Uza's favorite albums of 2010: electronica

Xenia Beliayeva - Ever since (Shitkatapult, 21/05/2010) www.myspace.com/xeniabeliayeva

Beliayeva is a relative newcomer, releasing only since 2006. Beliayeva specializes in minimal metal-cold, glossy electro and her artisanship has culminated in her last effort, Ever since. Those who follow Beliayeva's career won’t find something new and surprising here except for the fact that Beliayeva has perfected her formula to the extent that she can now offer a full-length rife with electro hymns and floor-devastators juxtaposed with ambienty-electro. As it stands now, it seems that Beliayeva is to electro what the great Andrea Parker is to IDM.

Grasscut - 1 Inch: 1/2 mile (Ninja tune, 05/07/2010) www.myspace.com/grasscutmusic

Nostalgic electronia? Romantic IDM pop? Grasscut are definitely your ordinary electronic act: combining baroque pop sensibilities with coarse and at times abrasive sounds, bits and glitches, Grasscut maybe the leftfield hybrid of Coldcut and The beach boys. Grasscut utilize the knobs and oscillators to generate an atmospheric backdrop like no other. This album transcends genres while clearly being locale bound with its northern-cold lush landscapes.

Matthew Herbert - One one (Accidental, 29/03/2010) www.myspace.com/matthewherbert

It is no secret that Herbert is one of Uza's all-time favorites, a giant in a land of the extremely vertically challenged. For two decades now Herbert has unfolded a unique sound and approach to production backed by a well-structured philosophy that puts his music in a social and cultural context. Often pompous, usually grandiose, Herbert never rests on his laurels, like an art junkie on a constant hunt for a new fix. Herbert will go to any lengths to find/create a new sound and his perfectionism is evident in every bit and bar. This year has been very productive for Herbert (albeit the third installment in the One trilogy missed its 2010 date) and showcased the awe-inspiring breadth of his range. From his 2010 work, Uza fancied One one the most. Perhaps the most subtle, gentle and nuanced release Mr. Herbert has produced in a long while, One one reads like a dreamy and airy time out from the hectic and feverish hunt for compositional complexification. It is a laidback, breathing collection of tiny gems that trick the listener to get carried away by soothing melodies while bombarding him with the ever so convoluted production skills that Herbert pushes through the backdoor.