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: Free-Folk, Ritual-Drone
Vibe: Nature, Mystical, Ritualistic, Dreamy, Forest, Hallucinogenic, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Sombre
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Repetitive, Mantra, Electroacoustic
Instrumentation: Harmonium, Vocals, Guitar, Harp, Cello, Flute
Style: Free Folk, Cosmic Folk, New Weird Americana, Psych Folk
Vibe: Haunting, Rustic, Mysterious, Intertwined, Suspenseful, Communal, Eerie, Ragged, Discomforting, Ritualistic, Raw
Musical Qualities: Lo-Fi, Droney, Loose, Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive
Style: New Age, Ambient Jazz, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Healing, Woozy, Personal, Ethereal, Soothing, Intimate, Hypnotic, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Spoken Word, Soft, Slow, Electroacoustic, Field Recordings, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Saxophone (w/ FX), Synthesizers, Piano, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Violin, Trumpet, Flute
Style: Cyber-Jazz, Abstract Groove, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Menacing, Exploratory, Kinetic, Ominous, Spacey, Energetic, Colorful, Surreal, Suspenseful, Adventure
Musical Qualities: Duo Improvisation, Thematic, Instrumental, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive, Rhythmic, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Trumpet, Drums, Synthesizers, Electronics
Style: Acid Folk, Free Folk
Vibe: Forest, Mystical, Gentle, Hypnotic, Colorful, Whimsical, Ritualistic, Heartfelt, Nature, Pastoral, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lo-Fi, Melodic, Raw, Off-Key, Soft, Raga, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive
Style: Cyber-Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz, Future Jazz
Influences: IDM, Afrobeat, Free Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Mechanical, Driving, Energetic, Suspenseful, Cinematic, Eclectic, Abstract, Spacey
Musical Methods: Thematic Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Instrumental, Studio-as-an-Instrument,
Instrumentation: Cornet, Drums, Mbira, Synthesizers, Game Boy, Guitar, Balaphone, Electronics, Bamboo Flute
Style: EAI (electroacoustic improvisation), Future Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Kinetic, Urban, Abstract, Impressionistic, Meditative, Suspenseful, Mysterious, Complex
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Electroacoustic, Polyrhythmic, Field Recordings, Instrumental, Improvisation (Solo), Odd Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Style: Organic Beat Music, Spiritual Jazz, Cosmic Folk
Vibe: Intertwined, Hypnotic, Earthy, Warm, Spiritual, Cosmic
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Acoustic, Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Beats
Instrumentation: Clarinet, Keyboards, Piano, Drum Machine, Percussion, Cornet, Upright Bass, Pocket Trumpet
“the chill of loneliness emanates from the blurred, glitchy instrumentation as it entrances you into its wintry and spectral world”
Follow the link for the full review of Tim Hecker’s debut, written by Jack Von Bloeker
Style: Innervisionary, Psychedelic Tape Music, Ambient Dub, Future Folk, Experimental, New Age
Vibe: Alien, Mystical, Woozy, Nocturnal, Exploratory
Musical Qualities: Collage, Loops, Electro-acoustic, Percussive, Dub Fx, Dissonance
Style: Creative Music, Future Jazz, Organic Beat Music, Pan-Americana, Art Pop
Vibe: Romantic, Sci-Fi, Determined, Triumphant, Colorful, Eclectic, Communal, Futuristic, Groovy, Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm
Musical Qualities: Thematic, Polyphonic, Percussive, Polyrythmic, Percussive, Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Progressive
Style: Free Folk, Ecstatic Minimalism
Vibe: Ritualistic, Forest, Nocturnal, Haunting, Hallucinatory, Cautious, Exploratory
Musical Qualities: Loops, Repetitive, Dissonance, Drones, Slow, Electro-Acoustic
Instrumentation: Experimental Vocals, Harmonium, Flute, Spiked Fiddle, Banjo, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Style: Psychedelic Chamber-Folk
Vibe: Haunting, Pastoral, Melancholy, Rainy, Delicate, Intimate, Psychedelic, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Slow, Soft, Electro-Acoustic, Sampling, Home Recording
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Cello, Turntables, Banjo, Tanpura, Violin, Singing Bowls, Percussion, Dulcimer, Bouzouki, Organ, Wine Glasses
