Review: Oceanvs Orientalis and Ilhan Ersahin first entered each other's orbits by chance at a performance at Turkey's Cappadox Festival in 2018. Orientalis is renowned for his fusion of Eastern musical motifs and traditions with cutting-edge electronica, while Ilhan Ersahin has long plowed a unique path uniting assorted musical strains from around the world via an exploratory jazz-improv sensibility. Following two tracks ('Mesta' and 'Pire') co-written by Ilhan and OvO and released as collaborations, as well as two more Ersahin / OvO co-writes ('Revenge Of The Wankers' and 'Television') released under OvO's name alone, a fresh and exciting new song, '1980', now heralds a full-length collaboration slated to land in Spring 2024. The track's title hints at a certain nostalgic bent, all while still keeping its gaze firmly fixed on the future as it evokes sun-drenched, bygone good times. The 10" edition adds several extra versions, one of which spotlights the multi-instrumental mastery of Darkside's Dave Harrington, and the other the mesmerizing vocal stylings of Gaye Su Akyol.
Review: The latest addition to Night Dreamer's series, Direct To Disk Sessions, sees Turkish downtempo specialist, Islandman, iconic percussionist and Don Cherry collaborator, Okay Temiz and contemporary saz player Muhlis Berbero?lu joining forces for the very first time. Recorded in just one take, the session captures a one-off melding of the trio's distinct styles. Islandman's signature balearic sound gives new force to Temiz's fiery percussion, reframing Berbero?lu's Anadolu folk influences into a distinctly dance-ready sound. Stand out track 'Fidayda' eases us into the trio's expertly improvised soundworld with an alluring, oscillating saz riff. When Temiz's percussion enters the mix, it arrives with a controlled unpredictability capable of leaving listeners in a trance. While Islandman's production subtly centres the piece, mapping out a pathway from which the organic instrumentation can unfurl. Future-folktronica at its very best
Review: Ocean Moon, the alias of Cornwall-based producer and Lo Recordings founder Jon Tye, presents his latest offering, an ambient electronic work imbued with a gentle positivity. Tye, also known for his work with the UK ambient duo MLO, explores themes of artificial intelligence and consciousness evolution throughout the album. Side one delves into AI through a philosophical lens, drawing inspiration from Buddhist perspectives and texts like 'The Physics Of Immortality' and 'Novacene'. Tracks such as 'Ways To The Deep Meadow' and 'Souls Fall Away' offer a refreshing counterpoint to the often-negative portrayals of AI, radiating a sense of optimism and possibility. Side two features two extended compositions created for visual projects. 'Made In Dreams', utilising AI technology, creates an ethereal, warm atmosphere and 'An Ending Full Of Light', composed for Vix Hill Ryder's Wild Edges film, evokes a sense of serenity and resolution. Subtle melodies and delicate touches help craft music that truly nourishes the soul here.
Review: Franck Zaragoza continues to shape out a vivid catalogue of ambient and soundtrack-oriented work with this latest release on his label n5MD, which celebrates ten years of activity this year. The Bordeaux-based artist has been on a spiritual journey of sorts, which has manifested in the introspective nature of his most recent albums, and the theme continues on Nouveau Depart. His rich and accomplished sound embraces beats and rhythms as expressive tools within his broader compositions, but this is harmonically-minded music first and foremost, crafted with care and rendered in startling detail.
This Version Of You (feat Julianna Barwick) (2:33)
Wide Awake (feat Charlie Houston) (3:37)
Love Letter (feat The Knocks) (4:17)
Behind The Sun (4:22)
Forgive Me (feat Izzy Bizu) (3:31)
North Garden (2:59)
Better Now (feat MARO) (3:15)
The Last Goodbye (feat Bettye LaVette) (6:00)
All My Life (3:10)
Equal (feat Lapsley) (4:02)
Healing Grid (3:15)
I Can't Sleep (3:00)
Light Of Day (feat Olafur Arnalds) (6:42)
Review: Ninja Tune's Odesza return with a brand new album (and not to mention world tour), 'The Last Goodbye', owning their long-held standing in the progressive, ambient house netscene they occupy. Every end of musical history is traversed in this emotive future downtempo release; the title track is emblematic of this straddling, sampling and licensing an incredible old recording of soul vocalist Bettye LaVelle against a funking, flourishing instrumental backdrop.
