Ambient stuff

Good morning, and welcome to the quietest week of the year. Did you have a good holiday? Before I sign off for the year, I think I’ve got one more gem to share with you. Here's a wonderful label showcase and a reflection on this past year from a lovely independent Valencia-based imprint, Archives, curated and operated by Agustín Mena, aka Warmth. I’ve profiled plenty of its releases since its inception in 2015, and I must admit that Warmth’s Parallel (2018) has been on repeat more than others. If anything, it is only rivalled by Glow, which is his collaboration with Fionnlagh, recently released on December 8th, 2023 (you’ll hear a few tracks on this mix). In any case, enjoy the mix, and please support the featured artists! For full details and tracklisting, visit Headphone Commute's main site.

Mixes

Archives 2023

Warmth - Archives 2023

The music of Purl always emerges between the ephemeral and the eternal and 'Form Is Emptiness', his first work for Archives, is the perfect example. With each sound in its right place, but turning impulsively, as if was alive and conscious. Drawing breathtaking soundscapes with immersive vibes and chilling emerging pad sounds, slowly blossoming into colorful and vibrant sonic vistas.

Written and Produced by Ludvig Cimbrelius.
Mastering by Zzzzra.
Photography by Alexander Kopatz www.go70north.com 
Archives27 // ArchivesCD008
Archives / 2016

Buy CD/Digital

Purl - Under Mjuka Vatten

Preorder the album: https://asip.me/asipv013

36’s music is often associated with and influenced by the futuristic, cyberpunk side of ambient music. His ability to transport and portray new worlds evident through his 2016 album on ASIP, The Infinity Room, or any of his self-released works.

It’s of no surprise then to see his return to ASIP take this exploration one-step further. However, instead of the more obvious themes that come with cyberpunk, such as technological fetishism or vapid aesthetics, Dennis Huddleston has decided to focus on the isolation of individuals, using (and often abusing) technology as a means of escapism - a side of cyberpunk that often goes unnoticed when it comes to the musical depictions that come with it.

Fade To Grey reflects on current social paradigms, where social media has become a weak substitute for human interaction. Rather than bringing people together, it often makes us feel lonelier than ever. As evident in the album's artwork, technology is shown to be far from benign. The soft, gentle elegance of watercolor is juxtaposed by the violent splatters of machinery. Every vice has its price.

Considering the landscape of our own world right now, where a handful of companies control everything we consume, where convenience is more important than privacy, where personal choice is pre-determined by algorithms analyzing our behavior, and where the internet has become a battleground for influence and propaganda... It's not a stretch of the imagination to believe we're already witnessing our very own dystopia.

ASIPV013 36 - Fade To Grey (Digital Masters)

36 / D.R.E.A.M Link (ASIPV013)

Remix album for the latest Warmth's work 'Parallel'. Including remixes by Shuta Yasukochi, Warmth, Pepo Galán, Purl, The Green Kingdom, David Cordero, Powlos and SVLBRD.

Written and Produced by Agus Mena
Remixes by Shuta Yasukochi, Warmth, Pepo Galán, Purl, The Green Kingdom, David Cordero, Powlos and SVLBRD.
Mastering by Taylor Deupree
Photography by Alexander Kopatz
www.go70north.com
Archives52 // ArchivesCD33
Archives / 2019

Parallel Remixed

Buy CD/Dig

Warmth - Receiver (Warmth Remix)

Adrift is Robert Farrugia's 7th album, and his third release on the Archives imprint. The album is a departure from his previous electroacoustic works to a more minimalistic approach in the vein of Geotic (Baths) and Helios.

It touchingly discusses the feelings of uncertainty and optimistic doubt that come with maturation and onset adulthood. The fifth track, Daylight Saving, was composed alongside Robert's brother, Matthew, to whom the album is dedicated to.

Mastering by Taylor Deupree
Photography by Alexander Kopatz 
www.go70north.com 
Archives53 // ArchivesCD34 
Archives / 2019

adrift

Buy 12", CD, Dig

Robert Farrugia - Daylight Saving

Remix album for Warmth's latest work 'Parallel'. Including remixes by Shuta Yasukochi, Warmth, Pepo Galán, Purl, The Green Kingdom, David Cordero, Powlos and SVLBRD.

Written and Produced by Agus Mena 
Remixes by Shuta Yasukochi, Warmth, Pepo Galán, Purl, The Green Kingdom, David Cordero, Powlos and SVLBRD. 
Mastering by Taylor Deupree 
Photography by Alexander Kopatz 
www.go70north.com 
Archives52 // ArchivesCD33 
Archives / 2019

~ CD/Digital ~

Warmth - Extent (Powlos Remix)

Pre-order and buy Vinyl/CD releases 
https://archivesdubmusic.bandcamp.com/merch

Robert Farrugia - Daylight Saving

ARCHIVES

Recent comments

RedSkull

Alessandro Barbanera

Related tracks