Tag: ambient techno

Environment, by Liuos

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Environment is a new Dub-Techno EP by producer Liuos, out now on the wonderful Cold Tear Records!

The EP itself is a lovely little listen. The 4 lengthy songs are the perfect balance of warmth and chill – with soothing pads flowing behind pulsing cool kicks. Much in the tradition of the rest of Cold Tear’s discography, the techno is incredibly atmospheric.

Allowing yourself to become hypnotized by the rhythm can lead to another listening experience that is equally as enjoyable – peeling back the dub techno layers to soak in the pure atmospheric ambience that each track is built atop of.

Environment is a great addition to any Dub-Techno playlist or collection, it’s also a great place to start for those new to the genre thanks to it’s pure nature and digestible runtime. Support the artist and the label by getting the digital edition today from Bandcamp!

Synergy, by Isamesu

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Synergy is a 4 track EP of radically luscious soundscapes and gritty experimental techno created by Isamesu and presented by Illegal Alien Records.

This release really drew me in – gripping my attention with fierce determination. This is psychedelic ambient music that has been soaked in absinthe and distortion for a fortnight. Fusing together ambient mentality with techno urgency, Isamesu communicates a feeling of futuristic antiquity with their layers of frothing percussion and otherworldly synths. The sounds provoke you to contemplate – encouraging the listener to stand on their toes and scan the horizon, hunted and haunted.

Truly energetic and unique, throw this one on for big cyberpunk vibes and archaic inspiration. Available now digitally or on cassette via the label’s Bandcamp page.

Cause Without Effect, by Information For The Blind

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Raw and wandering post-industrial ambient techno from Information For The Blind (SeisMoGraph).

Cause Without Effect is a beefy 2-track project that certainly feels more like a full EP given the breadth of sonic exploration occurring within the 16-17 minutes of music.

The title track – nearly 10 minutes in length – bounces between dark ambience and experimental electronics with ease, guided by interesting vocals and vocoders. Structures and built up and deconstructed, chugging along to a dark and ominous end.

Meander Patterns offers a more unified vision, opting to solidify itself in a single atmosphere – rhythms and accents swirling around to provide steady progression.

Certainly an interesting listen that you may find yourself returning to. Stream it now on bandcamp or take advantage of the name-your-own-price download.

Flow State, by Zvrra

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The recent EP, Flow State by Illinois based techno producer Zvrra brings us minimalist, driving techno that instantly puts us into the state of, well, flow promised.

The opener, the eponymous Flow State, is crisp, punchy and brittle in equal measure. We’re night-driving through a deserted strip-lighted tunnel in search of some warehouse rave that will never emerge.

Flow State II follows, taking things to an even more minimal place with subtly skittering beats and a menacing bass riff slowly-but-insistently driving us forwards.

Track 3, The Gift of Dexterity, sees a glimmer of albeit-still-quite-icy synths breaking cover over the sparse horizon. The track’s title hints at Zvrra’s ability to deftly introduce new elements to their compositions that keep us hooked whilst never breaking us out of the titular flow state we’re locked into. 

This EP’s closer, The Curse of Dexterity, flips the tone of the first three pieces, introducing a harder, more submerged soundscape with a rapid bass kick and the future-kitsch chirruping of computer systems fluttering in the background.

Zvrra’s ability to keep techno fresh and exciting whilst staying true to its minimalist hypnotic essence makes their music an essential addition to your sonic world.

Opera Mauve, by Tektra

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Opera Mauve by Tektra Album Artwork

Somber atmospheric lo-fi from Tektra, brought to us by No Agreements as part of their Digital Series.

The tracks are tasteful and unique – claiming to have been produced entirely in one weekend, there is a cohesive energy that flows throughout the project. Despite touching all over the electronic music spectrum, Tektra manages to keep grip on the reins, taming the sounds to suit their needs.

Continue reading “Opera Mauve, by Tektra” →

Water Flowing and Birds, by Heavenchord & Infinity Dots

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Ethereal and atmospheric dub ambience created collaboratively by Heavenchord & Infinity Dots, released by Russian label Secret Domain.

Blending together a pleasant balance of stripped down classic ambient, subtle synthetic atmospherics and field recordings – the duo craft a selection of incredibly relaxing tracks. Perfectly suitable for morning meditations or lulling yourself into the embrace of a good night’s sleep. Each song has plenty of room to get lost inside – Water Flowing and Birds features a marvelous environment created with a satisfyingly minimal palette. The birds chirp on as you float down the Quiet River, a narrator from high above the clouds peppering his two cents about the situation.

All in all it’s a very fulfilling listen, touching lots of different concepts – breaking them down and extrapolating upon. Doing that wonderful thing that brilliant ambient releases do, providing just enough dynamics to make for an interesting listen – without being obtrusive….Perfect for either active or passive listening.

Pick up the Digital Release via Secret Domain’s Bandcamp page – and be sure to explore the catalogs of both Heavenchord and Infinity Dots!

Microcosmos, by Heavenchord

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True, pure dub-techno vibes brought to us by the crew at Hello Strange – this fresh full-length from Heavenchord is pulsing with fresh energy and signature mellow tone. Wandering across 7 tracks and 2 remixes, we are greeted by deep and round bass, steady rhythms and lush chords (as one would expect!). It’s quite a relaxed listen, with a very nice flow both overall and within the individual tracks. Microcosmos 3 is a favorite with a definite old school dub techno vibe sounding straight out of the early 2000’s with those echo’d hits and laid back yet excited pace.

Tigress, by Coppice Halifax

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The incredible output of Coppice Halifax continues with this wonderful double-length LP – Tigress. This commissioned 2-hour double album has an interesting story (please read via the bandcamp page!), and we are certainly lucky to have it available publicly! Aside from the unique intent and concept of the album, it’s packed with lush and warm atmospheric synthwork. Tracks built with heavy ambience, evolving into trip-hop grooves that would satisfy any Boards of Canada fan. It’s a wonderful record to throw on and get lost inside…

another effect, by 2D

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Delicious techno deconstruction presented to us by the gang over at Engram Recordings – we have another effect by 2D. Lush and contemplative, 2D takes the listener softly by the hand, leading us through a vibrant yet subtle jungle of sound. Lots of ideas woven together, chillhop grooves, resonating synthetic noodling, techno concepts dismantled and reconstructed into almost a pastiche of modern experimental electronics.

I found myself listening to this one over-and-over again, with repeat listens only deepening my respect and enjoyment. Land Scape 2 and Fiona are hands-down my favorite tracks from the record. Though it is only 7 tracks long – shy a long player but a bit beefy for an EP – the tracks are thick and substantial, hovering around 5 minutes a piece. The combination is actually perfect, I found myself replaying the entire record several times after listening through.

You can download the record now at Name Your Own Price via Engram Recordings Bandcamp page.

Cornflower and Camelia, by Thomas Carmody & Altone

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New dub-techno sounds from Lithuanian label Cold Tear Records , home to some favorites like Vytis, Joergmueller, Slownoise and Heavenchord, we have a nice and mellow 4-track EP collaborative effort from Thomas Carmody & Altone – Cornflower and Camelia. It’s a tight and pleasant collection of tracks with lots of atmospheric play and subtle sound evolution. Hearty in length, the producers don’t rush the movement – building around slow and steady changes. Repeat listens will only leave you more satisfied than before.