Back catalogue: Leftfield

Review: This beautifully presented box set gathers all five albums from Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoti's V.I.R.U.S series, a collaborative project spanning five albums originally released between 2002 and 2011. Disc one (Vrioon) sets the tone, with Sakamoto's beautiful (and frequently effects-laden) piano motifs rising above glitchy minimalist rhythms and experimental ambient soundscapes. The albums that follow offer subtle shifts in their collaborative sound whilst retaining the same core artistic approach, with the pair frequently alternating between poignant, slow-burn minimalism and emotive, mood-enhancing ambient maximalism. Throughout, the pair beautifully balance hard-wired electronic experimentalism with classical musicality.

Review: Disasterpeace, aka Rich Vreeland, stands out in the world of soundtrack composers. Neither strictly an electronic artist nor a conventional composer, he crafts soundscapes that transcend traditional genres. His compositions, rooted in a digital sound palette, feel warm and organic, often played live instead of digitally sequenced, giving his music a human touch rarely seen in electronic scores. Known for his haunting It Follows soundtrack and the iconic Fez score, Vreeland's music has a life far beyond the screens it accompanies. The Hyper Light Drifter soundtrack, reissued by iam8bit, exemplifies Disasterpeace's distinctive style. It's a journey through ambient, textured soundscapes filled with layered synthesisers and devoid of heavy percussion. Instead of driving beats, the focus rests on lush chord progressions and ambient tones, perfectly suited for moments of quiet reflection. Standout tracks like 'Panacea' feature a tape-worn piano, which pairs beautifully with the synths to create a melancholy and immersive atmosphere. This deluxe 4xLP set, with translucent vinyl and elegant packagingicomplete with magnetic wingflaps and a metallic foil layeripays homage to Vreeland's artistry and the soundtrack's legendary status.