First off I have to admit that I didn't really listen to many 2008 releases so far... I don't really know why, maybe I'm too tired fighting against Sturgeon's law...
Thanks for your list and reviews, I'll certainly listen to those albums!
1) Live shows
I've finally seen Underworld after nearly four long years of waiting, and Autechre/SND who did not disappoint either.
Those gigs are the highlights of 2008 so far for me even though I usually hate discos, festivals, large crowds and dancing...
But experiencing some of my favourite music live made up for that.
2) Boards of Canada
Even though there is no 2008 release (and I guess there isn't going to be one) I should mention them anyway, because judging from the time I spent listening to their albums they are probably number one at the moment.
3) Autechre
I really got into them this year. Bought Anti EP, Chiastic Slide, Cichlisuite, Peel Session, LP5, Confield, and of course Quaristice. It's hard to choose a favourite, because they are all great releases. It takes some time to 'unlock' an Autechre album, but you get rewarded.
4) Tycho
After I bought his 2004 album Sunrise Projector I've been following his work on blog.iso50.com and tychomusic.com and really like what I hear. Recently he released two singles in anticipation of his new album which is due in 2009... He makes Boards of Canada style music btw.
5) SND 4,5,6
They supported Autechre, and I was quite impressed by their unusual glitchy sound... recommended if you like tracks that entirely consist of roughly three sounds that are seemingly arranged at random for 10 minutes.
6) Venetian Snares
Detrimentalist shows that he is still going strong...
7) Dubstep
I've listened to a few albums that have been recommended here and elsewhere... 2562 - Aerial, Ital Tek - Cyclical, Scuba - A Mutual Antipathy are not bad.
For me the Scuba album stood out the most, Hard Boiled and Suck are great songs. However, I think it's quite hit and miss with most Dubstep albums... for every good song there are a dozen uninspired ones...
8) Arp
A track from "In Light" was played on the last or so Underworld radio show. Very nice electronic ambient music.
9) Daedelus
I really, really liked Denies the Day's Demise, and some tracks on his new album "Love to Make Music To" are equally awesome, but unfortunately the rest of it is not that great.
I've also been enjoying some netlabel releases:
1) Budabeats
A new netlabel from Hungary. Three releases so far, and all of them are among the best free music that is out there... highest recommendation!
http://www.budabeats.com/
2) Gate Zero - Green Planet
Lush, organic, minimal, relaxing ambient music...
http://www.stadtgruenlabel.net/index...releases&id=43
3) Mendelayev - Diagonal Tunnels Ep
Excellent Drum and Bass
http://www.plainaudio.com/dnb/releases/pp027md.html
4) Bazaar - Baal
Convoluted, almost "Confield-like" electronic music... very strange, but somehow interesting...
http://www.archive.org/details/kreislaufextra003
5) Antendex - Photons
Sounds just as the title says!
http://nnnl.extra.hu/nnnl.17/nnnl17.html