Category: Reviews

My Mind As Your Amusement Park, by Phantom vs Fire

Reviews

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After much anticipation it has finally arrived! The latest full-length project from Brazilian composer and producer Phantoms vs Fire titled “My Mind As Your Amusement Park”, and sheesh is this some impressive work.

MMAYA is a fully realized alternate sonic reality – constructed from the molecular level of granular atmosphere all the way up to massive organisms traversing the landscape. The sounds trigger the imagination in such a potent way, manifesting entire new dimensions as I allow myself to be lost in the tracks.

Songs like “Arrival” have me feeling like I am actually soaring a thousand feet above an alien landscape on the back of some ancient god, approaching the surface with consideration for landing. It seems like at any moment during my listening, I could escape to such a world in my mind, the potency is incredible and magnificent.

This is also one of those albums I adore because of its flexibility! The type of piece you can listen to as closely as you’d like – have it as an atmospheric boost while you’re sorting your life, or throw on the headphones for deeper appreciation – I feel like both experiences are worthwhile and really speaks to the quality of the work.

At the time of this posting the digital album has just released – but you can head over to Qrates to help this project get pressed to vinyl! In case the project isn’t fully funded, word on the streets is there will be a CD/Tape release in the future, which I am super excited for! Highly recommended no matter how you want to listen to it…

ブラックマジック (Black Magic), by Zer0 れい

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Lush, expansive, mysteriously nostalgic – Zer0 れい‘s latest full length project BLACK MAGIC is all of these things and more.

Propelling forward into interesting sonic territory, Black Magic feels like taking a slew of concepts and throwing them in a haunted blender – producing some sort of thick coffee sludge that is heavenly and rich. Zer0 れい does a magnificent job swirling together influences from Vaporwave, Mallsoft, Industrial Techno and Dark Ambient – crafting something quite unique and energetic.

One thing I immediately appreciated about this record was the attention to flow between tracks. After spinning it down twice I was noticing how fluid everything felt – much more than just a collection of tracks, attention to the detail in track listing and connections between the pieces gives me some kinda bizarre satisfaction!

My personal favorite track has got to be Smokescreen – the raw stoner guitar riffing behind absolutely massive atmospheric pads, percussion swirling all around – creating such an amazing vibe! I have found myself in traffic with this riff in my head, swooping in to fill in the spaces of my mind.

The whole project has a darkness to it – but it’s almost nostalgic, leaving the listener removed to an extent – allowing appreciation without over-saturation. Sometimes a producer will attempt to force gloom and doom down the listeners throat – which is not always in tune with how I am feeling emotionally, leading to some sort if detachment – but Black Magic finds a way to ride the melancholy wave with just a suggestion of existential dread.

It’s always thrilling seeing a producer grow and expand – this being Zer0 れい‘s first vinyl release – and it is the perfect candidate for wax in my opinion. The concept of the long-playing album is alive and well, look no further! You can grab the digital or physical copies via BRC30 Productions Bandcamp page.

 

Emerald, by boycalledcrow

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Emerald is the latest full-length project from electronic producer boycalledcrow. Had this one recommended a little while back and I have been thoroughly enjoying it ever since! It’s a playfully vibrant collection of tracks that evokes lofty feelings of magic cyber fantasy – at many times I felt the world around me was transforming into a N64 platformer.

There is a big video game vibe on this one – with melodic synths ringing over the tracks like wind chimes – buzzing bass guiding us around this strange new world. Subtle energy is also a big theme, with vibes and feelings flourishing rather than being smothered by overcompensation. Percussion is often sparse and merely a suggestion – rhythms and energies being delegated across the sonic spectrum.

I adore boycalledcrows wide spectrum of sounds – with acoustic instruments mingling flawlessly with lush electronics – it’s not electroacoustic but it definitely adds some premium texture and depth when in appears! The whole thing is very mellow, with a relaxed positive aesthetic and all around ease, making it wonderful for repeat listens.

