Autechre

The more IDM acts mine cutout-bin luminaries the Art of Noise, the better. True, Autechre architects Sean Booth and Rob Brown specialize in harder, spazzier beats than those that powered that group's deathless '80s robo-jam "Close (to the Edit)." But get past glitchy irritants like "SonDEremawe" and an artful payoff of cerebral, booty-shaking decadence awaits on their ninth album. "Tankakern" boasts heavy-breathing percussion and keyboard squiggles, while beatless set-opener "Altibzz" will make you love Booth and Brown for more than just their minds: Simultaneously melancholy and lascivious, it's pure aural pleasure.

By Shannon Zimmerman