Essential listen for downtempo enthusiasts. Different artists cover wide range of styles.
Breathe Compilations is a (former?) Mexican netlabel that – surprise – specialises in releasing compilations, active between 2008 and 2018 (as of 2020). Although the label’s back catalogue (92 releases) has not seen an addition for almost 2 years, its Soundcloud profile buzzes with activity. So I don’t fully call off any hope for a comeback. But in the meantime, I could as well review one of its earliest releases:
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2008] Breathe 02”Calm and deliberate electronica backdrop. Not fighting for your attention, earning it just the more for it.
Not much has been written online about this nice & short EP. All tracks feature their own catchy main theme, which then develops into about five minutes of slightly derivative pleasant background music. There are no excited guitar solos, dramatic bass drops or seductive vocals. Just plain, good, honest electronica straight from the producer.
Continue reading “Klangwald – [2012] Tolerance & Courage EP”Cinematic downtempo electronica. Could be a sci-fi soundtrack, just lacks a movie.
Movie soundtracks fall into a nice niche between classical and ambient music. This album adds a bit of electronic finesse to this formula. If you want to add a bit of cinematic splash to your musical diet, give this album a try. Emotional string sections meet orchestral and electronic beets. The occasional clicky-bleep sounds add to a slightly futuristic vibe.
Continue reading “Everlasting Dream – [2011] Echoes From the Future”Majestic ambient electronica. Slowly building soundscapes with deliberate beats like pillars.
I have already praised Planet Boelex much in an earlier review about their 2009 album. One year later, they put out another EP, both illustratively (cover art) and acoustically (songs) high above the clouds. Unlike last time, this is a solo release without featured vocals.
Continue reading “Planet Boelex – [2010] Raja”Classic ambient IDM from Kahvi. If you like frosty but soft electronica, look no further.
Kahvi is one of the most reliable labels, both in terms of style and quality. IDM and cold electronica is their theme. This release is no exception: with only 5 tracks, this EP still clocks in at over half an hour of music.
If you like the two rather ambient sample tracks, also try track 2. Groove o’clock for a more dynamic impression.
Laidback easy listening. Simple ambient tracks with distinct flavour.
Another entry from prolific netlabel Enough Records, who have been releasing over 400 albums and EPs since 2002, and are – unlike many others – still active. This weeks album features guitar-based trip hop served on top of ambient synth sounds. A bit too busy for coding, this album makes for a great pool party backdrop (not that I had a pool to test this). Continue reading “Daizy – [2011] The Daizy Factory”
Excellent ambient compilation. Many artists collaborate in this long-standing series of relaxing electronica albums.
With Vol. 13 having been released in 2016, I might be a bit late with pointing to this release, but I’d rather point you to some old friends of mine rather than to new acquaintances. This compilation features artists like EugeneKha, one whose solo albums I have reviewed here already some years ago. Continue reading “Tunguska Electronic Music Society – [2011] Tunguska Chillout Grooves, Volume 7”
Classic netaudio electronica. Still sounding fresh after well over a decade.
Kahvi does what kahvi does best: introducing us music addicts to obscure but resourceful artists out there. This classic only slipped through my earlier release schedule because there was (and still is) no MP3 version of the release available on archive.org. But now that all browsers (yes, I’m looking at you, IE/Edge) support OGG natively, I can include this three track EP here without fear. Oh, yes, the music was worth the wait: Continue reading “Mosaik – [2004] Minutes”
Space’y lounge trance. Spacious synth walls, filled with slow beats.
This release has probably similar roots as the more well known music project Symphony of Science, which releases tracks and remixes focused on scientific topics. (Note to self: queue a review for that.) Where was I? Ah yes, this release focuses on pulsating synthesizer sounds and soft percussion. Some songs go a little overboard, but on balance the tracks are well behaved. Judge for yourself with my two favourite picks: Continue reading “Graham Castronovo – [2012] A Cry Into The Cosmos”
Slow, uplifting IDM. Winter on the outside, but warmer on the inside.
Phonocake again serve one of their delicious pieces. This release surfes between cheezy dancefloor and electronic ambient. I settled for “Easy Listening IDM” as a compromise. While the sound feels cold on first contact, the tracks are actually quite heart-warming on the inside. Give them a go! Continue reading “Teppana – [2017] Triple EP”