LP, Originally released in 1981 by Unlikely Records Freedom to Spend Reissue (2021) Style: Ambient Pop, Experimental Home Recording, Minimal Wave Vibe/Mood: Aquatic, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Impressionistic, Moody, Intertwined, Dreamy, Headphone album Musical Qualities: Loops, Home Recording, Atmospheric, Percussive, Polyphonic, Pulse, Electro-Acoustic Instrumentation: electric guitar, casio vl-tone, vocals, marimba, electric bass, acoustic guitar, digital organ
Style: Ritual Folk, Drone
Vibe: Ancient, Forest, Meditative, Ritualistic, Intimate, Devotional, Earthy, Nature, Autumnal, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Field Recordings, Drone, Atmospheric, Sparse, Suite
Style: Future Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: History, Collage, Futuristic, Eclectic, Complex
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Percussive, Electro-Acoustic, Spoken Word, Suite
Style: Progressive Electronic, Ambient House, Collage Pop, Sound Sculpture
Moods: Cryptic, Surreal, Aquatic, Hypnotic, Nocturnal, Futuristic, Melancholy, Collage, Urban, Mellow, Meditative, Ethereal, Eclectic, Rainy, Romantic
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Electro-Acoustic, Field Recordings, Atmospheric, Melodic, Loops
Style: Drone, Tape Music, Ambient, Drone-Folk
Vibe: Nocturnal, Haunting, Hypnotic, Ethereal, Meditative, Warm, Nature, Nostalgia
Musical Qualities: Sound Collage, Instrumental, Field Recordings, Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Noisy, Home Recording, Vignettes
Instrumentation: Tapes, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Piano, Drum Machine, Synthesizers, Bass, Keyboard, Percussion, Bass Clarinet (B2)
Personnel:
David Grubbs (Electric Guitar, Vocals)
Rob Mazurek (Piccolo Trumpet, Electronics, Wooden Flute, Percussion, Voice)
Mats Gustafsson (Flute, Fluteophone, Baritone Saxophone, Live Electronics)
Style: Electroacoustic Improvisation, Future Jazz, Experimental Songwriter (B1,
Vibe: Suspenseful, Futuristic, Abstract, Spacious, Cerebral, Eclectic, Exploratory, Open, Patient, Cathartic, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive, Noise, Atonality, Dissonance, Dynamic, Live, Atmospheric
Style: New Weird Americana, Warped Folk Rock, Psych Folk
Vibe: Twangy, Cryptic, Mythic, Surreal, Mysterious, Rustic, Mellow, Warm, Rootsy
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Loops, Electro-Acoustic, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Percussion, Organ, Piano, Vocals, Electronics, Cello, Electric Guitar, Pump Organ, Bass
Style: Avant-Folk, Future Folk
Vibe: Sombre, Earthy, Hypnotic, Moody, Psychedelic, Shadowy
Musical Qualities: Vocal Harmonies, Acoustic, Loops, Percussive, Rhythmic, Repetitive
Style: Psychedelic Drone-Folk, Free-Folk
Vibe: Forest, Mystical, Nocturnal, Mysterious, Exploratory, Abstract, Spontaneous, Murky
Musical Qualities: Electro-acoustic, Improvisation, Lo-fi, Loops, Drone, Collage, Suite, Atmospheric
Style: Free Folk, Cosmic Appalachia, Ambient Folk, Healing Music
Vibe: hypnotic, amorphous, confident, cosmic, dreamy, earthy, ethereal, existential, exploratory, forest, warm, spiritual, spontaneous, soothing, psychedelic, passionate, nature, meditative, hallucinogenic
Musical Qualities: Suite, Electro-Acoustic, Studio-as-an-instrument, Loops, Home Recording, Progressive, Field Recordings
Style: Post-Rock, Avant-Rock, Experimental Singer/Songwriter, Chamber-Folk
Vibe: Cryptic, Warm, Cerebral, Spring, Exploratory, Eclectic, Melancholy
Musical Attributes: Odd Time Signatures, Progressive Structures, Melodic
Style: Avant-Folk, Experimental, Math-Rock
Vibe: Sporadic, Chaotic, Abstract, Agular, Cerebral
Musical Attributes: Noisy, Glitchy, Collage, Complex, Electro-acoustic, Instrumental, Studio-as-an-instrument
Style: Psychedelic Minimalism, Post-Minimalism, Ritual Folk
Vibe: Ritualistic, Hallucinogenic, Hypnotic, Earthy, Primal, Psychedelic, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Electro-Acoustic, Loops, Minimalistic, Sampling
Instrumentation: Manipulated Vocals, Flute, Synthesizer (Moog), Drum Samples, Vibraphone
Style: New Weird America, Alt-Country, Psychedelic Americana, Chamber Folk
Vibe: Rustic, Rootsy, Bittersweet, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Chamber, Percussive, Studio-as-an-instrument, Rhythmic, Electro-Acoustic, Loops
