Back catalogue: Classical

Review: Double Consciousness is not just the name of the new collaborative album release between Oren Ambarchi and Eric Thielemans; it's also a term developed by revolutionary theorists such as Frantz Fanon and W.E.B. Du Bois to describe the cognitive dissonance/dual self-perception of oppressed groups in unjust, often colonial societies. With that in mind, we're not just going in blind here. A forty-minute, single-take epic album recorded live at the Werkplaats Walter theatre in Brussels, this is Ambarchi and Thielemans as we know them best, the former handling the guitar as usual, and the latter on drums and percussion. Many disparate movements ensue, the music seeming to represent the arc of psychic revelation; the roller-coaster ride of fulfilment; tyrants overthrown; and former double-consciousnesses unified.

Review: Oren Ambarchi and Eric Thielemans' latest collaboration emerges from a recorded performance in Poitiers, France, in November 2023, showcasing their extraordinary duo chemistry. The single continuous performance, spanning over 45 minutes, encapsulates their shared language and willingness to push boundaries, blending meditative calm with unexpected melodic and rhythmic moments. 'Kind Regards' (Beginning) opens with Thielemans' entrancing tom patterns, which provide a steady undercurrent for Ambarchi's guitar, transformed into swirling tones by a Leslie speaker. As the music unfolds, it moves between introspective calm and more forceful bursts of energy, with Ambarchi's guitar eventually taking on an electric organ-like quality, echoing the soulful depth of Alice Coltrane. Later, 'Kind Regards' (Conclusion) takes on a more jazz-oriented direction, as Thielemans' delicate rhythmic shifts showcase his mastery of accents and cymbal work. Ambarchi counters this with jittery delayed tones, and a more active use of his fretboard, weaving through dissonant harmonics before concluding with a massive, yet detailed, climax of distorted guitar and crashing cymbals. The performance, free from any flashy tricks or filler, draws power from the deep intuition between the two musicians, and their shared commitment to exploring the limits of their instruments.

Review: This recording of the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Sergei Prokofiev's 1936 story and orchestral score Peter and the Wolf was recorded in 1977 and was originally released in 1978. The role of the narrator on the recording was initially offered to both Peter Ustinov and Alec Guinness who both turned it down, before David Bowie agreed to take on the role, supposedly as a Christmas present to his son. On the B-side is another equally as charming piece of recent classical history, Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra as narrated by Hugh Downs.

Review: The absorbing Crescendo album is the fruit of a collaboration between Swedish producers Emil Holmstrom and Peter Wikstrom of Ecovillage. They are joined by a talented ensemble of musicians who all share a passion for improvisation and experimentation. Recorded between 2019 and 2022 in Los Angeles and Umea in Sweden, the album explores a fusion of jazz and ambient and as it goes it aims to break new ground and challenge conventional ambient music. Featuring ten tracks, each of which offers a unique mood and style, Crescendo ranges from uplifting and energetic compositions to mellow and dreamy soundscapes. With vocals spanning soft whispers to powerful chants, the artists' creative vision and spirit is well reflected.

Review: Stockholm-based composer Isak Edberg's second release on XKatedral - arguably the finest contemporary classical label in the Swedish capital. This time round we're given two extended pieces, running towards 30-minutes each, both of which are instrumentals and focused largely on minimalist piano notes, meaning the use of space and emptiness is also prominent. The title track, which opens the package, sets the tone and pace well, with each key allowed to breathe, refrains hanging on by a thin echo fading into the deep expanse of nothingness that seems to sit behind the instrument itself. 'Vestiges' complements this perfectly, again ensuring there's plenty of what's not happening in between the staccato off-keys. Fully committing to a more experimental side of the new classical spectrum, it's one you'll want to keep revisiting again and again.

Review: Ludovico Einaudi returns with a deeply nostalgic new album that effortlessly captures the essence of childhood summers that are filled with freedom, discovery and fleeting moments of joy. Known for his evocative, minimalist compositions, Einaudi blends delicate piano melodies with rich and atmospheric textures here in a soundtrack for reflection and memory. The album's warm soundscapes evoke the golden light of late afternoons and the quiet serenity of nature - all things we can relate to even if we never actually lived them. Presented on eco-friendly FSC-certified materials, The Summer Portraits is both a tribute to the past and a celebration of timeless experiences and, as Einaudi expresses, "To our summers... endless memories."

