Tag: new age

Cool Maritime – Big Earth Energy (2022 Western Vinyl)

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Artist: Cool Maritime

Album: Big Earth Energy (2022)

Label: Western Vinyl

Genre: New Age / Ambient / Electronic

Record Store: Zia Records, Phoenix, AZ

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We’ve all heard the mantra ‘never judge a book by its cover,’ and yet the same rule of thumb could hardly be said to apply to the world of vinyl, where off-kilter, intriguing artwork oftentimes speaks directly about the music contained within. Case in point – Cool Maritime’s glorious 2022 LP ‘Big Earth Energy,’ which I picked up the other day solely because of the wonderful Lisa Frank-esque neon tree frog gracing the front cover, as well as the promotional sticker which promised an experience inspired by ‘Myst and Studio Ghibli.’

The music almost lives up to this high bar, with seven tracks of instrumental electronic goodness that will bring to mind the cushy, muzak-adjacent environments of pre-2000 personal computer game soundtracks like SimCity or, indeed, Myst. Pleasing sin waves, pitched to replicate electronic tom drums, bounce and squiggle around synth pads and buoyant synthesizer melodies. Drum machines are notably absent, and the resulting music works equally well as background tones to do yoga to, or as an active listening experience. It will most certainly pair well with your next session of whatever intense simulation or strategy video game you’re currently obsessed with. Excellent find.

Thomas Jacob Jr is a Producer, Composer, Singer-Songwriter, Music Educator and Digital Artist currently based in Arizona – Bringing us rare and interesting selections from his extensive Vinyl collection! For more content follow his vinyl-dedicated Instagram account

Flotsam & Jetsam, by Bing Satellites

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Flotsam & Jetsam is a new Ambient/Modern Classical album from prolific UK producer Bing Satellites.

Consisting of seven piano “sketches” – Flotsam & Jetsam sees a more delicate and intimate side of Bing Satellites that is most welcome. Known best for their shoegaze-infused-ambient, opting instead for the use of Acoustic Piano which lends a feeling of emotion and closeness to the project. Even with the introduction of pads/synths within the tracks always leaves ample room for improvisation on the keys.

The album itself is incredibly relaxing, almost immediately I was instilled with a sense of calmness and introspection. Wistfully meandering between optimism and melancholy, the sounds are perfect for a moody-rainy day. There is a deep satisfaction I derive from these sounds – perhaps nested in the electro-acoustic nature, or years of emotion carefully folded into the songs.

You can pick the digital edition of the album up now via Bing Satellites bandcamp page – along with a very attractive CD package available! For those of you who are true ambient lovers, consider supporting the artist via their monthly subscription, or consider picking up the extended discography of over 200 releases for less than $50 – the amount of music you get in return is borderline overwhelming but it’s highly encouraged. Don’t sleep on this amazing producer, and if you do, be sure to throw on Flotsam & Jetsam before you shut your eyes…

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

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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….

สวัสดี 𝐇𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬, by 𝑳𝒖𝒂 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑷𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒎

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Hello Music Lovers! I know it’s been a few weeks since sharing anything to this website – the world has weighed me down in all directions – but thing like this only slow us down….. A small thank you to everyone who has stuck with us, this website has been around a long time and we have no intention of going away!

Without further jibber jabber – I am enjoying some really mellow Monday tunes over here, a fresh release from Seouls CHO OYU label – a wonderful little hub for experimental ambient music. สวัสดี 𝐇𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬 features 6 collaborative tracks created by Lua with assistance from Thai multi-instrumentalist Phayam. The project on a whole is very cozy and warm – touching flavors of hope and melancholy, giving the tracks some proper depth.

There is almost 2 sides to each track – a background is painted with lush textures and pleasing progressions – only to act as a stage for plinking and plucking piano riffs that are ultimately satisfying. Tracks like 𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 opt for a more stripped-down approach that I can really appreciate – the meditative nature of 2 hands wandering on a piano combined with the overall vibe of the album leads to quite a blissful mindstate…

The album is available now via CHO OYU’s bandcamp page – do yourself a favor and pick up their discography while you’re there – for about 8 dollars you can get all 10 of their releases including this one – so if you find yourself agreeing with this vibe, go and show some support!

cry5tal 1it3 by shamane

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Fresh from the mind of the Shamane is this brand new long player that’s gonna make you thirsty for more, as you should! Cry5sal 1it3 is glimmering brilliant madness, pickled and distilled in the roasting 2020 sun – allow yourself to rest back and soak it in…

The Popular Culture Shamane, for those unfamiliar, is an abstract multimedia artist who has manifested a vibrant world around themself. Pushing artistic limits of electronic music, glitch art and even poetry – Shamane is the quintessential digital age renaissance figure. A brief cruise of the website reveals a universe of exploration, allowing the Shamane to assault each and every one of your senses.

