On the Surface
Style: Chamber Folk, Progressive Songwriter, Art Rock
Vibes: Brooding, Autumnal, Reflective, Weary, Bittersweet, Longing, Sombre, Melancholy, Mysterious
Themes: Existential, Impermanence, Time, Love, Death, Philosophical
Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown Read More »
Style: Electroacoustic, Ritual Psych, Sound Collage
Vibes: Otherworldly, Ritualistic, Mysterious, Nocturnal, Mystical, Meditative, Shadowy, Haunting, Visceral
Ka Baird – Bearings: Soundtracks for the Bardos Read More »
Style: Appalachian Folk, American Primitivism
Vibes: Spiritual, Rootsy, Rural, Warm, Uplifting, Triumphant, Devotional, Spring
Joseph Allred – Branches and Leaves Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Classical, Electro-Acoustic, Tape Music, Creative Music, Third Stream
Vibes: Ominous, Sombre, Anxious, Cinematic, Dystopian, Surreal, Poetic, Chaotic, Cold, Complex, Eclectic, Exploratory
Themes: Political, Colonialism, War, Death, Liberation, History
Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Collage, Polyphonic, Dynamic, Spoken Word, Dense, Progressive, Sampling, Choral, Improvisation
Ilhan Mimaroglu – Sing Me a Song of Songmy Read More »
Marcio Mattos, Sachiko M, Tetuzi Akiyama
Style: EAI, Experimental Songwriter, Reductionism
Vibes: Sombre, Forest, Depressive, Nocturnal, Introspective, Apathetic, Poetic, Open, Death, Visceral, Mysterious, Anguish, Bleak, Alienation
David Sylvian – Manafon Read More »
Style: Free Jazz, Creative Music, Liberation Music, Jazz Poetry, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Passionate, Rootsy, Poetic, Storytelling, Rebellious, Compassionate, Intertwined, Haunting, Spiritual, Driving, Communal, Triumphant, Sad, Powerful
Themes: Ancestry, History, Feminism, Trauma, Memory, Black Liberation, Identity, Death
Musical Qualities: Suite, Thematic, Graphic Score, Improvisation, Spoken Word, Complex, Group Vocals
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden Read More »
with Jake Falby, Alex Somers, Eric Littmann, Marilu Donovan, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma & Nadia Hulett
Style: Chamber-Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Ambient Pop, New Age
Vibes: Heartfelt, Reflective, Loving, Bittersweet, Mournful, Healing, Introspective, Compassionate, Observational, Poetic, Contemplative, Ethereal, Summer
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Soft, Lush, Orchestral
Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Strings, Piano, Synthesizers, Harp, Modular Synthesizer
Julie Byrne – The Greater Wings Read More »
Style: Irish Folk, Dark Folk, Avant-Folk, Acoustic Drone
Vibe: Haunting, Sombre, Rootsy, Storytelling, Ominous, Melancholy, Dark, Death, Intense, Ritualistic, Spiritual
Lankum – False Lankum Read More »
Style: Klezmer, Chamber-Folk, Balkan Folk Music
Moods: Sombre, Passionate, Mournful, Intertwined, Cathartic, Reflective, Rootsy, Dark, Spiritual
Instrumentation: Clarinet, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Upright Bass, Mandolin, Saz, Cymbalom, Percussion
Black Ox Orkestar – Nisht Azoy Read More »
Abridged version of a 24-hour recording from 2011
Style: Post-Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Experimental Rock, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Cold, Apocalyptic, Desolate, Ominous, Mournful, Sombre, Mysterious, Existential, Rainy, Spacey, Melancholy, Nihilistic, Haunting, Hypnotic, Lonely, Dreamy, Cerebral, Meandering, Greyscale, Dystopian
The Flaming Lips – 7 Skies H3 Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Art-Rock
Moods: Longing, Bittersweet, Passionate, Heartbreak, Angsty, Sentimental, Romantic, Introspective, Sensual, Existential, Poetic, Sad, Sombre
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Lush, Melodic, Polished Production, Orchestral Arrangements, Gospel Background Vocals
Jeff Buckley – Grace Read More »
Style: Slowcore, Experimental Songwriter, Slacker Rock
Moods: Alienation, Contemplative, Depressive, Eclectic, Intimate, Melancholy, Brooding, Cryptic, Introspective, Loner, Raw, Playful
Smog – Dongs of Sevotion Read More »
Style: Drone, Free Folk, Post-Rock
Moods: Bleak, Depressive, Nocturnal, Uneasy, Urban, Raw, Hypnotic, Dark, Ominous, Ragged, Ethereal, Death, Suspenseful, Intimate, Murky, Western
Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Lo-Fi, Improvisation, Sparse, Repetitive, Droney, Atmospheric
Charalambides – Market Square Read More »
On this mournful offering, Cave’s poetic reflections on loss, longing, and loneliness slowly float down a river of gloomy synth drones, somber strings, and sparse piano. While not exactly uplifting, the album has a sense of peace and beauty that continues up through the repeating final refrain, “and it’s alright now”.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree Read More »
Style: Avant-Folk, Progressive Folk
Moods: Ominous, Forest, Surreal, Dark, Theatrical, Disturbing, Hallucinatory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Aggressive, Complex, Shadowy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Percussive, Chamber Arrangements, Technical
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar (6 & 12-Strings), Violin, Viola, Oboe, Flute, Percussion, Electric Bass
Comus – First Utterance Read More »
Style: Instrumental Hip-Hop, Plunderphonics
Vibe: Bittersweet, Groovy, Heartfelt, Love, Warm, Lush
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Vignettes, Loops, Sound Collage, Rhythmic, Repetitive
