IDM slow-tempo electronics.
Kangding Ray – Ultrachroma
Hypnodrone Ensemble – The Problem Is In The Sender – Do Not Tamper With The Receiver
Drone shoegaze post-rock psy-jazz, the eerie singing is an interesting touch. Reminds me of Kilimanjaro and Bohren.
CMPLEX – Headspace
Cinematic ambient, like straight from a movie. After listening to his latest EP (Polyform), I went back and listened to his entire catalogue back and forth a few times. Easy to get sucked in and it’s another kind of backdrop that helps me focus. It would be great to see more long form albums from him.
Alva Noto – HYbr:ID III
I don’t want to belittle Alva Noto’s amazing art to “work music” but his albums are definitely my best aid in focusing recently. Other than that, this one is yet another fantastic ambient record. Part meditative drone, part nuanced and finessed rhythmic noise.
Wojciech Golczewski – Inert
Beatless ambient from outer space, sounds like a sci-fi soundtrack. Just what I’d expect from Golczewski. Great album.
John Carpenter – Lost Themes IV: Noir
Carpenter just keeps going, I am in awe. I love these records.
Martinou – Chiral
Pop ambient with dub and trance vibes. I wouldn’t choose it for conscious listening, but great for work.
Kevin Richard Martin – Black
An ambient album by The Bug that is an eulogy to Amy Winehouse—such a fascinating concept that I would have never seen coming. It comes with probably the best liner notes I have ever read on Bandcamp. Not because it’s a whole lot but it gives such a personal perspective to such an unexpected record.
Also, using the word “muse” just opens up this whole realm of thoughts how muses work for artists, which I’ve always found interesting. When a muse is depicted in a movie they tend to be this groupie that hangs with the rock band, but how a muse as a person and personality inspires art is rarely seen. Funny thing that Californication comes to mind where the muse is an interesting character. And recently I read about the life of Daphne Guinness who is also cited as being the muse for fashion designers like Alexander McQueen and Karl Lagerfeld. Just reading her bio, seeing her style of photos, and listening to her records makes me go “oh yes, I can see that”.
So, to get back to Black, it’s interesting how inspiration can come from such random places, and how a muse can find you even when you’re not searching.
nthng – There Is A Place For Me
Peaceful downtempo electronics. Music to work by.
Bot1500 – Surreal
It’s a little gem on the IDM-techno axis with an ambient mood. Beautifully crafted music.