Squarepusher

The experimental aims of Squarepusher—a.k.a. Tom Jenkinson—have helped change the way electronic music is played and perceived, even if those perceptions can prove cartoonishly obnoxious at times. His albums mix crushing drum ’n’ bass, minimalist sound sweeps, jazz-fusion, and frequent flights of fancy that would fail in the hands of someone less skilled. Jenkinson found his inspiration for 2008’s Just A Souvenir in a vivid dream about a performance, which he set out to create in album form—without slowing down his hyperspeed beats. It’s bizarre, but undeniably fascinating. After the detours of a live, bass-only album (2009’s limited-release Solo Electric Bass 1), and Shobaleader One (a masked quartet that incorporated bits of R&B and funk), Squarepusher is set for a May release of Ufabulum, a return to his early EDM work.

Updated 03/06/2012