bulbone, by exm

Prolific Netherlandian ambient producer exm returns with a frosty longform project bulbone.

Self-released via the artists bandcamp page – bulbone takes the form of a 25-minute ambient expedition through crisp arctic wastelands and desolate tundra laden plains. The listener is forced to seek shelter behind the weaved fabric of buzzing tones and pulsing, gritty synthesizers. The ominous and omnipresent drone of the windswept landscape sits comfortably behind an aethereal ensemble of horns, woodwinds and strings whom speak in staggered cadence and wonton trajectory.

Fans of intelligent, outsider ambient will be satisfied with this listen – properly balancing listenability with intriguing sonic exploration.

You can support the artist today by purchasing the project at Name-Your-Price via Bandcamp!

Pure Evil Bliss, by Sulkdrugs

Brand new ethereal dark ambient from Sulkdrugs – presented by Illuminated Paths.

Pure Evil Bliss houses a collection of glowing-yet-gritty ambient songs forged in the fires of terrifying emotion. The duo dives deep into the recesses of the human mind, reaching in and grabbing serious moods and feelings to flip into potent samples. Radios struggle to find a station, instead succumbing to fuzzy aetherwave static. Mysterious choirs sing gently beyond the fog.

Sometimes hopeful, occasionally melancholy, and not nearly as dark as the album name suggests – Pure Evil Bliss is truly a blissful experience in bedroom ambient. Perfect soundtrack for a contemplative, balmy summer night.

You can purchase the Cassette via Illuminated Paths or enjoy the album on your favorite streaming platform.

Three Drones, by Wóma

UK Microlabel HIRU presents this ambient drone ep from producer Wóma.

Three Drones is quite a utilitarian title for this release – opting for a no-nonsense approach to dark ambient and drone stretched across 3 longform tracks.

Created using an instrument that’s just as much a Sculpture as a musical device, Wóma shreds and scrapes across the bleak landscape. The sounds fold into each other, welding the harsh metallic edges with bold and bombastic low-horns for a bizarre, neo primitive feeling. There is an ancient and cavernous essence to the entire project that is only enhanced by the improvisational techniques applied.

Perfect addition to your Dungeons and Dragons playlist and whip it out the next time your player group is diving deep under Baulder’s Gate in search of treasure! Additionally great for moody mornings, rainy days or moments of introspection.

You can stream and download the project from HIRU’s bandcamp page.

Chill Noise, by Phirnis

Brought to us by German label Strategic Tape Reserves is this long playing industrial noise album Chill Noise by Viennese artist Phirnis.

Chill Noise, for the titles, is surprisingly full of energy, exploration and movement. Not to say it isn’t relaxing, of course – but if you’re looking for a collection of melodic field recordings you can keep on walking! This album is a wonderful study of industrial ambience – combining harsh tones with gentle atmospherics for a dense and intriguing journey.

The first few tracks are quite grounded in their noisy mystique, remaining quite free-flowing and spatial. Upon reaching the middle of the album we are greeted with an intense underground techno track thanks to the distorted kickdrum flying in! It’s a welcome way to break up the quite ethereal structure of the songs.

Harsh Noise fans will rejoice (or perhaps they won’t?) at the pure listenability of Phirnis‘ sounds. Somehow these tortured, shredded and FM distorted tones are perfectly layered and mixed in the least obtrusive way possible. Taking into consideration the actual sounds heard, this might possibly be the most digestible and easy-on-the-ears harsh noise album I have ever heard.

Between the robust textures and the intense soundscape construction there’s no shortage of fascinating sounds within. Chill Noise deserves a home in your collection – consider picking up a cassette tape to support (only a few are left when we wrote this, so move your butts!) or stream/download the digital edition via bandcamp.

dusk eater, by krzyzis

Whimsical yet melancholy ambient explorations from Canadian producer krzyzis – dusk eater is a pleasant long-form 7 track album of nostalgic soundscapes.

The central element of this release is pressure and tension. Each track forms around a drone backbone, eventually spurring into more abstract and avant-garde directions. Sudden harmonic dissonance, the occasional plucking of strings, a distant siren crying – all swirling together to create a sound that is somehow both relaxing and exciting.

There is something very grounded about this project as well. I am not sure what it is, but it harkens back to the days of Windham Hill albums – ambient with a purpose and a deep emotion associated with it. Perhaps its the ‘movement’ within each piece – krzyzis does a wonderful job not allowing drone/ambient to become stale or stagnant.

