Style: Chamber Ambient, Post-Minimalism, Free Improvisation
Vibes: Contemplative, Mellow, Elegant, Soothing, Suspenseful, Light, Open, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Soft, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Slow
Loren Connors & David Grubbs – Arborvitae Read More »
Style: Ambient, Free Folk, Post-Minimalism
Vibe: Reflective, Dreamy, Melancholy, Soothing, Contemplative, Nocturnal, Ethereal, Loner, Meditative, Haunting
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Loops, Soft, Collage
Ilyas Ahmed – A Dream of Another Read More »
Style: Desert Blues, Psychedelic Trance Rock, Tishoumaren, Post-Minimalism
Vibes: Hypnotic, Desert, Earthy, Psychedelic, Communal, Driving, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Riffs, Improvisation, Instrumental, Repetitive, Microtonal
Instrumentation: Homemade Percussion, Plywood Crate, 12-String Guitar, Shakers, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Viola, Trumpet, Saxophone (Baritone & Alto)
75 Dollar Bill – Wood / Metal / Plastic / Pattern / Rhythm / Rock Read More »
Style: Ethereal Wave, Ambient Pop, Ambient
Vibes: Mysterious, Dreamy, Whimsical, Ethereal, Reflective, Meditative, Nocturnal, Eclectic, Intimate, Soothing, Exploratory, Haunting, Bittersweet, Healing, Hypnotic
Musical Qualities: Soft, Minimalistic, Atmospheric, Sparse
Deux Filles – Silence & Wisdom Read More »
featuring Patrick Shiroishi, Jen Powers, Matthew J. Rolin, Magic Tuber String Band, Mikey Allred, Matt Johnson, Michael Pierce, Anthony Ford, Chris Davis
Style: New Age, Kosmische Folk, Ambient Americana
Vibes: Meditative, Nocturnal, Soothing, Cosmic, Ethereal, Contemplative, Surreal, Pastoral
Joseph Allred – What Strange Flowers Grow in the Shade Read More »
Style: Post-Minimalism, Atmospheric Chamber-Jazz, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Flowing, Patient, Focused, Suspenseful, Adventure, Hypnotic
Musical Qualities: Ostinato, Slow, Collective Improvisation, Minimalistic, Acoustic, Repetitive, Instrumental, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Drums, Piano, Organ
The Necks – Travel Read More »
Style: Ambient Pop, Electro-Acoustic, Post-Minimalism, Avant-Folk
Vibe: Introspective, Deconstructed, Intimate, Surreal, Exploratory, Mysterious, Aquatic, Ethereal, Hypnotic, Mystical, Warm
Instrumentation: Vocals, Cello, Keyboards, Guitar, Harmonica, Echoes
Arthur Russell – Pictures of Bunny Rabbit Read More »
featuring Anna Butters, Ben LaMar Gay, Dan Bitney, Rob Frye, Mikel Patrick Avery, Macie Stewart, Anton Hatwich, Deiego Gaeta, Bed Lumsdaine, Oren Marshall
Style: Collage-Jazz, Chamber-Jazz, Post-Minimalism, New Age, ECM Jazz
Vibe: Aquatic, Soothing, Flowing, Ethereal, Healing, Airy, Meditative, Morning, Nature
Bex Burch – There is Only Love and Fear Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Avant-Dub, Experimental
Vibe: Mechanical Decay, Deconstructed, Urban, Cold, Dystopian, Desolate, Winter, Melancholy
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Dub, Rhythmic, Instrumental, Sampling, Slow, Noisy, Repetitive, Analogue
Instrumentation: Drums, Tapes, Bass Clarinet, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar
Exhaust – Enregistreur Read More »
Style: Mystical Folk, New Age, Fourth World
Vibe: Ethereal, Meditative, Introspective, Airy, Searching, Healing, Mysterious, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Soft, Acoustic, Reverb-Heavy, Minimalistic, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Shakuhachi, Zither, Gender, Sarangi, Rabab, Bodhran, Angklung, Kyeezee, Bells, Acoustic Guitar
Stephen Micus – Koan Read More »
Style: Avant-Folk, Post-Minimalism
Moods: Hypnotic, Mysterious, Meditative, Ritualistic, Nocturnal, Haunting, Ethereal
Musical Qualities: Pulse, Homemade Instrument, Minimalistic, Solo, Improvisation, Repetitive, Electro-Acoustic, Extended Technique, Sparse
Style: Drone-Doom
Vibe: Deep, Claustrophobic, Lethargic, Meditative, Heavy, Visceral, Earthy, Apocalyptic, Focused, Spiritual, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Slow, Fuzzy, Riffs, Dense, Repetitive, Minimalistic, Atmospheric, Droney, Instrumental
Earth 2: Special Low Frequency Version Read More »
featuring members of Tortoise, Codeine, Rex, Tower Recordings, etc.
Style: Chamber-Folk, Back-Porch Minimalism, Post-Rock
Moods: Peaceful, Back-Porch, Mellow, Airy, Focused, Impressionistic, Intertwined, Light, Open, Warm
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Minimalist, Instrumental, Repetitive
Pullman – Viewfinder Read More »
Style: Organic Music, Psychedelic Jazz, Ecstatic Minimalism, Gnawa
Moods: Ritualistic, Communal, Contemplative, Meditative, Earthy, Transcendent, Psychedelic, Colorful, Soothing, Spiritual, Peaceful
Featuring Ari Brown, Hamid Drake, Ben Lamar Gay, Mai Sugimoto, Jason Stein, Mikel Patrick Avery, Lisa Albarado, Kara Bershad, Josh Berman, and Nick Mazzarella
Natural Information Society Community Ensemble – Since Time is Gravity Read More »
Style: Ambient Jazz, Minimalism, Drone
Moods: Peaceful, Meditative, Elegant, Patient, Soothing, Nocturnal, Focused, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Slow, Sparse, Minimalistic, Lo-fi, Thematic, Improvisation, Live
Rob Mazurek – Alternate Moon Cycles Read More »
Style: Post-Minimalism, Ambient Jazz, Folk-Jazz, ECM Style
Moods: Meditative, Pastoral, Futuristic, Mysterious, Impressionistic, Hypnotic, Soothing, Searching
Musical Qualities: Electro-Acoustic, Minimalist, Instrumental, Pulse, Solo
Instrumentation: soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, synthesizer
John Surman – Upon Reflection Read More »
Style: Bedroom Psych, Drone, Noise Pop, Shoegaze, Space Folk
Vibe: Nocturnal, Murky, Dreamy, Introspective, Hazy, Hypnotic, Intimate, Washy, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Feedback, Drone, Atmospheric, Noisey, Lo-Fi
Flying Saucer Attack – Chorus Read More »
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
Richard Youngs – Sapphie Read More »
Style: Experimental Rock, Brutal Prog, Free Minimalism, Math Rock, Noise
Vibe: Hypnotic, Cold, Ritualistic, Dystopian, Mysterious, Chaotic, Surreal, Loose
Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Noisy, Complex, Instrumental, Pulse, Uncommon Time Signatures
Instrumentation: Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Loops, Percussion
Style: Free Folk, Psychedelic Electroacoustic Music, Post-Minimalism
Vibe: Forest, Ritualistic, Visceral, Hypnotic, Mystical
Musical Qualities: Loops, Electro-acoustic, Extended Techniques, Suite, Electro-Acoustic, Repetitive
Instrumentation: Flute, Cello, Saxophone, Keyboards, Vocals
Spires that in the Sunset Rise – Beasts in the Garden Read More »
Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Post-Minimalism, Kosmische, Ambient, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Cosmic, Hypnotic, Eclectic, Psychedelic, Focused
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Shredding, Droney, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Repetitive, Riffs
Six Organs of Admittance – The Veiled Sea Read More »
Style: Drone Metal, Post-Rock
Vibe: Aquatic, Meditative, Monolithic, Suspenseful, Cathartic, Apocalyptic, Melancholy, Epic
Musical Qualities: Slow, Dynamic, Suite, Loops, Repetitive, Droney, Minimalistic
Style: Drone Rock, Post-Rock
Vibe: Meditative, Desert, Hypnotic, Soothing, Spiritual, Western, Lethargic, Determined, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Slow, Riffs, Repetition, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Instrumental
Earth – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Experimental Rock, Tape Music, Drone
Vibe: Deconstructed, Hypnotic, Meandering, Stark, Motorik, Abstract, Urban
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Pulse, Loops, Minimalistic, Repetitive, Drone, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Field Recordings, Noise
Fly Pan Am – Sédatifs en fréquences et sillons Read More »
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
The Same – The Same Read More »
Style: Progressive Electronic, IDM, Microhouse