Review: The album offers a tender reflection on childhood summers, weaving piano, symphonic melodies and orchestral strings into a heartfelt tapestry of nostalgia. Recorded in an intimate home studio and the iconic Abbey Road, it blends simplicity with grandeur, capturing the essence of freedom, adventure and living fully in the moment. Some of our favourite tracks include the evocative 'Jay', with its eastern-inspired motifs, and 'Punta Bianca', a swelling composition that feels expansive and deeply personal. 'Pathos' uplifts with its soaring melodies, while 'Rose Bay' takes on a meditative quality, inspired by family history and a story of resilience. Here, strings delicately accompany a piano chord progression that mimics sunlight shimmering on water, creating a serene yet emotionally charged atmosphere. Painting vivid scenes of childhood wonder and the bittersweet beauty of memory, it's a poignant celebration of life's fleeting joys.

Review: Lo-fi, droning ambience from Turkish producer Ekin Uzeltuzenci aka. Ekin Fil here. 'Rosewood Untitled' is themed after the resistance of nature, drawing a hard line between concepts of the manmade and natural - by sonically presenting the latter as pure, slowly restless, and laden in a deep, almost unrecoverable texture. For Ekin, the inspiration behind the album came after witnessing huge forest fires in Turkey, which occurred at the same time as the COVID pandemic. What follows is a mournful reminiscence on fatal natural processes, through looping sonic envelopes and distant melodies.

Review: It's hard to keep up with superhero movie franchises, at least in terms of timeline, but those who have seen the 2002 Spider-Man, which arrived early on in the comic book-screen explosion, will attest to the fact it's a great blockbuster deserving of the attention it received at the time. And box office results. No big screen bonanza is ever complete without an accompanying score, of course, and Elfman's offering more than sets to mood.

Known for his regular work with the likes of Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, and Gus Van Sant, the US muso - who, incidentally, earned his stripes as part of the 1980s new wavers Oingo Boingo - marries relatively traditional bombast orchestral arrangements with slightly leftfield compositions, drawing electronic elements into the mix while never forgetting the power of a huge string crescendo.

Review: The golden age of superhero movies, spearheaded by Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films, was unparalleled, setting the stage for every Marvel movie that followed. These films introduced us to Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, Kirsten Dunst as MJ, and formidable villains like the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and Doc Ock (Alfred Molina), shaping the blockbuster summers of the past two decades. Who else could score such an important film odyssey than the one and only Danny Elfman?! To celebrate the 20th anniversary, the soundtrack to Spider-Man 2 arrives on vinyl. The score's legendary themes continue to inspire. Witnessing Elfman perform these themes live at Coachella was an unforgettable experience, with a live orchestra captivating the audience. Enjoy one of the most important soundtracks in the superhero genre now on beautiful vinyl.

Review: We don't need to tell you why Tim Burton's musical masterpiece 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' is good, but what makes the soundtrack even better? Why, the inclusion of Sir Patrick Stewart's cut epilogue on track two of course! Celebrating the cross-seasonal classic's 30th birthday is this double zoetrope record package, featuring iconic scenes from the stop-motion flick. The star of the show (sorry Patrick) is, of course, soundtrack legend Danny Elfman, who has seemingly gotten OST production down to an art form even to this very day. The Oingo Boingo singer-cum-producer has scored every movie you can think of: 'The Avengers', the 'Fifty Shades' franchise, 'Mission: Impossible' just to name a small handful. What newer fans may not know is that Elfman cracks out the vocals for this musical album, acting as the singing voice for main character Jack Skellington - yes, unfortunately, it's not Chris Sarandon's beautiful voice you're hearing, as great as that would be. It's never too late to get into a timeless classic like this, go out and spread the good word.

Review: It's no real shock that a Tim Burton Netflix modern revitalisation of The Addams Family, and particularly the central character Wednesday, would become a global success seemingly overnight. Jenna Ortega's performance was also key to retaining the character's essential components while imbuing new nuances and eccentricities, but the project wouldn't have felt complete without the almost essential soundtrack from Burton's go-to composer Danny Elfman, who is also currently experiencing quite the career resurgence thanks to his excellent Big Mess album from 2021. Linking up with the younger yet equally impressive Chris Bacon, the Wednesday score is equal parts whimsical, macabre, gloomy and horrific, yet endlessly playful, which almost describes all of the Burton/Elfman scores. Thanks to Bacon, there's a notable increase in glitching synths spells and modern tweaks to elevate the usual whimsy to a reimagined standard of orchestral dramatics.

Review: Iconic movie classic Beetlejuice is back and we for one have enjoyed its return. Tim Burton's 1988 cult classic has been reimagined for modern audiences in 2014 and came complete with a new soundtrack. The original score, composed by the legendary Danny Elfman, blends whimsical melodies with eerie undertones, perfectly capturing the film's quirky and haunting vibe. Highlights of the original include Elfman's iconic main titles, which have become synonymous with Burton's gothic style. The new soundtrack also features standout tracks like Alfie Davis & The Sylvia Young Theatre School Choir's rendition of 'Day-O' and Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting," adding fresh dimensions to this timeless, offbeat classic.

