Back catalogue: Classical

Review: Dwell Time is the period between a person arriving at a shopping centre and leaving it. Today, the term also applies to the number of minutes you spend on an e-commerce site, and this record by Xqui and DVS AKA Dogs Versus Shadows. Muzak from another dimension, it's what elevator tracks might sound like if we favoured adventure and eccentricity over mindless pap simply designed to set the mood for us to spend. Arndale, the first chain of US-style shopping malls to open in the UK, with locations in Leeds, Jarrow, Bradford, Doncaster, Liverpool, Manchester, and a number of other spots up and down the country and into Scotland, lends its name to a number of tracks, adding to the sense that although inspired by faceless capitalism, the ambient, musique concrete-style tapestries of noise, lush soundscapes and drones here are personal stuff.

Review: X.Y.R.'s latest offering delves into the depths of human experience, exploring themes of escapism, introspection and the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and unfair. The album opens with the expansive 'Lost Horizon', setting the tone for a journey into introspective soundscapes and contemplative melodies. 'Melting Shapes' continues the exploration of inner worlds, with its shifting textures and ethereal sounds evoking a sense of fluidity and transformation. 'Despair' confronts the darker side of the human psyche, its melancholic melodies and haunting sounds reflecting the struggles of those who feel lost and disconnected. The B-side features the epic 'Invisible Lifeforms', a twenty-minute odyssey that delves into the hidden realms of consciousness. With its blend of ambient textures, tribal rhythms and meditative sounds, it creates a truly immersive experience that invites deep listening and introspection. X.Y.R.'s music is both calming and unsettling, offering a sonic reflection on the complexities of human existence.