The Love Songs ‎– Some Protest Music For Today's Youth (2005)

Lastfm

Swift Music

/Post-rock, Ambient pop, Drone pop, Indietronica, Experimental rock, Musique concrete, Organcore/

Comment: these 33 minutes are fairly gorgeous ones because Sven Swift provides a flawless set of concrete sounds, balmy noisy impulses based either on vague post-rock templates or sublime drone hovers. At times these elements will be bent through some experiments on pitched effects or will be channelized into ecstatic signal-alike buzzes and psychedelic outputs. On the other side, such sort of music can be considered a modern form of nowadays New Age music. This 5-set album was issued in 2005 and obviously forecasted the coming of such band as Oneohtrix Point Never, for instance. In a nutshell, you have a chance to enjoy this excellent experimental album which unfortunately would not have got enough feedback from contemporary indie peers.               

Sanchez Is Driven By Demons – Robot Replicas (2009)

Redstarcommunity

Lastfm

/Post-rock, Indietronica, Organcore, Glitchtronica, Electronic, Noise, Leftfield, Experimental indie, Ambient rock, Jazztronica/

Comment: Sanchez Is Driven By Demons` 10-track issue is a mixture set up of indie, post-rock, noise, jazz and electronic compartments. The result is astonishing and it might be one of the most intriguing post-rock and indietronic albums ever produced because of revealing unsettling nature and unconventional use of sonic components within itself. It is awash with many disparate sounds and tickling effects replete with inner power and readiness to convey further vivid impulses and glistening thoughts. The combo (Emil Johansson and Jonas Ottosson from Sweden) proves that noise can be penetrating and epic at the same time, and silence can be threatening and beatific simultaneously and (free) jazz can be very sexy and appealing. By kindred souls there can be drawn parallels upon such projects as Tortoise, and Bark Psychosis. 

Pixelgypsy – Perpetual Motion (2013)

Archaic Horizon

Lastfm

/Experimental electronica, Drone, Leftfield, Ambient/

Comment: this set of handful of tracks is a blend of shadowy electronica, hazy drones and vapour induced ambient music which in turn are embellished with ghostly surfaced vocal samples, lots of changes within the key spectrum. At times the compositions appear like improvisational ones. Actually one cannot say it is a part of ambient or drone music – generally it is a sort of experimental music which just used to incorporate abovementioned stylistic elements into the mix. Although it is an example of experimental music it provides lots of emotions and sensations. Perceive them. 

Nils Frahm - Screws (2012)

Erased Tapes

Lastfm

/Modern classical, Piano music, Minimal, Post-classical/

Comment: Screws was recorded while Berlin, Germany based musician Nils Frahm was recovering from a thumb injury. The album includes volatile chord progressions and restrained motive developments played on the piano. Indeed, those motives spawned over there used to surface and then meander over lone landscapes and then disappear into nothing. It can say that Frahm´s goal is not to reach some goal in a direct sense but just to move on and provide moody impulses and moments. On the other side, the album`s sense can be considered a successful equilibrium between silence and sound.              

The Utica Flower Company - The Utica Flower Company (2007)

Quixodelic

Daydream Generation

Lastfm

/New Weird America, Free folk, Space rock, Acid rock, Indie folk, Psychedelic folk, Drone folk, Trance rock, Experimental folk, Folk indie, Psych-folk/

Comment: this 14-track issue is a decorous example of the so-called New Weird (America) movement. The album was released in 2007 which was the heyday of the style. More profoundly, expressive but ecstatic singing is tightly surrounded by burbly guitar twanging, spacey drones, and solfeggio choruses. At times folk tunes are to progress and metabolize into hazy trance rock templates thereby conjuring up psychedelic flashbacks and dilated self-realization. Certainly it is a wondrous experience to stop by and listen and be part of it. Indeed, those times were unforgettable ones because anyone called the shots and believed he/she can provide something precious to the world. The collective was related to such labels/platforms as Quixodelic Records and Daydream Generation which in turn were closely related to such wondrous music platform as it was Indiana-based CLLCT, of which involving hundreds of DIY projects. I really hope it is possible to recover it sometime.                      

