Browsing Tag

Ambient Lo-Fi

TEX entranced the airwaves with the lush lo-fi ambience in ‘Wolves on Pike Street’

TEX by TEX

Wolves on Pike Street by TEX allows lush lo-fi trip-hop ambience to place you in a sonic clearing where birds call amid syncopated beats, their gentle presence woven through ripples of reverb. There’s a natural stillness at the core, yet the pulsing rhythms lure you into a trance-like focus, making you feel every subtle shift in tone.

Just before the track settles into calm, sermon-like indietronica vocals rise. These hushed tones arrive before fresh scintillation refracts through the melody, dousing the arrangement in subtle luminescence. Vibes, soul, and euphony form the triadic pillars, supporting what almost feels like an extension of the universe itself.

Hailing from Cape Town, Johnny Tex—born in 1985—the family man who cherishes his own solitude, experiments with colour and sound alike, crafting music purely out of love, hoping to inspire at least one other soul to reach for creative release. Safe to say he succeeded in his mission with Wolves on Pike Street which constructs a sonic sanctuary for the rhythmic pulses.

Stream and purchase Wolves on Pike Street via Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kanyun sonically embraced the duality of December with the warmth in the chill of ‘Winter In Sight’

Kanyun’s seminal single, Winter in Sight, is a testament to the power of musical innovation; the journey through the heart of winter encapsulates its contrasting emotions with a finesse that only a cultivated artist like Kanyun could achieve.

The track opens with a haunting melody reminiscent of a Nils Frahm composition, setting a profound and melancholic tone. The minor keys speak volumes, hinting at the long, dark nights of winter and the introspection they bring as the lo-fi production shares the cosiness of intimacy, away from the biting cold.

The soft meandering guitars weave through the track like warm threads in a winter tapestry, creating melodies that comfort and embrace the listener. The guitar lines are an embodiment of sitting by a crackling fire or finding solace in the arms of a loved one.

Kanyun’s journey from a trap-beat producer to a lo-fi maestro is evident in this track. His ability to create a sound that resonates with a broad audience while retaining a distinct personal touch is remarkable. Winter in Sight is not just a song; it’s a feeling, a moment in time captured through the lens of a gifted artist.

As we look forward to Kanyun’s future projects and the evolution of his new record label, Amelia Grace Recordings, Winter in Sight stands as an attest to his artistic growth and the potential that lies ahead.

Winter in Sight is available to stream and purchase on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Join Harry Bone in his ambient retro synthscape, Journey

After gaining a background in classical music and a conservatoire degree in orchestral percussion production, the Bristol, UK-based producer, composer, and mixing and mastering engineer Harry Bone started to take a more experimental and lo-fi approach to his sound after discovering that almost anything can serve a musical purpose.

His 2023 ambient album, Ambi, featuring the odyssey voyage of a single, Journey, is a cathartic exhibition of his freshly rendered explorative talents. The reverb-lavish keys weave cinematic melodies while still delivering a chill synthy lo-fi smorgasbord of nostalgic alleviation.

The single was constructed to depict the journey from naval-gazing self-pity towards gratitude and positive affirmative action. By euphonically visualising a trip through the woods while allowing elements of nature to coalesce with memories that still evoke positive emotion, Bone succeeded in crafting a consoling score that will set your imagination alight.

If you’re always on the hunt for soundscapes that facilitate tranquil mental repose, don’t hang around waiting to discover the quiescent gems in Harry Bone’s discography.

Stream the Ambi album on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast