Ambient
-
If you’ve ever wondered about the real-life impact of technology’s relentless march forward, visit Rochester, New York. Once a thriving home to The Eastman Kodak Company’s head office, the upper state town is hardly a pretty picture these days. The downtown core, still reminiscent of its good old days, is a sad reminder of what…
-
One of the great pleasures of writing music reviews is that it presents opportunities to connect with people who love the same artists you do. Lena Natalia did exactly that a short time ago, after reading a review I wrote for exclaim.ca about Ryuichi Sakamoto’s extraordinary new album async. The only thing better than hearing…
-
There’s something slightly guilt-inducing about music that is instantly gratifying. We tend to associate immediately appealing with disposable. If a piece of art doesn’t require some amount of exertion on the part of its audience – some concerted effort to move toward the work – then it can’t possibly be of any substance. Proponents of…
-
Welsh electronic music phenom Mr Crux has two new releases for us this week – a lush, three-track downtempo EP and a white hot single that is dangerously close to mass-marketable. mist opens with the luxuriously paced instrumental “city.” It’s a minimalist, stripped down track that’s all about the beat. Because it stretches just 1:44,…
-
Dream pop is not a tag Iowa’s Jen Gloeckner uses to describe her most recent album Vine. Her preferences include ambient, alternative and experimental, all of which apply neatly. But whether or not this fine disc fits within the fuzzy confines of conventional dream pop, Gloeckner will dominate your thoughts – day and night. Equal…
-
Think back to your favourite indie pop record. Now, cue up that amazing ballad you love so much. Press play. Let me know when you get to the bridge. Yes, the one with the spacious drumming and laid-back guitar. Nice, right? Now that you’re in the right mood, check out this wonderful new disc from…
The Moderns 