Category Archives: Experimental

Thomas Köner ~ Motus

The commonplace figure of the utopia of the dancefloor is a powerful motivator for dreams of communion, and yet, it’s constantly limited to select spaces and times in which the world’s divisions are dismantled only to be remade again once

Thomas Köner ~ Motus

The commonplace figure of the utopia of the dancefloor is a powerful motivator for dreams of communion, and yet, it’s constantly limited to select spaces and times in which the world’s divisions are dismantled only to be remade again once

Olivia Louvel ~ SculptOr

Olivia Louvel‘s first album explored the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots; her second celebrates British sculptor Barbara Hepworth.  These works share a colorful tone that tempers their didactic background, calling attention not only to the acts

Olivia Louvel ~ SculptOr

Olivia Louvel‘s first album explored the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots; her second celebrates British sculptor Barbara Hepworth.  These works share a colorful tone that tempers their didactic background, calling attention not only to the acts

Messell ~ Ligesom Rigtige Mennesker

As we review the year’s first releases, it’s fun to meet one of the first new labels as well.  And so we welcome Copenhagen’s Textur, whose initial release is a perfect reflection of its name.  To complete the trifecta, Ligesom Rigtige

Messell ~ Ligesom Rigtige Mennesker

As we review the year’s first releases, it’s fun to meet one of the first new labels as well.  And so we welcome Copenhagen’s Textur, whose initial release is a perfect reflection of its name.  To complete the trifecta, Ligesom Rigtige

2020 Winter Music Preview ~ Experimental & Field Recording

What will experimental music sound like at the end of the next decade?  In 2030, we’ll look back and pretend that we always knew how influential the mavericks of 2020 would turn out to be.  What sounds unusual now may be considered

2020 Winter Music Preview ~ Experimental & Field Recording

What will experimental music sound like at the end of the next decade?  In 2030, we’ll look back and pretend that we always knew how influential the mavericks of 2020 would turn out to be.  What sounds unusual now may be considered

A Closer Listen’s Best Experimental Albums of the Decade

“Let’s try an experiment, and see if it works!”  By all indications, the experiments of the ten artists on our decade chart were successful.  They tried new things, and found their efforts rewarded.  While we laud the efforts of all

A Closer Listen’s Best Experimental Albums of the Decade

“Let’s try an experiment, and see if it works!”  By all indications, the experiments of the ten artists on our decade chart were successful.  They tried new things, and found their efforts rewarded.  While we laud the efforts of all

ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Experimental

From locked grooves to dueling drummers; from abstract voices to plastic instruments; from stories of slavery to modern African drones, the Experimental category represents creativity at its best.  These artists follow their own paths, abandoning the marked roads, more interested

ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Experimental

From locked grooves to dueling drummers; from abstract voices to plastic instruments; from stories of slavery to modern African drones, the Experimental category represents creativity at its best.  These artists follow their own paths, abandoning the marked roads, more interested

The Nest ~ Das Lied Der Ankommenden

German trio The Nest have just released two new tracks from the sessions that produced their latest full-length, making for an opportune moment to revisit a record which deserves some attention. Das Lied Der Ankommenden was released in the height

The Nest ~ Das Lied Der Ankommenden

German trio The Nest have just released two new tracks from the sessions that produced their latest full-length, making for an opportune moment to revisit a record which deserves some attention. Das Lied Der Ankommenden was released in the height

IMA ~ The Flowers Die in Burning Fire

In one corner, Japanese percussionist Nava Dunkelman, trained in taiko and gamelan.  In the other, Hong Kong electro-acoustic composer Amma Ateria.  When the bell rings, the two women approach the center and embrace, dubbing their new partnership IMA. The Flowers Die

IMA ~ The Flowers Die in Burning Fire

In one corner, Japanese percussionist Nava Dunkelman, trained in taiko and gamelan.  In the other, Hong Kong electro-acoustic composer Amma Ateria.  When the bell rings, the two women approach the center and embrace, dubbing their new partnership IMA. The Flowers Die