Style: Appalachian Folk Music, American Primitivism
Vibes: Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm, Passionate, Meditative, Religious, Storytelling, Sentimental, spiritual, storytelling
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Traditional, Lyrical, Droney, Open Tunings, Solo, Sparse
Instrumentation: Vocals, Harmonium, Acoustic Guitars (6- & 12-String), Autoharp, Piano, Banjo
Joseph Allred – Hoddmímis Holt Read More »
Style: Slowcore, Slacker Rock, Shoegaze
Moods: Introspective, Lethargic, Existential, Hypnotic, Melancholy, Nocturnal, Rainy, Spacey
Musical Qualities: Slow, Noisy, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Riffs, Repetitive
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Art Pop, Chamber-Jazz
Vibes: Autumnal, Sombre, Introspective, Vaudeville, Lush, Sentimental, Theatric, Surreal, Storytelling, Haunting
Rustin Man – Drift Code Read More »
Jarrett Gilgore (alto saxophone); Luke Stewart (upright bass); Ian McColm (drums)
with Dave Ballou (trumpet)
Style: Free Jazz
Moods: Adventurous, Earthy, Driving, Exploratory, Free, Energetic, Abstract, Colorful, Communal, Complex, Determined
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Ostinato, Polyrhythmic, Dense, Acoustic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Instrumental, Dynamic, Live Recording
Heart of the Ghost – Live at Rhizome Read More »
Style: “Imaginary Folk”, Free Folk, Avant-Folk, Ritual-Psych
Moods: Mysterious, Ritualistic, Exploratory, Surreal, Tribal, Hypnotic, Psychedelic, Shadowy
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Polyrhythmic, Acoustic, Percussive, Progressive, Improvisation
Širom – Svet, ki spe?e konju cvet (A Universe That Roasts Blossoms for a Horse) Read More »
Style: EAI, Post-Minimalism, Psychedelic Experimental
Moods: Earthy, Visceral, Hallucinogenic, Tangled, Hypnotic, Surreal, Knotty, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Electro-Acoustic, Pulse, Experimental Vocalizations, Improvisation, Repetitive
Instrumentation: Flute, Vocals & Keyboards, all processed through stereo delay effects
Ka Baird – Respires Read More »
Style: Organic Beat Music, Bedroom Gospel, Spiritual Jazz
Moods: Heartfelt, Raw, Sombre, Spiritual, Flowing, Passionate, Mournful, Mysterious, Haunting, Cathartic, Eclectic
Musical Qualities: Home Recording, Collage, Beats, Improvisation, Solo, Loose, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Lo-fi
Instrumentation: Clarinet, Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Drums
Angel Bat David – The Oracle Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Synth Pop, Trip-Hop
Moods: Bittersweet, Sentimental, Warm, Romantic
Musical Qualities: Catchy, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Polished Production
Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow Read More »
Style: Folk Pop, Dream-Folk, Progressive Pop, Slowcore
Vibe: Spring, Warm, Intertwined, Ethereal, Introspective, Cryptic, Poetic, Misty, Gentle, Soothing, Bittersweet
Musical Qualities: Lush, Polished, Melodic, Progressive
Style: Country-Psych, Folk-Funk, Jam Band
Vibe: Aquatic, Summer, Warm, Groovy, Spacey, Laid Back, Playful, Stoned
Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Atmospheric, Improvisation, Loose, Lo-Fi
Wet Tuna – Water Weird Read More »
Style: Gothic Americana, Neo-Folk, Post-Rock
Moods: Brooding, Existential, Shadowy, Eerie, Sombre, Spiritual, Apocalyptic, Contemplative, Cryptic, Hypnotic, Focused, Nihilistic, Patient, Philosophical, Suspenseful
Musical Qualities: Slow, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Repetitive, Lyrical, Droney, Rhythmic, Atmospheric
Swans – leaving meaning. Read More »
Style: Modern Creative, Chamber Jazz, Experimental Big Band, Great Black Music, Avant-Garde Classical
Vibe: Communal, Triumphant, Suspenseful, History, Eclectic, Colorful, Intricate, Ritualistic, Patient, Open, Complex, Theatric
Musical Qualities: Poly-Free Improvisation, Dynamic, Collective, Progressive Structures, Technical, Orchestral, Percussive, Reductionism, Suite, Polyphonic
Instrumentation: Trumpets, Upright Bass, Spoken Word, Operatic Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone, Cello, Violin, Viola
The Art Ensemble of Chicago – We Are On the Edge Read More »
Style: Tishoumaren, Desert Blues
Vibe: Desert, Hypnotic, Journeying, Spiritual, Flowing, Psychedelic, Mellow, Communal, Uplifting
Musical Qualities: Slow, Group Vocals, Repetitive, Percussive, Rhythmic
Tinariwen – Amadjar Read More »
