Style: Post-Minimalism, Ambient Chamber-Folk, New Age
Moods: Soothing, Flowing, Dreamy, Meditative, Nature, Peaceful, Hypnotic, Pulse, Intertwined, Reflective
Instrumentation: Celtic Harp, Alto Saxophone, Keyboards, Voice
2022 was a whirlwind, a lot of transformation and left turns and chaos and growth. I was all over the map mentally, emotionally, musically, and geographically (if road tripping around the US counts). When December hit I was still knee deep in discovering a wealth of amazing new music from that year, so making one …
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Moods: Contemplative, Existential, Nature, Poetic Lush, Pastoral, Warm, Peaceful, Romantic
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Piano, Drums, Electric Bass, Contra Alto Clarinet, Trumpet, Synthesizers
“Way of the Pilgrim” unfolds as a 4-movement suite of dark acoustic summoning rituals, spiritually connected to a mystical lineage of wyrd-folk practitioners through the ages. That strangely familiar feeling of being lost in the woods, of venturing into the archetypal unknown, pervades the atmosphere right from the opening… [Click for full review]
Recommended if you dig Six Organs of Admittance, Fursaxa, Robbie Basho, Third Ear Band
Style: Noise Folk, Free Pop, Experimental
Moods: Eccentric, Playful, Expressive, Primal, Somatic, Jittery, Ecstatic, Joyful, Erotic, Spontaneous, Raw
Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Catchy, Electro-acoustic, Fuzzy, Noisy, Home Recording, Loose
Instrumentation: Banjo, Drums, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar
Style: Experimental Rock, Totalism, Math Rock
Influences: Tishoumaren, Krautrock, Free Jazz
Moods: Triumphant, De-Hypnotizing, Propulsive, Knotty, Angular, Kinetic, Energetic, Dancey, Embodied, Tangled, Communist, Chaotic
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Complex, Dense, Just Intonation, Instrumental, Uncommon Time Signatures, Microtonal, Dissonant, Polyphonic, Technical, Repetitive, Drones
Style: Art-Pop, Bedroom Pop, Dream Pop
Moods: Introspective, Warm, Intimate, Dreamy, Surreal, Soothing, Plaintive, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Catchy, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Vocal Harmonies
Featured Musicians: Joe Rainey, jaimie branch, Laraaji, Thor Harris, Ryan Olsen, Ikue Mori
Style: Algonquian & Pocasset Powwow Music, Neo-Psychedelia
Moods: Ceremonial, Communal, Cathartic, Colorful, Spiritual, Intense, Tribal, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Chants, Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Rhythmic
Style: Post-Industrial Powwow Music, Experimental Electronic
Mood: Communal, Ritualistic, Cathartic, Spiritual, Passionate, Mournful, Epic
Musical Qualities: Chants, Manipulated Vocals, Distorted, Electroacoustic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Percussive, Noisy
Style: Ritual Folk, Experimental Songwriter
Mood: Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Shadowy, Occult, Dark, Alchemical, Mystical, Sombre, Funereal
Musical Qualities: Slow, Microtonal, Droney, Lyrical, Dissonant, Acoustic
Style: Spectral Ambient Collage, Future Garage, lowercase
Moods: Longing, Nocturnal, Romantic, Lonely, Haunting, Foggy, Urban, Ethereal, Intimate, Rainy, Winter, Stark, Fragmented
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Soft, Atmospheric, Collage, Sparse, Reductionist
Styles: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock, Synth Pop
Moods: Longing, Reflective, Heartbreak, Autumnal, Sentimental, Anthemic, Apocalyptic, Dramatic, Lonely
Musical Qualities: Lush, Polished, Melodic, Lyrical, Atmospheric
Style: “Imaginary Folk”, Ritual Folk, Psychedelic Minimalism
Moods: Mysterious, Ritualistic, Earthy, Tribal, Exploratory, Hypnotic, Mystical, Sombre, Surreal
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Microtonal, Polyphonic, Improvisation, Acoustic, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Repetitive, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Guimbri, Banjo, Frame Drum, Viola, Hurdy Gurdy, Tampura, Balafon, Chimes, Lute, Lyre, Ribab, Mizmar
Style: Jazz Rap, Great Black Music, Experimental Hip-Hop, Future Jazz
Moods: Conscious, Surreal, Futuristic, Mystical, Uplifting, Warm, History, Cryptic, Poetic, Storytelling, Spiritual, Ethereal, Eclectic, Sombre, Summer, Political
Musical Qualities: Lush, Lyrical, Suite, Beats
Featured Musicians: Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, Marta Sofia Honer, etc
Styles: Orchestral Beat Music, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Mood: Spring, Cinematic, Warm, Uplifting, Spiritual, Groovy, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Lush, Suite, Sampling, Rhythmic, Orchestral, Instrumental, Beats, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Styles: Progressive Pop, Post-Industrial Chamber Music, IDM, Gabber, Deconstructed Club
