Browsing Tag

ambient

frekld cloud sang a lyrical lullaby in ‘Peter Pan’ ft Jxsie Beats

Posted on 22 January 2024

frekld cloud’s latest single, Peter Pan, featuring Jxsie Beats, is a mesmerising journey through a dreamscape where the boundaries of consciousness blur. This single, a harmonious blend of ambient, videogame-inspired instrumentals and delicate pop vocals, invites listeners into a world where music and the inner trappings of a melancholy mind meld seamlessly.

At 19, frekld cloud has already shown a profound depth in his music by intertwining sound with heartfelt emotion. The lyrical lullaby is a vivid illustration of his journey, evolving from a young artist sharing his creations on YouTube and SoundCloud to an emerging voice on the global stage. His commitment to exploring mental health through music, born from a childhood where expression was a challenge, shines through in Peter Pan’s ambient, videogame-like instrumentals, which cradle the narrative of a reflective mind.

Frekld Cloud’s vocals, both soft and resonant, glide over the dreamscape, painting a picture of emotion and introspection. The lyrics, forthright and poignant, draw listeners into the artist’s psyche, exploring themes of freedom, self-awareness, and the complexities of mental health. We can’t wait to join flekld cloud on his next ethereal journey.

Peter Pan is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Silent North is oscillating through ‘Parallels’ in his latest ambient instrumental score.

Posted on 12 December 2023

As a sublime continuation from his 2023 EP, Inflections, The Silent North, the musical persona of Scottish solo artist Paul Russell, has broken his proverbial vow of silence to unveil the ambient twilight in his latest instrumental piece, Parallels, an auditory experience that melds tranquillity with intoxicating allure.

Parallels is a testament to Russell’s eclectic mix of influences, artfully blending electronic, ambient, and guitar elements into a cohesive and mesmerising cocktail. The track’s foundation is built upon subtle yet compelling trip-hop rhythms, with all the intricate beats and moody atmospherics within the tonally expansive soundscape which uses reverb to complement the progressions with an ethereal quality.

Far from detracting from the organic feel of the music, the digital touch enhances it, creating a harmonious balance, resulting in a sound that delivers swathes of cross-over appeal. With the planned release of Illuminate in February 2024, The Silent North continues to build a compelling discography that showcases his unique musical vision.

Parallels hit the airwaves on December 1st; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

McCartney and Mezzowave showcased the power of transformative music with ‘Lifeblood’

Posted on 8 December 2023

Lifeblood by McCartney and Mezzowave is a musical embodiment of positive energy and spiritual resonance, reflecting the diverse talents and profound journeys of its creators.

McCartney, a consciousness coach and musician, infuses the track with her signature tranquil, soul-stirring style. Her vocals in Lifeblood serve as an auditory sanctuary, offering a mantra-like quality that inspires a yearning for enlightenment and mindfulness. The deep bass lines in the song complement its uplifting spirit, making it more than just an earworm; it’s a journey into inner peace.

Mezzowave, known for his versatility in electronic music and his role as a TV/film composer, brings a unique depth to the collaboration. His expertise in creating compositions that touch the soul is evident in the way Lifeblood resonates with listeners.

What’s particularly captivating about Lifeblood is its diversity in form. The ambient rendition offers a laid-back, soothing experience, ideal for moments of reflection. The meditation mix is a testament to the track’s spiritual roots, providing a soundscape for inner peace and mindfulness.

The music video’s inclusion of Max’s Ford Consul Classic adds a touch of nostalgia and a subtle nod to the Beatles, enriching the song’s background story. McCartney’s musical heritage, combined with her recent solo debut Calling to the World, demonstrates her natural ability to create music that deeply connects with her audience.

Stream the official music video for Lifeblood on YouTube.

Learn more about McCartney via her official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Basil Babychan cast a spectral shadow over his latest filmic score, Insentient Nature

Posted on 10 November 2023
https://soundcloud.com/basilbabychan/insentinent-nature/s-Zo5Ovv7zuQl?si=5165905864934628a4c17bc22fe9047c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Insentient Nature is the latest cinematically sombre neo-classic score from the avant-garde ambient composer Basil Babychan, who has garnered international critical acclaim for his phantasmally affecting work, which entwines futurism with touches of classical orchestration to create profoundly reflective sonic spaces.

The darkly compelling minor key progressions against the spectral shadows cast by the classical strings and glitchy synths lead the instrumental soundscape into a brand-new depiction of dystopia; one which allows you to see the beauty beyond the consternation. Harbingering the age of the machine and a sense of detachment from the organic world, Babychan taps into our fears, while demonstrating everything has its place and a right to belonging and freedom.

Insentient Nature is due for official release on November 10th; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gary Albert orchestrated an ambient neo-classic respite from discomposure in his piano score, Skies

Posted on 12 September 2023

With melodies moulded into the mellifluous form of drifting clouds and ascending motifs which explore the cosmological atmosphere above, the latest ambient score, Skies, from the composer Gary Albert, is an invitation to lose yourself in the transformative power of music, nature, and art.

