Latest Reviews

On July 9th, the German composer and producer Ben Böhmer released “Hiding” a three track single with exciting collaborators, including the renowned singer Lykke Li and emerging talents JONAH and Felix Raphael. The songs feature shimmering pads that flood the stereo signal with wavering soundscapes. Beneath these, there are joyous rhythms with interesting sound design. Everything is crafted in a way that is attractive, shiny, and detailed while emphasizing the guests' vocals. Many of the tracks have a UK pop happiness feel, which I believe would be an interesting experience for optimistic listeners. It also showcases production decisions more akin to the techno and hip-hop scenes. The vocals make interesting but moderated counterpoints with the synths throughout, giving it a vintage electronica feel.

Due to his past as a former Genesis member, Anthony Phillips is a name that may not need much introduction within prog rock circles. However, I wanted to write this entry because his latest two releases are worth discussing beyond the borders of taste niches, thanks to their unique exploration of ambient music infused with classical sensitivity and subtle hints of his prog rock background.

At the beginning of this year, Kali Uchis became a sensation with her latest album “Orquídeas”. Once again, we are covering the Colombian-American musician who recently released her long-awaited single, “Never Be Yours”.

Below is a concise quote of one of the most revered Koans from Japanese Zen tradition. The essence of these inquiries wasn't to yield a correct answer, but rather to engage in the pursuit of understanding unanswerable questions—a core tenet of Zen Koans. The unsolvable nature of these questions, eventually transform the problem into a meditative device, where no answer is the only correct answer, or to put it in modern terms where logic and reason are not the main operators to understand life and problems.

Several suns away, a Coyote—or perhaps a peyote's hallucination—gave us precious and weird gifts: a telescope, a cheat code for love, and… friends? After a long hiatus, we finally have the full album available. With its newest issue, Hiatus Kaiyote shows us they are capable of simpler things without sacrificing beauty. This might be their least baroque release to date, but for this always-experimenting group, it feels like a breath of fresh air.

A series of beautiful, albeit conventional, violin arpeggios initiate the composition, echoing the jubilance and brilliance of English rock-pop productions, something like an orchestral Coldplay. The orchestra gains weight and vigor with the sudden addition of techno-driven drums, a robust big band ensemble, and a crazy bass line.

Jake Bugg's latest single, "All Kinds of People," yesterday, marks a refreshing return for the artist, showcasing his evolving style while retaining the authenticity that has endeared him to fans over the years.

Thomas Rhett's new track, "Feelin' Country," featured on the upcoming "Twisters" movie soundtrack, is a refreshing anthem that encapsulates the essence of country living. This upbeat, feel-good song blends traditional country elements with modern twists, creating a sound that's both nostalgic and contemporary.

Jessie Ware and Romy have collaborated on a new track titled "Lift You Up," which stands out as a vibrant addition to the dance-pop genre. The song seamlessly blends Jessie Ware's soulful vocal prowess with Romy's adept production skills, resulting in a track that exudes both energy and emotion.

Brian Eno is an immensely influential figure in the history of music, often regarded as the father of ambient music. We can thank or reproach him for the new philosophies of musical composition in film, video games, and even public spaces, where music is not the main actor but an element integrated into the whole. The best ambient music is that which can be ignored; hence, composers in this genre exert immense effort, using all their technique and skill to create coherent works devoid of tension, cleverly disguising harmonic changes (if any) while reinforcing the intentions of the space it inhabits.