Review: Senking and DYL reunite after their notable collaboration back on 2020's EP Uniformity Of Nature, this time going long on their first full-length, Diving Saucer Attack. This new work spans a total of six tracks, two of which have been produced individually and so highlight their shared passion for dub-heavy and adventurous electronic music while also bringing out the subtle differences in their styles. The album opens with 'Six Doors Down', a track featuring throbbing bass and haunting synths while subsequent cuts like 'A7r380R' explore intricate soundscapes before culminating in the sombre closing piece, 'Not Just Numbers.'
Review: So what happens when a European post-punk outfit meets an American 'ambient country ensemble'? The answer: A Nanocluster. In fact, three. This being the third. Immersion first met SUSS in September 2021, and the results were mesmerising. Three years on and the impact was no less staggering. Originally landing in September 2024, part tres takes us into the kind of musical places we're used to finding Spiritualized or Mogwai, and even then the references are misleading. For as many times as Nanocluster Vol. 3 sucks us into a thick soup of ambient and atmosphere, inviting us to get lost in opiate cloud formations, it also asks us to jump on board a stream train of rolling and driving rhythms, juggernauts gathering depth and complexity as they forge ahead. A stunning collection of highly evocative and incredible musical instrumentals.
Review: Sleepnet is the now, firmly established solo alias of Noisia's Nik Roos. Splitting off from the trio after their disbanding in 2020, this is the second edition in what is now set to be a continual slew of releases under the name, the self-referential Sleepnet coming as the follow-up to 2021's First Light (which housed the no less badass, era-defining seraphic neurofunk cut 'Angel Blade' in its ranks). With only four out of seven tunes counting as solo endeavours here, this is Roos' first outing under the name in three years. After a dramatic introductory piano expurgation on the A1, 'Doorway', Sleepnet hears Sleepnet raise his snapneck audio-synaptics to all-out haywire levels. The mood is continual (as if we're picking up from where we left off in 2021, well into the throes of an evolutory, hi-tech (post-) vision quest) as the uncanny gurgle design of 'Face Dancer', and/or the brisk angelo-triumphalism of 'Surrender', stand out as the most biblically impressive of the bunch.
Chapelle XIV Music, Yoyaku's art gallery label, signs up Shaun Soomro for this beautiful EP which combines elements for mind, body and soul. 'Rage & Harmony' kicks off with some dusty breakbeats and is doused in silky pads awash with subtle euphoria. 'The Laughing Heart' is a blissful ambient interlude full of texture and timbre and 'Illusions Of You (dub)' is a moment of go-slow loveliness on a codeine-paced rhythm. 'Dusk God' shuts down with more misty, grainy, lo-fi ambient and dub fusions.
Review: Hamburg's relatively new Space Drum Mediatation label's sixth release continues its tradition of deep, immersive soundscapes, blending ambient and drone elements with a wide-ranging sonic depth. This latest offering unfolds like a journey through ancient and futuristic landscapes, each track carrying its own distinct energy and atmosphere. Side-A opens with 'Yarra', a hypnotic piece driven by tribal drums and chant-like motifs, evoking a primal, meditative state. 'Water Sirens' follows, weaving hedonistic, jungle-infused textures that feel both untamed and ritualistic, transporting the listener into a lush, mysterious realm. On Side-B, the tempo shifts with 'Yacu', a pulsating, Goa-trance-inspired track that surges with momentum, its fast-paced rhythms pulling towards a euphoric edge. The release closes with 'Sun Bleed', a deeply spiritual, spacey composition laced with acid-tinged echoes and an expansive mysticism. Its reverberations stretch into the unknown, leaving an afterglow of cosmic introspection. Balancing organic and electronic elements, this release stands as another example to the label's dedication to quality and sonic exploration. It's a seamless fusion of tribal resonance, trance propulsion and ambient depthiperfect for deep listeners and adventurous sonic explorers alike.
Review: Italian label Suoni Incisi launched in 2020 with a mission to offer up hugely emotional electronic music that fuses experimentation with multi-genre explorations. The boss that gave their name to the label takes charge of this third transmission and it is a deep techno journey into sustained chords, mysterious pads and the sort of muttered vocals that add real atmosphere. 'Track 2' on the flipside is similar in make-up with liquid rhythms, cavernous and dubby bass and subtle musings, this time with some eerie flute melodies drifting up top.
Review: Emerging from the ether in July 2024, Surfacing is the third collaborative long player from ASC and Sam KDC. Producers known for their ability to create and set moods with comparatively abstract ambient soundscapes, their latest is no exception. A collection of work which opts for an un-rushed approach to creating big feelings and moments from relatively consistent sounds and noises. Not much seems to happen, until you realise how much has been happening. In many ways, it's a maximalist thing - attempting to pick apart tracks like 'Mirage' and 'Shimmer' reveals the density of these sonics. Walls of sound that are acoustically and melodically light enough to float on air, yet actually so thick they swallow the listener hole, with little hope of escape until the final refrains fade.
