With the landslide of emails, shares and media streams of new music, it’s becoming harder and harder to scratch the surface of music releases. So this list of no particular order is quite frankly a selection of releases that either impressed me or I repeatedly played on the commute to and from the day job.
1) The Orb – Abolition of the Royal Familia
https://theorb.bandcamp.com/album/abolition-of-the-royal-familia
Back in March the was a bit of a buzz about this album, with many saying the Orb were back to their best. Although I really liked the predecessor COW (Chill Out World) I could see from the off why this album would have universal appeal.
2) Gaudi – 100 Years of Theremin (The Dub Chapter)
https://gaudimusic.bandcamp.com/album/100-years-of-theremin-the-dub-chapter
Alongside a selection of heavyweight dub pioneers, the Theremin maestro celebrated the invention of this eerie electronic instrument by cementing a union with dub reggae.
3) Gigi Masin – Calypso
https://masin.bandcamp.com/album/calypso
A beautiful selection of sun-kissed Mediterranean ambience with touches of jazz. Just perfect to kick back and relax.
4) Yaima – Ceremonia
https://yaimamusic.bandcamp.com/album/c-e-r-e-m-o-n-i-a
Quite simply a lovely acoustic album from this American folktronica duo, which is inspired by the natural world and aimed at encouraging growth in the hearts and minds of the listeners.
5) Matt Coldrick – Music For A Busy Head Vol 2
https://panelectric.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-a-busy-head-vol-2
After many years Matt re-kindles this concept and dives deep into healing ambient textures, with touches of 70’s inspired prog rock guitar and gentle piano.
6) Paya – Hollow Skies
https://suriyarecordings.bandcamp.com/album/hollow-skies
A selection of tracks from the classically trained vocalist/multi-instrumentalist, that spans celtic folk, electronica and pop. At times almost mirroring her idols Dead Can Dance. The album is produced by Youth, who compared her vocal capabilities to Lisa Gerrard.
7) Tripswitch – Momento Mori
https://section.bandcamp.com/album/memento-mori
After a number of years concentrating on progressive house, Nick Brennan returned to the folds of downtempo where he initially made his name. At times darker than it’s predecessors but still balanced with moments of light.
7) Erothyme – Steep Dreams
https://erothyme.bandcamp.com/album/steep-dreams
This was the second Erothyme release that I purchased after a long hiatus on my behalf. With three exceptionally strong tracks this album ignited my interest in those albums I’d missed.
8) Andrew Heath – The Alchemists Muse
https://andrewheath.bandcamp.com/album/the-alchemist-s-muse
Not having heard his latest release I can only go on the two releases of this year I have heard. This edges it ever so slightly for me. However, if you like Andrew’s brand of ambient soundscapes, field recordings and laid back piano then they all fit the bill.
9) Eguana – Serenity
https://cosmicleaf.bandcamp.com/album/serenity
Eguana has churned out a good number of releases this year without lapsing on quality. Quite frankly I could have included any one of them. This album steered away from the space themes of it’s recent predecessors, with the focus placed on nature before moving to more mythical and fantasy themes of his following release.
10) Kaya Project – Body.Mind.Soul.
https://sebtaylor.bandcamp.com/album/body-mind-soul
Once again fusing tribal rhythms and world music with ambient soundscapes and ethereal vocals. Additionally featuring some re-mixes from Seb’s other projects such as Hibernation and Biotone.
Additionally ...
Richard Norris – Music For Healing (The Complete Long Form Series)
Richard followed on from his Abstractions albums with a series of 12 twenty minute ambient pieces, released weekly and aimed for relaxation or an accompaniment to practises such as yoga. Which is now available in a more compact version both digitally and on CD. There’s nothing really catchy about these releases they just suitably serve their purpose.
https://richardnorris.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-healing
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