Make no mistake about it: physical releases are making a comeback. Many of us are beginning to realize that digital music just doesn’t have the same feeling of fulfillment that holding a piece of art in your hands brings. Whether it be CD, vinyl, or (believe it or not) cassette, artists are putting their own individual stamps on physical releases by creating their own art, packaging and unique methods of distribution. Rare Frequency’s new category – Physicals – is all about shining light on the hard work of those helping to revive physical music. This isn’t a trend, it’s art and it’s back in capable hands.
Mark Aubert – Lost/Found
For those not familiar with Mark Aubert, he’s a hero of low fidelity productions that harness harsh static and analog effects to create experimental hip hop of the most weeded variety. In true revivalist fashion, he’s created an this dope throwback in actual mixtape format. Preview and cop here, edition of 20.
Alphabets Heaven – Rosewater
I would hardly call Alphabets Heaven a throwback artist. His productions are so jam packed with futuristic sound collisions that it’s hard to describe them as anything but space shuttle music. Let’s suppose that shuttle was equipped with a tape deck. This tape is exclusive and none of the tracks will see digital release. Edition of 25.
SIR-BLIV (Ohbliv and Sir Froderick) – Wholly Rollers LP
Ohbliv and Sir Froderick pump out so much digital dope via bandcamp, but both have sound that could easily be blasting through a broken 8-track recorder. It’s only natural these dudes unite to bring you some audio crack via cassette tape. Preview and buy here, edition of 50.
