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: Slowcore, Singer/Songwriter
Moods: Depressive, Existential Late Night Bus Rides, Autumnal, Lethargic, Introspective, Moody, Alienation, Sad, Misanthropic, Sombre, Melancholic, Poetic, Pessimistic, Breakup, Sentimental, Lonely
Musical Qualities: Slow, Sparse, Atmospheric
Distorted ghosts of past love and futures lost haunt the spaces between these woozy, blown-out guitar loops and the fragmented rhythms of decaying drums machines. Occasional bursts of noise tear through the sedating static of bittersweet nostalgia.
Style: Chamber Rock, Slowcore, Post-Rock
Vibe: Aquatic, Melancholy, Flowing, Patient, Soothing, Meditative, Longing, Lonely, Dreamy, Mellow, Lethargic
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Loose, Soft, Instrumental, Loops, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Violin, Drums, Electric Guitar, Loops, Melodica, Piano, Harmonica
Style: Lo-Fi Singer/Songwriter, Slowcore, Alt-Country
Vibe: Intimate, Depressive, Romantic, Nocturnal, Sombre, Tender, Haunting, Dark, Lethargic, Lonely, Longing, Love, Poetic, Raw
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore, Alt-Country, Loner Folk
Vibe: Existential, Warm, Morning, Spiritual, Deadpan, Peaceful, Poetic, Introspective, Lonely, Melancholy, Mellow, Contemplative, Intimate
Musical Qualities: Slow, Lo-fi, Lush, Soft, Sparse, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Pedal Steel, Piano, Hammond Organ, Guitar, Trumpet, Drums, Drum Machine, Hurdy Gurdy, French Horn
Style: Country, Folk
Vibes: Melancholy, Desert, Western, Sombre, Lonely, Sad, Breezy, Peaceful, Dreamy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Lush
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica, Dobro, Piano, Fiddle, Trombone, Saxophone, Sousaphone, Trumpet, Flute, Congas, Electric Bass
Style: Lo-Fi Songwriter, Loner Folk, Slowcore
Vibe: Intimate, Sad, Ethereal, Hypnotic, Heartfelt, Stream of Consciousness, Introspective, Longing, Depressive, Lonely, Melancholy, Loss
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Acoustic, Lo-Fi, Minimalistic, Raw, Repetitive
Style: Chamber Folk, Slowcore, Dream Country
Vibe: Flowing, Lethargic, Peaceful, Dreamy, Melancholy, Elegant, Airy, Romantic, Bittersweet, Contemplative, Intertwined, Intimate, Mellow, Sentimental, Smooth, Soothing, Twangy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Slow, Soft, Simple, Chamber Arrangements, Melodic
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Grunge Folk, Americana
Vibe: Depressive, Lonely, Regretful, Gruff, Ragged, Lethargic, Rustic, Haunting
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”.
Style: Progressive Rock, Jazz Rock, Symphonic Prog
Vibe: Alienation, Longing, Sentimental, Dramatic, Heartfelt, Cathartic, Introspective, Existential, Theatric, Lonely, Sad, Passionate, Epic
Musical Qualities: Technical, Progressive, Complex, Dynamic, Ballads
Instrumentation: Piano, Organ, Acoustic Guitar, Saxophones (Alto, Tenor, Baritone), Flute, Drums, Tympani, Electric Bass
Ry Cooder’s beautifully spacious ambient-western compositions are a transcendent pairing with this meditative, expansive film.
