STM 114 - Peder Mannerfelt

The author of the mix is Peder Mannerfelt, also known as The Subliminal Kid, a Swedish sound sculptor and musician living in Stockholm. He collaborates with Malcolm Pardon on the project Roll The Dice, notable for its releases on the eclectic Leaf record label. Mannerfelt is also a former member of Fever Ray’s live band. Over the last few years, he has released a series of exceptional works, including remixes—such as Massive Attack’s “Psyche” and Bat for Lashes’ “Sleep Alone” together with Van Rivers—as well as other remarkable collaborations with fellow artists. Mannerfelt’s solo experimentations have been published by labels such as We Can Elude Control (run by Emptyset) and Digitalis Recordings (run by Brad Rose), clear proof that he is gradually building his musical path as an innovative and creative artist with strong support behind him. His complex compositions are based on pure analog sound, expressive distortions, and powerful low-tone patterns. A great balance between minimalism and industrial music in his works opens up new sonic horizons for all who seek contemporary electronic yet futuristic sound expression. Read Secret Thirteen’s review of one of his latest releases, “Lines Describing Circles.”

“Secret Thirteen Mix 114” is a cross-genre audio compilation that connects 23 thoughtfully crafted and influential records released between 1982 and 2014, which have indirectly shaped Mannerfelt’s sound identity. The mix was recorded without regard for any concrete emotional condition or specific stylistic trajectory. For more than one hour, Mannerfelt guides listeners through experimental, jungle, rock, and industrial music styles, and other astonishing formations that hold fragments of world, punk, and ambient music. Although each track carries a different emotional mood, sound development direction, intention, and processing technique, Mannerfelt finds pleasing ways to tactically and precisely connect all these kaleidoscopic records to simulate a sustained and dynamic wholeness. Original works from skillful and respected artists such as Nitzer Ebb, Björk, Autechre, Emptyset, SND, and Moondog simply grip the listener’s attention right from the first skillfully manipulated field recordings used in this mix. Moreover, Mannerfelt has embedded several works from Swedish acts such as Hanna Hartman, Hird, and Grave to showcase the Scandinavian scene. Fully analyzing this profound mix is too complicated, as each piece requires separate study. That is why we invite you to immerse yourself into this entirely new and unexplored playlist from the author’s music library, which is much more open, geographically diverse, and versatile than even the most vigilant music lover could imagine. Finally, it is like Gösta Adrian-Nilsson’s abstract painting “Konstruktion på svart,” connecting various mathematical forms in a modern manner that indirectly invite one to follow the spacious labyrinth of symbols without knowing where it will lead.