The Orb’s New Compilation Is a Carefully Curated History
The Orb use technology and culture to craft genuinely astonishing music. Orboretum isn’t just a greatest hits album but an engrossing history.
ambient
Death Sneeze Embrace Avant-Garde Punk and Much More
Death Sneeze’s debut album is noisy, multifaceted, boundless, and cacophonous but contains a million unique moments ripe for discovery.
Ethel Cain’s ‘Perverts’ Is Extremely Terrifying and Haunting
The experience of Ethel Cain’s Perverts is gloomy, powerful, and extremely terrifying. It’s practically a masterclass on how to score for a horror film.
Saint Etienne Delve Into Ambient on the Bold ‘The Night’
Saint Etienne follow their creative intuition. The ambient music of The Night is a fascinating turn in their ever-adventurous discography.
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The 15 Best Ambient Albums of 2024
André 3000’s surprise Album of the Year nod at the Grammys was only one of the many ambient/experimental highlights to happen in a wild year like 2024.
Max Richter’s ‘In a Landscape’ Connects Nature and Humanity
In a Landscape reconciles nature with humanity through lush soundscapes, and it feels like a revelation for newcomers to composer Max Richter’s oeuvre.
Strangerfamiliar’s ‘La Pena’ Is a Haunting Ode to Trauma
The first full-length album from Strangerfamiliar (aka Ilichna Morasky) sees the musician incorporating synths and exotic percussion on a unique set of songs.
Luke Wyland Creates Deep, Dreamy Soundscapes on ‘Kuma Cove’
Luke Wyland’s performances provide the usual Zen moments from this type of ambient minimalism, but there’s a hint of darkness within the notes.
Spiritual Sonic Expression: An Interview with Surya Botofasina
Surya Botofasina’s new LP is a reflection on the Ashram where he was raised, which was founded by jazz legend Alice Coltrane. It is an exhilarating journey.
Nate Mercereau Challenges the Idea of “Genre” Itself
From writing with Shawn Mendes to helping André 3000 break genre barriers, guitarist Nate Mercereau’s latest breaks ground by ignoring labels and limits.
Jazz Duo Bremer/McCoy Sow the Seeds of a Chilled-Out Future
For the dub-drenched and chilled-out vibes of Danish jazz duo Bremer/McCoy, a decade of dynamic LPs has resulted in a discography that feels displaced out of time.
Lea Thomas Exudes Warmth with the Expansive ‘Cosmos Forever’
With Lea Thomas and her gifted band at the helm, she has created nothing short of a widescreen, ethereal, sonic gem that one can easily get lost in.