Omena レコード& CD

Review: Given the hype surrounding HNNY over the last few years - fuelled, primarily, by a string of celebrated singles on Puss, Local Talk, Let's Play House and YUMMY - it's somewhat surprising that Sunday marks his first foray into the album market. Wisely, the Swedish artist embraced the opportunity for eclecticism that the format provides, filling his debut full-length with a mix of tracks variously designed for sofa-bound listening and dancing in clubs. There's a jazz-flecked beauty to the crackly downtempo grooves offered up by the title track, while the dreamy, guitar-laced head-nodder "Sylvia" recalls the best of his Balearic-influenced work. It's these luscious moments, such as the twinkling ambience of closer "My Baby", that really resonate.

Review: Ceramics is the second album by Saine on Omena Records, which reflects the Finnish personal journey as an artist and a human being, and expresses his feelings and thoughts through music. It showcases his versatile and emotive style, blending house, electronica and downtempo influences. Highlights include the title track 'Ceramics' opens the album with a warm and organic sound, featuring lush pads, piano chords and subtle percussion, while 'Etude' is a beatless interlude with a mesmerizing arpeggio motif and ambient textures. Elsewhere, 'Hardships' is a melancholic and introspective number, with a moody piano chord progression, deep bass and vocal samples. and the ethereal deep house groove of 'First Snow' is as understated as you like it.