Back catalogue: Ambient/Drone

Review: Landmarks remains among one of the most eminent ambient albums of our time, and this isn't the first time it's been reissued since its first release in 2018 either. Something in the way the album presents itself, and was formed and marketed - the easygoing simplicity of the artists' real names Will Long and John Daniel; the inspiratory inputs of Peter Weir and Paul Theroux; the visionary character of its track titles, such as 'The signs are everywhere', 'Indistinguishable from magic' and 'S-shaped isthmus' - have all likely lent to its enduring success. However, all these factors are but mere orbital ejecta around its core appeal, which is the soul-quelling ambient music at its center. Only occasionally peppered with the odd bosomy vocal sample - through which allusions to innovation, exploration and the dangers of inner contemplative adventure are heard - we are once again reminded of the boundless wells of beauty unearthed by the Japan resident maestro of chill and the ambient verderer, in combo.

Review: French musician Julienne Dessagne is behind Fantastic Twins and here presents a new album inspired by the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Adapted from her composition for the dance piece Meandres, the record is a textural world of leftfield techno, kosmische influences and cinematic soundscapes across five tracks. Along the way, we're told the artist explores mythology and symbolism while drawing from opera, film scores and literary works. Her set up included modular synthesis and layered vocals which lend things a rather psychedelic edge next to the strikingly atmospheric synths and subtle sense of unpredictability.

Review: Ekin Fil's drone-pop consternations emerge through vaporous tones and forlorn, distant songs, as if plucked from a dream. These pieces exist on their own accord, moving with an internal logic of emotional heaviness that transcends mere shoegazing ambience. Her compositions evoke the fragmented etherealization of Elisabeth Fraser's voice from a forgotten David Lynch scene, acting as an ASMR trigger for Proustian recollection - profound, hidden, and desolately sad. The Helen Scarsdale Agency has had the pleasure of witnessing Ekin's continued growth as a composer, releasing seven of her magnificent, under-the-radar gems. Her slow-burning, dejected ballads draw from a deep well of sorrow, with varying frequencies and intensities of bitter light poking through - loves lost, a world broken. While not hopeless, her music acknowledges the considerable hardships we face. Sleepwalkers embraces familiar metaphors of narcolepsy and the unsettled state between sleep and wakefulness. Yet, it stretches into new territories with compositions paralleling Tim Hecker's gravitation soft-noise in 'Stone Cold' and slow-motion serialism in the ambient crawl of 'Gone Gone.' Recommended for fans of Grouper, Rafael Anton Irisarri, A.C. Marias, and Carla dal Forno.

Review: Fluxion returns with a stunning full-length album that showcases his mastery of dub techno and chilled soundscapes. Opening with 'Life Motif', Haze begins with ambient textures that set a tranquil, atmospheric tone. 'Magenta' follows, delivering a hazy dub experience that channels island vibes, with deep, gentle chords that immerse the listener. 'Reflections' brings in deeper techno elements, with piano melodies riding over the rhythm to create a sophisticated, mature take on dub techno. 'Footsteps (Fluxion Rework)' is a poignant track, blending orchestral elements and church chimes, invoking a melancholic yet still, uplifting mood. 'Berlin' takes a turn into more traditional dub techno territory, featuring a deep bassline and club-ready vibe that remains true to Fluxion's roots. The album closes with 'Open Moves', a beautiful, emotional piece that blends classical influences with dub-influenced ambiance, leaving listeners with a sense of introspection and calm.Haze is a masterful exploration of dub techno's emotive potential, balancing deep rhythms, lush atmospheres and moving melodies. Fluxion proves once again why he remains a leading figure in the genre, seamlessly fusing elements of dub, techno and ambient like only he can.

Review: Hypnotism I is a new album from Foundation that the artist himself says has been a cherished part of his work since shortly after his previous work Mountain Ambient IV. We're told that its creation was a slow, immersive process that unfolded over months, with each layer evolving patiently. By composing intuitively, the album emerged naturally to reflect a glacial depth and subconscious growth. Its four pieces are all richly layered soundscapes with wispy melodies and dusty drones that sink you in deep and free your mind of all woes.

Review: The hallowed grounds of Switzerland's Hallow Ground label are a fecund floor for cultivating the best ambient experimental music out there. Owing to their curatorial precision and charm, they welcome Japanese composer and sound artist Fujiiiiiiiiiiita (Yosuke Fujita) back to the fore for a sophomore album release. Having already released a slew of records whilst also touring the world, Fujita's latest album hears him in a rare space of quietude, documenting a recent studio rejig to incorporate several new additions, such as adding an electric air pump to his pipe organ and expanding on the use of his own voice. A challenging but ultimately rewarding work, with subtle vocal and textural experiments always peeking through the strata.

Review: This new one from our favourite US ambient outlet takes the form of a selection of long-form compositions from artists who are close to the label. As such it's a perfect reflection of its signature sound - deeply immersive soundscapes, slowly shifting synths and meditative moods made with a mix of hardware tools, guitars, pedals and even baritone vocals. It's named after a Norwegian term for warmth and intimacy, which certainly plays out from the evolving loops of 'A Whisper' to the textured melancholy of 'Canaan' and the reverberant drift of 'Coronation Ring'.

Review: Florian TM Zeisig's latest project has been created with perfumer Angel Paradise so blends scent and sound into a multi-sensory experience rooted in the Bavarian Alps. While living in the rural village of Hinang, Paradise studied alpine plants to craft natural perfumes while Zeisig composed Spool, a reflective suite inspired by nostalgia, landscape and the duo's impending departure. Combining field recordings, ambient loops and blurred instrumental vignettes, the music has a wonderfully dreamlike, pastoral atmosphere that has your head lost somewhere beautiful. Paired with the fragrance that comes with it and captures the oily, floral essence of their environment, this is a poignant meditation on memory, nature and the fleeting beauty of physical presence that is unlike anything else you will experience this year.

Review: Certain Path is a serene, piano-driven album by collaborators zake (aka label head Zach Frizzell), From Overseas which is Kevin Sery and City of Dawn aka Damien Duque. This reflective collection of seven pieces invites deep contemplation with tender piano motifs and subtle drones creating a meditative atmosphere. Opening with 'Where Time Slows Down,' the album blends delicate melodies with layered guitar textures. Inspired by Frizzell's wife, the title track offers heartfelt emotion, while 'Avec l'aide de Vincent' honours a close mentor. Throughout, the artists employ nocturnal recording sessions, field recordings and analogue treatments to craft an introspective, evocative listening experience.