Favorite Releases From July 2021
"Our future is viridian, cobalt, alizarin, ultramarine, carmine...
Colours drawn from a bow of happiness with arrows of true love
Thudding into our hearts every single moment
Rainbows of kindly sparkly crystals reflecting each tiny emotion
Willow tree flexibility, cool streams of pure clear water whisper in our ears..." - Max Hale
The spirit of the summer season inspires poetry and creates an atmosphere for beautiful music. July brought notable releases featuring Konduku, Sindh, BLNDR, Conoley Ospovat, Gilles Wasserman, Will Oirson, Bas Dobbelaer , Lack, Arnodd, Lunar Orbit Rendezvous, and The Alchemical Theory.
Sindh
Nun-Kun
IDO
Valentino Mora's Intercontinental Dance Organisation (IDO) imprint returns with its seventh release from producer Sindh, who debuts on the label with his debut solo EP, "Kalahari." "The project Sindh was named as such after the musician had an affecting encounter with the magnificent Indus River in Ladakh, the lush vegetation and landscapes in this region clearly inspiring Sindh's sound," the label describes. On the EP, the artist draws from a broad palette of influences, sounds of the natural world, the nuances of the electronic realm, and the intricacies of "flute, bongo, percussions and modular and Ciat Lonbarde synthesizers.'
The distant nature sounds of the "Nun-Kun" awaken the hidden colors of a slightly ominous ambiance that floats over the mysterious rhythms with the perfect amount of dark touch.
Konduku
Yukari
Spazio Disponibile
Konduku returns in full force to Donato Dozzy and Neel's Spazio Disponibile record label with the new EP crafting a multi-dimensional sound collage straddling the lines between rhythmically complex techno and atmospheric DnB. The four-track "Parlama" EP is sometimes fragile, sometimes ponderous, coloristically varied, with many technically demanding finesse.
The closing track "Yukari" is brimming with the rhythmic vitality that intertwines with an array of textural immersions and metallic chimes that shine in cyclic motion over the masterfully mapped-out arrangements.
BLNDR
Protarum
Kizen Records
Parisian producer Tom Huthwohl, better known as BLNDR, joins Kizen Records with the "Callopsis" EP. Inspired by the beauty of "majestic landscape and the atmosphere of Santiago de Chile," the four-track record develops slowly, delivering lush atmospheric arrangements and blissful ambiance, with delicately woven deep techno rhythms.
The second track, "Protarum'' is a beautiful floating composition that exudes tranquility and warmth. The delicate synth-driven rhythm and nuances drift tenderly, drawing the listener into BLNDR's immersive, mesmerizing world.
Conoley Ospovat
First-World Tar Pit
Continental Drift Records
Nebraska-based versatile electronic music producer Conoley Ospovat continues his journey through the world of sophisticated house, and techno music on his brand new album, "The Way It Sounded That Day." Composed in Tokyo, Berlin, and Nebraska between 2010 and 2016, the new full-length record is Conoley Ospovat's follow-up to "Mantra," which was released earlier this year via Otake Records, and "So Thankful" EP released on his imprint Continental Drift Records.
“First-World Tar Pit” complements the album with smooth energy, playful synth melodies, and chords gliding over hypnotic rhythms bolstered by metallic percussion.
Gilles Wasserman
Leichter Sonntag
A Friend In Need
After a deep atmospheric techno contribution to the On Board Music’s “The Meaning Of Time - Part III" charity compilation as Moon Patrol, the co-founder of the Delayed, Gilles Wasserman releases his first solo EP through the Leipzig-based imprint, A Friend In Need. Boasting a sound that illustrates multiple facets of house music, “Emma’s hiding” EP offers five tracks - each of them is a kaleidoscope of rich textures, intricate house and breakbeat infused rhythms and vibrant sonic flourishes.
On the second track of the record “Leichter Sonntag” Gilles creates a deep and reflective atmosphere that slowly unfolds in an elegant flow of melodic warmth and dazzlingly complex textures wrapped in a melancholic ambiance.
Will Oirson and Bas Dobbelaer
State Of Mind (Synth Version)
The Something Something
Following the debut EP “Inland / Tomorrow, or till the end of time “ which Will Oirson released last year, the Amsterdam-based artist teamed up with the Dutch producer Bass Dobbelaer on a new record. Entitled “What Brings Us Together”, the EP sees two versions of the “State Of Mind” track that equally emphasize the beautifully textured subtle melancholy and introspective rhythms.
Will Oirson and Bass Dobbelaer embark into a multifaceted prism of introspection with their synth version of the “State Of Mind” crafting an awe-inspiring widescreen sonic landscape of atmospheric ambiance.
Lack
Constant
Livity Sound
Livity Sound welcomes the return of the Manchester-based producer Lack to the family with the new "Make It Circular" EP. After his 2020 release of the 'Inside' EP on the record label, Lack continues to shine with five tracks presenting a bright selection of digitally embedded broken and dubbed-out techno sounds. “I wanted to try and create a sense of space or calm within the tracks, even if only subtle," Lack explains. "I suppose it was a reflection on the crazy state of the world and needing to find space within myself to stay grounded and get through it.”
Pairing the breakbeat-driven percussive rhythm with delicate, shape-shifting synth melodies weaving in and out of the beat, the closing track "Constant" demonstrates Lack's precision and production prowess.
Arnodd
Sun (Love Over Entropy Remix)
Manjumasi
San Francisco imprint Manjumasi marks its twenty-six release with the “Bulder” EP from Norwegian producer Øyvind Vie Berg, a.k.a. Arnodd. The four-track package offers up three original tracks including a delightful remix of “Sun” by Love Over Entropy. All the tracks team up effectively with a focus on groovy rhythms and melodic elements that ignite a sonic tapestry of positive vibes.
Taking on Arnodd’s “Sun,” Dutch electronic music wizard, Love Over Entropy utilizes the Abstrakt Instruments Avalon hardware to create a hypnotic baseline as the foundation for a mesmerizing gem combining the groove with a sense of melodicism that flows through an elegant ornate of beautiful harmonies.
The Alchemical Theory
Ukiyo
AFFIN
The Alchemical Theory revealed their second solo EP “Komorebi” through Joachim Spieth’s AFFIN imprint. The masterminds behind The Alchemical Theory are the electronic music producer team from Italy, formed by Kill Acid On Space, Unclear and Øyvind (owner of Subosc Records). They also released music on Norite, Oslated, Annulled Records, Circular Limited, Subosc, and Northallsen Records, and it’s exciting to see their return to AFFIN for the second outing.
Here is what AFFIN intends to say about this release: “This EP comes from a strong inspiration from Japanese culture. The titles of the tracks represent small words full of meaning and charm, which we think create a very deep and special atmosphere in combination with our sounds.”
The opening track “Ukiyo” is rife with sub-aquatic imagery. Fused with bubbling energy, it takes a listener on a journey filled with organic sounds weaving under the surface of the intricate filigree of rhythmic patterns.
Lunar Orbit Rendezvous
Faith/Reason
Ransom Note
Belfast producer Gregory Ferguson (LOR) presents his second album under his Lunar Orbit Rendezvous moniker. “Faith/Reason” is a cohesive collection that indicates a shift from the IDM and electro excursions of its predecessor, and exhibits the ambient moments of reflection embedded deep within a lattice of textured soundscapes.
Drawing inspirations from the ambient music pioneer Brian Eno, the title track “Faith/Reason” shines with its vivid glow that illuminates moon-driven melodies with the soothing spaciousness of the ambiance
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