Carontte – La Tormenta (2008)

Piratita

Archive.org

Bandcamp

Lastfm

/Post-metal, Epic, Post-rock, Crossover/

Comment: this one-track EP starts off with natural/field recording sounds which soon will be traded for heavy-weight guitars and more ominously glowering yet epic panoramas. Indeed, lighter, higher guitar chords are varicoloured with more grinding guitar noises in an impressive way. It would be a good soundtrack for some belligerent fairy tale motion picture. It is a decent work from Catalonia. 

It May Never End – Such Is Life (2008)

Bandcamp

Lastfm

/Post-rock, Epic, Experimental rock, Ambient rock, Electronic, Drone/

Comment: Victoria, Australian-based one-man-project by Neil Spicer is a post-rock representative whose 7-track issue is a solid one – it is well produced filled with majestic Epiphone Les Paul guitar chords and dreamy landscapes in the background. Sometimes those elements are stretched out or varicoloured with glitch drenched noises and bewitchingly droning electronic progressions or staticness. By listening to it the listener may experience a sense while driving across the hilly landscape open to picturesque panoramas and breath-taking views. However, at times those landscapes are developed on its own to transcend the borders of post-rock genre to become a sort of ambient music. Neil Spicer follows a common post-rock formula to find out fine balance between muscles/body and soul, between mundane and eternal. However, Spicer used to present their music without dizzy, slamming crescendos – instead of it the listener can enjoy slowly developing chords and sections to get its own packet of beauty. In a word, it is highly recommendable not only for all those post-rock music fans. It is even more precious because of being Spicer`s only long playing album to date. Such is life. 

The Late Virginia Summers – TLVS (2006)

Redstarcommunity

Lastfm

/Lo-fi, Ambient, Cowbell indie, Drone rock, Post-rock, DIY, Live recording/

Comment: Redstarcommunity is a Swedish record label having been existing since 2001 and having the discography of 22 issues so far. TLVS was 11^th release which consisted of elemental crackled noises, graceful glockenspiel snippets, spaced-out drones, ambient music inspired reverberating soundscapes and improvised noodling here and there. Emotionally are outstanding those moments when epic guitar chords are put into delayed loops while being accompanied by sublime glockenspiel fabric and droning bold cello keys (Almost Asleep, Part One). You Are What Gets Me In Trouble was recorded in live at The Nanci Raygun in Richmond, USA. Grossly, it is a lo-fi sort of post-rock/experimental indie approach produced by Joe Morgan & Nathan McGlothlin.      

Tom Fahy - 5 Minutes to Midnight (1995)

Auralnaut

Lastfm

/Experimental rock, Dream pop, Electronic, Ambient rock, Shoegazetronica, Big beat, Darkgaze, Ethereal Wave, Post-rock, Alternative/

Comment: Tom Fahy and his satellites` 10-notch issue is stylistically multi-faceted, extending from New Age-y big beat cadences, hovering ambient tinged soundscapes and repetition-heavy guitar shapes to more murky ethereal wave and slowed down progressions. By listening to it the album resembles slightly My Bloody Valentine`s long-awaited third album mbv (2013). For instance, Z Machine is saturated with reverb heavy drums, overdriven guitar effects and signal-alike noises – in spite of it the track sounds exuberantly full of segmented dreams and insights. And listen to Time Traveler's Dilemma (Maude) – pure beauty. Sometimes the listener can feel the time to be stopped by or...just you are stopped for the passing of time. Indeed, the time and being (and Martin Heidegger) is one of their topics on the release. Ultimately it is a great release – so do not miss it out on.              

Mooval - By Immersion (2014)

Yo! Netlabel

Lastfm

/Dubstep, Experimental electronica, Ambient pop, Downtempo, Indietronica/

Comment: as the titles hint at it this 6-track album is made up of majestic ambient-alike panoramas, superficial electronic flickers and static still life which are backed up either by low bass frequencies (a la dubstep), or more perky downtempo and electronic indie and krautrock styled rhythms. More concretely, there are up such titles as Emanating Warmth, At Night The Salmon Move, Pretend To Faint, Written On Dust. All in all, the outlet is decent and highly worth to be listened to. At Lastm site you can find out such adjectives as “orgasm”, and “highness”.