Erland Cooper has always been concerned with the world around him, the Guardian dubbing him "nature's songwriter" as a result of his focus on trying to interpret Mother Earth through sound. Of course, she's not in the best shape right now, and even stopping to appreciate the smallest details of her mastery can often make us fill with dread and regret.
The fact that it's still not too late to change the future we've been ruining for ourselves over the past 200 or so years is also important to note. And it's this juxtaposition, between hope and hopelessness, dystopia and utopia, that seem to define this incredible collaboration between Cooper and the Scottish Ensemble - a live recording from a concert that really shows off the emotional power of classical strings in their most contemporary form.
Review: The collaboration between Chihei Hatakeyama and Shun Ishiwaka on their latest ambient release represents a convergence of diverse musical backgrounds. With over 70 albums under his belt since his debut in 2006, Hatakeyama brings a wealth of experience in ambient and experimental music, while Ishiwaka, known for his prolificacy in modern jazz, adds a dynamic rhythmic dimension. Their encounter, sparked by a radio appearance and cemented through live gigs, led to the creation of this two-volume epic recorded in March 2023. Drawing inspiration from a spectrum of genres including ambient, experimental, jazz and metal, the duo's sonic exploration is enriched by references ranging from My Bloody Valentine to Alice Coltrane. The album reflects their shared love for free jazz and spiritual jazz, evoking the improvisational spirit of Sun Ra and Coltrane's later works. Guided by psycho-acoustic considerations and embracing spontaneity, the musicians engage in a dialogue of sound where responses unfold in the heat of the moment. The result is a remarkable project brimming with creativity and mutual understanding.
Review: Reimer Eising, aka Kettel, and Lennard van der Last, aka Secede, had already been lifelong friends by the time they began working on When Can. The Dutch producers wanted to create a seamless listening experience that would unfold and develop as a film does, using cinematic-leaning sounds to achieve their big idea. The whole thing feels like a narrative, a beginning-middle-end, which is doubly impressive when you learn there was no grand plan to begin with. Just two pals exploring what might come next. Originally released in 2012 - hark!, those heady, innocent days - what's perhaps even more astounding than the picturesque, immersive soundscapes here, is the fact this is the first time When Can has made it onto vinyl. Having said that, 12 years ago was another time and place, not least in terms of music sales, so let's not dwell on what everyone was thinking by not bringing this out on wax sooner. Instead, savour every moment of the rich, dreamy electronica.
Review: Transporting us to a waking dream of Los Angeles, two enigmatic music makers from the City of (Fallen) Angels present a truly stunning journey into hazy half-memories, afternoon fantasies, borrowed recollections and thoughts of things yet to happen. In many ways, Salt & Sugar Look The Same feels incomplete; tracks, half-tracks, movements, bits and pieces feel like our minds often work. Was that what we think it was? Did this happen? According to the official release burb, these 18 brief but beautiful compositions combine finger-plucked guitar work, the lens flare of electronica, and warped samples to create a take on the American primitivism music movement. The result is something that transcends boundaries of sound, time and place, and exists in a world of its own creation.
Review: Techno talents don't come much more proven than Speedy J and Surgeon. Both are veterans of the game but artists who have remained at the sharp end and their Multiples collaborative project is in part responsible for that. Now it births a full-length album of tweaked experiments that take techno into new realms. The whole thing was recorded in just two days at J's STOOR lab in Rotterdam on an array of hardware machines. Each tune is a raw, one-take affair which means they are perfectly imperfect and feel utterly alive. Techno and elector collide with beatless moments, pummelling low ends and plenty of club heft.
Review: Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn reunite for new album Quiet in a World Full of Noise, which is driven by their shared curiosity and desire to defy genre conventions. Following their 2022 collaboration Pigments, this new work together blends atmospheric, orchestral soundscapes with soulful jazz and intimate, confessional vocals and the result is a raw and exposed performance from Richard who delivers stark lyricism that feels both personal and profound. The album redefines the worlds of progressive, avant-garde r&b and jazz with an ethereal yet grounded approach, heavenly melodies and plenty of wide open space in which to luxuriate. By merging the familiar with the unexpected, this fine pair create a sound that makes a lasting impression.
Review: A profound exploration of acoustic sound manipulation. The title track, 'Distorted Clamor', envelops listeners in a tapestry of clicks and plucks, challenging traditional notions of beauty in distortion. 'Sweet Elephant' juxtaposes gentle melodies with unconventional soundscapes, creating a serene yet unsettling atmosphere. 'Electromagnetic Ride' ventures into more experimental territory, with water, wood and metal elements transformed into rhythmic pulses. This collection exemplifies Saiz's mastery in crafting ambient compositions that are both innovative and emotionally resonant.