Review: Emika's Vega:Trilogy is a bold, ambitious sonic journey that blends meditation, sacred geometry and a quest for deeper meaning. Recorded during the isolation of the lockdowns, Emika poured her creativity into crafting a work that transcends genres. Drawing inspiration from the northern star Lyra, Vega combines electronic, classical and avant-garde elements, with Emika's distinctive vocals anchoring the atmospheric soundscapes. Collaborations with luminaries like Horace Andy, Liela Moss and Rodhad add unique layers to the already rich fabric of the album. The three vinyl LPs are presented in a sleek black cover with a silver foil logo, making the physical release as captivating as the music itself. Since her early days in Bristol's bass music scene and her groundbreaking work as a sound designer, Emika has carved out her own niche. Vega is the latest chapter in her journey, offering a dynamic blend of electronics, neo-classical compositions and her signature vocal style. A truly introspective album that captures Emika's evolution as an artist and visionary.

Review: New York-based musician James Emrick is well known for working with Kinetic Media and is a masterful sound designer who has scored several projects. This is his new full-length and one that finds him making use of an array of granular and feedback processes within Max/MSP environments "to arrive at an idiosyncratic form of computer music that feels wilfully opposed to operating within the sediments of the genre." It's a fancy concept but one that rings true when you tune in as this is music that sounds like little else - all granular, shimmering, like falling rain or shards of glass blowing in a breeze. It's complex by process but simple to fall deep into. It has a widescreen melodic allure that makes for a cathartic and uplifting record.

Review: Lawrence Englsh's new album was born out of a commission by curator Jonathan Wilson to create a sound environment for the Naala Badu building at the Art Gallery of NSW. It is a deeply atmospheric album that explores the relationship between sound and architecture and reflects the building's design, with its name meaning "seeing water" in the Gadigal language. The piece was crafted with a collaborative spirit by incorporating contributions from a diverse group of artists including Amby Downs, Claire Rousay and Jim O'Rourke. The resulting composition blends ambient textures and long-form sound prompts that capture the essence of place as an evolving, subjective experience. It's a work that highlights the porous nature of sound, and as a standalone work also succeeds in sinking you in deep.

Review: A true enigma, an artist that represents all that was fascinating and romantic and alluring and intriguing about 20th Century sounds, Brian Eno was always going to need a feature length documentary, when the time was right. Premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Eno, Gary Hustwit's ode to the man, myth and legend, wowed critics and blew audiences away. Not least because it uses a computer programme which selects footage and edits the movie so a different version is shown at every screening. Innovation befitting Eno, removing the visuals and focusing on the sounds readjusts our vision to bring Eno into greater focus. The breadth of what's on this soundtrack is remarkable, from upfront indie on 'Stiff' and the weird folk-pop of 'Spinning Away', a John Cale collaboration, the ghostly post-rave of 'Cmon' with Fred Again, spectacular pianos of 'Motion In The Field', ethereal ambient vocals on 'There Were Bells', the angular punk dominating 'Third Uncle' - we could go on, and on, and on.

Review: Eno is a new and groundbreaking documentary that explores the multifaceted career of musician, producer, artist, and activist Brian Eno. Compiled from extensive footage, music, and interviews, each screening of the film is different as it delves into Eno's music, art, and ideas. Accompanying this cinematic journey is a soundtrack spanning Eno's illustrious career, from early solo works to recent collaborations. Released on CD, the album features tracks from 14 different albums, including three previously unreleased recordings. 'Lighthouse #429, the first track from Eno's Sonos radio station, offers a glimpse into his extensive archive and overall this album celebrates Eno's influential legacy.

Review: British and American artists working in the experimental scene were in fine fettle during the mid to late 1970s, though it is a rather under-investigated time. This new, vast and comprehensive box set from Dialogo's - made in full collaboration with all of the composers or their estates - serves up all ten of the albums Brian Eno's Obscure Records label put out. Each one has been remastered and an extensive booklet is included making this an essential collection that documents some of the most vital sounds to emerge during the second half of the 20th Century.

Review: Now here's a rarity for you. Not even many of the most committed megafans know that Brian Eno, Holger Czukay and J.Peter Schwalm, accompanied by Raoul Walton and Jern Atai, performed a secret live music show, outside the esteemed Kunst-und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany, situated in the city of Bonn, in August 1998. Forming a part of the opening party of Eno's Future Light-Lounge Proposal multimedia installation, this furtively-recorded album hears an exclusive slice of incidental "high-altitude food music", of course made during Brian Eno's airborne ambient era. Now reissued via Gronland, this five-piece cut of sophisti-ambi-krauttronica makes for a welcome surprise.

