fljungbe - Slow and simple music performed on synthesizers (2009)

Jamendo

9.0

/Krautrock, Kosmische Musik, Conceptual, Electronic pop, Exerimental, Chill out/

Comment: this 6-pieced issue is dedicated to a handful of seminal German krautrockers/electronic/kosmische musicians (Ralf Hütter, Klaus Schulze; Edgar Fröse) and quite unsung Swedish experimentalist Ralf Lundsten. And to Moog and other analogue keyboards either. The listener can shift alongside with burbling, mid-tempo dominated synthetic rhythms and overdriving harmonic whiffs and washes, autotuned (robot-like) vocal appearances and lots of motives ringing a bell, however, all of that running along the more and less lopsided orbits of inner/outer space. On the other side, the album can be specified as an instance of chill out music strongly inspired by the ideology of Kosmische Musik. Indeed, it is time to set your dials backward to come over to a retrofuturistic era.

Hox Vox - It's the Loveliest Thing I've Ever Heard

Lizard Kisses - Please Stay (The Drifters Cover) (2011)

Bandcamp
Mediafire

9.7

/Cover, Alternative pop/rock, Glo-indie, Slowcore, Dream pop/

Comment: A heartbreaking cover by Lizard Kisses, the Brooklyn-based duo consisting of Marc Merza and Cory Siegler. Slowly moving sonic patterns on quiet fingerpicking is supported by Cory`s blissful, highly accentuated singing manner (reminiscent a bit of Memoryhouse`s Denise Nouvion`s one). I guess Burt Bacharach (indeed, the song was originally written by him) would like this version. By the way, the single is part of the cover album Tears On My Pillow: Part II.

aAirial - Together EP (2011)

Imaginary Nonexistent
Lastfm

9.0

/Downtempo, Ambient, Modern classical, Piano music, Crossover, Organic electronica/

Comment: In principle, this is an unforgettable, romanticism-induced shift based on ambient, downtempo and modern classical progressions searching for more shaking deepness and easiness at the same time. Indeed, it used to be light-hearted and contemplative simultaneously. Lone piano chords surrounded with tight yet effortless ambiences and lofty, haunting orchestrations and backed up with tenuous rhythms make out a huge impression for the rest of a day.

Squadra Omega - Rennes Le Chateau (2010)

Vuoto

9.2

/Psych-rock, Krautrock, Improvisation, Psychedelia, Jam session, Experimental rock, Space rock, Avant-rock/

Comment: This improvised amalgamation of 21 minutes bases on gorgeous impetus of space rock and free jazz-relied fusion, galvanized psych-rock, and buzzing synth layers/acute electronics of krautrock/and psychedelia. Even some experiments on the basis of the radio waves are proudly represented herein. As usual such sort of stylistic combination harking back to the very tradition of 70`s avant-rock groups works always out.

BOA - Push (2011)

Jammerdosa

9.0

/Indie pop, Alternative pop/rock, Dream pop, Meadow pop/

Comment: This was Gothenburg-based quintet Boa`s first single(s) ever. Similarly to many other Swedish indie bands it is fronted up by the female singer who used to be suggestive in her trilling singing manner. At times whimsical and even a bit hysterical (reminds of Arcade Fire) yet sublime indie pop/rock sound which would rock the world off. Hopefully soon it would be made out already. So you can jump up while running along the meadow.

Swampyboy - Quasi Horror (2011)

Sociopath

8.7

/Chiptune, Electro pop, 8-bit, Acid, Bitpop, Chipcore, Experimental electronica, Chipbreak, Tracker music, Psychedelic/

Comment: First off, I feel a little shame about the fact that it happened to be the first issue on Sociopath reviewed by me at RMH. However, the UK-based Swampyboy aka Phork (the pseudonyms by Joseph Loney) has been active in music since 2008 having issued a handful of albums (mainly on the Sociopath Recordings, but also on Amenorea, GDTK, and Faceblast). However, this 8-pieced set provides a dense, synergic array of sawtooth-shaped clanging and acid-boiled overdrives-interventions. Indeed, it might be that 8-bit music is the most psychedelic and highly tempered music in the first place. At least I am inflected to perceive in that direction once again.