Review: Minneapolis' Chris Bartels aka Blurstem, and Philadelphia's Andrew Tasselmyer of the likes of Hotel Neon and Gray Acres have hooked up once more for a second collaborative album Midnight Letters. This album's starting point was original concepts played out on guitar which were then processed and experimented with through an ages-old analog tape machine. Add in an array of iPad audio processing apps, samplers, and Ableton software and you have a perfect mix of tools to serve up a sonic journey that perfectly merges the old with the new. The resulting ambient soundscapes are immersive and sparse but packed with subtle details that convey all manner of emotions.
Review: Thee Marloes bring a fresh and unique sound to the soul music scene, blending elements of soul, jazz, and pop with their Indonesian roots. Hailing from Surabaya, the trio consists of Natassya Sianturi on vocals and keys, Sinatrya ("Raka") Dharaka on guitar, and Tommy Satwick on drums. Their debut album, Perak, harnesses their ability to craft deeply emotional and rhythmically engaging tracks. Opening with 'Midnight Hotline,' a vibrant dancefloor hit with jazzy guitar riffs and infectious piano, Thee Marloes immediately capture attention. The B-side, 'Beri Cinta Waktu,' is a soulful ballad sung in Indonesian, demonstrating their linguistic versatility and heartfelt delivery. Tracks like 'I Know' explore themes of deception in love with a mid-tempo groove, while 'Not Today' offers an uplifting, feel-good vibe perfect for any laid-back setting. 'True Love' dives into soulful jazz, creating a cinematic atmosphere reminiscent of a Tarantino film. The album closes with 'Over,' starting with a powerful drum break and evolving into a beautifully layered melody that encapsulates the intensity of a sudden breakup. Perak is a beacon of Thee Marloes' passion and creativity. Their music transcends cultural and language barriers, leaving a lasting impression.
Review: Thomas Xu from Steady Flight Circle and Tommy Kladis from Music Time with Friends come together on this new cassette-only release that captures three of their sessions at Kladis's studio. Xu was on synthesizers while Kladis was in charge of samples, drums and loops on the SP-555 and the final touch was lo-fi drums from John Shaughnessy. It takes the form of two extended jams that reach out to almost 15 minutes of dusty, ambient-laced soundscapes with distant percussive details and melancholic moods. 'Klaxu' has more darkness and more prominent rhythms to it but both pieces make for escapist listening.
Review: Few labels are as idiosyncratic as Theo Parrish's Sound Signature. It deals in house and techno of an otherworldly sort with esoteric rhythms that blur the lines between the synthetic and the organic. And that is exactly the case with the label's magnificent 100th release, a new album from Howard Thomas that takes its cues from his love of 80s sci-fi films and beat tracks. It's a stark world of dance floor pressure with buzzing synths and clattering hits, raw beats and leftfield energy that brings utterly new ideas across seven spellbinding cuts. This is a cassette version of what is an immediately timeless album.
Review: 'Infinite Branches' explores multi-textural sound illustrations that encompass an array of calm tones and gentle movements. The ep features four beautiful arrangements by the artist with eight reworked vignettes- where two branches of the theme share a certain commonality, but never intersect. Infinite Branches is a compelling and inspirational paean to various forms and patterns of the ambient genre which include reworks by: 36, zake, Pausal, City of Dawn, Ai Yamamoto, awakened souls, Patricia Wolf, and Christina Giannone.
Review: Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign join forces on Vultures 1, delivering a polished, cohesive project that showcases their combined talents. The album feels unusually complete for West's recent output, with crisp mixes and dynamic arrangements that highlight Ty's signature silk-and-grit vocals alongside Kanye's evolving artistry. From the airy melodies of opener 'Stars' to the Donna Summer-sampling 'Good (Don't Die)', the album strikes a compelling balance between nostalgia and innovation. Tracks like 'Burn' and 'Paid' stand out with hypnotic beats and intricate rhythms, while the Brazilian funk-inspired 'Paperwork' adds a playful, global flair. Ty's smooth hooks complement Kanye's performances, which, while technically precise, focus more on fitting the production's mood than dominating it. The production shines throughout, blending industrial textures with moments of emotional resonance. Songs like 'Carnival', featuring Playboi Carti and Rich the Kid, bristle with energy, while the lush layering on 'Do It' and 'Fuk Sumn' enhances their infectious grooves. Despite occasional lyrical flatness, the album's sonic brilliance and pacing make it a captivating listen.
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