It's a static sound. It's a procession of single notes played flawless by robots but it's not flowing, if you know what I mean by this. The composition itself is great, but the delivery by the robots is sort of lifeless - free of emotions.

  On 4/8/2014 at 6:34 PM, superbixen said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsaJQenNJUU

 

proper!

Fuuuuuck!!

1st time I hear this!