Review: Wewantsounds has put together a re-release of the late, great Ryuichi Sakamoto's classic album Coda, which was originally issued in his native Japan in 1983. This album is a solo piano rendition of the seminal Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence soundtrack and has never been available outside Japan until now. It finds legendary composer Sakamoto perform acoustic piano interpretations of his iconic themes including the classic title track and 'Germination,' which later featured in the Call Me By Your Name soundtrack. Remastered by Seigen Ono's Saidera Mastering studio in Tokyo, this reissue includes the original artwork and a four page insert with new liner notes by Andy Beta.
Review: The film Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, a worldwide sensation upon its release in 1983, showcased Sakamoto's emerging talent as a composer - alongside his acting role - and the soundtrack became instantly popular, establishing Sakamoto as a global music icon. These solo piano versions of it were recorded at Onkyo Haus in Tokyo and initially released as part of the Japanese cassette book project Avec Piano, and now, not before town, are finally getting their first full international release.
Review: Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow's soundtrack for the 2024 thriller drama Civil War is a triumph of atmospheric soundscaping. Known for their work on Ex Machina, the duo brings their signature touch to this film, blending ambient synths with subtle guitar to create an immersive auditory experience. The score, perfectly complements the film's intense narrative and striking visuals. Tracks like 'Body Pit' deliver a haunting, dissonant edge, while 'Flashback,' 'Aftermath,' and 'Moving Out' offer a poignant, minimalist theme that subtly underscores the emotional journey of the characters. The music's simplicity and repetitive motifs evoke a powerful sense of place and mood, making it an essential companion to the film's story. Now available on vinyl for the first time, this score is for fans of the innovative film music and those who appreciate Salisbury and Barrow's evocative style.
Review: Luke Sanger returns to Balmat for brand new album Dew Point Harmonics, which directly follows on from the producer's acclaimed Languid Gongue in 2021. A thirteen-tracker of dense but fibreglassy electronic mood pieces, the Norfolk native nudges us into a series but emotive but individually unique set of corners, vectorising a multiplicitous, abstract sound-space. After the opening arp-sequences of 'Solid Steps' and 'Flutter Env', we move into the more roughshod concrete of 'Poppers' then swerve through the dawny plucks and boughs of 'Morning Person' and 'Open Sauce', before finally settling to rest on a patently vibraphonic note, with 'Universal Vibrational Frequences' and. 'Vibraphone Home' not occurring in sequence without coincidence, in our view.
Last Supper /Oxford Suite (part 1 - with Ed Alleyne Johnson)
Into The Metaverse/Homo Deus Part 2
Outro
Review: Sasha's latest album was initially created to soundtrack Da Vinci Genius, a unique, immersive, multi-media exhibition celebrating the life and work of the inventor, artist and all-round Renaissance man Leonardo Da Vinci. Crafted in cahoots with a string of contributors to his popular Scene Delete set, the score (and subsequently this album) cannily combines neo-classical music (inspired by both vintage and more contemporary composers), the sweeping grandiosity of movie soundtracks, bubbly electronica, colourful ambient soundscapes, occasional nods to 15th century choral music and Sasha's usual emotive musical motifs. As the set progresses, it eases closer to the dancefloor sound the veteran DJ/producer is most famous for - which will delight his legion of fans - without ever fully committing. This is, after all, an immersive, eyes-closed listening experience first and foremost.
Last Supper - Oxford Suite (with Ed Alleyne Johnson - part 1) (6:18)
Into The Metaverse (Homo Deus part 2) (3:20)
Outro (2:12)
Review: Dance music legend Sasha makes a grand return to Night Time Stories with his new project, Da Vinci Genius. Building on the success of his 2016 album Scene Delete, this latest work takes another step away from the dancefloor and into the realm of cinematic composition. Premiered in Berlin in 2021 and later showcased in Amsterdam, Da Vinci Genius draws on the legacy of Leonardo Da Vinci, blending classical elements with Sasha's signature electronic sound. Collaborating with key contributors Dennis White, Dave Gardner and Barry Jamieson, Sasha crafts an immersive experience that balances timeless classical music with modern electronic textures.
Last Supper - Oxford Suite (with Ed Alleyne Johnson - part 1) (6:18)
Into The Metaverse (Homo Deus part 2) (3:20)
Outro (2:12)
Review: With Da Vinci Genius, Sasha unveils a stunning evolution of his artistry that transports listeners far beyond the club. This project, inspired by the timeless genius of Leonardo Da Vinci, reflects a thoughtful exploration of sound that balances classical influences with Sasha's distinctive electronic pulse. Having debuted in Berlin before captivating audiences in Amsterdam, this album embraces orchestral depth while maintaining a modern edge. Collaborators Dennis White, Dave Gardner and Barry Jamieson elevate the experience, crafting an expansive soundscape that's rich and emotive, offering a fresh perspective on Sasha's innovative approach to music.
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