Irish eyes are smiling as we head into another world
Arvo pärt – Summa For Strings
I was introduced to this a few years ago. It’s such a melancholy yet deeply moving piece of work. It really sends shivers down my spine yet always calms me.
Johannes Schmoelling – Perpetual Motion
I’m a sucker for melodic synth work and this piece had acres of it.
DJ Duke – Jefferson
I generally don’t listen to so much dance floor music at home or my iPod but this is one of the few that I listen to all the time. There’s so emotive about the synths and melodies. DJ duke is an absolute master.
Biosphere – Substrata
This entire album is one of my favourite airport listens. It always calms me and soundtracks my journey perfectly. Some of the best ambient music ever made.
Dead Can Dance – Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun
One of my all time favourite bands, it was hard to pick just one album. Listen to this from start to finish. I love dead can dance’s vibe – so eerie yet so deeply epic.
Ministry – Land Of Rape And Honey
Again impossible to pick just one album, I’ve been a fan of Ministry since the early 90’s and I love everything they’ve done from “With Sympathy” right up to “Filth pig”. All have their different qualities.
Austra – Olympia
I recently heard this on a YouTube surfing session and immediately bought the album. Such a great vocal style and lovely mix of synths with a conventional band.
Neurosis – Through Silver In Blood
One of my all time favourites and another band that’s stuck with me since the early 90’s. This was their absolute pinnacle for me. Not for the faint hearted but nevertheless full of epic moments of monumental splendour. If you listen to just one track make it “Purify”. An epic piece that gradually fades into bagpipes.
Steve Moore – Light Echoes II
Steve Moore was instrumental in awaking my love of pure synth music. This album has not a single dud on. It. Great hypnotic synth work.
Oneohtrix Point Never – Returnal
Another of my favourite ambient artists. Also hard to pick a favourite. I love his new album too but my only complaint on that one is that I want the tracks to be longer and the melodies explored more. On ‘Returnal’ he’s got the perfect track lengths. Nothing outstays it’s welcome or finishes too soon.
Chymera – Other Worlds (My Favorite Robot Records)
Irish techno, electro and electronica producer Chymera makes his debut here on Canadian label My Favourite Robot Records with this superb 4 track EP.
Before now the talented craftsman has released on labels like Ovum, Kompakt and Connaisseur and has been active for a decade. His sound is filmic and patient, features plenty of great synth work and therefore fits in perfectly with the MFR sound.
Up first is ‘Other Worlds’, a serene cut with proud chords and percolating drums down below. Slivery and reflective, shiny and golden, it’s a lush way to start. ‘Vertigo’ is then a more direct cut with pixelated chord stabs, arpeggiated bass and a slick sense of groove that carries us well into the future.
On the flip, ‘Inner Worlds’ pairs things back to a more insular deep house groove. Sombre chords sway back and forth as hiccuping snares roll over rubbery drums. There is mystery and intrigue in the little pads that float about and the whole thing has a soothing effect on mind, body and soul. Lastly, ‘Erku’ is the deepest of the lot, where bubbling drums and synths unravel in an eerie and spacious sound world. Stuttering drums eventually arrive to kick start things and the whole thing is soft focus and perfectly cosmic.
Once more here MFR have unearthed an artful producer who can do so much more than just lay down a track – instead he injects a true sense of musicality into his work as displayed on this standout EP.
Chymera – Other Worlds is out now on My Favorite Robot Records.
