Buy/stream: https://kompakt.fm/releases/pop_ambient_2023

A contemporary product of relentless capitalism has been a trend called slowness for several years now. In order to counteract the perceived fast pace of the times in which we live with a little deceleration, sustainability and relaxation, phenomena such as Slow Food, Slow Travel, Slow Fashion or even Slow Cruising, the tourist sailing of the world's oceans with somewhat smaller cruise ships "away from the mainstream", have been introduced into the world. 

That slowness is more than the opposite of speed, that elements, things, sounds that move as if in slow motion unfold a special power, precision, aesthetics and beauty, doesn’t need to be explained twice to ambient musicians. The 23rd edition of the Pop Ambient compilation, compiled as always by Wolfgang Voigt, is no exception, but instead provides the proof. Already with the first tracks of Leandro Fresco/Thore Pfeiffer, Gen Pop (Burger, Pfeiffer, Würden), Morgen Wurde feat. Tetsuroh Konishi and Max Würden up to Triola's gloomy and melancholic "Kupferblüte", the feeling of a slowness and calmness not experienced before, of an exceedingly lively standstill, creeps over us. A mental state that resembles dreams, in which we follow strange events as if paralyzed, yet awake and sensory. 

The Cologne-based Sono Kollektiv, an association of experimental artists Annie Bloch, Stefanie Grawe, Joel Jaffe, Alex Linster, Luis Weiß, Moritz Riesenbeck, Lukas Schäfer, Emily Wittbrodt and Max Würden, is represented for the first time with two contributions on Pop Ambient. The two works, the fragile "Bolzano Sessions IV" and the rather light-flooded "Bolzano Sessions V" (only available on CD and in the digital version) nestle perfectly into the musical whole of this year's compilation, not only in terms of their majestic leisureliness. 

In Jens-Uwe Beyer's "Nero", melancholic guitar chords reduced to the bare minimum are carried away by the wind like leaves, the reverberation holding the last note so long that it almost comes to a stop in the ear. If you like it synesthetic, look at the once again ravishing cover artwork by Veronika Unland right at this moment. Colors and shapes in which there is both everything and nothing to discover. Both feel equally right. 

The final third of Pop Ambient 2023 begins with Reich & Würden's herbaceous "Receiver," a track so dignified and carried by pads reminiscent of the sound of bagpipes that it would have perfectly punctuated her majesty the Queen's 8-hour funeral ceremony - a wonderful example, by the way, of the spiritual confluence of deceleration and precision that eventually turns into trance. 

The slowness is joined by togetherness at the end: Pop Ambient veteran Joachim Spieth cooperates with American sound artist zakè on his literally weightless "Air", Thore Pfeiffer co-produced the wonderful "Instinct" with Scottish brother duo Andy and Mike Truscott aka Kinbrae. California duo Patrick Hills and Morgan Fox aka Blank Gloss close out the vinyl version with the yearning "Down At The Heel," while that honor falls to debutant Ümit Han on the Pop Ambient CD. "Sieg über das Ungute" (victory over the unpleasant) in all its beauty brings us painfully back to reality.

Pop Ambient 2023

Morgen Wurde - Ende Sah feat. Tetsuroh Konishi

Around The Far Away

Remote

☆★★ https://bit.ly/GRSCLM079 ★★☆

Mood Series #79 is a Scorcher! Two powerhouses of eastern techno and dub techno producer join forces for a blistering trek into deep techno with 'Back To Essence'. Heavenchord & Shebuzzz are some of the most exciting younger names in the scene paired together works like magic. Part 1 of Back To Essence is an attention grabbing monster of flighty and relentless deep techno. Fans of high tech sci-fi techno and trance are sure to gravitate to this adventurous dancefloor smasher. Part 2 harnesses the melody for a more euphoric trip while still retaining the aggressive beat but just a bit slower with the bpm. It is our guess, that each producer takes on a bigger role with each version. At 12 and 13 minutes respectfully, these epic pieces are standout examples of the goodness going on in techno today. The second part of the EP begins with the banger 'Why Not'. This one delves a bit into more of a 90s Berlin-Detroit inspired style of electronics. 'Corner Dance' ends the release with a catchy cologne-esque dub techno joint. Reminds us of Savvas Ysatis or Studio 1 type material. This one is so much fun. Back To Essence is a strong 4 tracker. Not a sub par moment on here. All killer, no filler.

