Hands In The Dark France レコード& CD

Review: Christian Schoppik, aka Lauten der Seele, concludes his 'Water' trilogy with Die Reise zur Monsalwascheia profound exploration of spiritual journey and fulfillment. Following Die Mariengrotte als Trinkwasseraufbereitungsanlage (2022) and Ertrunken im seichtesten Gewasser (2023), this final chapter is a compelling odyssey from departure to salvation. While previous works leaned heavily on experimental soundscapes, this album shifts focus to classical influences, creating a more refined yet emotionally rich experience. Schoppik's expertise in blending samples and audio collages remains evident, but here it's woven into a more accessible and evocative narrative. The album's structure, from 'Decision, Farewell & Departure' to 'Losing Way, Arrival & Salvation,' show off Schoppik's growth as an artist, presenting a seamless conclusion to his trilogy. Die Reise zur Monsalwasche stands out as a testament to his evolving craft and emotional depth.

Review: Andrew Bunsell and Tom Rellen comprise Staran Wake, the rapturous electronic music project traversing icy wonderworlds and capturing convincing musical analog-ies of them. Seven years of making music together preceded this sublime opus, after which a further four years were poured into its polishing off. Sublime aweworlds like opener 'The Watcher' use uncanny sounds and samples, as if evoking the image of moving across great plains of snow on horseback. Elsewhere, minimalist composition (as on 'Moth Syndrome') and far-out concepts filtered through physical-mimicky synths ('Ocean Trapped In Jurassic Caves') make for a unique multifaceted trip across miles.

Review:  Founded in 2013 by Valentina Magaletti and Tom Relleen, Tomaga was a creative experiment that pushed beyond conventional musical boundaries. Their sound, an intriguing fusion of industrial, jazz, psychedelia and minimalism, is characterised by its multi-instrumental approach. Rather than opting for complex abstractions, the duo's minimalist compositions evoke darkly psychedelic and surreal imagery, capturing the essence of unsettled dreams and subconscious thoughts. Futura Grotesk elevates their exploration further, yielding compositions that are hauntingly evocative and richly layered. This reissue celebrates a decade of innovation and artistic expression.