The Best Albums to Come Out of China in 2017 (So Far)
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to take a look back at some of the albums that have stayed fresh in our ears and stood the test of time (time being a measly six months) – the ones we can’t quite put down and the albums that’ll surely be in the running for album of the year come December. From the outer fringes of electronica to psychedelic shoegaze to blistering math rock there’s a bit of something for everyone. In no particular order here are the best releases of the year thus far …
The 尺口MP – Love 愛 (Fuzhou/Qiii Snacks Records)
Fuzhou ‘leisure-pop trio’ THE 尺口MP aka The Romp released this lo-fi pop gem of an EP. A bit of jangly surf rock, some shoegaze riff raff, and plenty of dream pop reverb, it’s pretty much home made for the beach.
Hai Qing – The Flesh (Shanghai/D-Force Records)
Avant-garde gets a Mongolian twist on the latest from Hai Qing. Words linger and strike down with terrestrial veracity, King Crimson-esque dissonant guitar riffs linger, loads of didgeridoo and a slew of guests (including guitarist Li Xing who also acts as the album arranger) add their esoteric instrumental groove to the tracks and in turn create an intoxicatingly world of mischief and curiosity.
Default – California Nebula (Beijing/Kanjian Records)
Default, out of Beijing, hold the shoegaze torch high and proud and their debut - a master class of atmosphere, singed longing, and crushing reverb. Even more impressive – it was recorded in a university cafeteria basement (the North China Electric Power University) by four students. Now that’s impressive.
thruoutin – Contingent of Outlying Territory外地领土(Beijing/Ran Music)
Beijing based electronic producer thruoutin outdoes himself on his latest EP, which utilizes everything from Chicago footwork to field recordings to create a dizzying concoction that’s both club floor ripper and bedroom mixer. Charting into unknown territory has never sounded so satisfying.
Chinese Football – Here Comes a New Challenger! (Wuhan/Wild Records)
Math rock infused emo rock smash successes show of their new drummer with four brand new songs that further solidifies the band’s tight musicianship and sound – effortlessly creating twinkly post emo rock jams that embrace their pop sensibilities with a gentle touch.
Little Wizard小巫师 - Little Wizard II
Shaoxing instrumental rock trio Little Wizard, return with their latest offering – a ramped-up freight train of thundering drums, rip roaring guitars, and jaded bass lines that keeps the dial turned up. Never overstaying their welcome, their songs strike with ferocity and precision, a blistering blend of math and post rock highs that keeps the pace tight and the thrills coming.
Heat Mark 热斑 – Heartless Thing 无感人 (Beijing/WantU Music)
Beijing indie rock duo Heat Mark emerge as true contenders on their debut LP – an airy, energetic, sultry album that coasts on lead singer Liu Pianpian’s raspy, airless disarming voice and guitarist Wang Zhiwne’s refined, ravenously poppy riffs that bring to mind dance punk queens of the early 2000s such as The Kills and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Round Eye – Monster Vision (Shanghai/Sudden Death Records)
Round Eye, the offbeat, sax wielding, party punk outfit out of Shanghai wave their freak flag high and proud on their latest LP Monster Vision, a sprawling, anarchic satirical Molotov cocktail that’s the equivalent of staying up late, jacked up on sugar, having your senses terrorized and titillated in equal douses. A madcap delight.
Swimful – Pearls (Shanghai/SVBKVLT)
Looking for a little bubbly electronica to kick off your weekend – let the UK-bred Shanghai-based producer Swimful lead the way. Nostalgic ‘sino melodies’ that burst with color placed alongside ‘melancholic atmospheres’ that drips with condensation, it’s does exactly what EP should do – leave you wanting more.
Babel Records – Human Guide人间指南
One of the newest labels to make their mark on the electronic scene – Babel Records continues expanding their sound with their latest compilation Human Guide – an expansive sonically delicious collection of songs that gives a modern day futuristic spin to the to everything from 90s Mandopop to Michael Jackson. With over twelve artists lending their hand it's a spirited, upbeat mix that’s just in time for the summer sun.
Foster Parents – Grim (Shanghai/Qiii Snacks Records)
Playful, melodic, breezy yet instrumentally skillful and astute, the Shanghai duo are a worthy addition to the growing list of instrumental bands making their mark on music scene in China. Far from grim, the album wears its heart on its sleeve, pulling at those heartstrings while nimbly pulling at those guitar strings. Math rock catnip.
Mosaic – NO CLUB (Chengdu/Modernsky Records)
Synth new wave rock gets a sincere love letter from Chengdu in the form of Mosaic’s latest guilty pleasure. The laid back disco-laced synth-happy release is pretty much tailor made for prom night circa 1985. However, where most bands would easily fall into gimmickry (and believe me they come really really close) Mosaic manages to make it all sound so endearing.
Prajnasonic Debuts (Beijing)
The newly established Beijing label prajnasonic, who ‘explore the deeper corners of the electronic music spectrum’ create an icy cool intoxicating labyrinth of electronic world building that’s as immersive as it is effortless. The four co-founders – punx, iimmune, VU, and Far Infinity – showed off their chops with an EP each early this year – minimal even classical in its design, sound wise these babies are brimming with detail and layers upon layers that keep your ears ovulating.
Jiao – Happy Jiao Friends (Wuhan/self-released)
There’s nothing better than being blindsided by a release that seemingly has appeared out of nowhere. Wuhan grunge torch bearers Jiao (Banana Tree), bring their disillusioned angst to full fruition on their latest EP – three tracks (and a fitting epilogue) of raw, down and out rock and roll that feels like a nosedive into the deep end of someone’s unfiltered id. No cheap thrills here.
Wu Tiao Ren - Dreamy Lisa Salon (Guangzhou/Modernsky Records)
An ode to the nooks and crannies of southern China, from the sprawling urban villages of Guangzhou to the wandering careers in the Haifeng county, Wu Tiao Ren continues to explore the lives and stories that reside and interweave in the rapidly changing landscape on their latest. As always with the Guangzhou-based outfit, there’s a low-key poetic charm to the band’s upbeat folk sound.
Zaliva-D – Story (Beijing/Do Hits!)
While Beijing electronic label Do Hits! continues to push the envelope this year, it was their first release of the year that stuck with me – Zaliva-D’s twisted, hallucinatory, often dark take on tribal music. A fever dream of epic proportions – one that pits you smack in the middle of a ceremonial gathering gone topsy-turvy.
Perfect Handstand 完美倒立– Perfect Handstand 完美倒立
Walking the thin line between indie pop, shoegaze, post rock, and trip pop, Chongqing’s Perfect Handstand prove themselves to be a band to be reckoned with on their incredibly satisfying self-titled debut. A weightless dream pop triumph.
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Images courtesy of the artists
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