This volume was not intended to be a non-stop mix, even though a series of misadventures and unfortunate events dictated there wouldn’t be enough time to record a full commentary. Then, as we put the playlist together it became obvious that the music we had selected worked so well segueing from one cut to another. In fact, it was almost as if the music we curated would only work as a nonstop, continuous mix. Listen, and follow along with details here.

Toby – Aint It (ft. Chelsea Warner)

We begin with a delightful (familiar?) sounding uplifting electro-house cut from Toby Nolan from Australia’s Gold Coast, featuring superb vocals from Sydney singer/songwriter Chelsea Warner. “I initially started writing this song in mid-2020 during the height of the Covid lockdown. A few months later I decided to share it with Chelsea to see if she’d be interested in doing some vocals for it. I’ve always thought she had an incredible voice and I thought she would be the perfect fit,” says, Toby.  We agree and top marks for those busy bees at Mammal Sounds for sharing Ain’t It with us.

Faunix – 2Soleils

Mr Ashtree and Phoenix de Pandore are Faunix out of France who enjoy delving into ​​a hybrid crossover of styles. Clarinets, piano, strings, basses, drums, polyphonic voices are all included on their self-titled album. On 2Soleils they conjure up a tasty dub, they describe as “Sun, energy, vibrations, between shadow and light”. Make sure you check out all the cuts.

Vudufa – Lo Que Soño El Margay

Staying in France we head to Radio Chigurio Records out of Paris to hear from Francisco de Los Heros who explores his Afro-Peruvian musical heritage by fusing it with ambient, hip-hop and electronic music. Vudufa creates a magical collision between machines and Peruvian folklore, also paying homage to the Amerindian tribes of Amazonia, mystical ceremonies and subgenres of Afro-Peruvian music such as marinera, festejo, landó, tondero, zamacueca or toromata. Vudufa is inspired by the rhythms inherited from the Peruvian natives and the African slaves of the colonial era. Essential listening.

Perpetual Void – Tree House

The vocals are in there somewhere, “Go to a place. Where no one can hear me scream. They can’t see me cry. In my hiding tree” This Glasgow outfit describe their sound as an ambient band creating ethereal, emotive soundscapes. No reason to argue with that, but I do wish that the afore mentioned vocals were w wee bit more pronounced.

Voice Actor – SLUSH 77

This one is on the intriguing Stroom label out of Belgium, who have the byline, “The Girl That Won’t Return Your Love But Is Totally Worth It” Here we have music by Noa Kurzweil  (Supertalented) & Levi Lanser (Ludittes) presenting as Voice Actor. The album Fake Sleep is certainly worth your time investigating. There is a lot going with each track, SLUSH 77 being a fine example. Once upon a time this may have been classified as weirdly odd – and that’s a good thing. Interesting sleeve artwork by Luca van Grinsven. Yes, Fake Sleep has been on repeat play at Life Elsewhere Tower once the power came back on.

Exit Rituals – A Fluid Portrait

Written by Alan Myson & Anneka Warburton Blinding Void is the first EP by Exit Rituals; a new collaborative project from producer and composer Ital Tek and vocalist/songwriter Anneka. This six track EP is a first glimpse into the married pair’s ongoing musical experiments, drawing from a much larger body of material as they work towards their debut album. The question is she actually singing “Pink fat, meat bone”? No matter, I like what this Brighton-based couple are doing. Cool sleeve artwork by Anneka.

Hania Rani – Dancing With Ghosts

Hailing from Warsaw, Poland, pianist, composer and musician, Hania Rani was born in Gdansk and splits her life between Warsaw and Berlin. Her new album, Ghosts, bringing her songwriting and beautiful vocals to the fore and featuring special guests Patrick Watson, Ólafur Arnalds and Duncan Bellamy (Portico Quartet). Ghosts is also an album of collaborations as Rani is joined by Patrick Watson, who breathes unearthly life into the ethereal Dancing with Ghosts. Rani says her lyrics are partially inspired by a two-month residency in a small studio in Switzerland’s mountains, where she was working on the soundtrack On Giacometti for a documentary about the renowned Swiss artist. “Where I stayed was once an old sanatorium in an area which used to be very popular, but now there are huge abandoned hotels where the locals say ghosts live. I mean, it’s kind of a local belief system – these ghosts even have names! – but once you’re deep into nature or some abandoned place, your imagination starts working on a different level.”

Jina0king – A Bird Gives Up Flying

According the info with this album, Blue Threads And Letters is from Jina0king’s poetry book of the same name. Jina says, “You are not alone when the moment a heavy fear strikes you, Blue sky.” All the songs were composed, produced and performed by Seoul-based Jina0king (지나오킹). Beautiful photography by Youngjun Kim (김영준).  

Pretty In Pink – Star

I do like what these people are doing. Claire McCarthy (guitar/vocals), Lauren Mason (guitar) and Elliot Taylor (bass/drums) met in Hobart. PIP is currently based in Naarm/Melbourne. And I love their acute self evaluation, “The band is often compared to Young Marble Giants (minimalism), with a DIY aesthetic like Bikini Kill but less shouty”. Their LP Pillows is on Hidden Bay label out of Toulouse, France. Good stuff.

Ancient Pools – Come About 

The LP Casio Casual was written, produced, and engineered by Anna Jeter and Vin Christopher. This couple have a smart knack for creating memorable music. Everything works so well on each cut. Come About is the standout for me. I do hope they don’t get lost in the music-world shuffle.

Under The Sun – Robot World

Honestly, as soon as I receive a new releases from Nico at Shoredive records I know I’m in for a treat. This is Matt Catling, a.k.a. Under The Sun who entered the music scene in 2020, since then Matt has been garnering a lot of attention, including playing at some prestigious gigs. The Robot World EP signals we can expect more excellent dense shoegaze outing from Under The Sun.

Single Lash – What Time Is It There? 

Never ask old Brit like me ask, “What Time Is It There?” Because I will be quick to respond, “It’s five o’clock somewhere – time for a cocktail”. I’m not so sure these folks from Austin, TX are that keenly invested in the cocktail hour, yet, I do know they know how to put together solidly cool music. Their album, Ladida is a fine effort.

Penelope Crostelli – Per Le Strade

Ah, yes, here’s a special EP from Penelope Crostelli. The crow at the beginning lets you know to listen carefully. Penelope is responsible for the lyrics, music, guitar and voice, while the piano and arrangements are by Luca Francio. Everything was recorded and mixed at Luca Francio’s home studio. Cover drawing by Penelope Crostelli. Altogether this is a welcome addition to this and your playlist. Bellissima!

My Violence – Harlot

Viennese chanteuse Silvia Ryder, formerly half of dreampop duo Sugarplum Fairies selected the moniker, My Violence for this outing. For her self-titled debut album Ryder says she explores a cinematic tapestry of distinctive soundscapes via a self-imposed guitar ban by solely composing on a 1980s Omnichord which compliments Ryder’s understated Nico-esque vocals. Her words not mine. A curious sleeve photo which I guess is in keeping with the music on My Violence. I approve.

Matt Schulz – Curl

Taking us to the closing credits a tempered slice of techno dub from the EP Helix by Matt Schulz. All the cuts here are essential listening. The release comes to us from the Melatonin label out of Kassel, German and they have a catalogue you should investigate. Cheers!

The artwork is by Cassie Argent 1940 – 2003 “Orange spill” 1998 35” x 35” digital print on archival paper. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection