This week’s ambient listening journey traverses a collection of EPs that are still quite capable of transporting the listener despite their relatively short duration while providing a jumping off point into a much deeper dive into the work of each of the artists represented. Featuring recent releases by Anthéne, Benjamin Gustafsson, James McAlister & Chihei Hatakeyama, and Jason Van Wyk.
Anthéne – Stranger
https://anthene.bandcamp.com/album/stranger
Stranger is a lovely collection of tracks that were recorded as variations on pieces performed at a recent live show by Canadian musician Brad Deschamps aka anthéne. While never sounding repetitive, Deschamps remains reassuringly consistent in his thoughtful approach to blending layered soundscapes with emotionally resonant melodic progressions. A special highlight here is the inclusion of a rare cover song, a mesmeric version of “dreamt for light years in the belly of a mountain” originally recorded by Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse).
Stranger is now available for download and streaming directly from the artists.
Benjamin Gustafsson – Places I Go
Swedish singer, musician, & producer Benjamin Gustafsson is an artist equally at home with intimate acoustic folk songs and atmospheric instrumental compositions. Places I Go is a fine example of the latter, a tidy quartet of gently cinematic vignettes not unlike a highly condensed collection of short stories just long enough to take the listener somewhere far from their own thoughts.
Places I Go is available for download and streaming via Begu Produktion.
James McAlister & Chihei Hatakeyama – Welcome to Osaka
https://chiheihatakeyama.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-osaka
A modest release with little fanfare, Welcome to Osaka is noteworthy collaboration between American composer & musician James McAlister and journeyman guitar ambient maestro Chihei Hatakeyama. The beautiful way in which the music of these two distinctive artists comes together should not be surprising though as McAlister cited Hatakeyama’s textural work among his influences when discussing the release of his 2021 solo album Scissortail (read more here). Thoughtfully imagined and deeply atmospheric.
Welcome to Osaka is available for download & streaming directly from the artist.
Jason Van Wyk – Horizon
https://jasonvanwyk.bandcamp.com/album/horizon
Released as a separate EP, Horizon is actually a trio of ambient reworks of tracks selected from Inherent, a full-length album by South African composer Jason van Wyk released earlier this year. In each case the pieces are paradoxically shortened yet given a more expansive feel by removing the rhythmic elements and infusing them with denser sonic layers. This vertical deep dive into the original soundscapes is equally satisfying but with a more contemplative feel.
Horizon is available for download & streaming via n5MD where you can also order Inherent on clear vinyl LP or CD.