Style: Folk Rock, Psych, Jam Band
Vibe: Scorched, Summer, Desert, Stoned, Pastoral Peaceful, Sunny, Traveling, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Instrumental, Improvisation, Fuzzy, Mellow, Riffs, Loose
Vibe: Contemplative, Tender, Soothing, Warm, Bittersweet, Rustic, Open, Pastoral, Light
Themes: Family, Existential, Spirituality, Love
Musical Qualities: Soft, Melodic, Vocal Harmonies, Atmospheric Production, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Banjo, Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Mandolin Synthesizer, Electric Bass, Lap Steel Slide Guitar, Omnichord, Drums, Percussion
Hiss Golden Messenger – Terms of Surrender Read More »
Style: Space Rock, Folk Rock
Vibe: Desert, Spacey, Western, Moody
Musical Qualities: Riffs, Repetitive, Driving, Atmospheric
Kendra Amalie – Intuition Read More »
Style: Drone, Free Improvisation, Ambient
Vibe: Suspenseful, Haunting, Murky, Mysterious, Meditative, Responsive, Noir
Musical Qualities: Lo-Fi, Improvisation, Noisy, Atmospheric, Heavy Reverb
Loren Mazzacane Conners & Daniel Carter – The Departing of a Dream Volume VII Read More »
Style: American Primitvism, Ambient Blues, Solo Electric Guitar
Vibe: Meditative, Longing, Spiritual, Pastoral, Loose, Kinetic
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Dissonance, Instrumental, Sparse
Bill Orcutt – Odds Against Tomorrow Read More »
Style: Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Mellow, Morning, Soothing, Bittersweet, Warm, Introspective, Ethereal
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Sparse, Soft
Jessica Pratt – Quiet Signs Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Big Band, Arabic/Egyptian Folk, Psychedelic Jazz
Vibe: Intense, Sombre, Cathartic, Psychedelic, Complex, Ritualistic, Communal
Musical Qualities: Dense, Progressive, Dissonant, Acoustic, Percussive
Instrumentation: Santur, Upright Bass, Piano, Saxophones, Vocals, Percussion, Drums, Clarinet, Flute, Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello), Keyboards, Synthesizer, lap Steel Guitar, Electronics, Harp
Land of Kush – Sand Enigma Read More »
Style: Progressive Songwriter, Art Rock, Progressive Pop
Vibe: Satirical, Depressive, Anxious, Dystopian, Bright, Eccentric, Existential, Longing, Pessimistic, Urban, Storytelling
Musical Qualities: Complex, Dense, Progressive, Intricate, Dynamic, Conceptual
Richard Dawson – 2020 [Review] Read More »
Style: Organic Beat Music, Spiritual Jazz, Cybernetic Jazz, Progressive Jazz
Vibe: Ritualistic, Triumphant, Poetic, Tribal, Afro-Futurism, Epic, Moody, Earthy
Musical Qualities: Beats, Structured Improvisation, Polyrhythmic, Progressive, Percussive
Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah – Ancestral Recall Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Ecstatic Post-Minimalism, Psychedelic Trance Music, Gnawa-Influenced
Vibe: Hypnotic, Meditative, Psychedelic, Ecstatic, Spiritual, Cathartic, Mosaic,
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Live, Minimalistic, Acoustic, Instrumental, Polyphonic, Polyrhythmic, Repetitive
Instrumentation: Guimbri, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Harmonium, Drums
Natural Information Society with Evan Parker – descension (Out of Our Constrictions) Read More »
Style: Dark Ambient, Free Improvisation, Ambient Blues
Vibe: Murky, Meditative, Washy, Haunting, Suspenseful, Mysterious, Ethereal
Musical Attributes: Solo Electric Guitar Improvisation, Sparse, Atmospheric, Slow, Lo-fi
Loren Connors – Beautiful Dreamer (for Steve Dalachinksy) Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Gospel Folk, Bedroom Soul, Experimental Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Woozy, Imaginative, Cryptic, Warm, Ethereal, Stoned
Musical Attributes: Lo-fi, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Vocal Harmonies, Vocal Manipulation, Eclectic, Collage
Yves Jarvis – The Same but by Different Means Read More »
Style: Modern Soul, Art Pop
Vibe: Reflective, Lush, Mellow, Confident, Groovy, Introspective, Summer, Warm
Musical Attributes: Melodic, Soft, Suite, Vignettes, Polished, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Beats
Solange – When I Get Home Read More »
Released in 2019 on 33-33 Records Format: LP Style: Free-Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock Influences: Arabic Folk Music, Free Improvisation, Drone, Indian Classical Music Vibe: Exploratory, Cathartic, Ritualistic, Psychedelic, Spiritual Musical Attributes: Improvisation Members: Sir Richard Bishop (Guitar, Piano), Chris Corsano (Drums), Alvarius Bishop (Bass, Vocals), Michael Flower (Japanese Banjo)
