Ben Devlin

3 days ago | musicomh.com | Ben Devlin

The late great producer broke down musical boundaries on her 2015 release. The expanded anniversary edition reminds us of a talent gone too soonTen years ago, one of experimental electronic music’s most iconic figures was an enigma. She let someone else stand behind the decks and ‘perform’ her Boiler Room set, she explored ideas of artifice and authenticity in a manner both gleeful and thought-provoking, and the majority of her fans didn’t know that SOPHIE was transgender.

1 week ago | musicomh.com | Ben Devlin

The British rapper expands his sound and lyrical focus for his long-awaited third albumAs one of UK rap’s most high-profile figures with several crossover hits under his belt, AJ Tracey has often sounded unflappable, his low, steady flow steamrolling over any obstacles. On Don’t Die Before You’re Dead there’s more vulnerability, particularly on the emotive 3rd Time Lucky, but also some experiments with Jersey Club and rage rap production.

1 month ago | musicomh.com | Ben Devlin

The American rapper is engaging and technically impressive on this wide-ranging record that finds him settling into the status of an elder statesmanThe verbose, sardonic stylings of Aesop Rock have long become part of the furniture in the indie rap world – whether flexing his auspiciously large vocabulary or telling wistful tales of everyday people over chunky lo-fi beats, his persona retains its smart-ass charm.

1 month ago | musicomh.com | Ben Devlin

The American rapper dwells on scary things – both fictional and real – for his latest albumWith a body of work that stretches back to the early 2000s and a steadily building profile over the past 10 years, billy woods is one of rap’s most reliable practitioners of feel-bad music. His verses can be slightly shambling in their delivery, but there’s an intensity behind every line, accompanied by production which can be low-key, off-beat or abrasive.

1 month ago | musicomh.com | Ben Devlin

The highly acclaimed British creatives unite for a cohesive, atmospheric record that is by turns moody, enveloping, and surrealAlmost 25 years ago Radiohead announced a change in direction with their Kid A album: electronic arrangements, abstract structures that reduced the importance of lyrics and melodies, a wilful disregard for the rock band setup that had taken them to stardom.