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Ditch Americana, Country Rock, Folk Rock
Moods: Loner, Introspective, Melancholy, Alienation, Bittersweet, Apocalyptic, Depressive, Lonely, Sombre, Rebellious
Style: Trip-Hop, Ambient Pop, Electronic
Vibe: Nocturnal, Moody, Melancholy, Ethereal, Detached, Lonely, Cold, Heartfelt, Depressive
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Atmospheric, Slow, Mellow
Style: Ambient Blues, Solo Electric Guitar
Vibe: Longing, Soothing, Nocturnal, Impressionistic, Lonely, Meditative, Melancholy, Suspenseful,
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Improvisation (solo), Atmospheric, Instrumental, Lo-fi
Style: Progressive Songwriter, Art Rock
Vibe: Dramatic, Intimate, Longing, Existential, Theatric, Lonely, Alienation, Ambitious
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Complex, Progressive, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Piano, Vocals, Guitars (Acoustic & Electric), Organ, Horns, Flute, Keyboards, Saxophone, Flute, Drums, Mellotron
Style: Art-Rock, Progressive Songwriter, Trip-Hop, Post-Punk
Vibe: Brooding, Woozy, Grimey, Nocturnal, Angsty, Introspective, Surreal, Shadowy
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore
Vibe: Lament, Depressive, Intimate, Lonely, Rustic, Mournful, Dark
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Voice, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Cello
Style: Art Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Trip-Hop, Neo-Psychedelia
Influences: Lounge, Jazz, Post-Punk
Vibe: Brooding, Angsty, Woozy, Lonely, Nocturnal, Alienation, Depressive, Eclectic, Rainy, Urban
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Country-Rock
Vibe: Lonely, Determined, Melancholy, Longing, Introspective, Rural, Sombre
Style: Slowcore-Country, Singer-Songwriter
Vibe: Brooding, Hypnotic, Conversational, Reflective, Intimate, Lethargic, Confident, Moody, Overcast
Musical Attributes: Slow, Repetitive, Focused
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
Style: Emo, Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore
Vibe: Introspective, Angsty, Dark, Depressive, Introspective, Passionate, Poetic, Sombre
Themes: Personal, Self-Loathing, Regret, Death, Alienation
Originally released in 1997 Plain Records reissue (2010) Format LPx2
Released in 2001 on Future Farmer Records Format: LPx2, 45rpm
Originally released in 1998 on Up Records 2019 Numero Group Reissue Format: LP
Released in 2012 on Hyperdub Records Format: 12″ EP
Style: Ambient, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Suspenseful, Desert, Desolate, Earthy, Mysterious, Eerie, Ethereal, Contemplative, Lonely, Impressionistic
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Instrumental, Analogue, Abstract
Released in 2011 on 4AD Format: LP
Released in 2017 on 4AD Records Format: LPx2, Blue Vinyl
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 …
Released in 2004 on 4AD Records Format: LP
Originally released on K records in 2003 Recorded between 2001-2002 2013 Reissue on PW Elverum & Sun Format: LP
Originally released in 1969 on Mercury Records 2011 Drag City Pressing Format: LP
“Human hearts and pain should never be separate, then they wouldn’t tear themselves apart both trying to fit”. The first album under the Magnolia Electric Co. name touches on the loneliness and depression of much of Jason Molina’s work, but it also contains a fair amount of the hope, light, and perseverance one needs in times of struggle. The musicians here were recorded live in a room by the great Steve Albini, featuring slide guitar, fiddle, and beautiful vocal harmonies from Molina’s band members. With its mix of melancholy Americana, country-tinged rock, and stripped back folk, What Comes After the Blues feels like a continuation of Neil Young’s great ditch trilogy.
Released in 1971 on Elektra Records Format: LPx2
Originally released in 1967 on Elektra 2012 Rhino Pressing, cut from original analogue masters Format: LP
Released in 1967 on Columbia Records Format: LP
Released in 2011 on Blackest Rainbow Format: LPx2, 180g Ltd. to 750 copies
Style: Singer/Songwriter
Subgenres: Slowcore, Country, Folk
Vibe: Depressive, Intimate, Lonely, Sad, Introspective, Raw, Loner
Musical Attributes: Lo-fi, Sparse, Raw, Simple
Originally released in 2002 on Secretly Canadian 2014 deluxe reissue Format: LPx2 (full album on first LP and demos on second LP)
Originally released in 1989 on Fiction Records 2010 pressing, Digitally Remastered by Robert Smith Format: LPx2
Originally released in 1974 on Reprise Records 1978 Israel Pressing Format: LP
Makes me feel like I’m sitting alone at a party, gazing across a dark, smoky room; an outsider looking in. Chill beats, hushed atmospheres, melancholy melodies.
Album Information: Released in 2000 on Constellation Records Recorded November 1999 at the mighty Hôtel2Tango
Blue Afternoon continues the flowing jazz-folk of Tim’s previous release (Happy Sad) while starting to detour into the avant-garde atmospheres that would manifest more fully on his next two albums, Lorca and Starsailor. The songs and lyrics refuse to be boxed into one category as “joyful” or “lonely” or “sad” and instead reflect the intangible multi-dimensionality of feeling.
“Sometimes it’s hard doing anything”. Somehow Jason Molina knows how to perfectly express what depression feels like without ever succumbing to hopelessness. His music has been a friend and a voice of encouragement when I need it most, reminding me to persist and not beat myself up when I feel unproductive or lazy or unmotivated. “The real truth about it is no one gets it right. The real truth about it is we’re all supposed to try”
Album Information: Released in 1969 by Island Records Recorded between June 1968 and June 1969 at Sound Techniques in London, England Produced by Joe Boyd 2013 Island repress , remastered from high resolution digital sources Recommended Tracks: River Man, Cello Song
Unlike Molina’s work with Songs: Ohia or Magnolia Electric Co, this sparse, weary record is void of guest musicians or overdubs, leaving his words alone with nothing but a damp bed of reverbed guitar or mournful, sustained piano chords supporting them.