w&p - Shebuzzz & Heavenchord
mastering - grad_u
artwork - Rima Prusakova
write-up - Tim Humphrey

☆★★ https://bit.ly/GRSCLM079 ★★☆

Back To Essence

Back To Essence (Part 2)

Get It Here

Back To Essence (Part 1)

Corner Dance

Written, produced and mastered by LLLIT
artwork created by Jeroen

Bandcamp

Daby Ritua

☆★★ https://bit.ly/GRSCLM080 ★★☆

Gonzalo Villarreal is the newest name to land a ticket to the Mood Series. Number 80 with the title of 'Metanoia', features 4 tracks that are a minimal mix of catchy house grooves and slight dub techno sounds worked in. 'Part 1' is a strong minimal workhorse. It hones in on a few key sounds and evolves them to a level of addiction. 'Part 2' is a bit more spacey and chord focused but still rooted in some happier optomistic house moods. A very catchy track that is equally deep focused but still fun. 'Part 3' is another hooking masterclass of deepness. This one is more heady and profound then the last. 'Part 4' brings a little more techiness to the version while being a touch
more upbeat and focused on the dancefloor. The bassline is a great touch and reminds us of old Swayzak sounds circa 2000. All four versions have their place and all will succeed in any techno or house set. There is perfect balance between the two to our ears. We can't get enough of these hipnotic vibes!

☆★★ https://bit.ly/GRSCLM080 ★★☆

Metanoia

Part Two

Get it here

Ramé

Mutul - Alba (Kooscha Remix)

Deep Electronics celebrates it's 10 anniversary and for this occassion I started this compilation to invite artists to express there music again in all it's diversity in genres. New artists and artists that where there at the very beginning of the podcast and label. My intention was always to combine music and photography. Later on digital renders where the face of almost every set and release.

Deep Electronics was and is always a podcast for producers and dj's to get the exposure they need and deserve. You always have to start somewhere! I hope I could contributed a little bit in there long and amazing road for them in music.

I would like to thank you all producers, dj's, followers and people that just listen. Without you this 10 years wasn't be possibel!

I hope you enjoy this release as much I did in compiling it.

Compiled by Jeroen
Mastering by Rosto
Artwork created by Jeroen
Thank you to all artists on this compilation!!

Bandcamp NYP

Orca Silent - Last Flow (previously Unreleased)

Dennis White, Charlie May, and Dave Gardner return to ASIP with their second Volume, featuring 4 long-form tracks spread across a 2LP. Finding moments of melody amongst the wide landscape of abstract sounds and samples is the only glimpse of reality you’ll find down here. http://asip.me/asipv040

Quiet Places / Volume 2 (ASIPV040) [Previews]

Nie Wieder Schlafen's first release since 2020 comes in the form of a new Varaz five-track EP, named MTHCLS. 

The release is an embodiment of all of the Belgian producer's signature styles, ranging from ambient to spacey, atmospheric house. 
On the B side, the title track 'Cloud 9' features a breakbeat rhythm that blends harmoniously with ethereal glass pads, accompanied by a melancholy synth melody driven by a bell-like sequence and gentle piano arpeggios. The track weaves a complex arrangement of elements reminiscent of a Traumprinz-esque emotional breakbeat powerhouse.

The EP will be released on vinyl and digitally on August 21, 2023

write up by https://soundcloud.com/sabro96

https://soundcloud.com/varazmusic
https://soundcloud.com/niewiederschlafen

https://www.instagram.com/varaz.music/
https://www.instagram.com/niewiederschlafen/

www.itsdelayed.com
www.instagram.com/_____delayed/
www.facebook.com/itsdelayed

MTHCLS

PREMIERE: Varaz - Cloud 9 [Nie Wieder Schlafen]

Greyscale was launched in 2012 by Lithuanian producer and DJ grad_u, and photographer Rima
Prusakova, set up as a platform for material from grad_u and close friends whilst Prusakova’s
b/w analogue photography provides the visual identity of the label.

Corner Dance

Greyscale Music

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