The CD edition of the album is available via Wormhole World Records

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Indigenous Mix 2, by SAD MAN

Reviews

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After seriously enjoying SAD MANs release last month – UNTITLED ALBUM – I was very much looking forward to this smaller drop that was scheduled on his bandcamp to release June 3rd. What we’ve received is a beautiful 9-track “remix” project in which SAD MAN dives back into some select songs from his latest LP, revisiting the themes to provide entirely new interpretations!

As with his previous release, the songs dwell in the realm of true sonic exploration – where I felt his work was of a deconstructed nature, the vibe is even more potent on this latest project. The sounds more than ever appear to have been sliced out of the air, jumbled around on the floor, and crafted back together into some kind of mosaic masterpiece.

Lots of very satisfying sounds in here as well. I have found myself being lulled into a state of trust and relaxation, with wooden percussion rolling around me and buzzing squelching synths flying past my ears. This time around the Jazz vibes are bigger too – especially with tracks like “Ceep” which features some tender piano noodlings, or “Dog” which feels like an experimental open jazz session led by a slick pocket drummer on the kit.

Another highly recommended listen – digital edition is currently available for download via the artists Bandcamp page and is Pay what you Want! So don’t wait and grab yours today…

Untitled Album, by Sad Man

Reviews

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Experimental Electronic + Jazz musician SAD MAN presents us with an epic new release UNTITLED ALBUM, which dropped back at the beginning of May. This beefy 21 track epic is a true experiment in abstract electronics, with a heavy lean towards resonant glitches and deconstructed club sounds.

At times UNTITLED ALBUM steers into quite adventurous territories, adopting flavors from world music, IDM, glitch hop and more to create his own unique electronic flavor. The songs themselves are hearty meals, rarely dipping below 3 minutes in length, leaving plenty of time to explore sonic ideas and freely wander the landscape of sound.

SAD MAN music seems to lean heavily towards dissonant experimentation, with rhythms propelling the vibe forward at a steady tempo. Though the sounds used may not be stranger to club atmosphere, it is the way all the sounds are broken down – stripped to their essence, and repurposed in a way to tell an entirely different story. Grooves appear as quickly as they disappear – percussion being somewhat nebulous, sometimes held by some boom bap drums, other times being completely phased into crushed synths and chopped waveforms. A track can fly from footwork madness to lofi house vibes in a matter of moments, and yet it all works quite well, with SAD MAN never losing footing within each track.

On the whole, UNTITLED ALBUM is a damn good work of art. It’s a rewarding listen, the kind you enjoy time and time again, with and without headphones – at home, in the car, etc. Take it with you in life and see how it morphs the landscape around you – a premium vibe augmentation.

Really strong recommendation on this one – the best word I can use to describe the complete project is Therapeutic. Something about the nature of the sounds, the mystery of where each track leads, it all put me very much at ease. Even the sounds themselves – I often found myself feeling quite entranced, as if my mind was being massaged through the airwaves. Perhaps you will have the same experience, and I encourage you to give it a shot!

The album is available to stream and download via the artists Bandcamp page – as well as a Compact Disc edition (which I will likely pick up in the near future!). SAD MAN has a healthy discography on his bandcamp page too, and with a remix-album set to release tomorrow, anyone who enjoys ought to be excited…

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Networks, by VCRNOT

Reviews

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Had to share this one ASAP because it was just so0o good. Dropped this past week via Tomorrow Entertainment Records – its the 6-track project Networks by VCRNOT.

This beautiful little release has been on repeat for me this afternoon. Big chill vibes, addicting melodies, a perfect blend of surreal energy and blissful relaxation. Each track being a microcosm – each with their own landscapes, their own rolling hills and towns to explore…

“Inner World” and “Utopia Glitch” are favorites of mine. I get massive feelings of wandering a mysterious new world – waking up in a familiar place that is at the same time strange and new! Like some kind of nostalgia lost to amnesia that I am being gifted back, triggered by the sounds.

Be sure to follow VCRNOT all over the interwebs, as well as Tomorrow Entertainment Records for a great catalog of music.

