While it’s certainly overshadowed by other genres, Milwaukee’s electronic music scene appears to be in a very good place at the moment. A steadily growing cast of ambitious musicians and producers are continuing to reinforce the reputation of this ultra-specific and oft-overshadowed sect of local music with modified synths, inventive loops, and other impressive technological touches. Many of those responsible for quietly bolstering the city’s standing in the sub-genre can be heard on Wired Explorations Vol. 1, an experimental compilation that features electronic artists either living in or somehow connected to Milwaukee.
The 13-song collection—which Steven Zydek and Martin Defatte produced and Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering mastered—offers an extended sampling that helps shine a light on the wide range and undisputed quality of the city’s electronic musicians. Oftentimes ambient and almost entirely instrumental, Wired Explorations Vol. 1 impresses from start to finish, including standout contributions by Brandon Logic, Tarek Sabbar, Masturbating Ape, and Nicholas Elert.
The compilation will be released on vinyl (limited to a run of only 150 copies) and digitally via Triple Eye Industries and Nobody Owns Records on Friday, May 29. Before it’s released later this week, you can stream Wired Explorations in its entirety below.