Perhaps it’s because I am watching a lot of snow fall here in Bakuriani, but today feels like a dark ambient day. This is my first time hearing Subverge, an act based in Minnesota, and their music is bleak yet somehow pleasant to the ear. There is a sense of Continue Reading
Daniel Menche – Sleeping Ink
Daniel Menche is one of America’s finest noise composers. This, however, sounds like a work of art. It is frighteningly dark, far darker than much of the black ambient music composed today—sumptuous listening.
Abul Mogard – In a Few Places Along the River
Italian sound sculptor Abul Mogard has reissued a vinyl-only release for digital consumption. In A Few Places Along The River was originally released in 2022 and was limited to 500 copies.
Siekiera - Nowa Aleksandria
This release by Polish post-punk band Siekiera is something of a revelation. Poland had a very active cold wave scene and Siekiera were the top of the back. This is going to appeal to fans of the Belarusian post-punk band Molchat Doma.
Eiko Ishibashi – For McCoy
Black Truffle is an intriguing new label that offers a fine album by composer Eiko Ishibashi, one that sounds like it would have found a place on ECM Records had circumstances been different. From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Black Truffle is pleased to announce For McCoy, a new work by Continue Reading
Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek, Egberto Gismonti – Folk Songs
Folk Songs was my introduction to ECM Records during my youth. It must have been around 1985, while I was in high school and just beginning to explore jazz, alongside my strong interest in post-punk and industrial music. The album was unlike anything I expected; it sounded more like a small chamber Continue Reading
Tatu & Tutkimusmatkailijat – Vasta Alkusoittoa
Tatu & Tutkimusmatkailijat is a Finnish prog-rock band that manages to keep the 70s sound while updating it with improved recording equipment. While it sounds more on the commercial end of the prog spectrum, the music is tight and well-performed. It’s good to see the prog spirit maintained.
Yiannis Kyriakatis – Blue Series | Sep 3
Yiannis Kyriakatis is an electroacoustic composer who comes from Cyprus. I’ve had the privilege of following his career arc since I discovered his name in a copy of the magazine Gaudeamus. It’s great to hear that he is still active, and this is something new for me. He is preserving Continue Reading
Various Artists – Unexplained Sounds Group: The Third Mind. A Sonic Tribute to the Dreamachine
As someone who once owned a homemade dream machine, it’s nice to see this old relic get a sonic reassessment. Our dear friends at Unexplained Sounds Group start the year off with yet another brilliant experimental music compilation. From the label’s Bandcamp site: “The Dreamachine, conceived by Brion Gysin with Continue Reading
The Alarm – Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)
For those of us who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian Calendar, may you all have a wonderful Christmas!