Joined Ends

On his second album as Dorian Concept (and first for the vaunted Ninja Tune label), Austrian beatsmith Oliver Johnson files down the sharp angles of previous releases for a welcoming set of cerebral downtempo. Here, fluttering yet rock-solid beats burble underneath elastic synths and twinkling melodies, the proceedings moving between the gentle meditations of tracks like "Nest Nest" and the jagged sci-fi pulses of "Draft Culture." Nodding to forebears like Boards of Canada and Bonobo, Joined Ends walks a fine line between the living room and the club.