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Toward the Unknown, by Project Parallels

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“Toward the Unknown” is the debut 4-track project from Boston-Massachusetts duo Project Parallels, consisting of producer/multi-instrumentalist Jesse Ciarmataro and Saxophonist/composer John Aruda. The record is available now courtesy of Simple Truth records.

Dropping back in January, yet only appearing on my radar in the past week, this one has become a go-to jam with its infectious grooves and addicting progressions. The title track warms up the listener with a healthy rhythm and friendly vibes. Things really pick up in “Waltz for Beverly”, especially around the halfway mark, where urgent saxes encourage a beautiful flute solo.

Definite favorite of mine is “The Region and The Riot”, a track I originally discovered while poking around SoundCloud – it’s a quintessential trip-hop track with all the perfect ingredients. A blissful chord progression, with rich chillhop anime vibes, accompanied by beautiful horns and OH THE DRUMS! The percussion on this track is so addicting, it makes me click repeat as soon as the song is over…

Really looking forward to more sounds from this duo – if this project is any indication, they have a lot of fantastic ideas that I would love to see developed into a full-length project. You can download the album now via bandcamp and streaming on most platforms.

The Happiness Cage, by Engram Recordings

Reviews

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Engram Recordings (Berlin, Germany) burst onto the scene at the end of March this year, treating us to a 20-track compilation project of lush drone experimentation.

The Happiness Cage itself is a massive sound collage, focused around a central swirling ball of noisy energy that permeates outward through the participants – each harnessing and interpreting it in their own unique ways.

The bulk of the release meanders through experimental ambient sound art. Some producers take a more rhythmic approach, while others harness harsh white noise cast into the void. It all lends itself to the feeling that Engram Recordings is proudly experimental in nature.

As I enjoyed this collection of songs over the past month, a few have stood out and become favorites, such as doktorb – Konnektiv Hellscaep , ░▒▓█₳§ᗐM̶R̳█▓▒░ – Mixed Reality and Shalyzer – Squeezing Speech . The only time I found myself not immersed in enjoyment was the track Rudolf Eb.er – Blä , which seems more like a ASMR endurance test than anything, but I will chock that up to personal taste! The overall vibe of the compilation is pure quality abstraction, and an interesting and rewarding listen!

Since the compilation has dropped, Engram Recordings have also released a 6-track EP from Japanese experimental composer ysk – and it appears more goodies are incoming, so give them a follow + stay tuned!

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Dead Roses, Digged Up Zombies, Broken Pieces Of Diamonds, Live Cats by Nonconnah

Reviews

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Nonconnah – the continuing sonic explorations of dynamic duo Denny Wilkerson Corsa and Zachary Corsa – together with their enlisted army of experimental musicians – presents us with an incredible full-length project “Dead Roses, Digged Up Zombies, Broken Pieces of Diamonds, Live Cats” and boy is it a doozy!!

Rocking a hefty 21-track playlist, nonconnah proves yet again that this team is hardly short on ideas and inspiration, even with a wake of outstanding previous releases and projects (I have long been a fan of Lost Trail) it manages to be something special.

From the word go – the album has a very subtle but powerful energy. Tracks like Path Of Totality/Rapture Drugs or Half-Built Future Homes introduce lush and fuzzy psychedelic drones, lending beautiful contrast to the rounded beauty of more ambient selections like Treading Unhallowed Ground.

During my listens found it easy to imagine myself wandering a mysterious countryside – with each track being a spontaneous road to turn down – a new adventure to experience. Discovering hidden lakes, abandoned factories, forgotten occult churches and pow-wows of anthropomorphic farm machinery.

Personal favorite track has got to be Ceiling To Ceiling Transmission Antenna – but chances are that is on account of my own undying love for the tone of a Clarinet – lending this track such a pure and wholesome vibe.

With over 20 tracks to tell the tale, Nonconnah really deliver with this full length – providing a listen that is truly rewarding and only improves on repeat 👍

Follow Nonconnah Online
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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