Jon Hopkins

Ahead of the release of his second album Stephen Fanning talks exclusively to Contact Music about his music, his inspirations and his aspirations. The Dubliner, formally of Porn Trauma and The Last Tycoons, follows up his very well recieved solo debut from 2017, Second Life, with more brooding, gothically tilted creations. Due out on November 13th Fanning's latest release has already given up it's lead title track, You Should Go Mad, and if that's anything to go by we're in for a treat.

 A.S Fanning

For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?

Continue reading: A.S. Fanning Talks To Contact Music Ahead Of The Release Of His Latest Album, You Should Go Mad [Exclusive]

Jordan Dowling presents his top ten album favourites from the past year.

Nils Frahm 'Spaces' - 'Spaces' is a presentation of Nils' spellbinding live show and it is as good a presentation of his genius as you could hope for; a breath-taking journey launched from the most tender of foundations. Tapped pianos lead to reverb-washed synth chords and occasional dance motifs in an utterly organic manner.

Continue reading: Jordan Dowling's Top 10 Albums Of 2013

Bonobo 'Late Night Tales' - With the DJ mix compilation more tired than Nigella Lawson's vanity mirror, LNT are still working miracles in the genre against the odds, mostly by avoiding the usual suspects. Simon Green channels all things unorthodox on this, the year's best from the stable.

Rae & Christian 'Mercury Rising' - 2013 seemed to be the year the chill out kings came back (we also saw releases from Nightmares on Wax and Morcheeba), but the veteran duo managed to sound both cool and now on 'Mercury Rising', enlisting as able helpers Sam Genders, Mark Foster and, the king of laid back himself, Jazzy Jeff.

Continue reading: Andy Peterson's Top 10 Albums Of 2013

Darkside 'Psychic' - After an EP in 2011, Darkside released their debut album this year. The duo - the project of Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington - gave as good as they got on 'Psychic', honing their talents as individual musicians. Wonderfully crisp textures ride over its entirety, creating a rich, confident ambience. 

Continue reading: Hayley Fox's Top Albums Of 2013

Bat For Lashes' Natasha Khan and music producer Jon Hopkins have joined their creative forces to bring the official soundtrack song for upcoming war thriller, How I Live Now. Jon Hopkins had been working on the Kevin Macdonald-directed film's soundtrack when he decided to invite the exquisite vocals of Khan.

With an opening akin to The Stone Roses' 'I Wanna Be Adored,' the track is built around a softly thrumming bassline; a beating heart-style rhythm that keeps pace whilst Khan's ever-ethereal, mournful vocals sing of being "far away" from someone.

Continue reading: 'How I Live Now': Natasha Khan Movie Soundtrack 'Garden Heart' Released [Video]