Contributing Writer
London-based electronic artist elshuffles is making a return; releasing his second album who bang the noise.
The album follows 2021’s Disinformation Party, and while his debut was a collage made up from a few years of exploring different instruments and sounds, who bang the noise takes a different direction, depicting the melting-pot nature of London life across influences from techno, ambient, drone and electronica.
From the dawning ambient splendour of album opener fading poetry you’re immediately drawn into elshuffles deeply atmospheric vision. And though the tone shifts from light to dark multiple times over the course of its running time, that attention to mood and atmosphere remains in sharp focus.
With the album out now, elshuffles picks out 10 ambient soundscapes that give us a peek into some of his influences.
Susumi Yokota – Saku
This track is epic in it simplicity, yet feels soft and thoughtful.
Lawrence English – White Spray
I have been lucky to see LE perform in London at a really small venue. It was such a mesmerising experience, he played this track on a really big powerful sound system it was pretty epic. I also got to speak with him after the gig. What a guy!!
Amulets – Feigning Night
I discovered Amulets and his music via his YouTube videos a few years back. He’s is big into tape loops and that kinda thing. I’ve been a big fan and followed him ever since.
Alessandro Cortini – Amore Amaro
Alessandro is another one that is big into the use of tape loops. I love this track and the all of the other projects he’s done. Check out his synth collection if you get the chance.
Loscil – Motoc
I could have chosen pretty much all of Loscil’s tracks, as they all have a certain character, instantly recognisable. Scott is another one on this list that I’ve been able to see live at a small venue in London. I love that artists like this exist, not mainstream, truly focussed on creating their art and doing to such a high level.
Burial – In McDonalds
This track again is instantly recognisable as being created by Burial, only he could create something this great. The use of vocals, the pads and then the crackles – who knows what these sounds started off as but the result is astounding.
Daniel Avery – First Light
I love the level of distortion in this short track. It kinda teases you holding you on the edge, I always feel myself drifting when listening to this. The fact that its short allows it to fit so well on the album and leads perfectly into the following track. DA is master at creating an album as a piece of music.
Fred Again and Brian Eno – I saw you
This may be a bit too mainstream and it took a few listens for me to really like it. But Eno is real hero of mine, so anything he involved in I’ll give time. The use of Freds vocal is really nice in the track and the drone going through it are lush along with the contrasting low and high notes.
Luis – Yoonito
I randomly came across this on Spotify. I know next to nothing about the artist – but parts of this track sound like there about to break. The interference sounds are great and they continue throughout whilst the melody carries on playing also.
Alva Noto – Uni Blue
This is slightly different to some of the tracks above, but nonetheless is a great piece. The video should be played on a massive screen in a dark smokey room. The little glitches that can be heard in amongst the drums are so special, I love that kinda thing.