Moods: Earthy, Knotty, Sensual, Futuristic, Surreal, Romantic, Mystical, Passionate, Messy, Hallucinogenic, Intense, Forest, Eccentric, Epic, Tribal
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Dense, Dynamic, Complex, Glitchy, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Electro-Acoustic
Instrumentation: Digital Programming, Woodwinds (Bass Clarinet, Oboe, Clarinet), Strings, Choral Vocals
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock, Chamber Pop
Moods: Contemplative, Sunny, Poetic, Warm, Mellow, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Lyrical
Styles: Psychedelic Minimalism, Kosmische, New Age, Progressive Electronic
Moods: Cosmic, Meditative, Hypnotic, Colorful, Psychedelic, Spiritual, Focused
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Pulse, Polyrhythmic, Minimalistic, Instrumental
Style: Shadow Americana, Free Folk, Country-Drone, Post-Rock
Moods: Western, Haunting, Ritualistic, Impressionistic, Meditative, Rustic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Instrumental, Droney, Atmospheric
Style: Ambient, Electroacoustic, Impressionism, Nature Recordings, Ambient Jazz, Sound Collage
Moods: Ethereal, Soothing, Aquatic, Flowing, Peaceful, Exploratory, Airy, Intimate, Nature
Musical Qualities: Field Recordings, Vignettes, Loops, Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Atmospheric, Improvisation
Style: Progressive Songwriter, Prog-Folk, Art Rock
Moods: Sombre, Epic, Lonely, Futuristic, Dystopian, Cryptic, Melancholy, Poetic, Mythic
Themes: Alienation, Apocalypse, Medieval, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Qualities: Progressive Structures, Lush Arrangements, Storytelling, Suite, Conceptual, Complex
Style: Experimental Songwriter, Glitch, Minimal Industrial
Moods: Ominous, Mechanical, Brooding, Cold, Lonely, Anxious, Apathetic, Cryptic, Depressive, Eerie, Existential, Moody, Shadowy, Bitter
Musical Qualities: Electro-Acoustic, Glitchy, Sparse, Polyrhythmic, Dissonant, Spoken Word, Digital, Dynamic
Styles: Chamber Drone, Electro-Acoustic, Free Improvisation, Post-Rock
Moods: Apocalyptic, Sombre, Cathartic, Nature, Exploratory, Spiritual, Angsty, Anthemic, Aquatic, Brooding, cathartic, Heartfelt, Mournful, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Droney, Electro-Acoustic, Thematic, Repetitive, Loops, Fuzzy
features vocals from Bill Callahan, Emily Cross (Loma), Adam Torres, & Julia Holter
Style: Haunted Folk, Ambient Americana, Southern Gothic
Moods: Desolate, Bleak, Haunting, Western, Cinematic, Stark, Sombre, Rustic, Melancholy, Brooding, Contemplative, Depressive, Nocturnal, Alienation, Dystopian, Impressionistic, Lonely, Moody, Mournful, Mythic, Noir, Personal
Musical Qualities: Suite, Atmospheric, Slow, Sampling, Electro-acoustic, Droney
Style: Cyber-Jazz, Progressive Electronic, Jazz Fission
Vibe: Futuristic, Colorful, Abstract, Playful
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Improvisation, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive, Sampling
Style: New Age, Spiritual Jazz
Moods: Meditative, Devotional, Soothing, Mellow, Flowing, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Shakuhachi, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Harp, Flute, Synthesizers, Percussion, Kora
Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Free Pop, Progressive Songwriter, Hypnagogic Pop, Psychedelic Jazz-Folk
Moods: Uplifting, Personal, Existential, Warm, Groovy, Summer, Surreal, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Studio-as-an-Instrument, Processed Vocals, Melodic, Home Recording, Dense, Catchy
Style: Art Pop, Spiritual Jazz, Dub Poetry, Collage Pop
Moods: Triumphant, Conversational, Uplifting, Conscious, Communal, Heartfelt, Passionate, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Intimate, Intricate, Playful, Rebellious, Love, Poetic, Reflective, Soothing, Spiritual, Warm,
Musical Qualities: Suite, Improvisation, Analogue Recording, Tape Edits, Dub Production, Sound Collage, Thematic, Polished, Catchy
Instrumentation: Saxophone, Spoken Word, Upright Bass, Drums, Group Vocals, Tabla, Synthesizers, Percussion, Guitar, Cello
Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Singer/Songwriter, Art Pop
Moods: Uplifting, Heartfelt, Spiritual, Warm, Introspective, Wholesome, Eclectic, Colorful, Cryptic, Ethereal, Joyful, Longing, Bittersweet, Psychedelic, Sentimental, Tender
Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Vocal Effects, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Catchy, Polished, Progressive