The neo-classical piano score was crafted to provide respite from the tumultuous fray of our deeply unsettled world, which can all too easily disquiet the psyche; paired with the mesmerism in the official music video, Skies is a musical and visual journey equipped to mainline the antidote to discomposure.

Instead of using Skies as a testament to his multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed talent, Skies served the far more utilitarian purpose of projecting tranquillity into the soundwaves via pulsating reprises, cathartically cascading melodies, and minimalist movement for fans of ambient soundscapes. Rest assured that you will tune into the same accessibility as offered by Nils Frahm and Hani Rani when you delve into this reflectively accordant piece.

The official music video for Skies premiered on September 4th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Join Harry Bone in his ambient retro synthscape, Journey

Posted on 7 September 2023

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

Timothy and the Apocalypse’s Love in Stereo Remix will leave you in a euphonic utopia

Posted on 23 August 2023

Timothy and the Apocalypse’s most popular single to date, Love in Stereo, which has racked up a quarter of a million streams on Spotify to date and worked its way into seminal chillwave, deep house delight and electronic chillout playlists, has been masterfully reworked by the electronica phenomenon in his own right, Erik Buschmann.

With the dark and nuancedly despondent glitchy elements dialled back to make way for the more transcendently deep textures (it’s a paradox, we know), the new reworking delivers a dreamy new universe of depth that will leave you as high as the ever-ascending melodies.

If it weren’t the ethereally reprising whispers of ‘our love is in stereo’ bringing you back down to amorous earth, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d ventured into a celestial videogame with a cathartically directive soundtrack when you hit play.

The Erik Buschmann Remix hit the airwaves on the 18th of August; stream it on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Klavdiya – “My Future”s” Pro-Family Message is Wonderfully Refreshing

Posted on 25 April 2023

Klavdiya’s latest release, “My Future,” is a soaring masterpiece that showcases her unique blend of ethereal vocals and captivating piano playing. The accompanying music video perfectly captures the mood and theme of the song, with Klavdiya’s bump serving as a poignant visual metaphor for the future that lies ahead.

Right from the opening notes of the piano part, it’s clear that “My Future” is something special. The way the chords swirl and build, creating a sense of forward momentum and anticipation, is simply mesmerizing. But it’s Klavdiya’s voice that truly steals the show here. Equal parts soothing and passionate, she sings with an intensity that is almost otherworldly.

The way the piano and vocals intertwine is a thing of beauty. The instrumentation perfectly complements the lyrics, creating a sense of unity and harmony that is truly magical. It’s like high-energy ambient music – if there is such a thing – and it’s impossible not to get swept up in the emotion of it all.

The music video is a visual feast, with stunning cinematography and beautifully choreographed dance sequences that perfectly capture the song’s mood and meaning. Klavdiya’s pregnancy is a powerful visual metaphor for the future that lies ahead, and it adds an extra layer of emotional depth to an already powerful track.

Overall, “My Future” is an absolute triumph. Klavdiya’s vocals and piano playing are both captivating, and the song’s message about looking towards the future with hope and excitement is truly inspiring. If this is any indication of what’s to come from Klavdiya in the future, then we can’t wait to hear what she has in store for us next.

Berlin electro-acoustic originators klanglomerat created a cathartically seductive Jazz IDM amalgam with ‘Fünf’

Posted on 7 April 2023

The Berlin electro-acoustic outfit, klanglomerat, created a beguiling symbiotic relationship between Jazz and IDM in their fifth evocatively ambient single, Fünf. How they succeeded in soaking the instrumentals in so much pensive emotion is just a fraction of the alchemy that will cathartically seduce you; the gentle yet purposeful melodicism knows just what direction to pull your senses in so that you drift with the sweeping bass lines and are cradled within the ardently accordant drum fills.

Artfulness is often associated with inaccessibility but slipping into Fünf is easier than breathing; the progressive single gently rises with the tides from the quiescent intro into the vortex of swirling piano motifs, which ring with a touch of neo-classical flair, while the nuanced electronica synthetics douse the soundscape with a sense of modernism that will aid klanglomerat well as they define the future of ambience in the Berlin scene and beyond.

Immerse yourself in Fünf from April 7 by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Steve Nicosia scored a scintillating ambient fantasy in his instrumental curtain call, End of the Event

Posted on 12 March 2023

Taken from his hotly anticipated Matter of Time EP, the standout single, End of the Event, from the eclectically inspired artist Steve Nicosia is a filmic sonic fantasy that invites you to lose yourself in the scintillatingly structured ambience.

Short of implanting yourself back in the womb, there are few sanctuaries on our intrepid scorched earth as cathartic as the one that unfolds under the duress of the cinematic sound designer.

Extended preludes may be becoming a thing of the past in the streaming era of music. Yet, End of the Event proves that they are anything but outdated. The gentle orchestral swells, classical guitars, and piano motifs gradually build from the mid-way mark in this daydream of a release that progressively rewards you for your immersion.

As the layered melodies gently crescendo, the sense of arrestive awe for Nicosia’s talent when weaving an instrumental narrative will viscerally heighten. I feel like I’ve just heard the curtains close on humanity, and it deserves a standing ovation.

The Matter of Time EP is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast