Luomo

Sasu Ripatti is an artist who needs little or no introduction for any electronic music enthusiast. The prolific Finnish innovator is best known for his work as Vladislav Delay, Sistol and Uusitalo, and he returns to his experimental 4/4 house productions as Luomo on Plus. Shying away from his sultry, romantic interpretations found on The Present Lover, Luomo takes his songwriting capabilities in a new direction, incorporating more London-influenced '80s pop sounds. In 2008, Luomo collaborated with several different vocalists, ranging from Cassy to Sascha Ring (aka Apparat), for his Convivial album, but on Plus, Ripatti intentionally works with the unknown emerging Chicago Boys duo as a way for the music to remain free from distracting agents and managers. The result could be compared to New Order, especially with "Make My Day." His new direction might not win over his die-hard fans, but like Björk, it's his explorative artistic pursuits that will always keep you listening.