Mind Bokeh

Imagine for a minute that music genres don't exist. You, a music layman, tiptoe with light steps towards me, unable to keep eye contact, your high-pitched voice barely cracking its way through your pathetic throat. "Could you offer me a music recommendation? I just want to hear good music. Oh thank you, great JWSM, for showing me the light!"

I'd have two words for you: Fuck off.

That would roughly translate to: I don't want to share this gem of an artist with you because I'm a pretentious asshole; but, if I were to reveal my secrets, I'd recommend this guy because he actually deserves recognition.

Enter Bibio. Stephen Wilkinson hails from central England, and his warm and lulling music definitely evokes emotions of a man trapped inside a house during a gray British rainstorm. And what a party that house would be having! Somewhat self-taught, he studied at the University of London in Sonic Arts and fell in love with IDM giants Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Autechre. He soon decided that he wanted to make his own mark in electronica and, after naming himself for a fly his father used while fishing -- childhood trips that connected Wilkinson with the sounds of nature -- Bibio has slowly transformed his sounds from the scratch of analog cassettes and lo-fi noises to beautifully layered melodies and electronic beats.

There's a certain modern nostalgia associated with this man, if that makes any sense. I would describe his music as if J Dilla, Animal Collective, and Caribou all lived with Simon and Garfunkel. I imagine all of them decked out in sharp lapel suits, eating green Rice Krispies Treats and smoking flavored tobacco out of pipes, discussing guitars and MPDs while chilling out on some burgundy velvet sofa-chairs.

And his new album, out March 28th on Warp Records, doesn't detract from that vibe. Named Mind Bokeh, it takes more influence from Ambivalence Avenue than it does Hand Cranked; but seeing as how I find the former much more listenable, I take that as a very good thing.

Anyway, I've obviously been real into this guy as of late, and you should too. End kindness; go back to your cave and resume listening to your manufactured commercial drivel.