This Version Of You (feat Julianna Barwick) (2:30)
Wide Awake (feat Charlie Houston) (3:42)
Love Letter (feat The Knocks) (4:11)
Behind The Sun (4:17)
Forgive Me (feat Izzy Bizu) (3:31)
North Garden (2:59)
Better Now (feat MARO) (3:09)
The Last Goodbye (feat Bettye LaVette) (6:06)
All My Life (2:58)
Equal (feat Lapsley) (4:13)
Healing Grid (3:13)
I Can't Sleep (3:04)
Light Of Day (feat Olafur Arnalds) (6:38)
Review: Ninja Tune's Odesza return with a brand new album as well as a massive world tour to match. 'The Last Goodbye' is another record to heighten the band's their long-held standing in the progressive and ambient house netscene they occupy. Every end of musical history is traversed in this emotive future downtempo release which sinks you into deep to its mellifluous world of sound. The title track is emblematic of this as it straddles, samples and licenses an incredible old recording of soul vocalist Bettye LaVelle against a funking, flourishing instrumental backdrop. It is one of the many gems that make this so essential.
Review: ODESZA's The Last Goodbye Tour Live is the group's Grammy-nominated live album. It marks the duo's first cohesive release of live versions and captures the awe-inspiring essence of their expansive concert experience. Produced and engineered by ODESZA (Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight), The Last Goodbye Tour Live was recorded during their groundbreaking 2022-2023 tour-the first amphitheater tour by an electronic act. Featuring some superbVIP edits, each song has been meticulously reworked for the live stage and really showcases ODESZA's creativity. The album includes the ODESZA Drumline, horn players, and guest vocalists Naomi Wild, Sudan Archives, Izzy Bizu, MARO, Mansionair, and Charlie Houston.
Review: Swiss imprint WRWTFWW continues to do deep dives into the forgotten corners of electronic music history, returning with shining sonic pearls of genuine historic significance. Here they deliver a first ever vinyl pressing of early Japanese electronic music producer (and bona fide experimental hero) Yashio Ojima's 1983 album Club, a set that was originally only released on an exceptionally limited cassette. Given its vintage, the album has held up incredibly well, in part because its unique, unearthly blend of minimalist electro, music concrete-inspired loop experiments, off-kilter ambient soundscapes and picturesque, post new-age soundscapes remains as far-sighted and unusual in 2024 as it did 41 years ago.
Review: This French artist, who has captivated audiences with her collaborations alongside Mura Masa, Pomme and Flavien Berger, returns with a deeply personal album that explores the complexities of self-discovery and the search for meaning in a world obsessed with self-improvement. The album's title track, 'choke enough', is a poignant reflection on the need for connection and the pursuit of intense emotions. Oklou's warm, beautiful productions, a signature of her sound, conjure a liminal space where the boundaries between introspection and euphoria blur with delicate synthesiser arpeggios and found sound samples. 'family and friends', the album's first single, delves into the search for answers and the desire to escape from intangible memories. Oklou's lyrics, delivered with a vulnerable yet defiant honesty, capture the anxieties and uncertainties of a generation navigating a world where virtual and physical identities are inextricably intertwined. After gaining international acclaim with her collaborations and her critically acclaimed mixtape 'galore', Oklou's debut album marks a turning point in her artistic evolution, a bold yet introspective work that challenges listeners to confront their own anxieties and desires.
Review: Oklou is a French musician and is known to her parents as Marylou Mayniel. She dropped her debut album back in February and on it collaborates with artists such as Bladee and underscores, while some expert studio contributions from producers like the revered A.G. Cook, plus Danny L Harle and Casey MQ. Choke Enough blends Y2K influences with medieval melodies to reflect Oklou's evolution from her 2020 mixtape, Galore. This new long player offers up a deep dive into her meticulous approach to electronic, modern, 'hyper' pop while incorporating classical rigour. Standout tracks like the title track and 'Endless' are great reflections of her unique artistic vision while balancing formal complexity with subdued emotional impact.
Review: OKRAA's La Gran Corriente represents a significant creative turning point for Colombian-born Juan Carlos Torres Alonso. Released via A Strangely Isolated Place, the album follows a transformative experience Juan had in Bogota in May 2023. It was there that he encountered what he describes as "an infinite current behind or inside of everything," a revelation that completely changed his approach to music. Scrapping earlier demos, Juan embraced a more fluid and organic style, abandoning fixed grids and BPMs, and tapping into the spontaneous energy that characterised his other production alias, Laudrup. The result is a hypnotic journey through time and space, as the album's non-linear structures give way to unexpected yet cohesive sonic moments. 'La Gran Corriente' features "happy accidents" throughout, subtle production quirks that contribute to its distinct sound. Central to the project is a poem written by Juan, weaving reflections on time and reality into the fabric of the music. Lines like "the land of oblivion is not real" and "time is an illusion" form the backbone of the album's philosophical undercurrent. The album's release is paired with artwork by Peter Skwiot Smith, with the 2xLP available on limited edition coloured vinyl, fully mastered by Taylor Deupree.