Love Through Cannibalism – Enma AI EP (2011)

Bandcamp

Lastfm

/Chiptune, Chipbreak, Crossover, Tracker music, 8-bit, Breakcore, Jungle/

Comment: do you know in which way could misanthropic beings love you? It might be possible through changing their trophic orientation against you. They love you while you are not alive anymore. Just kidding. This young yet prolific artist comes out of Barcelona, Catalonia whose 4-track issue is an organic amalgamation of angular sawtooth, triangle and square wave patterns and higher frequency resolution providing shimmery electronic dreams and thumping rhythmic universes undertaken mainly within the style of jungle music. I recommend listen to his another, glitched out hip-hop project ►▲◣▲◣ either.        

Aydio – Deltitnu EP (2009)

Dusted Wax Kingdom

Bandcamp

Archive.org

Lastfm

/Post-rock, Alternative dance, Indietronica, Alternative pop, Mood music/

Comment: Aydio`s 4-track issue chimes like an one produced by a baggy/Madchester musician whose ambition was to create something a little bit different, however, having no intention to get rid of his/her old habits. More profoundly, intriguing guitar shapes, reversed effects, doleful glimpses and reverberating patterns skim its rhythm-driven and hiss laden surface which in turn having hints at burbly 90s indie dance music (as I previously said already), loose down-tempo frequencies. Indeed, the result is fabulous and fulfilled.        

Los Subwoofus – El23 (2007)

Hamsterloco

Lastfm

/Avant-pop, Leftfield, Noise rock, Experimental indie, Krautrock, Chill out, Electro-indie, New Age/

Comment: actually it is quite problematic to categorize El23 because of having hints at different directions and compartments. It is simultaneously poppy and cutting-edge thereby reminding of such combos as Stereolab, Pram, and Broadcast, for instance. However, Los Subwoofus` concept is generally a little bit harsher and more noise music reflecting and on the other side showing up more skidding chill out, filter-heavy house music, Latin influenced and New Age music drenched music (more concretely, talking about the ending track Un Tema). In detail, this 10-track issue does have flirtation with glistening analogue synth driven pop music, kraut inspired rhythmic power, howling and soothing space music edges, noisy climaxes, sampledelic insights, big beat and breaks centred cadence labyrinths and even adding hirsute scratches and hip-hop paces to the mix. Listen to it and try to catch this weird beast!

Kaleidonauts – Tigermouse (2008)

Quixodelic

Lastfm

/Folk indie, New Weird America, Indie folk, Psychedelic folk, Americana, Alt-folk/

Comment: The project is a transatlantic collaboration project between Smally (The Wheelies) and Jon of the Atom (Dead Canaries) who recruited lots of other musicians to fulfil their aesthetical ambitions and artsy reflections. Tigermouse is their sophomore issue which was produced at pinnacle of the New Weird America movement at the end of the 00s. This 13-track issue is amusingly jaunty and energetic filled with psychedelic keyboard whiffs, sheeny glockenspiel chords and catchy guitar strumming and exaggerated singing pads or on the other side providing more majestic insights into their intimate world. However, listen to I`ll Be Your Pavement, and 4000 Mile Dream, and Blood Music, and Oh No, and The Somewhere Song these are truly great pop songs, full of life and getting you an additional boost. The album is related to such fabulous free folk and experimental rock/indie platforms as Quixodelic, Daydream Generation, and deceased CLLCT. 

Bell Monks – Lullabies (2011)

Mine All Mine

Bandcamp

Lastfm

/Alternative pop, Americana, Dream pop, Avant-pop, Experimental indie, Post-pop/

Comment: the Wisconsin-based collective Bell Monks` 12-track issue is a contemplative, beatific insight through indie/dream pop alternative pop pathways. The album deserves its name – it sways between oneiric and hyper-realistic, between fictive and ideal world. It can readily represent the time after the pop charts are lost their mind. In a word, it is an example of the so-called ideal pop where experimental tendencies are craftily adopted into pop structures. The album is filled with outstanding examples and presenting no weak tracks meanwhile.        

Nomsei - Epos of Loneliness (2014)

Noiseu

Bandcamp

Lastfm

/Post-rock, Post-metal, Crossover, Baroque pop, Epic, Alternative pop, New Age, Art pop/

Comment: by listening to this 8-track album it can insist that loneliness is a beautiful quality on its own. In spite of some presumptively depressive titles the whole is an exemplar of wide-range beauty whose focus is spotted upon different even disparate directions or using multi-coloured canvas – from majestic post-rock tumult and suggestive post-metal progressions and mind-blowing baroque pop whiffs to more contemplative arpeggio-centred guitar compositions and wide-screen panoramas revelatory of ambient/New Age music and hinting at intriguing electronic fringes. Furthermore, there are even up some references to flamenco music which is not surprising at all because of the artist comes out of Spain. However, frequently the aforementioned elements are seamlessly mixed up. All in all, it is one of the albums in 2014.         

