At the risk of getting New-Age-y on yer ass, I find myself drifting more and more towards a narcotic sort of ambience when it comes to choosing music lately. I love Chillwave (a trite label for a type of music that is driven more by electronics than guitar, but seems appropriate when you dive headlong into it) like Washed Out, whose new record Within and Without is a woozy masterpiece. But even more, I enjoy the haunting, epic drama of Instrumentals - probably enabled somewhat by my choice of profession, floating around on waves of sound while I work has become one of the best parts of my day. Here's three of the best I've heard of late.
Rainforest (EP) - Clams Casino
Clams Casino = Mike Volpe, producer with a resumé that includes Lil' B and Soulja Boy, and he's put a unique spin on a sort of instrumental hip-hop with experimental but totally accessible aspirations. The project digs not subtly into a West Coast terroir (with titles like Natural and Waterfall) and when contrasted with some angelic vocal sampling and gritty noise, really takes the music into a niche that's hard to label. Unless you're an aficionado of Burial, you've never heard anything quite like this. Highly recommended for driving to as well.
Owl Splinters - Deaf Center
Haunting but not gloomy, epic sounding but not overwhelming, a cello and a piano and top notch production skills combine for a would-be soundtrack to whatever you find yourself doing while listening - profound and beautiful.
Ravedeath 1972 - Tim Hecker
A little jarring, Tim Hecker masterfully mixes church organ, shoegaze synth and industrial noise to produce a wall of dissonant beauty- it's a heavy workout but I find it infinitely rewarding.
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