Category Archives: Modern Composition

V/A ~ The Sea at the End of Her String (Exclusive Stream!)

Three female artists, one label, one record, one tour.  The Sea at the End of Her String tour starts Thursday and is partnered with this limited vinyl EP, containing new music from Resina, Shida Shahabi and Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, all of whom

V/A ~ The Sea at the End of Her String (Exclusive Stream!)

Three female artists, one label, one record, one tour.  The Sea at the End of Her String tour starts Thursday and is partnered with this limited vinyl EP, containing new music from Resina, Shida Shahabi and Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, all of whom

Maarja Nuut & Ruum ~ Muunduja

If Dead Can Dance were starting off today, they might sound a lot like Maarja Nuut & Ruum, an Estonian duo whose music is a hybrid of classicism and electronics.  Muunduja is the first album they have recorded as a duo, following

Maarja Nuut & Ruum ~ Muunduja

If Dead Can Dance were starting off today, they might sound a lot like Maarja Nuut & Ruum, an Estonian duo whose music is a hybrid of classicism and electronics.  Muunduja is the first album they have recorded as a duo, following

Ulises Conti ~ Los efimeros

The last time we encountered Ulises Conti was four years ago, with the release of a playful piano “sound alphabet” ~ one song for each letter, with a couple bonuses thrown in.  On Los efimeros, he’s changed his style so drastically

Ulises Conti ~ Los efimeros

The last time we encountered Ulises Conti was four years ago, with the release of a playful piano “sound alphabet” ~ one song for each letter, with a couple bonuses thrown in.  On Los efimeros, he’s changed his style so drastically

Drifting in Polar Seas

Toronto’s Polar Seas label returns this month with a pair of evocative albums, one ambient and one modern composition.  Mathieu Lamontagne‘s Obsolescence Programmée is a soft meditation on disposable culture, while Mikael Lind‘s Strings and Clusters detaches and reassembles violin, viola and cello phrases until they

Drifting in Polar Seas

Toronto’s Polar Seas label returns this month with a pair of evocative albums, one ambient and one modern composition.  Mathieu Lamontagne‘s Obsolescence Programmée is a soft meditation on disposable culture, while Mikael Lind‘s Strings and Clusters detaches and reassembles violin, viola and cello phrases until they

Less Bells ~ Solifuge

Solifuge is a sweet surprise, a debut album that seems to emerge out of nowhere and makes an instant impact.  During its live debut at a sunset concert in Joshua Tree, California, Less Bells (Julia Carpenter and friends) was paired with a stop-motion

Less Bells ~ Solifuge

Solifuge is a sweet surprise, a debut album that seems to emerge out of nowhere and makes an instant impact.  During its live debut at a sunset concert in Joshua Tree, California, Less Bells (Julia Carpenter and friends) was paired with a stop-motion

Fall Music Preview ~ Modern Composition

The sweet sounds of modern composition are tailor-made for fall.  Solo piano scores the falling of leaves, while strings reflect the season’s bittersweet emotions. When orchestras bloom, they offer a sense of fullness; the heart can overflow even when the

Fall Music Preview ~ Modern Composition

The sweet sounds of modern composition are tailor-made for fall.  Solo piano scores the falling of leaves, while strings reflect the season’s bittersweet emotions. When orchestras bloom, they offer a sense of fullness; the heart can overflow even when the

Moderna Summer Singles Series

  We don’t review singles at A Closer Listen, but we do review singles series, especially when the series is as beautiful as the first batch from Moderna Records.  We’ve come to know Moderna for its cross-blend of modern composition and electronic

Moderna Summer Singles Series

  We don’t review singles at A Closer Listen, but we do review singles series, especially when the series is as beautiful as the first batch from Moderna Records.  We’ve come to know Moderna for its cross-blend of modern composition and electronic

Sophie Hutchings ~ Wide Asleep (Reissue) + Words from Sophie!

Originally released on Preservation Records in 2016, Sophie Hutchings‘ Wide Asleep is now enjoying a timely vinyl reissue on Hobbledehoy Records, along with new artwork.  In celebration of the event, Sophie shares some reflections on her influences. Five Artists/ Bands that changed my

Sophie Hutchings ~ Wide Asleep (Reissue) + Words from Sophie!

Originally released on Preservation Records in 2016, Sophie Hutchings‘ Wide Asleep is now enjoying a timely vinyl reissue on Hobbledehoy Records, along with new artwork.  In celebration of the event, Sophie shares some reflections on her influences. Five Artists/ Bands that changed my