Ben Frost: Theory of Machines

Label: Bedroom Community

Yet another outstanding release from the fledgling Bedroom Community label, Ben Frost’s Theory of Machines is an electronic record with a difference, combining the ebb-and-flow structure of post-rock bombast with the more subtle sounds of ambient electronica. The formula itself isn’t exactly new but the execution is, particuarly when Frost adds percussion and guitars to the mix. You’d almost think Fennesz joined forces with Exlosions in the Sky on a few tracks, especially on “We Love You Michael Gira” (and who doesn’t love the Angels of Light frontman?) and “Theory of Machines,” two of the album’s highlights. The Bedroom Community, a collective of artists from Iceland’s Greenhouse Studios (it’s run by Bjork producer Valgeir Sigurosson), gave us Nico Muhly’s brilliant Speak Volumes earlier in the year, an album that redefined chamber music for the 21st century; now Ben Frost has similarly turned electronica on its head. We can’t wait to see what this label serves up next. (James)