Passion for Learning: Music

All these musicians display a passion for lifelong learning. They constantly challenge themselves and continue to evolve as artists, while utilizing technology to explore complex themes, sounds, and ideas.   

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Aphex Twin

Richard D. James, best known as Aphex Twin, is one of the most celebrated and influential electronic musicians of all time. A pioneer of experimental techno whose music ranges from intricate beat constructions to eerie ambient soundscapes. 

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Björk

Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, producer, and actress, Björk Guðmundsdóttir says of her 2022 album “Fossora,” “Each album always starts with a feeling that I try to shape into sound. This time around the feeling was landing…on the earth and digging my feet into the ground. It was also woven into how I experienced the now…"Fossora" is about that. It is a word I made up. It is the feminine of fossore (digger, delver, ditcher) so in short it means "she who digs" (into the ground) so sonically it is about bass, heavy bottom-end, we have six bass clarinets and punchy sub.”  

Also available streaming on Freegal Music+

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DJ Muggs and Mach Hommy

Lawrence Muggerud, AKA DJ Muggs, is an American DJ, audio engineer and record producer, best known as a member of the rap group Cypress Hill. Mach-Hommy is a Haitian American rapper and record producer well-known for his reclusive nature, concealing his real name and face in all public appearances; sung in English and Haitian French Creole.

More music by DJ Muggs available streaming on Freegal Music+

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Flying Lotus

In addition to his storyline input and co-executive producer credit, Steven Ellison, aka Flying Lotus, wrote and produced the original music for LeSean Thomas' Yasuke, an anime series inspired by the 16th century African samurai who served under Japanese feudal lord Oda Nobunaga. The album features a mix of synthesized hip-hop, experimental electronic music, and avant-garde jazz.

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Hendrix, Jimi

Jimi Hendrix's mastery of studio technology is put on display with the final installment in the trilogy of releases that opened up the archives. Ten of the thirteen tracks featured here have never been released.

Also available streaming on Freegal Music+

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Nine Inch Nails

“The Downward Spiral” is the second studio album by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on March 8, 1994. It features elements of industrial rock, techno and heavy metal, in contrast to the band's more synth-pop-influenced debut. This album was influenced by late-1970s rock concept albums such as Pink Floyd's “The Wall,”  it features dark themes and focuses on texture and space. It has been regarded by music critics and audiences as one of the most important albums of the 1990s, and was praised for its abrasive and eclectic nature.  

More music by Nine Inch Nails available streaming on Freegal Music+

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Public Service Broadcasting

This album features remixes of songs that originally appeared on Public Service Broadcasting's 2015 concept album, “The Race for Space.” The London-based indie rock/electronic group worked with sound samples from the British Film Institute to tell the story of the American and Soviet space race from the launch of the Sputnik in 1957 to the final Apollo mission in 1972.

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Radiohead

“Kid A” was a big departure from Radiohead’s previous guitar-driven rock into experimental music with electronic elements at the turn of the millennium. With skittering beats and stylishly dark sonic surfaces, "Kid A" is easily the most successful electronica album from a rock band.

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Sakamoto, Ryūichi

An intimate collection of twelve ambient compositions by Ryuichi Sakamoto, written and recorded in Tokyo throughout 2021-2022. Created entirely by Sakamoto, mostly playing piano and synthesizers. The pieces are all titled after their recording dates and are mostly presented in chronological order.

Also available streaming on Freegal Music+

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Shabazz Palaces

Shabazz Palaces' album "Lese Majesty" is a dense, experimental work that incorporates elements of hip-hop, jazz, and electronic music. The album balances the avant with the approachable and explores themes of futurism, Afrofuturism, and the cosmic implications of technology. Shabazz Palaces is the cerebral and enigmatic art-rap venture of Palaceer Lazaro, aka rapper and producer Ishmael Butler (of trailblazing hip-hop group Digable Planets) and instrumentalist Tendai "Baba" Maraire.

More music by Shabazz Palaces available streaming on Freegal Music+

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Sparks

Sparks is composed of brothers Ron and Russell Mael. The duo is noted for their quirky approach to songwriting and sophisticated and acerbic lyrics. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of modern, artful pop music, having inspired everyone from Queen to Björk. "The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte" is their latest album.

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Swedish House Mafia

Swedish House Mafia are a Swedish house supergroup consisting of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso. The trio is known for their energetic DJ sets and high-quality productions. They have earned a reputation as one of the best dance music acts.

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Tune-Yards

Tune-Yards’ third album "nikki nack" sees Merrill Garbus enlist producers to help her achieve new heights.  A record that at heart is heavy yet still retains a sense of fun. Experimentation is still key for Tune-Yards. Where the loop pedal and the saxophone were main components of the first and second record respectively, it’s the drum that takes center stage here, augmented by greater use of synth and Nate Brenner’s growing prowess as a bassist.

 

Summaries provided by DPL's catalog unless otherwise noted. Click on each title to view more information.