Category: Quick Picks

Surgical, by xas abra

Quick Picks

Supremely satisfying sonic experiments from xas abra – brought to us by Engram Recordings.

Surgical is a 10-track album, curiously with each track weighing in at exactly 4 minutes and 34 seconds. Is there an underlying purpose to this? Does it signal that these sounds are perhaps generated, or trimmed from larger improvisational recordings? It’s all quite curious and, in the end, it really does not matter, as the sounds themselves are deeply interesting and engaging to consume.

From fuzzy lo-fi glitches to off-kilter synthetic shredding, xas wields a sonic toolkit of extravagant diversity and force, as layer upon layer of textural waves overlap and merge again and again. With the heavy rhythmic elements added to what could have easily been a pure-drone experiment, the tracks float into “deconstructed club” territory as the warbled synths are consumed by powerful hissing percussion. Don’t underestimate this one as it’s a dense and delicious project!

Download the album now via Engram Recordings bandcamp, and be sure to explore xas’ world further…

彡 ÅıཞᏋ ξξξξ, by Usagi Acid

Quick Picks

Luscious atmospherics and hyperchill beats from the ever-ethereal Usagi Acid. Wandering between strange atmospheric rhythms, textural drones and stacks on stacks of dense surreal sonic imagery. Blissful and ambitious while remaining relaxed and content. So much diversity packed within 3 tracks it could almost drive you to madness! But alas, it does not – its a lush and supremely satisfying listen that has left me wanting more and more! Luckily you can explore the whole discography for a wealth of amazing creative projects.

Dawn of Claymation, by Zach Dolin

Quick Picks

Beautiful and Adorable sounds incoming!

Dawn of Claymation is a new 6-Track synth project by Zach Dolin brought to us by Ingrown Records. Hovering somewhere between chiptune soundtrack of your childhood favorite video game and long-lost solo project of *insert 70’s Prog Rock Keyboardist name here* – and the result is quite satisfying! Utilizing the Roland SC-88 Pro, Zach taps into the tones of the late 90’s, manifesting a strange world of freeware monster sprites zooming around the listener. Combined with the suggestion of “Claymation”, it is not hard at all to imagine these songs bumping behind some earthworm-jim-esque PC platforming. It’s triumphant and wholesome, with just enough substance to entice listen after listen. Giving this one a massive recommendation – you can pick up the digital version of the album via Bandcamp.

Consider supporting Ingrown Records directly as well as Zach via his personal bandcamp page!

s e a s o n a l, by AFP/FFF

Quick Picks

Beautiful experimental vapornoise, brought to us by Vacuum Noise Records. 2 tracks drifting around melancholy dreampunk drones, slushy vocals resting ontop of plump, fuzzy and cavernous atmospherics. A brief yet satisfying study of sounds, headphone listening highly recommended! Especially getting into the second track, devolving into nearly musique concrete tonal wandering as things become stretched around the listener in 4 dimensions.

The Lost Tapes, by Rei Low

Quick Picks

Fresh and fascinating sounds from Rei Low, brought to us by the Holojamz crew – seemingly a collection of what might be considered *B-Sides* (please correct me if I am wrong). Rei explores many different styles and genres on this release which is to be expected from such a release – however the variety lends perfectly to the chaotic raw style presented, with the tracklist jumping around to showcase influences of hip-hop and jungle with a touch of vaportrap. If these were indeed “Lost Tapes”, b-sides or tracks that didn’t make other albums – regardless, I am glad Rei Low decided to package them up and release them for us, as it’s a very nice collection of sounds and worth listen.

Mammal Functions, by Frostower

Quick Picks

Delicious and thoughtful Lofi House and Experimental Techno from the mind of Anthony Pandolfino under the FROSTOWER alias. Overwhelmingly nice energy here in my opinion, with 5 tracks exploring the different sonic possibilities of deconstructed electronics, fuzzy tones and overall raw energy. In fact the very nature of the sounds are almost punk – leading this to be possibly a better representation of the what “Dreampunk” could mean as a genre and a sound. Ambient-Punk? I am sure you can come up with a hundred genres to pin on this style, but it’s pure satisfaction for me. The energy combined with the lo-fi grit, the subtle atmosphere built within each track – it’s all very hypnotic and almost addictive, as I find myself playing this one top-to-bottom on repeat. Grab the digital album now via bandcamp at name your own price – and be sure to explore the other aliases and offerings from Anthony Pandolfino via Mystic Timbre!

Ileus, by Daniel[i]

Quick Picks

Lowless Records presents us with this lovely dub techno 4-track EP by Daniel[i]. Lush and vibrant while maintaining a nice relaxed atmosphere, Ileus is a hypnotically atmospheric project with satisfying depth.

Exploring different corners of deep techno and soundscape electronics, Daniel[i] builds off foundations of soft rhythmic elements, layered meticulously with luscious pads and synths sprinkled around. A wonderful balance of light and dark – that subtle melancholy vibe I adore so much.

Unfortunately the Vinyl has already sold out – but you can stream the release and purchase the digital version still via bandcamp!

Asleep in the Creek 1-2, by Diamondstein

Quick Picks

Asleep in the Creek is a brooding and intricate 2-track collaborative release featuring the sounds of Diamonstein together with the photos of Kait Fischer, brought to us by Doom Trip Records.

The tracks themselves capture the essence of the visuals perfectly – hovering in a melancholy ambience that is as thick as florescent haze caught on the twilight mist. Touches and tastes of hope and splendor drift throughout – creating a thoughtful and considerate atmosphere. The subtle progressions on which the songs are constructed lay a dreamlike foundation – which when combined with the visuals of Fischer’s Photography is only enhances and broadens the emotional applications, swirling the listener in nostalgia and wistfulness.

It’s quite a beautiful listen, with so much atmosphere condensed into 2 tracks you really have no excuse not to give it a spin!

Transcription of Headstones, by Nonconnah

Quick Picks

The ever-delicious dronegaze ensemble of Nonconnah is back at it with a sleek 4-track project titled Transcription of Headstones. The EP in itself is a microcosm of the Nonconnah sound and aesthetic – perfectly packaging lo-fi melancholy mood that their songs so often dance within. Featuring a plethora of lush atmospherics paired and layered with sublime string noodling, the sounds draw the listener in, beckoning them to stick around a while…..

And if you’re like me, 4 tracks just isn’t enough – and thankfully it does not have to be! Nonconnah has a thick and delicious back catalog that is worthy of exploration and appreciation. Do have a poke through their bandcamp and support when you can!

At the End of the Rainbow There’s a Sunset Without Regrets, by Oh Woe

Quick Picks

Quite a beautiful full-length project by Oh Woe, released by HoloJamz – drifting somewhere between alternative ambient and dream pop, At the End of the Rainbow There’s a Sunset Without Regrets is a masterpiece of melancholy beyond classification. I was hooked the moment I heard a washed out Debussy floating my direction over the airwaves – lots of plunderphonic goodness drenched in a thick haze of nostalgia. Feelings of soggy summer nights, you can almost smell it the atmosphere is so potent….