Vibe: Ancient, Tribal, Ritualistic, Pagan, Brooding, Mythic, Cold, Visceral, Mechanical, Hypnotic, Driving, Epic, Focused, Mysterious, Mystical, Patient, Powerful, Suspenseful, Earthy
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Distorted, Heavy, Rhythmic, Percussive, Loops, Dissonant, Dense, Instrumental, Pulse, Noisy, Progressive, Field Recordings, Sampling
Instrumentation: Bodhrán (Irish Frame Drum), Synthesizers, Drum Machine, Saxophone, Organ, Chanting, Melodeon (Pump Organ), Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Xylophone, Live Electronics
Holden – The Inheritors Read More »
Style: Ecstatic Minimalism, New Age, Drone
Vibe: Spiritual, Meditative, Heavenly, Cosmic, Hypnotic, Mystical, Longing, Intertwined
Musial Attributes: Just Intonation, Instrumental, Minimalistic, Repetitive, Suite, Improvisation, Drone
Instrumentation: Yamaha YC-45D Organ with multiple digital delay channels for live layering & interactions
Terry Riley – Shri Camel Read More »
Style: Kosmische Musik, Progressive Electronic, Space Ambient, New Age
Vibe: Meditative, Cosmic, Soothing, Hypnotic, Spacey, Peaceful, Ethereal, Futuristic
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Minimalistic, Polished, Repetitive
Instrumentation: Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Keyboard, Loops
Ash Ra Tempel – New Age of Earth Read More »
Joshua Abrams – Guimbri
Chad Taylor – Mbira
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Repetitive, Sparse, Acoustic, Minimalist
Mind Maintenance – Mind Maintenance Read More »
Style: Tape Music, Drone, Ambient
Vibe: Meditative, Dreamy, Quiet Catharsis, Alien, Mysterious, Contemplative, Hypnotic, Mellow, Cosmic
Musical Qualities: Loops, Atmospheric, Repetition, Instrumental, Droney, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive, Improvisation
Fripp & Eno – (No Pussyfooting) Read More »
Style: Drone-Metal, Post-Metal
Vibe: Cathartic, Murky, Suspenseful, Passionate, Sombre, Powerful, Dark
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Minimalistic, Heavy, Fuzzy, Feedback
BIG|BRAVE – Au De La 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: Primitivist Theater, Avant-Folk Minimalism, Drone
Vibe: Pastoral, Alienation, Hypnotic, Abstract
Musical Attributes: Sparse, Theatrical, Repetitive, Minimalist, Acoustic
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Voices, Organ, Cello, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Saxophone
David Grubbs – The Coxcomb [Review] Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Trance Music, Avant-Jazz, Creative Music, Post-Minimalism
Influences: Gnawa, Spiritual Jazz, Raga, Kosmische Musik
Vibe: Earthy, Hypnotic, Meditative, Cosmic, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Spiritual, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Polyrhythmic, Acoustic, Minimalistic, Improvisation, Percussive, Instrumental
Joshua Abrams – Natural Information Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Creative Music, Post-Minimalism
Influences: Gnawa, Kosmische Music, Spiritual Jazz, Minimalism
Vibe: Earthy, Hypnotic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Percussive, Polyrhythmic
Josh Abrams & Natural Information Society – Representing Read More »
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
Ka Baird – Sapropelic Picnic Read More »
Style: Post-Rock, Post-Minimalism, Progressive Folk
Influences: Kosmische Musik, American Primitive Guitar, Minimalism
Vibe: Airy, Nocturnal, Pastoral, Peaceful, Focused, Imaginative, Impressionistic, Contemplative, Warm
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Instrumental, Progressive, Pulse, Odd Time Signatures, Pulse, Dynamic, Headphone Album, Minimalistic
Ezra Feinberg – Recumbent Speech Read More »
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.
