Last month, Pitchfork posted a massive list of “The 50 Best IDM Albums of All Time.” That stands for “Intelligence Dance Music” for those not in the loop, and it’s one of those genres like “emo” where few of the category’s musicians think much of the label. But many of the greatest electronic artists – Boards of Canada, Autechre, Aphex Twin – fall under IDM’s amorphous umbrella, blending ambient music with (sometimes subtle) dance beats.

Vermont producer Foamek aka. Jake Davis also works in the IDM wheelhouse. On a pair of new singles, he sounds like a synthesis of all 50 of that list’s albums and some other influences besides besides (he loves Scottish post-punk band Cocteau Twins). Like the best IDM music, his new songs “Someone Has Died” and “Growing Up in the Woods” are thoughtful headphones records that might just make you move. Continue reading »