Author: Christopher Hoffmann Jacob

33 Year Old Graphic Designer, Blogger, Artist and Musician based in Long Beach, California! Operating the Eternity Tree blog, as well as the Webelotrax NetLabel

The Autumn Elegy, by Glowing Swords

Reviews

The Autumn Elegy

Incoming drone goodness via collaborative project Glowing Swords, consisting of Zachary Corsa (Nonconnah, ex Lost Trail) and Scott Cortez (Astrobrite, Lovesliescrushing). The Autumn Elegy brings us 10 tracks of soaring, fuzzy noisescapes that are both lush and withering. A thick haze forms over each track, at some points obscuring the senses entirely in pieces such as Calrn which seem to be performed in some otherworldly etherial cavern, then broadcast to the countryside over AM radio. It’s musty and dusty and I love it.

What really grips me about this album is the hidden melodies my brain finds. There is a very therapeutic and rewarding quality to the blissed-out leads that seem to drift in and out of the mix.  It’s often right when I am beginning to succumb to the world the track is building, the moment disbelief is suspended, that these melodies creep onto the canvas and introduce a whole new vibe! These gems are what make this album a good repeat listen in my opinion; being an album that can be enjoyed both subliminally and intellectually.

You can download the album via Bandcamp or purchase a Deluxe CD edition via Wist Records which looks so cool! It’s got tons of additional goodies

Reminiscence, by Handbook

Quick Picks

a2621025000_10

This May we are blessed by a fresh EP of beats from UK Producer Handbook, released by Frances Cascade Records on May 4th 2018. The project features 7 chilled-out beats with a splash of vocal features for flavor.

In typical Handbook fashion, there is a patience to the instrumentals, demonstrating careful consideration for sonic layout. The percussion floats around the realm of boom-bap to chillhop, tracks like Mango swing so smoothly you can’t help but nod your head. Both live and sampled vocals are tastefully dashed into the mix, keeping the listen interesting from beginning to end.

Read more about the release and purchase a copy via Cascade Records bandcamp page, you can also stream the music on your favorite streaming service!

Good For

  • Smoke Sessions
  • Midnight Drives
  • Study Music

Favorite Track: A Pure Connection

Battle in Nagoya, by Lips and Ribs

Quick Picks

a0002104333_10

Equal parts chiptune madness and funky footwork, Battle in Nagoya is a new cassette tape released through Field Hymns Records by Lips and Ribs. Featuring some truly dense and determined tracks, 16 to be exact, this album drags the listener on a strange and mystical journey. Think – soundtrack to an acid soaked JRPG, with tracks often featuring massively oversaturated percussion and in-your-face synthesizers which are often as cheesy as they are amazing.

The album isn’t for the faint of heart, each track has a unique sense of urgency, resulting in quite a hectic listen. I encourage you to dive right in though, once you succumb to the vibe of the project it really is an amazing project to enjoy from start to finish.

Good For

  • Smoke Sessions
  • Midnight Drives
  • Solo Dance Parties

Favorite Track: 14: Hans

Imaginations, by Alexandre Navarro

Quick Picks

a1399848122_10

Imaginations is an EP of ambient synthesizer music by french producer Alexandre Navarro. 5 tracks packed full of beautiful textures, blipping and buzzing synths combined with tasteful percussion. There is an attention to detail in each sound and tone that only becomes more apparent on repeat listens.

Good For:

  • Study Music
  • Midnight Drives
  • Deep Thought

Favorite Track: 4. Au bord de toi

Far Away Music, by Benjamin Louis Brody

Quick Picks

a1186619843_10

Far Away Music is an contemporary classical/ambient music project by composer and producer Benjamin Lous Brody, and is his first appearance on UK’s Preserved Sound Label.

The album itself is very subtle; built around churning strings and cavernous tones. The arrangements are dense, yet leave something for the imagination to fill in, resulting in a very rewarding listen. The general feeling seems to balance on the line of melancholy and awe, with the orchestra painting a vast and inspiring landscape around the listener.

Good For:

  • Study Sessions
  • Late Night Chill
  • Meditation

Favorite Track: 2. Floating into Infinity

 

DaP Station & Zypher Unlabel Compilation 4

Quick Picks

a3660407812_10

DaP Station Records and Zypher Unlabel have teamed up yet again for a bonkers compilation of spaced-out beats! Continuing the tradition begun years ago of creating genre-defying collections of music, this compilation acts as a reunion of sorts, bringing those producers still active back together for another sonic feast!

Of course there is a shameless plug for my own track in there, but the rest of the album is equally amazing with some truly gnarly beats and treats. Did I mention there is a cassette version which sounds great? Give it a listen…

Different Worlds Compilation, by Drift Deeper Recordings.

Quick Picks

a1642655264_10

Different Worlds is a new Various Artists compilation, put together and released by the UK’s Drift Deeper Recordings. Gathering an international roster of producers, Different Worlds does a magnificent job of highlighting the subtle differences in Deep-House style and interpretation from around the globe.

With a healthy 13 tracks, Different Worlds is a lovely long-player with a great energy. It has introduced me to a few deep-house producers I was unaware of, so I definitely encourage giving this one a listen! You can stream the whole thing via Bandcamp or purchase a digital copy from the label!

Molinos, by Lisergishnu

Quick Picks

a1679505719_10

Molinos is the newest album from Chilean Beat Producer Lisergishnu (see w/ ATSU), and boy is it a banger!

Inspired by his home city of Villa Alemana, the project is packed with different genres and styles stretched out over the 8 tracks, ranging from chillhop to hectic footwork. Regardless the genre, the beats are dense and interesting, with layers of lush synths and rhythmically interesting percussion. You can download the album via Elemental 97!

Favorite Track : AnTenas

The Gloom & The Glowing

Reviews

a3423046944_10

The Gloom & The Glowing is the first full-length album from the prolific ambient duo now known as Nonconnah ( Lost Trail ). Though on the surface, TG&TG might seem quite similar to the duos former work, but within the folds there are greater forces at work.

The title alone alludes to a theme many people can relate to in these strange times; darkness and light, good and evil, joy and despair. The expressive depths and heights achieved within TG&TG is nothing short of astonishing. The moment when music surpasses mental satisfaction and achieves spiritual satisfaction is both uplifting and grounding.

The album itself is a solid 13 tracks. Throughout, synths churn and bellow between one-another, providing a near constant motion within the drone. The effect is an engaging and easy listen, with songs moving past beautifully like unknown towns through your car window. Tones evoke nostalgia, melancholy, humble warmth and old wisdom. A delicate balance of pain and purity, wistfully guiding the listener in a tour of emotion.

Listening to The Gloom & The Glowing was a rich and satisfying experience for me several times through, and I honestly look forward to enjoying it again many times again. You can have a listen yourself via Bandcamp, or do your stereo a favor and purchase a CD!

ALONE, by Grasps_

Quick Picks

a2041607684_10

Fresh Aggressive bass tunes from TAR collective, Grasps_ brings us a dank EP of hard-hitting experimental club tunes. Grab the project now via Bandcamp and your chosen price.