Spires that in the Sunset Rise – Psychic Oscillations [Review] Read More »
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
Asa Tone – Temporary Music Read More »
Style: Minimalism, Tape Music, Chamber Music
Vibe/Themes: Pulsing, Hypnotic, History, Meditative
Musical Attributes: Repetitive, Sampling, Electro-Acoustic, Spoken Word
Steve Reich with Kronos Quartet & Pat Metheny – Different Trains; Electric Counterpoint Read More »
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
The Necks – Vertigo Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Chamber Music, Progressive Folk
Vibe: Ritualistic, Hypnotic, Earthy, Tribal, Nature, Meditative, Medieval, Exploratory
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Minimalistic
Instrumentation: Oboe, Violin, Viola, Recorder, Percussion (Tabla, Drums, Chimes), Cello
Third Ear Band – Alchemy Read More »
Released in 2019 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP Limited pink vinyl
Sarah Louise – Nighttime Birds and Morning Stars Read More »
Style: Experimental Rock, Post-Rock
Influences: Kosmische Musik, Minimalism
Vibe: Minimalistic, Exploratory, Spacey, Raw, Noisy, Abstract
Musical Attributes: Instrumental, Repetitive, Analogue Recording
Fly Pan Am – Fly Pan Am Read More »
Originally released in 2013 on Erased Tapes 2015 VinylMePlease Pressing Format: LPx2
Nils Frahm – Spaces Read More »
Released in 1997 on Drag City Records Format: LP
Aerial M – Aerial M 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 »
Originally released in 1996 on Thrill Jockey Records 2012 pressing
Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die Read More »
An acoustic trio of piano, upright bass, and drums utilize creative extended techniques to play evolving minimalist compositions of mutating grooves, polyrhythms, and textures.
Dawn of MIDI – Dysnomia Read More »
Enveloping blankets of piano and synthesizers that are mostly beautifully soothing, but occasionally venture down shadowy alleyways full of eerie suspense.
Harold Budd/Brian Eno – Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror Read More »
Information: Released in 1978 on PVC Records Format: LP
Brian Eno – Ambient 1: Music for Airports Read More »
Released in 2012 on Editions Mego Format: LP
Oren Ambarchi – Saggitarian Domain Read More »
Meditative jazz explorations of space, rhythm and textures inspired by Miles Davis’ ambient jazz pieces, Gnawa ceremonial music of North Africa, the spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders and Don Cherry, and the mutating minimalism of Steve Reich.
Click for full review
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Magnetoception Read More »
An introspective, instrumental journey of pastoral fingerstyle guitar, occasionally joined by piano, synth and horn arrangements
Jim O’Rourke – Bad Timing Read More »
Soothing, cosmic drones constructed with tape loops, synths, organs, guitar, mellotron and flute.
Bitchin Bajas – Bitchitronics Read More »
Somber ambient-folk with layers of delicate, circular fingerpicking and sparse arrangements of droning harmonium, piano, guitar feedback and the occasional chirping crickets. The soft reverb dampens everything like a light drizzle over the American prairie
Western Skies Motel – Settlers Read More »
