Each month, tons of new music from many taste-spanning genres is released into a fast-consuming, unforgiving market; it can be tough to get a handle on what’s new before it’s on to the next. In an attempt to highlight the standout releases, at the end of each month, AUX staff re-cap the month in Punk, Metal, Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic, and Pop with the top five releases in each. Consider it your cheat sheet for year-end lists.

Top 5 Electronic Releases:
SEPTEMBER

 

Mala – Mala in Cuba
	If dubstep, in its current incarnation, has overstayed its welcome, what’s a pioneer of the genre to do? Mala moves on, takes a risk and ventures to Havana, guided by UK radio vet Gilles Peterson. The result is The Digital Mystikz cofounder couching the cool bass he’s known for with the island’s warm timba music, salsa piano, and hand-made beats. (Brownswood Recordings) [Listen]

Robert Hood – Motor: Nighttime World 3

Robert Hood’s Motor series conceptualizes Detroit’s troubled auto-making industry, the conditions of which spawned the birth of techno there, where Hood helped popularize it in the 90s. The vibe on this third installment is cold, minimal and alientated at first, yet peaking through on the album is soul, hope and pure workmanship – in the character of the Motor City (listen to “A Time to Rebuild”). Hood retains his place alongside his pioneering peers Jeff Mills, Juan Atkins, etc. (Music Man) Listen]

Silent Servant – Negative Fascination EP
	Dark techno fans just gush over Silent Servant, a.k.a. Juan Mendez, of the highly respected-yet-reclusive collective Sandwell District. With this release – oddly, on a different label specializing in noise music – he’s furthering his reputation as esoteric. Negative, post-punk meets metallic eerie techno — makes you feel a bit evil. (Hospital Productions) [Listen]

HIAWATHA – Language

This new project from Toronto experimentalist Egyptrixx (David Psutka) and Ian McGettigan (of 90s alt-rockers Thrush Hermit), is near impossible to describe — or as Psutka aptly calls it, “dichotomous”. Egyptrixx’ Nightslugs-approved alien synths and chaotic noise are are contrasted with analog warmth from McGettigan’s rock days. I’m not sure where I stand on the subtle, indiscernible, yet anthemic vocals. Requires repeated listens. (Last Gang Records) [Listen]

Barker & Baumecker – Transsektoral
	The debut album from a couple of Berlin mainstays (Sam Barker, a.k.a. Voltek, and Andreas Baumecker) is a purist-techno delight, with a little garage for good measure. Take me to Berghain. (Ostgut Ton). [Listen]

Mix of the month, surprises, and albums to watch for next month

Mix of the month: EDM producers everywhere could learn something from the origin of so many rhythms: Africa. Experimental music connoisseur Keith Fullerton Whitmen plays an hour of recordings from South African ethnographer Hugh Tracey, much of it from the 40s and on. [Listen]

Surprise of the month: Retro-electro enthusiasts Shine 2009, of Finland, bring back happy hardcore in a surprisingly pleasing way, under the name Cup. The Red Book LP is inspired by Carl Jung’s documenting of self-induced hallucinations (in efforts to realize the subconscious), thus the mix is not supposed to be over-thought (by the ego). Stream it here.

Forthcoming: Everyone’s cooing over the beautiful new How to Dress Well album Total Loss, out Oct. 2; and Flying Lotus’ Until The Quiet Comes – full of his usual Ableton wizardry – is already streaming at NPR’s First [Listen]