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Fiddle, Mallet Percussion, Horns, Electronic Percussion, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano
Style: Free Folk, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Atmospheric, atonal, dissonant, droney, improvisation, percussive, Electro-Acoustic
Style: Ambient
Vibe: Contemplative, Soothing, Sparse, Atmospheric, Warm
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Electro-acoustic, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Style: Organic Beat Music, Tribal Ambient, Ritual Psych-Folk, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Hallucinogenic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Meditative, Hypnotic
Musical Attributes: Electro-Acoustic, Beats, Percussive, Polyphonic, Loops
Style: Experimental, Electro-Acoustic, Noise, Drone
Vibe: Eerie, Noisy, Suspenseful
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Electro-acoustic, Improvisation (Solo), Dynamic, Atonal, Loops
Instrumentation: Electric Cello with Effects
Psychedelic electro-acoustics and earthy minimalism from long-running avant-folk group Spires that in the Sunset Rise. The multi-instrumentalist duo of Ka Baird and Taralie Peterson ritualistically loop and layer a hypnotic tapestry of pre-verbal vocalizations, upright bass, flute, saxophone, synth, and autoharp, running each instrument through trippy stereo delays, visually represented by the two minute-apart clocks next to each other on the album cover. While not as witchy or jarring as the their early releases, Psychic Oscillations finds the band as entrancing as ever.
Style: Organic Beat Music, Tribal Ambient, Gamelan, Post-Minimalism
Vibe: Earthy, Ethereal, Hypnotic, Soothing, Tribal, Warm
Musical Attributes: Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Loops, Rhythmic, Electro-Acoustic, Minimalistic
Released in 2020 on Other People Records
Artist: Nicolas Jaar
Format: LPx2
Style: Progressive Electronic, Ambient Pop, Sound Sculpture
Vibe: Introspective, Mysterious, Nocturnal, Shadowy, Abstract, Dark, Hypnotic, Meditative
Musical Attributes: Electro-Acoustic, Progressive, Digital, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Overview
Bass clarinet, pedal steel guitar, and synthesizer swirling together into a highly immersive and emotive combination of voices. Truly beautiful soundscapes that melt the worry away, with moments of quiet catharsis that I don’t experience very often in ambient music.
Originally released in 2002 on Plug Research Fat Beats Reissue with Quiet Party EP (2017) Format: LPx2, EP on D-Side Style: Glitch-Hop, IDM Vibe: Mellow, Nocturnal, Percussive, Retro (Victorian), Warm Musical Attributes: Glitchy, Digital, Electro-Acoustic, Sampling, Percussive, Melodic
Style: Collage-Pop, Glitch-Folk, Plunderphonics
Vibe: Surreal, Psychedelic, Peaceful, Cerebral, Meditative, Philosophical, Spiritual, Uplifting, Warm, Playful, Hallucinogenic
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Electro-Acoustic, Melodic, Sound Collage, Vocal Manipulation
Style: Collage Pop, Glitch-Folk, Plunderphonics
Vibe: Bittersweet, Warm, Eclectic
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Electro-Acoustic
Style: Glitch-Folk, IDM
Vibe: Autumnal, Peaceful, Warm, Uplifting, Nature, Love
Musical Attributes: Electro-Acoustic, Sampling, Melodic, Repetitive
Style: Free Improvisation, Experimental, Tape Music
Vibe: Suspenseful, Active Listening
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Atonal, Sparse, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Trumpet, Upright Bass, Cello, Trombone, Percussion, Piano, Electro-Magnetic Tape
Style: Free Improvisation, Post-Minimalism, Trance Jazz, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Suspenseful, Hypnotic, Epic, Anxious, Impressionistic
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Repetitive, Droney, Dissonant, Electro-Acoustic, Collective Improvisation, Minimalistic
These communal sound rituals express a digital-era longing to reconnect to the Earth. The grooves here are circular and ceremonial, not rooted to any specific musical traditions but borrowing from many, including cosmic jazz, kosmische musik and undoubtedly inspired by Holden’s collaboration with legendary Gnawa musician Maleem Mahmoud Ghania. Drums and percussion ground the proceedings while muscular sequencer and fiery saxophone arpeggiations hypnotically intertwine. The sounds of fluttering recorder and modular synthesizer swirl through the air like offerings to the cosmos.