Style: Loner Folk, Psych Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Introspective, Loner, Dark, Nocturnal, Psychedelic
Lyrical Themes: Philosophical, Existential, Death, Personal
Holy Sons – Raw & Disfigured Read More »
Style: South African Jazz, Spiritual Jazz, Progressive Jazz
Vibe: Conscious, Intense, Ritualistic, Cathartic
Lyrical Themes: History, Politics, Death, Spirituality
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Spoken Word, Technical
Shabaka & the Ancestors – We Are Sent Here by History Read More »
Style: Art Rock, Jazz-Rock
Vibe: Introspective, Moody, Passionate, Sentimental, Sombre, Conceptual
Musical Attributes: Lyrical, Complex, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Rhythmic, Progressive
Lyrical Themes: Death, Existential, Personal, Reflective
David Bowie – Black Star Read More »
Style: Lo-Fi, Experimental Singer/Songwriter, Loner Folk
Vibe: Heartfelt, Imaginative, Introspective, Nature, Intimate, Loner, Bittersweet, Depressive, Psychedelic, Raw, Lonely
Lyrical Themes: Existential, Alienation, Breakup, Philosophical, Poetic, Personal, Death
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Noisy, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Analogue Recording, lo-fi, Distorted
The Microphones – The Glow Pt. 2 Read More »
Style: Emo, Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore
Vibe: Introspective, Angsty, Dark, Depressive, Introspective, Passionate, Poetic, Sombre
Themes: Personal, Self-Loathing, Regret, Death, Alienation
Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me Read More »
Religious allegory, profane thoughts, and lustful confessions intertwine on Human Behavior’s third LP; Kedimum is a brooding suite of psychological chamber folk that introspects into a conflicted mind, struggling to reconcile matters of indoctrinated faith, natural human desires, and internalized guilt. Primary songwriter Andres Parada is joined by a sympathetic cast of vocalists to create a vivid sonic drama complete with choral vocals and spoken word passages to complement his haunting narrations. The intricate and shadowy arrangements blend distorted electronic beats with a wide array of acoustic instrumentation, including banjo, clarinet, accordian, acoustic guitar, violin, ehru, and cello.
Human Behavior – Kedumim Read More »
Released in 2011 on Constellation Records Format: 10″x2
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter 1: Gens de Couleur Libres Read More »
Released in 2014 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Carla Bozulich – Boy 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 2014 on RVNG International Format: LP
The Body – I Shall Die Here Read More »
Originally released in 1969 on Warner Bros. Records 1973 Pressing Format: LPx2
Grateful Dead – Live/Dead Read More »
Released in 2013 on Bella Union UK Pressing Format: LPx2, Bonus 7″, Holographic Cover Studio album takes up sides A, B, & C. Side D contains “We Don’t Control the Controlled (mashed-the-fuck-up-remix, Dan Deacon and the Electric Worms’ Insight Violence)” 7″ includes “Sun Blows Up Today” b/w “All You Need Is Love (featuring Alex and
The Flaming Lips – The Terror Read More »
Released in 2008 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band – 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons Read More »
Released in 2015 on Asthmatic Kitty Records Format: LP, clear vinyl First Pressing, limited to 10,000 copies
Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell Read More »
Originally released on K records in 2003 Recorded between 2001-2002 2013 Reissue on PW Elverum & Sun Format: LP
The Microphones – Mount Eerie Read More »
Released in 2015 on Brainfeeder Records Format: 12″ EP, Red Vinyl
Thundercat – The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam Read More »
Released in 2005 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2, etching on D-side
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band – Horses in the Sky Read More »
1967 Originally Released in 1965 on Takoma Records 1967 Reissue Format: LP
John Fahey – Volume 3: The Dance of Death & Other Plantation Favorites Read More »
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk
Moods: Intimate, Reflective, Existential, Conversational, Mournful, Sombre, Introspective, Personal, Romantic, Sad
Mount Eerie – Now Only Read More »
Style: Goth Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Dark Cabaret
Moods: Winter, Sombre, Dark, Theatrical, Storytelling, Ominous, Brooding, Violent, Vulgar
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Lush, Polished
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Murder Ballads Read More »
The singer makes an album dealing with the grief and eventual acceptance that followed her sister’s suicide. The style is reminiscent of the spacey lounge-pop of her previous band, Stereolab, although much lighter and dreamier.
Laetitia Sadier – The Trip Read More »
Released in 2009 on Frenchkiss Records Format: LP
The Antlers – Hospice Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2000 on Constellation Records Recorded November 1999 at the mighty Hôtel2Tango
A psychedelic, transcendent fusion of hip-hop, jazz, prog, and IDM meant to simulate the cosmic experience of death. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, Kamasi Washington, Snoop Dogg, and others..,
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead Read More »
Album Information: Released on Palace Records in 1999
Bonnie “Prince” Billy – I See a Darkness Read More »
