Every month, RA staffers share their favourite new music and reflect on key news stories from the electronic music scene.
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Critics' Roundtable

Every day at Resident Advisor, we discuss the latest interesting music but there's only so much information we can pack into features, reviews and news. The Critics' Roundtable podcast, part of our Exchange series, is a chance for the team to go deeper into striking artists, records and industry trends in the global club underground.

This instalment, featuring senior staff writer Nyshka Chandran, music editor Andrew Ryce and chief creative and brand officer Kazim Rashid, touches on recent releases in London, Ecuador, Atlanta and beyond. First, each highlight their favourite albums from the past four months, with selections ranging from Terrence Dixon's supremely abstract techno to Marcela Dias Sindaco's sexy electro. Next, contributors discuss an artist or platform of note. Washington DC label PPU gets a mention, as do the hard-hitting bass mutations of Nikki Nair and Colombian label Insurgentes. Finally, Nyshka, Andrew and Kazim reflect on significant developments in the electronic music world, commenting on the ongoing attempts to get artists paid for online mixes, the intersection of club music and theatre and the recent passing of hip-hop icon DJ Kay Slay.

Tracklist:
Alabaster DePlume - Visitors XT8B – Oak [International Anthem] 
Terrence Dixon - Aurora - Other Dimensions [30D Records] 
Marcela Dias Sindaco - À Flor Da Pele - Rio de Janeiro 3025 EP [Fixed Rhythms] 
Nikki Nair & Nala - The World Is Always Ending - The World Is Always Ending [Dirtybird] 
Dwight Sykes - You’re Exactly - On The Rocks [PPU]
PVSSY & Entrañas - Manía (Menzi remix - Fervor [TraTraTrax]
Terrence Dixon - Aurora - Other Dimensions [30D Records]

EX.608 Critics' Roundtable [May 2022]

Two new faces join Head Of Podcasts Martha Pazienti-Caidan on the June edition of Critics' Roundtable, Resident Advisor's monthly podcast that showcases the varied tastes of our contributors. Over the course of 40 minutes, Glasgow City Manager Rose Manson, Staff Writer Zoey Shopmaker and Pazienti-Caidan herself present their favourite music and new stories from the past three months.

Their selections include New York producer K Wata, whose recent 12-inch connects the dots between loopy drum patterns and experimental ambient, as well as the 10 year anniversary compilation of UK label Local Action. Kiernan Laveaux's March mix for Noods Radio is also highlighted, as is the new Air Max '97 EP and Glasgow community radio station Buena Vida. Towards the end of the chat, the trio discuss a directory of women, trans and non-binary producers, the slow pace of festival ticket sales and efforts to end sexual violence at large gatherings.

Listen to the conversation in full.

EX.613 Critics' Roundtable [June 2022]

New music, community-driven parties, tech talk and more from RA staffers.

Every month, members of Resident Advisor's global team highlight their favourite artists, exciting labels and industry trends on the Critics' Roundtable podcast. This edition, featuring senior designer Lucy Ross, senior US partnerships lead Lottie Moore and senior staff writer Nyshka Chandran, jumps across genres and regions in a reflection of the trio's myriad tastes. 

Selections feature records with an introspective touch, setting the tone for a mindful summer. From the furious breaks of NIGELTHREETIMES to V.C.R's gospel-inspired soul to Joy Orbison collaborator KEYAH/BLU, the group describes how each artist incorporates a cinematic gloss into their respective compositions. Elsewhere, Honolulu-based label Aloha Got Soul gets a mention for its commitment to showcasing Hawaiian funk and jazz, as does young amapiano star Uncle Waffles, whose global footprint keeps expanding.

Recent developments impacting the electronic music ecosystem are also discussed. Moore looks at community-building initiatives of promoters, highlighting Los Angeles' Mapamota and noting the potential of chat platforms such as Discord to strengthen ties with punters. Ross, meanwhile, summarises how AI is influencing brand identity from a designer's viewpoint.

Listen to the full podcast for more.

EX.618 Critics' Roundtable [July 2022]

This volume of the Critics Roundtable, Resident Advisor's monthly podcast that showcases staff selections, looks back at the summer's important moments and releases in electronic music. Over the course of 40 minutes, podcasts chief Martha Pazienti Caidan, events writer Katie Thomas and content intern Fahad Akinsanya each recap a memorable news story, record and live performance from the past two months. 

Offering insights, opinions and most importantly, discussion, the trio praise the reopening of London venue The Cross and analyse The Jaguar Foundation's latest report on gender diversity in UK dance music. Also on the agenda is the public backlash against RA's critical review of Beyonce's new album. In terms of new releases, the new EP by Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal gets a mention, as does Sierra and CalvoMusic's "Fast Lingo." Finally, the trio highlight their favourite festival gigs, which include Vanyfox and Tame Impala at Primavera Sound.

Listen to the episode for all the details.

EX.623 Critics' Roundtable [August 2022]

What did your summer sound like? For the RA staffers featured on this month's episode of the Critics' Roundtable, the answer ranges from dubby jungle to cheeky UKG to hazy krautrock.

Looking back on their favourite records from recent months, managing editor Chloe Lula, Mexico City manager Valeria Martin del Campo and senior writer Nyshka Chandran highlight Dax J's Soul Enforcer,Prelude by Barbie Bertisch and Lichi's latest fruit-inspired compilation.

The conversation then shifts to special live performances. Aquarian's dextrous mixing at Dekmantel gets a mention, as does SCHNITT and Gianluca Sibaldi's captivating AV performance at MUTEK Montreal, where they scanned audiences in real-time. Moving onto industry trends and significant news stories, the trio discuss the significance of Mexico City online radio station Aire Libre shutting down, the impact of algorithmic populism on artists and the massive labour crunch in event production jobs.

