Albums to watch

Elaenia

Floating Points

Elaenia

Debut full-length album of electronica from the London-based producer, musician, and DJ Sam Shepherd

ADM rating[?]

8.1

Label
Pluto
UK Release date
06/11/2015
US Release date
06/11/2015
  1. 10.0 |   The Guardian

    A soaring, beautiful electronic jazz journey
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  2. 9.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    Effortlessly groove-laden live drums, hazy not-quite-melodies and a seamless flow across its 43 minutes makes for rather hypnotic listening
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  3. 9.0 |   All Music

    Elaenia is fated to become one of those albums that inspires ritualistic listening parties held by small groups of audiophiles
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  4. 8.4 |   Pitchfork

    The album skirts the edges of the dancefloor, flitting between ambient miniatures and extended jams falling somewhere between post-rock and jazz fusion
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  5. 8.0 |   Spin

    The focus is on subtlety: the brushed drums creeping forward in the mix before receding again, the loosely patterned Fender Rhodes scattering throughout, and thin wails of a trio of vocalists — including Shepherd — rising and then falling again like the shallow breathing of sleep
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  6. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    A sublime introduction
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  7. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Pitches him to a broader audience: as a club visionary. Print edition only

  8. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Eschews dancefloor excesses in favour of spiralling spiritual jazz and meditative electronic hymnals. Print edition only

  9. 8.0 |   Q

    An astonishing cohesive record. Print edition only

  10. 8.0 |   Rolling Stone

    British scientist takes a stunning journey through jazz-ambient fusion
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  11. 8.0 |   Exclaim

    What makes his debut so appealing is that Shepherd never sounds too rigidly loyal to any genre or sound
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  12. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    It’s not dance music, but it’s very special indeed
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  13. 8.0 |   Clash

    'Elaenia' is one of those rare albums that crosses genres and audiences with ease due in thanks to the sheer craft that's gone into its seven tracks
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  14. 8.0 |   DIY

    It’s this ebb and flow that makes the record so mesmerising
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  15. 8.0 |   The Observer

    A creeping, soaring debut
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  16. 8.0 |   Resident Advisor

    It was unlikely the first Floating Points album would've been anything other than beautiful, though its stunning virtuosity turned out more elusive than expected
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  17. 8.0 |   NOW

    Gracefully combine references from the past 50 years of experimental cosmic funk without committing to any specific era
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  18. 8.0 |   The FT

    Shepherd’s ear for rhythmic patterns abandons him on Elaenia’s lugubrious title track. But elsewhere it proves formidable
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  19. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Of all albums this year, Elaenia is one that could be – probably will be – discussed for some time
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  20. 8.0 |   Gig Soup

    Like a bird, Floating Points’s debut full length album glides ferociously towards the horizon
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  21. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    Elaenia acts as a brilliant encapsulation of a huge talent
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  22. 7.5 |   Spectrum Culture

    An album that draws you in and remains fascinating throughout
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  23. 7.5 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Elaenia stands out as a remarkably assured debut album from an artist who took his time putting it together
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  24. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    Elaeina is some delicious food for the brain and ears. It’s a record that’s damn near impossible to label
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