Fresh Cuts is an ongoing column in which I highlight the choicest records around. With the music industry pumping out hundreds of releases a month, the modern listener must be discerning in terms of what they check out. That’s where Fresh Cuts comes in… Always tasty, sometimes surprising and definitely worth your time…

This week on Fresh Cuts, I check out Chris Taylor’s new project and Crazy P’s latest blend of electronica and soul…

CANT is Chris Taylor’s (of Grizzly Bear fame) new solo project. While the rest of Grizzly Bear have been taking it easy after 2009’s most excellent Veckatimest, Taylor has been extraordinarily busy. He has produced records for acts like Twin Shadow, Blood Orange and The Morning Benders; he began Terrible Records, a label responsible for releases from all of the aforesaid artists as well as Taylor’s own CANT. And he has now produced (that is to say, self-produced) Dreams Come True, he first solo recording.

As it turns out, dreams can come true, and CANT offers a glimpse of that perfect world; a place where we are all able to manifest our wildest fantasies. For Chris Taylor, the manifestation process is almost dream-like – the guy is a genius producer, a phenomenally talented multi-instrumentalist and he possesses a voice that can make a wolverine purr… Dreams Come True sees Taylor explore new musical territories. Far removed from Grizzly Bear’s lavish orchestration, CANT is a foray into electronic ambience; maximalism dovetails headlong with Eno-like soundscapes. The record is vast, sprawling and breathless – the listener leaves feeling exhausted after experiencing Taylor’s meticulous production and effervescent hooks. Yet there is still a feeling of incompleteness; a sense that this is a blueprint for another album… Dreams Comes True often comes across as experimentation, and its ideas are left undeveloped. On a technical level the album is flawless – but from a thematic and lyrical standpoint, Taylor could use some work. With that said, this is a debut recording. I can’t wait to see what CANT comes up with next.

When comparing CANT with Crazy P, I can’t help feel a strong sense of classism. Chris Taylor is a sophisticated, cultured renaissance man; whereas Crazy P (that is P for Penis) is comprised of five 40-something Brits who un-ironically sample Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Yet there is a time and place for everything, and Crazy P bring an unabashed passion to the electronic music scene. Their latest recording When We On showcases a more mature and developed sound from the group. One part dance tunes, one part soulful ballads – and enough club-step (yes that is club-step) to satisfy all those ravers in the UK. While the album is not any huge step forward for the dance scene, Crazy P have delivered a solid selection of songs that will liven up any occasion.