Review: Roger and brother Brian Eno have already assured their legacy as pioneers of experimental ambient music. Mixing Colours was their first album on Deutsche Grammophon and this reissue reminds us why the par are so well known for revolutionising music-Brian through innovative pop treatments and Roger with ambient synth/piano works. This collaboration reflects their shared genius and guides you through rich soundscapes blending mood and place into immersive auditory experiences. Crafted over several years, this poetic collection highlights the brothers' mastery and is a deep dive into ambient sound.

Review: Originally conceived to accompany an installation at the 2022 Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Selkie Reflections is very much a thing of beauty, and a work in two parts. On the A-side, you have Alliyah Enyo re-working the original tape loops used at the show into a strange, enchanting, and immersive series of hypnotic and occasionally haunting vocal calls. Flip to side B, and Florian T M Zeisig, under the alias Angel R, takes all that and turns it inside out, onto its head, and down into the depths of the selkie's world - a mythical creature capable of shapeshifting between seal and human form which features heavily in Scottish folklore. Beguiling and enchanting, prepare to be submerged in a place of beauty, bliss and mystery.

Review: Hauntologic '80s nostalgia-propagandizers Ghost Box return once again with a new one from Eric Zann, 'Ouroborindra'. Ghostly vocals mesh with a wide range of acoustic and electronic instrumentation here to produce an inspired album that draws on early 20th century cosmic horror fiction, resulting in some dastardly thematic combination of Lovecraft, BBC Christmas Horror stories, and Scarfolk. Radio-static noise and cavernous intakes of breath on tracks like 'Threshold' and 'Dols' blend with long ambient progressions and string sequences, recalling mock-'80s film influences such as the latest haunter 'Enys Men'. As ever with Ghost Box, a patented corecore sound is captured.

Review: Marc Ertel's Live At Black Circle on Past Inside The Present US arrives on limited edition cassette and is another sublime ambient entry into this now legendary label's impressive offerings. He has served up similar here before alongside the likes of boss man zake and this time goes deeper than ever into slowly shifting soundscapes that are pregnant with emotion, grey in scale but with a real sense of melancholic beauty. As his tones and timbres evolve, the moods slowly shift and you get ever more subsumed into his sonic universe.

Review: A collection of electroacoustic works exploring the intersection of Moroccan tradition and Western avant-garde, this release features 'Toubkal', 'Sultane', and 'Lectures pour bandes magnetiques', each showcasing the North African composer's unique approach to composition. 'Toubkal', inspired by field recordings of Berber music, pulsates with traditional rhythms and melodies, reimagined through electronic manipulation. 'Sultane', reflecting on themes of land and conflict, alternates between dense rhythmic textures and ethereal vocal passages. 'Lectures pour bandes magnetiques', a setting of poems by Rilke and Mandiargues, highlights the connection between the human voice and musical expression.

Review: The LILA label is dropping a wealth of essential new ambient albums this month and Eternell is one of the artists behind them, an alias of Ludvig Cimbrelius who says he has been hearing new music in his mind all of his life. Here he gives it a form in the real world as he offers up real emotional depths and wondrous highs that will encourage deep introspection and firm connections with your inner most self. Mira is full of widescreen pieces, smeared pads and gently rising lines that subsume you in heavenly sonics.

Review: Icelandic pianist and composer Eydis Evensen's sophomore album The Light is a further expansion of her sound that not only offers her arranging and playing skills but also for the first time her lyrical creativity. The artist herself cites the theme of the rough and rugged landscapes of her native Iceland and how they have shaped her personality as a big influence on the record. It is one of hope that brighter times are ahead even though life might be dark right now. The album was written while she was going through a period of closure and relief and that really shines through.

Review: Exit North is a four-piece made up of Ulf Jansson, Charles Storm, Steve Jansen and Thomas Feiner, exploring classically-charged post-rock and taut songwriting wrapped around brooding soundscapes. After their debut back in 2018 the band are finally back for a follow-up. Recorded in Gothenburg and featuring an expansive cast of contributors, Anyway Still is a rich, engrossing listening experience full of poise and patience to match the grandiose musicality. In their considered approach, the pauses and rests are as vital as the notes played, all led by Feiner's cracked, compelling singing.

Review: Edvard Graham Lewis and Mark Spybey's collaboration fuses electronic rhythms, layered field recordings and ambient soundscapes into an album with striking depth and cohesion. Both artists bring decades of experienceiLewis from Wire, Dome, He Said and Spybey from Zoviet France and Dead Voices on Air. This project, however, ventures into fresh territory, blending experimental sounds with surprising grooves and sly hooks. Crafted remotely, each track unfolds a textured sonic landscape, offering listeners a unique glimpse into the creative synergy between two pioneers of boundary-pushing music.