This one is good for mellow late nights or as the perfect soundtrack for whatever book you are currently reading! The album is available now digitally via the artists Bandcamp page.

blood year, by Cyparissus

Luscious lo-fi drones from Cyparissus – blood year is a 4 track album with a heavy, brooding atmosphere.

The style is hazy and rustic – dusty and crusty textures layered atop waves of melancholy synth pads. The melodies and progressions take a backseat to quite prominent “field recordings” and other textural oddities. From dribbling rain and distant rolling thunder to crunchy and compressed tape sounds, Cyparissus utilizes a vast array of audio cues to evoke some potent emotions.

When the calm pads do overtake the noisy drones, they are quite placid and comforting! This provides a beautiful base for the rest of the textural sounds to stretch their legs.

If you’re a fan of slightly-dark ambient, or you’d like some noisy drone music that isn’t too harsh, I highly recommend checking out both blood year and the rest of Cyparissus’ discography, which is available on Bandcamp.

Dream Recollection, by Dream Paradigm

Wholesome and lush ambience is absolutely overflowing from this new release by 夢范例 (Dream Paradigm)

夢迴想 (Dream Recollection) is a 4 track longform ambient project presented by DreamSphere net label.

The album itself is very soft and expansive, like a fuzzy weighted blanket. Foamy synthesizers, churning back and forth between swells of hope and receding melancholy, droning tones inducing a trance-like state…

Despite being only 4 tracks, the projects playtime is longer than most full-length records, sitting at 60 minutes flat. This hearty runtime paired with the incredibly relaxed nature of the sounds makes it a perfect companion for morning coffee or a yoga session.

The style of ambience is truly quite pure – as the label describes, Dreamtone – which is perhaps a new genre, or a self-assigned tag. Whatever the source, it’s a fitting name to bestow such sounds – with a focus on the beauty and the emotional possibilities of subtlety.

You can pickup the album now digitally via the DreamSphere bandcamp page !

Circle Inside, by Selvedge

Circle Inside is a full-length textural ambient album from producer Selvedge, presented by Wormhole World Records!

First introduced to Selvedge’s material back in 2019 (thanks to Vivarium Recordings!) – I was excited to see this show up one day. Already anticipating a delicious drone experience, I was not left disappointed!

The album flutters back and forth between noise experiments and atmospheric ambience, doing a fine job of balancing light with darkness. Like a putty, darkness and melody are smooshed and folded in upon each-other, manifesting a very thought provoking experience.

Slight and subtle flavors of electro-acoustics drizzle the extremities of the tracks. Tones leaning towards plucks, chirps, distant bells and fuzzy ethereal choirs ~ however artificial they may be, finding firm and tangible footing in this lush landscape.

Perfect sounds for thoughtful mornings or rainy afternoons. Pick up the digital edition of the album now via Wormhole World’s Bandcamp, and let’s hope we get a second run of CD’s or perhaps a tape edition of this one!

Pessoa, by Distant Animals

I use the word “satisfying” often when writing about music to help describe a fulfilling feeling without necessarily having a genre or emotion to assign. Yet again I return to that old well to tell you that Pessoa by Distant Animals is a truly satisfying listen.

Pessoa is a longform textural drone composition – a dense and hearty soundscape, populated with peculiar residents. Over the nearly 40 minute track, the listener traverses this alien world, gravitating towards and floating away from points of interest as they crest the horizon.

Hyperbole aside, it’s a carefully thought-out piece of atmospheric ambience. Sometimes dark, occasionally harsh, but overall presenting a mysterious atmosphere of agoraphobia and anticipation. Perfect for adding texture to your immediate atmosphere, or throw on the headphones and lose yourself in a vast expanse of sound.

You can grab the digital version of this one now from Fallen Moon Recordings!

Ingress Egress, by THE GAYE DEVICE

Soothing and wholesome ambient from THE GAYE DEVICE – ingress egress is a powerful cinematic synth journey.

Stretched over 8 luscious tracks, the album wanders through retro cyberpunk vibes, floating through a glowing synthetic haze.

Sometimes hopeful, sometimes brooding – yet always satisfying on a deep level. There is a mystical and ethereal flavor to the soundscapes while remaining quite synthetic – like a holodeck of lush wonder.

The tracks are long and thoughtful. Blissful even. Perfect to listen with a cup of coffee or light rain-showers outside.

Pick up the digital album via Bandcamp and explore the rest of the discography while you’re there!