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Moods: Bittersweet, Road Trip, Warm, Reflective, Introspective, Breakup, Rustic
Recommended if you dig Gram Parsons, Edith Frost, or Neko Case
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber Folk
Moods: Reflective, Poetic, Intimate, Lonely, Loving, Wise, Compassionate, Tender, Soothing, Contemplative, Bittersweet, Rustic, Peaceful, Melancholy, Intricate, Pastoral
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Soft, Melodic
Style: Progressive Chamber-Folk
Moods: Imaginative, Reflective, Cryptic, Evocative, Cathartic, Sombre, Introspective, Haunting, Dreamy, Poetic, Surreal, Ethereal
Musical Qualities: Lush, Progressive, Acoustic, Dense, Technical, Polished
Instrumentation: Nylon Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bassoon, Upright Bass, Cello, Synthesizer
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Post-Bop, Chamber Jazz, Prog
Moods: Adventurous, Enigmatic, Triumphant, Knotty, Ambitious, Intertwined, Cerebral, Angular, Surreal, Off-Kilter
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Thematic Improvisation, Progressive Structures, Uncommon Time Signature, Instrumental, Intertwined, Lush. Technical
Style: Atmospheric Jazz, Post-Minimalism
Moods: Nocturnal, Suspenseful, Motorik, Western, Desert, Cinematic, Hypnotic
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Electroacoustic, Rhythmic, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums
Style: Jazz Fission, Psychedelic Jazz, Abstract Groove
Moods: Aquatic, Cosmic, Colorful, Futuristic, Triumphant, Mysterious, Playful, Exploratory, Surreal, Impressionistic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Complex, Rhythmic
Grouper & Jefre-Cantu Ledesma
Style: Ambient, Drone
Moods: Plaintive, Autumnal, Soothing, Mournful, Nocturnal, Washy, Hazy, Melancholy, Haunting
Musical Qualities: Electroacoustic, Field Recordings, Noisy, Lo-fi, Atmospheric, Soft, Slow, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber-Jazz, Ambient Pop
Moods: Reflective, Existential, Autumnal, Languid, Pensive, Soothing, Peaceful, Nature, Tender, Mellow, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Lush, Slow, Polished, Atmospheric
Featuring Shahzad Ismaily, Tom Skinner, Alabaster dePlume, and more
Style: Aquatic Psych, Folk-Funk
Vibes: Swampy, Ethereal, Mystical, Utopian, Relaxed, Dreamy, Swagger, Contemplative, Warm, Playful, Whispery, Soothing
Qualities: Groovy, Atmospheric, Percussive, Dub Fx, Vocal Delays, Headphone Album
ft. jaimie branch, Tyler Damon, Sam Wagster, Cameron Knowler, David Grubbs, Ryley Walker, & Yasmin Williams
FFO: Jim O’Rourke (Bad Timing / The Visitor), William Tyler, Ry Cooder Instrumentals, Gastr Del Sol, Elkhorn, Moon Bros, Appalachian Folk, Leo Kottke, Jack Rose
Style: Avant-garde Chamber Jazz, Afro-Carribean Jazz, Gwoka
Moods/Themes: Ancestry, Ritualistic, Meditative, Hypnotic, Communal, Rootsy, Poetic, Sombre, Elegant, Flowing, Warm, Mystical
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Acoustic, Repetitive, Improvisation, Technical
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Bèlè Drum, Ka Drum, Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Cello, Violin
Style: Ambient Pop, Post-Rock, Drone-Metal
Vibe: Ethereal, Nocturnal, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Deconstructed, Amorphous, Cryptic, Abstract, Enigmatic
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Washy, Dynamic, Slow, Whispery Vocals
Style: Kosmische Jazz, Progressive Electronic, New Age
Vibe: Healing, Cosmic, Warm, Ethereal, Colorful, Uplifting, Spiritual, Exploratory, Heartfelt, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Repetitive, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Atmospheric, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Keyboards, Synthesizers, Upright Bass, Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Drums, Flute, Harp
Style: Experimental Singer/Songwriter, Warped Folk Ballads
Vibe: Gentle, Woozy, Romantic, Reflective, Intertwined, Poetic, Warm
Musical Qualities: Crooning Vocals, Improvised Experimental Guitar, Looping
Style: Chamber Pop, Post-Rock, Chamber Jazz, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Reflective, Warm, Intertwined, Nature, Breezy, Spiritual, Morning, Apocalyptic, Uplifting
Musical Qualities: Lush, Soft, Suite, Melodic
Instrumentation: Vocals, Soprano Saxophone, Piano, Trumpet, Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums, Cello, Reed Organ, Viola, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Style: Sophisti-Pop, Synth Pop, New Wave, Art Rock
Vibe: Detached, Existential, Luxurious, Angsty, Deadpan, Poetic, Dance, Melancholy, Cryptic, Anxious
Musical Qualities: Catchy, Polished, Rhythmic, Lyrical
