Lukas Nystrand - Magic Forest (North Star) (2004)

Goodbye Cruel World

8.6

/Downtempo, House, Crossover, Chill out, Experimental electronica/

Comment: This 3-pieced issue was released in 2004 by a profilic Swedish musician who is also known under pseudonyms such as Glenny#417, Sentimental Cat, LuKiss, Textile God of Sweden, Disciples Of Ageema and many other ones. However, the publication which was the first one for the Goodbye Cruel World records used to validate itself through laidback beats and simple yet whimsical sequences as if searching effortlessly for a midway point between house vibes and downtempo progressions which are partly coated with ancient hisses and familiarly processed electronics at times. All in all, you can enjoy this ghost from the recent past (yet, which seems to be so far away).

N-qia – qia songs (2011)

La bèl

9.3

/Folktronica, Crossover, Baroque pop, Shoegazetronica, Jazz, IDM, Organic electronica, Experimental electronica, Experimental indie/

Comment: This is the second issue (after Neeva`s one) coming out from the Italy-based La bèl records which does have put itself quite aside in comparison to the label`s usual alt-folk/experimental folk perspective. Yet, I shall have to accentuate the word "quite" or "relatively". This 4-track EP comes out from the Nippon headed by such producers as Nozomi (vocals) and Takma (programming). Lots of IDM-acock rhythms are represented here which are embellished with baroque-esque milieus, electronic shoegaze-alikeness and organic electronica/jazz-y/folktronic-infiltrated evolvements. While it sometimes resembles of the Iceland`s mùm or some Efterklang`s deeds, I can perceive it as idiosyncratic on its own.

Rimar - Higher Ground (2011)

Rimar
Bandcamp

9.2

/Mash-up, Plunderphonics, Chillwave, Crossover, Glo-fi, Hip-hop, Sound collage/

Comment: Chillwave-ish trip takes on hip-hop beats on this 9-pieced issue. Indeed, if to compare it to Rimar`s another release, called A, it is more devoted to blissful/nostalgic progressions and hip-hop-backed dizziness, on the other side, less to (old school) disco paces and apparently detached style appearances. Yet, it previously gets its inspiration from the mash-up/plunderphonics scene thereby suitable for comparing to the likes of Juj, Bahwee, Professor Ojo, Thallus, BeachesBeaches, and Phaseone.

Projecto [`trepia] - Avance Leghons

Lee Noble - No Becoming (2011)

Bandcamp

9.6

/Art pop, Shoegaze, Lo-fi, Experimental indie, Post-psychedelic, Avant-folk, Space rock, Psychedelia, Tape music, Avant-pop, Psych-folk, DIY, Glo-fi/

Comment: Nowadays psychedelia undubiously. Dusted synth drones are variegated with the riffs of abrasive yet spatial guitars and more or less restrainted clatter of hi-hats and clinking of memory-evoking glockenspiel forays. At times demented shoegaze meets Ariel Pink-esque art pop, at times hypnotic guitar-based fingerpicking is wrapped up in highly sublime droning and atmospheric overflowing in the fringe area of a Black Hole. At times all is burning around the centre. The array of soul mates veers from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to Ariel Pink and Russian Futurists, from 13th Floor Elevator and Gong to Superficial Random Knowledge Porridge and Deep Magic, from John Fahey to Boy MTN. Indeed, all is positive, all is accomplished. All is infiltrated. However, you can already expect for the next surprises out from California.

Bubamara Brass Band - Bubamarija / Kashtanizma (2011)

Clinical Archives

8.8

/Brass music, Improvised music, World music, Balkan brass/

Comment: A 4-pieced instance of Balkan/and gypsy brass music with the fringes of big band-like undercurrents and improvised music from Moscow, Russia. Highly energetic and galvanized, i.e played up with the assistance of incessant key changes and tumultuous improvisation snippets left and right. On the other side, giving credit to Emir Kusturica`s music and popular films either.

Grateful Dead - Live at County Fairgrounds on 1968-05-18 (1968)

Archive.org

8.5

/Psychedelic rock, Southern rock, Classic rock/

Comment: Another live session by Grateful Dead before their gig at the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969. As usual this 7-pieced set is a heavy blend of rocking psychedelia and southern rock. Classic!