Now that we’re caught up, back to cry5sal 1it3! This latest full-length album finds the Shamane exploring into the stratospheres of sound. Weaving together the ever-unique vocals with synthscapes that are as melodic as they are dissonant. The free-form of the compositions are satisfying and natural, with the tracks finding footing in addicting riffs, proceeding to exploit and explore the surrounding area. At 23 tracks, it’s a healthy stack and a substantial sonic journey.

There is of course an element of humor to the Shamane’s work, showing its head in silly song titles that really speak to the artists poetic nature. You don’t need to read the included 30-page rhyme book to tell, but it certainly helps with the immersion! It’s actually this emotional element to the Shamane’s work that draws me so close, there is both a humor and a sadness to be found. When listening and paying closer attention, you begin to reveal layers of nihilism and melancholy, the stressed and depressed energy of the digital age. Then, on a dime, a flourish of hope and ecstasy – perhaps a smile or a laugh, right around the corner.

Cry5tal 1it3 offers some very subtle and thoughtful pieces. Some personal highlights such as “every allegory needs a bear” and “i’ll cook an 8 course dinner for a horse” open up brilliantly after repeat listens. Headphones encouraged for this puppy. Also if you have a puppy on your lap it couldn’t hurt!

Anyway, you either get it or ya don’t, people! It’s an acquired taste but boy howdy is it delicious. I really encourage you all to cleanse the palette and dive in – give a listen, a watch, a read – however you want to consume – and perhaps the world will grab you like it did me…

Cry5tal 1it3 is available now both Digitally and on Cassette Tape via Virtual Dream Plaza

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!

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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Ultra Extra, by Shamane

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Shamane back y’all! A proclamation stated on the releases bandcamp page – ultra extra is the latest full length project from prolific techno-weirdo Pop Culture Shamane! Lush with psychedelic electronic exploration and noodling, it is easy to get lost in this project. Dense textures wash over innocent melodies, all being propelled forward by deconstructed club grooves. It’s truly a satisfying listen from start-to-finish. The album has just been released via Ingrown Records, if you download via bandcamp you will receive a 27-page booklet of shamane rhymes “i can eat my slang” which is equally as twisted-brilliant. If you aren’t familiar with the work of Shamane NOW IS THE TIME!!

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Tint, by Rhucle

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Fresh from Lillerne Tapes out of Chicago, Tint is a gorgeous ambient album by Tokyo producer Rhucle. The project is a beautiful collection of 7 relaxing tracks, all of which do a great job painting a sonic picture as blissful and relaxing as the Album Artwork.

Rhucle does a magnificent job blending sweet melodies with natural recordings. The result is meditative and relaxing. At this moment, you can still pick up the project on Cassette Tape, or download the Digital Edition via Lillerne Tapes Bandcamp.

I first heard of Tokyo’s Rhucle through 2015’s Summer Candle CS via Oxtail Recordings. The perfect mixture of natural sounds and outdoor field recordings set against quietly drifting synth melodies struck a chord immediately and I was hooked. Tint is another reflection on the power of these natural elements and recordings in relation to the emotive and soothing musical accompaniment floating nearby. These are intricate compositions made with great care and consideration—both humbling and cathartic at the same time. Edition of 50 pro-dubbed Type II/Chrome cassettes with full-color, double-sided artwork.

The Landing Zone (Live), by Ujjaya

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Here is some fresh meditative ambient from French producer Ujjaya. As with his other works, the project is drenched in spiritual vibes and mystical soundscapes. The 9 tracks serve as a window into Ujjaya’s journey, sometimes contemplative and other times simply relaxing. Also good news for producers, this one’s released under a CC license for creative use

You can download the project via Archive.org

Ujjaya is a french ethno-ambient musician with malagasy roots. His music is mainly a reflection of his yoga practice and of his travel through Asia for spiritual purposes .
Before becoming public as Ujjaya in 2011 , Hery Randraimbololona stayed in seclusion for 15 years coming out for pilgrimage and once in a year for a live radio show. The Landing Zone is a testimony of this era.