For more details on each of these topics, listen to the full conversation.

EX.627 Critics' Roundtable [September 2022]

Sluice With Mudchew, Laenz, Sin - Pit @ The Lot Radio 09 - 23 - 2022

Lima-born, Berlin-based instrumentalist Alejandra Cárdenas Pacheco – aka Ale Hop – treats each mix as an experiment, dissecting the elements of every track and reconstituting them to make something altogether new.

For Crack Mix 485, the focus is on texture and depth. Ale Hop weaves together bird song, harp song, distorted human voices and analogue feedback in a way that makes each sound feel concrete, material. In her own words:

“The mix navigates its way through things that I enjoy listening to, such as collage-like dislocations, noise that is harsh but meticulous, analogue synths hallucinations, floating words, and occasional soothing folk and ambiences.” 

Check out the tracklist on crackaud.io: crackm.ag/3XrfTRI
 Still Independent. Help us keep it that way: crackmagazine.net/subscriptions

Crack Mix 485: Ale Hop

Tony G & Kiernan Laveaux pulling Oblique Strategies all night long. 

Recorded live at Mansions Bar & Grille in Ridgewood, Queens on Monday, February 13th 2023 from approximately 8:55PM-2:05AM EST.

Giambrone & Co 13: Tony G & Kiernan Laveaux LIVE from Mansions

London-based DJ Imogen takes on the NTS airwaves, bouncing between fuzzy electro and punishing techno.

https://www.nts.live/shows/imogen/episodes/imogen-22nd-february-2023

Wigs w/ Imogen 220223

Rinse FM Podcast

Marital Aid with DJ Bus Replacement Service & Surgeon -  17 March 2023

Kendu Bari

After a little maintenance break, we are back in style with the other half of Sann Odea: Kendu Bari. When we first heard “Alee” 6 months ago, we instantly understood the vision of the journey that this rising artist has set out for himself. 
Originally starting out playing only drum & bass years ago. After that, he focussed on experimental club around 130-140 bpm and now he is finding himself pushing it faster again and almost coming full circle. Selecting and placing the tracks carefully in this mix to guide towards a representation of, not so much the music he creates right now, but more of the heavy club-oriented sounds creating a dynamic ride containing breakbeat, techno, bass, and leftfield. 

His highlights are the first and last track; the first one ‘Oracle’ is a beautiful synths-only track by Modo Mero that was released on Sann Odea, the label he runs with Yb3L. The last one is an unreleased banger by Teqmun that will soon tear up many dance floors. Keep an eye out for both of them! 

SoundCloud : https://soundcloud.com/kendubari 

Tracklist
Modo Mero - Oracle
Charlie S - Possum 2D
Klahrk - Send It!!
Tomas Urquieta - 32 Balas (Rhyw’s Double Drible Remix)
Son Error - Wired Feelings
Burna - Crushed
Rhyw - Kirkhusa
Young Wolf - Kabusi (Siu Mata Edit)
Jay Duncan - Klyro
Syz - Servo
Dave N.A. - Signal
Burna - Glocken
re:ni - Revenge Body
Amor Satyr - I Got Troops
Toma Kami - Ritmo Actual
Laksa - Sen On One
Gamma Intel - Trust
Skee Mask - Wiz
Glass - Appointment Scheduling System
LCY - Y 
Shades - Powers of Two
Nick León - Rompediscoteka (Henzo Remix)
Bitter Babe x Nick León - Tu Castigo (Simo Cell Remix) 
Code Walk - Clock
Client_03 - Symmetry Verification
Holloway - Send It On
Toma Kami - BOH-ee
Teqmun - Unreleased

DUSK256 By Kendu Bari

"Dance music artists are creating in an environment where they can be more outspoken about their queerness, which means that their work becomes extensions of their queerness." RA's critics discuss expressions of gender and sexuality in the underground scene during this month's roundtable.

Each month, Resident Advisor reviews a number of standout EPs, albums and singles, but there are some that resonate with us more than others. In this episode, our in-house music critics Andrew Ryce and Kiana Mickles join RA's Senior Producer, Chloe Lula, in a deep dive into the releases that they considered to be the most noteworthy from this month: Surgeon's new LP, Crash Recoil; Fever Ray's much-anticipated new full length, Radical Romantics; and I. JORDAN and SHERELLE's split two-tracker. 

Beyond just assessing the music itself, we also debate bigger questions that these works raise. We discuss how some of this month's music invokes themes of love, romance and desire—which are relatively new to the electronic music underground; how representations of queerness are shifting in the contemporary music landscape; and the perennial pop-electronic music crossover, which has defined the contours of the last few weeks' worth of releases yet again. Listen to the conversation in full. 

This week's intro and outro music, "Transience," was composed by Jo Johnson.

EX.654 Critics' Roundtable [March 2023]

FYI ROBYN 11.4.23

KINCAID 18.4.23

Live recording @ the Future Intel headquarters in The Hague. Streaming live on Youtube, Facebook and futureintelradio.com.

Whistle╚═ Future Intel ═╗ 04 05 2023

Season 7 Episode 10 - 06.01.23

The summer vibes are in full-effect as we welcome MPLS deejay Beab to the program. With a heavy dose of quirky breaks and nods to classic underground sounds, our June episode is guaranteed to get you hot and bothered.

@abeab

Kajunga Program SE.7 EP.10 - Beab

The weekly RA Exchange is a series of conversations with artists, labels and promoters shaping the electronic music landscape.

EX.654 Critics' Roundtable [March 2023]

RA Exchange

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