Category: Quick Picks

THIS IS A BAND, by Gould ’72

Quick Picks

Fresh from Gould ’72 (a.k.a. All These Fingers) is this quaint 3-track project THIS IS A BAND. And oh yes, a band it is. True band jams. These tunes remind me of playing tunes in the garage with friends – flavors of pavement-esqe noodlings melded together with steady grooves. It’s an ultimately satisfying take on ATF’s typical sound which tends to be sample based with a healthy dose of synths and boom baps. The style translates surprisingly well to a “Band” format, with fuzzy guitars and chugging bass occupying the real estate that used to be owned by synths and pads. Even with ROCKMAN I LOVE YOU, being perhaps the most alt-rock sounding of the 3 tracks, with an infectious melody in the hook performed by 2 drunk Brian May clones – it’s pretty damn terrific and highly recommended!

Cloud Diameter 2, by Cloud Diameter

Quick Picks

Wonderful sounds brought to us by Submarine Broadcasting Company from Cloud Diameter. A lovely 8-track project that’s thoughtful and experimental – balancing flavors of modern classical and progressive ambient with a lot of electroacoustic vibes. This style falls in a happy place for me – often times I find myself oversaturated by dark-ambient, yet even at its brooding depths Cloud Diameter 2 manages to portray more of a *creepy* atmosphere than pure darkness. And though the overall atmosphere of the release is one of melodic relaxation, the amount of unique ideas packed into these 8 tracks makes it quite the interesting listen if you dig deeper….

Pulpit, by Twin Columns

Quick Picks

Freshly re-upped bythe gang at Hairs aBlazin’ is 2016’s long player from Twin Columns titled Pulpit. Impressively wide in scope – this concept album really scratches the sountrack-vibe-itch. The mellow synthwave downtempo backbone of the project is the perfect groundwork for moody atmospheres and wonky melodies. There are huge Angelo Badalamenti flavors here as well, with certain progressions and instrumentation being used in a way that makes this area we wander feel Twin Peaks adjacent! Weighing in at over 80 minutes, it’s a very satisfying and immersive experience if you allow yourself to get lost in it….

Thanks to Hairs aBlazin’, this one is seeing daylight again with a fresh cassette release! If that’s not your thing, the digital release is available for only one dollar – so if you enjoy throw a little support their way!

37 Minutes, by Not Quite So

Quick Picks

This morning we have some very interesting and satisfying sounds from UK project Not Quite So – with this 6-track experimental sound collage project 37 minutes. The 6 experimental tracks hover between dark ambience, neo classical and spoken word sample mashing – resulting in a very unique semi-narrative experience that is potent and moody. Beyond the elevated concept and production, it’s always quite enjoyable hearing a British accent, almost more-so when it is open ended like this – casual free form poetry. All in all it’s a big vibe – enough words already without needing to write anymore, just press play…

maingot., by maingot.

Quick Picks

The Rust Music presents a lovely Debut self-titled EP by maingot. – lush beatstrumentals with pure classic vibes. Big sounds throwing back to the early 2000’s channeling flavors of Dilla, boom bap and NYC hip hop – funky, dusty and deliciously downtempo. It’s lovely chillhop with just enough edge to set it apart – opting for more true hip hop flavors than timid “lofi beats to study to” style. Though these tracks will certainly fit in any playlist of the like, it’s refreshing to hear a more direct and oldschool approach to instrumentals. Looking forward to hearing what maingot. has for us next!

rest, by nuages

Quick Picks

Rest – something that a lot of us are familiar with right now, i’m sure. Thankfully we have wonderful artists like nuages to breathe some energy into our routines. These emotional and reflective 3-tracks remind us that it is okay to take a break, rest our mindsets and intentions back to some sort of equilibrium. Soothing melodies caress the compositions, as downtempo rhythms carry the tracks towards completion. It’s a very relaxing listen, with subtle touches of melancholy that I adore so much adding a pleasant emotional depth to the project. I found myself listening to this one over and over again, so I simply had to share it…

SOUND SYSTEM 9, by MISE

Quick Picks

Fresh from the Seikomart gang is SOUND SYSTEM 9 by MISE – a self proclaimed Vaportrap album with heavy flavors of video game soundtracks. Melodic riffs are as enticing as the huge 808 drums, tuned kicks flying around with a flurry of hi-hats. There’s nice variety on the album too, not sticking to traditional *trap* patterns for every track – instead opting to hop around the vaporspace while also taking cues from chiptune realms and deep house.

The overall style manages to remain playful and lighthearted even when the biggest percussion is slapping – juxtaposed with joyful synths plucking around the atmosphere. Tracks can get quite wonky at times, with detuned bass occasionally clashing with melodies and harmonies, however it all really adds to the charm – taking on a whole new destroyed club partyboi vibe that I personally really dig. FASTBOOT is a great example of this style. Very excited to hear more from this producer…

The Glimmering Plane, by Field Lines Cartographer

Quick Picks

Fresh and wonderful modular ambience from UK producer Field Lines Cartographer. The Glimmering Plane does exactly what it sets out to do – self described as “62 minutes of long-form electronic music intended to be an immersive, transportive experience” – FLC hits the nail on the head. By the time you are halfway through the listen, it’s easy to find oneself inside this fabled Glimmering Plane, looking casually out the window as the landscape unfolds below. Massive sweeping synths coat the tracks in ethereal joy, peppered with rhythmic melodies. Touching darkness but not bathing in it, there is a expert balance of mood and emotion, letting the listener fill in some gaps regarding expression and intent. A very solid long-player perfect for rainy Mondays….

Indigenous Mix 3, by SAD MAN

Quick Picks

SAD MAN is back at it again with a surreal collection of wonky tunes. Following in the footsteps of the artists Indigenous Mix series, this collection of 12 tracks explores electronic concepts often with an electroacoustic palette, with a heavy lean towards world music. Big beats and thick synths sit behind satisfying plucks on mysterious strings and pattering hand percussion. Chimes and bells swirl around the mix creating a jam circle atmosphere that is quite entrancing and relaxing. I am always impressed with SAD MAN’s ability to fuse dissonance with harmony, adding a unique layer in the flavor of experimental jazz. For fans of something out of the ordinary!

Return of the Ocelot, by Vimana Aircraft

Quick Picks

Fresh and raw boom-bap beats from the mastermind behind DaP Station Records – we are blessed with a nice new beat tape by Vimana Aircraft. What we are blessed with is 8-tracks of lushly lo-fi improvisations that are simply overflowing with energy. Oversaturated and distorted percussion and synths blur into a fuzzy and deliciously thick style. Satisfyingly rough and gritty, what more do you want from a lo-fi beat tape!

Hardly VA’s first project of this nature – I encourage you to poke around the DaP Station bandcamp for the rest of his catalog as well as a slew of other awesome lo-fi producers. The label has been in operation, staying true and DIY for 10 years now, so show some support!