Review: A Strangely Isolated Place has secured this second most captivating album from One Million Eyes. They impressed many with their magical debut album Drama back in 2021 and once again reach new heights in the world of ambient here with Iris. Their brand of ambient is relatively fulsome, with lots to focus on from the smeared and pastoral chords to the muted synth modulations, the vinyl crackle, distant vocal cries and the heavenly backlit glow. It is an absorbing and positive place to be with a sense of optimism colouring the airwaves thought.
Review: It is always good to hear from Maya Ongaku especially when it comes to a new long player. This one excels at blending the ambient vibes of their previous album Approach to Anima with vibrant electronic dance styles. The result is a fresh fusion of hypnotic soundscapes and infectious rhythms with nice uplifting melodies, all complemented by delicate Japanese vocals. The album creates a shimmering, sincere atmosphere that draws on Eastern synth exotica that is both beguiling and irresistible. With its blend of lush textures and optimistic energy, Electronic Phantoms is a smart evolution in Maya Ongaku's ever-enchanting sound.
Review: The Orb's 13th album is a carefully crafted collection of tracks that are couched in minimal techno and ambient house. The first half embraces so-called 'Schaffel' rhythms, while the second half explores classic Orb sonic landscapes and features guest appearances from Schneider TM and Ulf Lohmann. The likes of 'Captain Korma' are warmly infused melodic jaunts with shimmering vocals, 'Cool Harbour' is a lumpy, dubby and off-balance workout and 'Kompagna (Zandic mix)' is a raw, experimental blend of harmonic tones, smeared samples and ambient bliss. This one, then, continues The Orb's legacy of genre-defying music which started in the late 80s when they pioneered chill-out and ambient house.
Review: Orlas, a father-son duo consisting of Victor Chicri and Vic Delnur, offers a vibrant blend of Brazilian musical traditions on their debut album Viver o Mar. Named after the Portuguese word for "shores," the project is a heartfelt tribute to the ocean, weaving together elements of samba-jazz, bossa nova, fusion, and disco-funk. Victor Chicri, a seasoned maestro and pianist with deep roots in Rio de Janeiro's 70s music scene, has collaborated with legends like Gal Costa and Seu Jorge. His extensive experience, including performances with the Quincy Jones Orchestra at Montreux Jazz Festival and a Latin Grammy win, shines through in the album's sophisticated arrangements. Vic Delnur, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and producer, brings a modern touch to their sound, drawing on his global experiences playing with artists like Sessa and Mahmundi. The result is a dynamic fusion of old and new, enriched by an eight-piece orchestra that adds lush textures to the grooves. The title track, 'Viver o Mar,' is a smooth, breezy fusion of samba-jazz and disco-funk that captures the spirit of the sea. 'Alagoas,' the second single, is a soulful tribute to Delnur's grandmother, celebrating the simple joys of life in the tropical paradise of her homeland. Viver o Mar is a celebration of Brazilian music's rich heritage, delivered with a modern flair.
Review: Marysia Osu's debut album, harp, beats & dreams, is a stunning example of her musical evolution and innovative spirit. Known for her role in Levitation Orchestra and as a Brownswood 'Bubblers' graduate, Marysia blends her classical roots with contemporary exploration in this enchanting release. Originating from Poland and enriched by her musical education in London, she has embraced the harp with profound artistry, now intertwining it with electronic elements and personal introspection. The album opens with the hypnotic 'seatime,' a journey through coastal reverie that celebrates self-acceptance and inner harmony. It continues with 'care to care,' where Levitation Orchestra's Plumm adds ethereal vocals, advocating for self-care and personal space. The track 'memento mori' features YUIS's illuminating flute, echoing stoic reflections on life's impermanence. Marysia's return to the piano and spontaneous clarinet experiments, inspired by a vivid dream, add depth to her soundscape. The clarinet's breath symbolises life's essence, bridging body and mind, enhancing the album's introspective quality. Marysia Osu's debut is a an exciting debut, offering a serene escape thanks to her talent and unique vision.
Review: Last year, someone set up an online petition calling for Warp to re-release The Other People Place's brilliant Lifestyles Of The Laptop Cafe album on wax. Happily, Warp has responded to the strength of feeling from electronica fans - most of whom bristled at the high online prices for second hand copies - and re-pressed it. Drexciya man James Stinson's 2001 solo set remains a timeless electronic classic; a perfectly pitched and immaculately produced fusion of downtempo electro rhythms, spacey electronics and twinkling synthesizer melodies. In fact, you'll struggle to find a better electro album full stop, making this reissue an essential purchase for anyone not lucky enough to own an original copy.
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