Independent Culture — My new music and movie recommendations website.
Taken from my latest article:
A few weeks ago, in the cold recesses of December, I attempted to mimic that midnight Xela premise. Sporadic and fragrant vocals needed to intermingle with astute jazz, disquieting percussion loops and loose piano themes. I needed to purvey frustration, heart ache and confusion amongst nostalgia and flirting hope.
“It’s night time and I’m in the moment, but it’s ending”
01. Arve Henriksen — Procession Passing
Album: Sakuteiki, Label: Rune Grammofon
The album is a working tribute to Japanese culture and the sound of the shakuhachi. Stark other-worldly romanticism gives the perfect introduction.
02. Supersilent — 4.1
Album: 4, Label: Rune Grammofon
A perfect compliment to Henriksen’s unique modus operandi. Dying jazz opposes flitting cinematic mystery and abrasive percussion to form a jarring yet intimate storm.
03. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy — I See a Darkness
Album: I see a darkness, Label: Palace
The storm is passing, but its devastation has only just been realized. A dark hymn with thinly layered guitar provides a cogitative commentary. A brief resurgence and an echoing cry for help.
04. Alejandra and Aeron — Juanita, King Chime and Florida Flash Flood
Album: Bousha Blue Blazes, Label: Orthlorng Musork
This hauntingly expectant fusion of atmospheric piano and delicate electronics observes a destitute realism with the naivety of a child.
05. The Gentle Waves — Partner in Crime
Album: Swangsong for you, Label: Jeepster
“Partner in Crime” is the consoling bedtime story that acts to reinsure yet spirals dangerously away into a cold despondency.
06. Múm — We have a Map of the Piano
Album: Finally we are no one, Label: Fat Cat
True hope comes with the warming morning sun and there is momentary rest bite. Warm synthesizer chords and glitch-beats offer tranquility.
07. Alejandra and Aeron — Humming Radio Caro Cariño
Album: Bousha Blue Blazes, Label: Orthlorng Musork
At the boundaries of folk there is a clandestine privacy that is effortlessly caught by this song. This family recording bids optimism and nostalgia with a fragile air of uncertainty. Soft Spanish words with recurring acoustics and guitar bequeath frail remnants of life.
08. Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto – Duoon
Album: Vrioon, Label: Raster Noton
Crescendos of high frequency throbs pierce the ears whilst rhythm evolves from lifeless static, a lone piano acts as a guide through this harsh soundscape.
09. Nick Larson — Aviva Pastoral
Album: Palindromes soundtrack,
The piano continues on in this rare track that contorts young vocal innocence into a tool of luring passion and trespassing guilt, virtues of youth are achingly spoiled by melancholy.
10. Nils Økland — Blond Blå
Album: Bris, Label: Rune Grammofon
Standing and powerful strings reverberate a lasting regret that leads naturally onto a self-reflection that forbids forgiveness.
11. Ms. John Soda – Technicolor
Album: No P. or D., Label: Morr Music
Through a union of surfacing electronic techniques and classical themes this is harmonic pop with a difference. An unbridled freshness brings cheerfulness amongst the surrounding repression, a fitting pause in the proceedings.
12. Fennesz – Transit
Album: Venice, Label: Touch
The eyes of ancestry watch as an apocalyptic technological future looms; flickering noise and pulses beautifully drown a wistful voice that betrays its past. “Say your goodbyes to Europe […] follow me”
13. Philip Jeck – Pax
Album: Stoke, Label: Touch
Eerie loops compliment warped vocals to croon the rising moon. An air of uneasiness builds with each passing repetition climbing towards a night time awkwardness.
14. Paavoharju — Valo Tihkuu Kaiken Läpi
Album: Yhä hämärää, Label: Fonal
A serenading electronic lullaby regurgitates faith and ends the mix with comforting reassurance that everything will be alright in the end.
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