Giorgos Stefanou - Internal Sonic Pathway (2008)

Petcord

Lastfm

/Microtonal, Abstract, Experimental electronica, Musique concrete, Electro-acoustic, Avant-garde, Experimentalism, Acousmatics, Glitchtronica/

Comment: Greek composer Giorgos Stefanou`s album consists formally of two blocks – the first of them is called HrznHue, and the latter Abstract Concrete. However, musically the whole chimes in a restraint way, based on subtle acoustic and electronic explorations which are spiced up with diverse sounds (digitally harsh sonic shards, majorly austerely presented glitch-y bits, more fathomable concrete sounds). Frequently this 8-track issue seems to be barely holding on within earshot or just providing mere, blurredly marked soundscapes. The release is issued on Petcord, a record label for a more sophisticated kind of electronic music.            

Mel - Unguarded (2010)

Bypass

Archive.org

Lastfm

/Ambient, Experimental electronica, IDM, Folktronica, Post-rock/

Comment: Mel is the Japanese musician Aogu Yoshida (also known as On_14, and Ao) who is being part of the discography of such labels as Test Tube, Bypass, MiMi, On-Li, Rain Music, Complementary Distribution. Unguarded was issued in 2010 under the Chinese label Bypass. The album consists of a couple of lengthy compositions, however, being truly eclectic and mixed. More concretely, borderline post-rock meets downhome folktronic meets circulatory IDM meets panoramic ambient. The issue is based on an edited live recording with purpose to preserve the previous warmth inside it. The listener can perceive both acoustic and electronic feel, both freedom and titillatingly aesthetical pressure on her/his nerves. Furthermore, some of these acoustic chords seem to be loaned from the Japanese traditional music. Despite of being heavily segmented in form the whole sounds in an organic way. In a nutshell, it is truly appealing.      

Beast, Please Be Still - Beast, Please Be Still (2007)

Lastfm

Bandcamp

/Dark folk, Medieval, Americana, Post-folk, New Weird America, Indie folk, Drone folk, Folk indie, Art folk/

Comment: beast does not behave quite in a way how the title would like to see. More profoundly, this 7-track issue is an artsy interplay between silence and ascending and expanding (indie) folk numbers having hints at different folk music periods and locations – from hysterical, Arcade Fire-esque indie outbursts and joyous burlesque interludes to more restraint, even medieval/pagan folk-induced alike shards, beguiling Americana elegies and going to Appalachian at times. Even some post-rock alike scraps are presented in the periphery. The ordinary instrumentation is laced with compelling glockenspiels, overdriven synths and sublime accordions. Their soundscape is filled with emotive charge to the very last seconds of the issue. Beast, Please Be Still is a 7-head collective from Seattle, Washington whose music can be compared with the likes of Arcade Fire, Anahita, Espers, and Darkwood, for instance. In a word, it is an outstanding effort by any means.                      

ki††y c▲t – Hold On (2011)

Mediafire

Lastfm

/Witch house, Witch wave, Trianglecore, Remix, Sampledelic, Drag house, Experimental electronica, Leftfield/

Comment: actually there is up quite little information about this artist but it is a one-man-project from Russia. Musically he is a proud representative of the so-called witch house/drag house movement. More profoundly, the style does mean crosses and triangles represented in artists` names, song and album titles. At times all of that is indecipherable or problematically discernible. Musically it is infiltrated with gloomy synth sounds similar to dark ambient profiles and semi-slamming, mid-tempo rhythms. Hold On is an outstanding issue thanks to catchy solutions in harmonies and in conveying majestic progressions over permanently changeable cadences. The album contains many “hit songs” (at least, having potential for it) – One Day Teapression, Take Me Away, Midnight Car, March of Not Very Dead, Try▲ngel. By the way, the album will be ended up by a remix of Try▲ngel. In a word, the result is a classy album worth to be remembered and listened.