Category: Quick Picks

Healers Paradise, by Healers co.

Quick Picks

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Really enjoying this psychedelic experimental work from Healers co. – Healers Paradise is an inspired flourish of raw creativity. The project takes on many media forms – Digital Audio Album, Cassette Tape and Visual Album cover the spectrum of senses from sound to sight to touch, allowing Healers co. to explore some thick and satisfying world-building.

The style meanders somewhere between desert dwelling peyote psychedelics and some sort of rooftop drone experiments acting as a cyberpunk prayer to future gods. A fantastic balance of electric noodlings and acoustic sounds. Pick up a Tape, or enjoy however you wish…

ILLUMINATION, by HOLOBEAMS

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Presented by the illustrious Illuminated Paths crew is this phenomenal collection of tracks from Holobeams, ILLUMINATION!

Beautifully melodic and upbeat – ILLUMINATION soars through 10 tracks in an amazing swirl of synthesized atmosphere. The bubbling energy is bursting at the seams – with satisfying beats leading the way. Deeply satisfying progressions as well, inspiring feelings of comfort and nostalgia. IP recommends you listen on a Tape, and I think they might be right!

MPH EP05, by Monophonia

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From Brazilian netlabel Microforma comes this brief yet satisfying 4-track by Monophonia titled MPH EP05.

Clinical is presentation from the naming to the artwork, this one allows the sound to be the driving focus. Without the clutter of other forced interpretations, we are presented with 4 deeply satisfying minimal techno works – can we call them tracks? At almost 2 minutes a piece, these can be more perceived as the most exquisite loops you’ve ever experienced. Post-Techno indeed, short enough for fleeting attention spans, but addicting enough that you want to come back once it’s over. Rich and wholesome synthesizers construct microcosms in an instant, only needing moments to latch onto the host and inject the memory of eons…

Aereo by S.a.x

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Fresh from netlabel tapewurm.fm is this lush and soulful vaportape Aereo by S.a.x

Fantastic samples with a thick aesthetic and atmosphere, Aereo harnesses intoxicating riffs that leave you begging for more. It’s easy to imagine yourself soaring at a comfortable altitude, your swagger increased by the incredible amount of cocktails you’ve consumed. It’s a wonder the flight attendants haven’t cut you off yet, but that is the American Dream, isn’t it…..

Dark Bandwidth, by Diskette Park

Quick Picks

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Diskette Park returns with a premium collection of late-night slushwave Dark Bandwidth. This tight 8-track project is packed with super lush long playing tracks with proper grooves that don’t let you go! In typical Diskette Park style, the chopping and riffs featured are absolutely hypnotic and addicting, easily making this one a double playthrough candidate.

Diskette Park has recently dealt with a natural disaster of sorts and has seem some equipment fried! This is a great time to support the artist and throw some coffee money into that bandcamp pay-what-you-want box…

New Cascadia, by Transpacifica

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Sultry synthwave with some massive melodies – North Ireland producer Transpacifica presents a new 5-track EP conceptualized around a fictional utopian commune in the not-so-distant future. Retro riffs grab your attention and blasting 80’s drums keep you pinned down for the duration! And ohh my, those riffs, they are both beautiful and bountiful – leaving tons of sonic tidbits lodged in my head. Highly recommended if you dig downtempo synthesizer jams and cinematic synthwave!

Prince of Hearts, by Dirty Princes

Quick Picks

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Mash and dash! Throw on those joggers and storm out the door! Don’t have a destination? No problem! We rockin and rollin!

Prince of Hearts is a new 5-track tape from Toronto outfit Dirty Princes. Lots of pure energy packed in this one, makes you want to jump up and party in your room! It almost feels like a live album, the combination of raw sounds and powerful vocals put me right in the VFW hall front and center for the sweaty performance!

Ended up really digging this one after repeat listens, nuances really rubbing me the right way, reminding me of early 2000’s punk rock discoveries, Hopeless Records and the like. Give In and Go is such a jam, definitely my favorite track, followed closely by Love is Cynical. The 5 tracks zoom past pretty quickly, but that means it’s time to take it from the top!

You can snag the physical from Under the Counter Tapes or support the artist direct via their own bandcamp page.

NOVAGREENHOUSE by SIMULAMEMOREX® n.93

Quick Picks

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BOGUS//Collective recently released this gem NOVAGREENHOUSE, a delicious long-form mallsoft ambient project with hints of vapor bliss. Over 20 minutes of sprawling sound, you can HEAR nature growing around you as time slows down. Healthy plunderphonics here with a plethora of subtle soundscapes being built around harmonious bird chirps and muzak playing through tiny distant speakers. It’s a lush and rich atmosphere that leaves me feeling totally immersed. I really REALLY hope this one sees a cassette release one way or another…

I D A , by El Valerie

Quick Picks

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Had this one recommended recently – plucky little bedroom pop tunes from New York singer/songwriter/producer El Valerie. 9 tracks with lyrics that are both thoughtful and playful, all accompanied by pretty satisfying lofi instrumentals. Nice honest music that is pleasing to listen to, like a dish that is seasoned properly for well-balanced delicious flavor!

Happy this one came my way, I am going to be checking out Valerie’s previous releases, and looking forward to future tunes…

Thirteen Years, by MLDVR

Quick Picks

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Australian producer M L D V R returns to us with the follow-up to Four Months EP with part II of III – Thirteen Years. This round we find M L D V R further embracing longform composition, with each of the tracks hovering around 10 minutes, giving plenty of time for sonic exploration. Starting off with an acid house banger that sets the mood of a strange smoke filled warehouse, onto a spooky car ride through the deserted backroads, and ending with a 2am swim in a pixelated cyber lake. Enjoying the work of this producer more and more, extremely excited to hear what is in store for the final chapter – and of course still crossing my fingers for Tapes to be released eventually…