Cinematic electronica with little percussion, but lots of atmosphere.
While I cannot recommend you to watch the movie this album is the original score to, I very much endorse its soundtrack. To paraphrase, the “documentary” is either a very crude joke or a blunt hoax by an internet celebrity. But under the ludicrous voice track, there is an ambient electronic masterpiece by Professor Kliq.
Continue reading “Professor Kliq – [2011] Athene’s Theory of Everything OST”Ice-cold dub techno, the gin tonic of music. Edgy synths, minimal harmonies, and subdued percussion.
Dub techno is not for every day. It has a distinct lack of mood, neither happy nor sad. Then there’s the minimal harmonies, the long-form stretches of monotonous monotony. So what’s to like? Actually, I don’t really know. But on certain days, the meditative nature, the lack of a clear mood, and the analytical sound just work.
Continue reading “Brk – [2015] IIIIII”Clicky, surprisingly upbeat deep house from Mainz, with one or two experimental slippages.
This vintage collection of rather minimal danceable tracks does not compromise on its concept to please. Dry clicks and noisy effects are sprinkled liberally across the whole 12-track ensemble. But that playfulness in texture is well balanced by minimal harmonies and repetitive (not to say catchy) song structures.
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2007] Classic Accidents”(Past) owners of a 8 or 16 bit gaming console can apply here for a shower of fond memories.
This album has seen the light of day on an artist collective’s account named Gluteus Maximus, from Sweden.
It strongly reminds me of Hardstroke‘s electro-synth sound, but has its own edge by adding more 8-bit bleeps to the mix. Heavy pop nostalgia ahead!
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.
Straightforward trance. No-frills, no female vocals, just beat, bass, synth and simple melodies.
This one is from the good old days of Jamendo attracting thousands of aspiring artists and thus churning out albums in popular genres left and right.
Before, the free music scene (at least in my impression back then) had been mostly dominated by experimental artists. With discovering Jamendo, that impression changed dramatically.
In short, expect very conventional trance music, straight from the rulebook.
Continue reading “2Invention – [2007] In Aeternum”Acoustic landscape paintings. 4 variations on their themes, smooth and cold, yet warm at the same time.
I seem to be in an ambient review mood lately. So let me make the most of it and bring you yet another rather old gem of the good old days of the genre.
Where other ambient artists fall into the trap of simply sounding dull and repetitive, Motionfield adds just enough progression to keep the soothing tracks interesting.
Continue reading “Motionfield – [2005] Music for Pictures”Blend of Blade Runner & Star Trek. Although the artist never mentions it, to me this sounds like a tribute.
This review is an advertisement to look out for good review writers: user electrocelt’s list of reviews is a splendid little collection of mostly ambient electronica.
And under their upload tab, I found this little 4-track EP. Still with the joy of having found it, I write this little review:
Continue reading “Travis Noble – [2006] Outerspace Introspection”Soothing ambient goodness. Almost acoustic bubble-bath
This ambient masterpiece has been released by still active netlabel Dewtone back in 2005, but has dropped out of their official back catalogue since then.
Fortunately, archive.org did, well, archive this gem for us. 2 of the 9 relaxing tracks make it into my review. But it is the full release you should be treating yourself with. As another reviewer there put it:
Continue reading “(Val)liam – [2005] Early Reflections”In all, an absolutely beautiful work to be placed along with your finest ambient recordings.
electrocelt on archive.org