The Clandestine Quartet – One for the Fossa, Two for the Wolverine Read More »
Released in 2019 on Western Vinyl Format: LP
Moon Bros – The Easy Way is Hard Enough Read More »
40+ album released in 2019 worthy of some deep listening, plus an accompanying mixtape recorded straight from these records
Deep Rotations: 2019 — 40+ Essential Records + Mixtape Read More »
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Fly Pan Am – C’est ça Read More »
Released in 2019 on Stones Throw Records Format: LP
Jamael Dean – Black Space Tapes Read More »
Released in 2019 on Don Giovanni Records Format: LP, grey vinyl
Moor Mother – Analog Fluids of Sonic Black Holes Read More »
Released in 2019 on Jealous Butcher Records Format: LP
Eamon Fogarty – Blue Values Read More »
Released in 2019 on RCA Records Format: LP
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana Read More »
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis Read More »
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Sandro Perri – Soft Landing Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Ambient Pop
Moods: Apathetic, Introspective, Surreal, Sleazy, Melancholy, Sleek, Mellow, Sensual, Depressive, Ethereal, Stark, Meditative
Musical Qualities: Soft, Sparse, Lyrical, MIDI, Smooth, Polished
A.A. Bondy – Enderness Read More »
Months after introducing us to the hazy bedroom-psych of his debut EP, songwriter/producer Ainsley Scullion returns with a glossy new single under his Glass Tree Season moniker. “Colour” features an upgrade in production and fidelity, without much alteration to his chilled out style of psychedelic dream-pop. The track begins with a slow, melancholy chord progression
Glass Tree Season – Colour [Track Review] Read More »
Released in 2019 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LP
jaimie branch – Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise Read More »
Released in 2019 on Leaving Records Format: LP
Carlos Niño & Friends – Bliss On Dear Oneness Read More »
Innovative guitarist and producer Dave Harrington (Darkside) uses his latest record to explore the outer reaches of improvisation and compositional post-production. Pure Imagination, No Country is jazz-rock fusion stripped of its retro connotations—fusing hard grooves, free flights of collective improvisation, and futuristic ambience to create something that is at turns atmospheric and in your face.
Recommended for fans of Bill Frisell, Terje Rypdal, or Jaga Jazzist
Dave Harrington Group – Pure Imagination, No Country Read More »
Released in 2019 by Gogol Mogul Format: LPx2
Your Old Droog – It Wasn’t Even Close Read More »
Washes of piano, harp, and other ephemeral sonic artifacts float through Ledesma’s peaceful, almost static atmospheres like a night breeze through the quiet woods.
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma – Tracing Back the Radiance Read More »
Released in 2019 on Editions Mego Format: LP
Oren Ambarchi – Simian Angel Read More »
Released in 2019 on Constellation Records Format: 12″ EP
Efrim Manuel Menuck & Kevin Doria – “are SING SINCK, SING” Read More »
Released in 2019 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP Limited pink vinyl
Sarah Louise – Nighttime Birds and Morning Stars Read More »
Producing solo music can be an isolating, obsessive experience that creates somewhat of a disconnect with the outside world, yet this very experience often results in intimate forms of self-expression meant to forge new connections with listeners. UK songwriter & producer Ainsley Scullion (Glass Tree Season) seems to relish in this alone time, patiently refining
Glass Tree Season – EP Read More »
Released in 2019 on Eremite Records Recorded in 2017 Format: LPx2, Screen-printed jacket
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Mandatory Reality Read More »
On his latest, producer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Bibio blends serene folk pop, lush instrumentation, pastoral guitar instrumentals, nature field recordings, Walt Whitman-esque lyrics and beat-oriented grooves into the perfectly crafted springtime album. Ribbons feels like daydreaming in a garden or out in the woods under a tree or by a trickling stream.
These transcendent drone meditations will envelop you in a dark blanket of fuzzy guitars and blooming synthesizers.
Tom Chandler – gone Read More »
