Serenity in the Vast Darkness, by Lucid Sound Driver

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Beautiful melodic and textural ambient by Lucid Sound Driver (an incredibly appropriate moniker), presented in a variety of formats by Æscape Sounds.

Lush new age with a thick atmosphere, dense with emotion and nostalgia. My favorite type of ambient, really – the kind that can set the mood comfortably in the background, or deeply appreciated when more attention is payed. The 6 tracks, though not brief by any means, left me wanting more as the phased synthesizers guided me towards the light beyond the darkness.

The 3-part opening trilogy of tracks are quite strong – even going so far as to destroy one of my biggest bothers in music – the inclusion of police/ambulance sirens, turning it into something quite atmospherically beautiful. There’s even a Sangam feature on this record, but interestingly enough I found that to be the weakest track of the project – feeling almost uninspired and lacking the polish of the rest of the record. It’s still a good track, perhaps I got my hopes up a little too high!

I do adore the generous use of field recordings around this record – gentle breeze, dripping rain and passing vehicles. At times it can be triumphant, while taking mysterious brooding turns towards angst and grief. A story is surely being told, but you can put the pieces together yourself.

You can get the record now Digitally at name-your-own price – or if you choose to support, you can get a Cassette Tape, a CD or Vinyl (all of which are still in stock at the time of this posting) – or even get a beautiful looking poster for only a couple dollars!

Melodyheart, by Xspance

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Melodyheart by Xspance is a collection of soaring and majestic beats, brought to us by Section Records. The 12 tracks meander through chillout vibes and downtempo rhythms at a relaxing pace, utilizing galactic soundscapes as a backdrop to the whole show. As the title suggests, there is a good deal of emotion in each of the tracks, with beautiful synths hinting towards hope and melancholy. The album is available to download digitally via the labels Bandcamp page.

‘Melodyheart’ is the latest engaging sensory experience from the musical mind of Xspance, whose journey-esque structures and evolving arrangements lend a very visual, filmic element to his music, as each track becomes a scene in a play, slowly revealing a bigger picture. ‘Melodyheart’ is a perfect collection of chilled ambient tracks, each designed to melt into each other. It’s uplifting melody driven music that will warm your heart and touch your soul, hence the title of the album. Just close your eyes and dream…

credits

released May 12, 2016

Written and produced by Myles Webb

I Thought I’d Never Find You, by Desolate Horizons

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Early Morning Ambience for maximum relaxation. “I Thought I’d Never Find You” is a new 4-track project from producer Desolate Horizons. The release is washed in melancholy yet remains relaxing and melodic through the whole project. With essentially no rough edges, this is the perfect soundtrack for meditations or simply dozing off. With a deeper listen your ears will be delighted at how DH masterfully weaves tones and samples to create a soundscape that leaves you feeling warm and embraced. You can download the release now via Hidden Vibes Label Bandcamp.

HV040 Desolate Horizons – I Thought I’d Never Find You

“I Thought I’d Never Find You” was recorded from December 2014 to February 2015 originally for the split with ‘The Last Before Falling’ but unfortunately, it has never been officially released. And now I decided to rewrite one track called “I Stood There Calling Out Your Name” to finally give a life to this release.

“I Thought I’d Never Find You” is inspired by my own dreams and experiences obtained in them. To some extent, this is quite a sad story, but this story has a happy ending.

This is an archival recording. Thank you for listening

Desolate Horizons is a dronegaze/ambient/shoegaze one-man project from Russia. Side-project of C. Horizon, the only member of thehappymask.

Desolate Horizons on web:
desolatehorizons.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/thehappymask
soundcloud.com/thehappymask
vk.com/thehappymask

AMFH, by Liquid Delay

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Brought to us by London’s Drift Deeper Recordings, AMFH is a 2-track project by producer Liquid Delay. This is a wonderful-if-brief project, with finesse and nearly effortless sounding deep tones, complimented by delicious sunny rhythms and textures. You can download the project now via the labels Bandcamp page and get both tracks for about a dollar!

Deep and Dub Summer 2016

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Tehnofonika Records Brings us a marvelous summer sampler of Dub-Techno tunes, perfect for relaxing while the sun sets on a hot day. Featuring tracks from some of my favorite producers (Martin Frost, Dublicator) as well as a few fresh finds, this sampler is 10 tracks of high-quality techno tunes. Each song fits perfectly with the relaxed, sunny-mellow vibe, steeped in atmospheric flavor and texture. The album is currently only available for download via the Labels Bandcamp page.

infinit-1, by cv313

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Detroits ECHOSPACE label brings us another pleasant and unique project from CV313, infitit-1 which features 4 total tracks (Original, Remodeled, Unreleased and a Remix by STL). For fans of the deeper dub-techno out there, this release is the perfect balance of techno you can dance to as well as meditate to. Between the 4 versions of the titled track, there is an impressive variety and depth in the material presented. Currently you can only download the project digitally as the Limited Edition Red Vinyl has already sold out, so all we can hope for is a re-pressing of this beauty!

released August 22, 2016

w + p by cv313. remixed by stl. mastered in echospace.

Depth of Sadness, by Slownoise

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Depth of Sadness is a new EP by Downtempo-Techno artist Jeremy Davies, better known as SLOWNOISE. This 4 track project was just released by Cold Tear Records of Lithuania, whom always seem to release quality tunes. This brief yet brilliant project is equally satisfying as it is relaxing, like a nice meal and a good beer. Well rounded synths and electronics balance perfectly with relaxed and subdued rhythms, with each track holding an energy of its own. Currently the EP is only available for download via Cold Tear Records Bandcamp page.

released August 22, 2016

Written, produced & performed by Jeremy Davies
Mastered by Steph Graham from Masterco
Cover art photography by John Palmer

Agartha, by Meta Mora

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Agartha by Meta Mora is a 4 track EP of experimental electronics and ambience. Released by Scenic Rhythms last month, this project features a pleasant blending of oscillating tones and samples. The pacing and use of synthesizers gives the soundscape an urgent, underlying rhythm that is quite hypnotic. You can download the EP from Scenic Rhythms or directly from the artist via Bandcamp.

Favorite Track: Hollow Maps

Limited edition cassette available on Scenic Rhythms:scenicrhythms.bandcamp.com/album/sr018-meta-mora-agartha

Agartha is a legendary city that is said to be located in the Earth’s core. It is related to the belief in a hollow Earth and is a popular subject in esotericism.

released July 22, 2016

All sounds by Meta Mora
Cover art by Scenic Rhythms

Digital Physical Adhesive Sounds Back 2 School Sampler 2016

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Toronto’s Adhesive Sounds Label presents us with this back-to-school extravaganza of premium blissed out tunes. 13 beautiful tracks, available for download or on Compact Disc for a limited time. Perfect for a mellow trip to the mall to pick up those fresh new school clothes, perhaps stop at Orange Julius for a refreshment.

Sea of Love, by Virtual Dream Plaza

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In True-Typical Virtual Dream Plaza fashion, we have a wonderful extended play right here in the form of Sea of Love. A washed out melodic dreamscape, as usual it is easy to get lost in the sounds after half an hour passes by! If you are digging this one, be sure to take advantage of Virtual Dream Plaza’s discography sale, right now you can download over 60 albums for under 7 DOLLARS!

Released June 3rd, 2016