Recommended for fans of The Comet is Coming, Tonto’s Exploding Head Band, Maleem Mahmoud Ghania & Pharoah Sander’s Trance of Seven Colors, Natural Information Society, Colin Stetson
“The five-piece band synthesise contemporary classical forms – most often recalling Steve Reich or Philip Glass – and marry them to the looseness and improvisational nature of jazz and the dynamics of head-nodding electronic music. Stateless is at once both carefully composed and freely flowing. The compositions included here are more about rhythm, texture and contrast than definable melodies and harmonic structures.” – Scott Wallace [Sydney Scoop]
Style: IDM, Trip-Hop, Electro-Jazz, Drum n’ Bass
Vibe: Nocturnal, Surreal, Futuristic, Energetic, Mechanical, Ominous, Urban
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Complex, Rhythmic, Repetitive
Released in 2012 on Utecht Records Format: LP, 45rpm
Style: Free Folk, American Primitive Guitar, Poly-Free Improvisation, Experimental Rock
Vibe: Contemplative, Pastoral, Loner, Moody, Melancholy, Mellow, Abstract, Eerie
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Complex, Electro-Acoustic
Released in 2018 on Friends of Friends Records Format: LP, Clear Vinyl
Originally released in 2005 on Warp Records 2013 Reissue Format: LPx2
Released in 2014 on Temporary Residence Records Format: LP Limited edition, includes screen printed cover, #140/1000
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.
Released in 2019 on Editions Mego Format: LP
Released in 2019 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP Limited pink vinyl
Originally released in 2013 on Erased Tapes 2015 VinylMePlease Pressing Format: LPx2
Released in 2010 on Domino Records Format: LPx2 Recommended Tracks: Angel Echoes – A1(Mellow, Hypnotic, Lush) Love Cry – A2 (Dancey, Groovy) She Just Likes to Fight – D2 (Peaceful, Happy, Meditative, Lush)
Released in 1998 on Warp Records Format: LP
The Books’ music is simultaneously funny, innovative, catchy and enlightening. They use found sound and spoken word mixed with innovative recording techniques and acoustic instruments to create beautiful sound-collages that somehow create unity between all these disparate sources, as if they were all meant to be together. Everything these guys do, solo or together, is absolute genius.
Doug McComb’s first album as Brokeback is imbued with pastoral Impressionism, experimentalism, and a sense of Zen contentment. The record is mostly centered around his Bass VI, a short-scale bass with six strings that is trebly enough to function in both guitar and bass roles. This versatile instrument is usually wet with chorus and reverb that sculpt a fluid, aquatic tone to complement the slow, tranquil melodies. Outside of some solo pieces Doug is joined by a variety of accompaniment including lap steel guitar, synth, upright bass, Rhodes, vocals from Mary Hansen, and light percussion provided by producer/Tortoise bandmate John McEntire. This is a record that can be appreciated from a passive impressionistic standpoint, as well as under the microscopic attention of an engaged ear. (Follow link for full review)
Recommended for fans of Tortoise or Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti Western soundtracks
On Towards Language, Norweigan trumpeter Arve Henriksen creates a blend of meditative and suspenseful ambient-jazz, demonstrating a more soothing side to his playing than his noisier output with electro-acoustic improvisers Supersilent.
Released in 2018 on Kranky Format: LPx2 Track Notes and Observations A1. This Life (Droney, Climactic, Mournful) Synths slowly dancing around each other in a beautiful sadness, Woozy, pitches bend and release in and out of tune Blooming structure, crescendos into overwhelming climax Disintegrates into a ghostly version of itself with high pitch sounds A2. …
Style: Arabic Folk, Avant-Folk
Vibe: Mourful, Passionate, Political, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities/Instrumentation: Electroacoustic, Buzuk, Vocals, Prepared Guitar, Field Recordings
