In Search Of Media

Released: March 22, 2024

Genre: Electronic

From: Gary, Indiana, USA

Label: Planet Mu

A few thoughts: The Gary, Indiana electronic and footwork legend Jlin has released her first album in 7 years with Akoma, an eclectic, genre-pushing project that continues to prove why she’s one of the most talented and important voices in electronic music. From “Borealis” featuring Björk to “The Precision of Infinity”, Jlin has crafted a dynamic, punchy body of work that is equally as, if not more, captivating as anything she’s released thus far. Tracks like “Open Canvas” have synth-led melodies with dynamic and hard-hitting drum patterns, often disorienting yet incredibly punchy. The tribal energy of tracks like “Challenge (To Be Continued II)” and “Eye Am” are incredible, with the latter of the two containing some incredible vocal chops that complement the percussion and rumbling basslines throughout. “Speed of Darkness” has this eerie, unassuming tone and energy to it, as it bursts into life with rhythmic drum patterns that add to the synth leads that animate the track. “Summon” feels like some horror-film track, with aggressive and overpowering synth melodies, subtle eerie strings and an unpredictable beat that jumps and skips throughout. The bounce of “Iris” is great, while the high-energy and menacing synths on “Open Canvas” is another incredible moment on the album, while the pulsating groove of “Auset” is just incredible too, with driving hypnotic grooves and electronic swirling synths that add so much character to the track as a whole. “Sodalite” featuring Kronos Quartet has an incredible classical string composition that floats over the dynamic and high-energy beat of the track, while “Grannie’s Cherry Pie” has these gorgeous keys that add colour to the thumping beat and grooves. “The Precision of Infinity” featuring modern classical composer Philipp Glass is exceptional too, with incredible piano-led compositions and an incredible energy throughout that makes it a fitting way to close out an experimental and genre-pushing album. Jlin exceeds expectations yet again with an incredible new project that is just a perfect addition to an already legendary discography.

The album: