Playlist 17.09.23

There's more pop (arguably) than usual in tonight's Utility Fog, and more ambient (loosely) tonight as well. There's 4/4 dub of various sorts, processed field recordings and a surprising number of cellists doing unusual things. LISTEN AGAIN and be inspired. Stream on demand via FBi, podcast from here. Lucidvox - Don't Look Away [Glitterbeat/Bandcamp]<br /> Starting tonight with something heavy and melodic that reminds me of early '90s 4AD - Lush perhaps? Lucidvox are a Russian quartet, all women, who were originally based in Moscow but left for various parts of Europe and the Middle East when Russia invaded Ukraine. I get the impression that there's a lot of stylistic diversity across this album, so I look forward to hearing the rest - but the dense riffs, effects and vocals both sweet and harsh here are just the ticket. Peter Gabriel - Love Can Heal (Bright-Side Mix) [Real World Records/Bandcamp]<br /> I'm surprised that it's been quite a long time since I played Peter Gabriel, a hugely inventive musician through 5 decades and many twists and turns. His new album i/o is coming out sometime this year, and he's setup a subscription on Bandcamp, where he's releasing every track from the album (and some bonuses) throughout the year. Each song is released with two different mixes (as well as some kind of 3D sound which I can't make work): The "Bright-Side" mixes are by Mark "Spike" Stent, and the "Dark-Side" ones by Tchad Blake, both weapons-grade producers/sound engineers, and it's been fascinating hearing the differences in their takes - sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic. There have been some of his trademark upbeat funk-pop numbers, plenty of "world music" influence and use of technology - although you can forgive a 73-year-old for not being quite at the vanguard of musical and technological invention. But he's a wonderful songwriter still, as this pensive song ably demonstrates. JOBS - Ask New York [Ramp Local/Bandcamp]<br /> Here's some more experimental pop from a bunch of experimental musicians including renowned jazz/improv violist Jessica Pavone, along with bassist Ro Lundberg, guitarist Dave Scanlon, and drummer Max Jaffe. Jaffe recorded & mixed the album but all contribute some keyboards, and all sing. Their music can be deceptively straightforward postpunk pop, but there are a lot of electronic elements (Jaffe plays a custom hybrid drumkit), and Pavone's viola is a significant force throughout. Loraine James - I DM U [Hyperdub/Bandcamp]<br /> Hard to believe that this is only Loraine James' third album for Hyperdub - but there was the Whatever The Weather for Ghostly Inte