Category Archives: Modern Composition
Ólafur Arnalds ~ Island Songs
In Iceland, summer is a magical season. The sun never sets, and the shadows are sublime. The temperature is never too hot or too cold. For morning and night people alike, it’s a perfect time to explore the land of
Ólafur Arnalds ~ Island Songs
In Iceland, summer is a magical season. The sun never sets, and the shadows are sublime. The temperature is never too hot or too cold. For morning and night people alike, it’s a perfect time to explore the land of
Marielle V Jakobsons ~ Star Core
Four years have passed since Glass Canyon, yet Date Palms/darwinsbitch veteran Marielle V Jakobsons hasn’t lost a step; on Star Core, she makes a calm yet triumphant return. The album is soothing, meditative, psychedelic and transportive. The occasional addition of voice hearkens back to the
Marielle V Jakobsons ~ Star Core
Four years have passed since Glass Canyon, yet Date Palms/darwinsbitch veteran Marielle V Jakobsons hasn’t lost a step; on Star Core, she makes a calm yet triumphant return. The album is soothing, meditative, psychedelic and transportive. The occasional addition of voice hearkens back to the
Sophie Hutchings ~ Wide Asleep
When I reviewed Sydney pianist Sophie Hutchings‘ debut album Becalmed in 2010, I remarked that it was incredibly bold to start with an eleven and a half minute track (“Seventeen”, composed when the artist was that age). Now on her fourth release,
Sophie Hutchings ~ Wide Asleep
When I reviewed Sydney pianist Sophie Hutchings‘ debut album Becalmed in 2010, I remarked that it was incredibly bold to start with an eleven and a half minute track (“Seventeen”, composed when the artist was that age). Now on her fourth release,
Various Artists ~ Summer
Earlier this year, the Bigo & Twigetti label asked its artists to contribute a personal reflection of summer. This compilation is the result. Summer is a potpourri of presentations that opens up the question, “What does summer sound like?” For this listener,
Various Artists ~ Summer
Earlier this year, the Bigo & Twigetti label asked its artists to contribute a personal reflection of summer. This compilation is the result. Summer is a potpourri of presentations that opens up the question, “What does summer sound like?” For this listener,
Sternlumen ~ S/T
Seven years is a long hiatus, but that’s how long it took German-born, Copenhagen-based pianist Thomas Kudela (Sternlumen) to return to his instrument. Once back, he approached it with a vengeance, investigating its timbres through improvisation and molding his sound through
Sternlumen ~ S/T
Seven years is a long hiatus, but that’s how long it took German-born, Copenhagen-based pianist Thomas Kudela (Sternlumen) to return to his instrument. Once back, he approached it with a vengeance, investigating its timbres through improvisation and molding his sound through
Tambour ~ Chapitre II
After an extremely active launch in 2015, the Moderna label has been quiet in recent months. Half a year has passed since its last release, so it’s a relief to hear the return of both the label and Tambour. Chapitre
Tambour ~ Chapitre II
After an extremely active launch in 2015, the Moderna label has been quiet in recent months. Half a year has passed since its last release, so it’s a relief to hear the return of both the label and Tambour. Chapitre
Kuba Kapsa Ensemble ~ Vantdraught 4
Much has changed since Vantdraught 10 Vol. 1. The Kuba Kapsa Ensemble, led by Polish pianist and composer Kuba Kapsa, has grown leaner and more complex, shedding six players as well as the previous album’s rampant repetition. The result is a compact
Kuba Kapsa Ensemble ~ Vantdraught 4
Much has changed since Vantdraught 10 Vol. 1. The Kuba Kapsa Ensemble, led by Polish pianist and composer Kuba Kapsa, has grown leaner and more complex, shedding six players as well as the previous album’s rampant repetition. The result is a compact
Various Artists ~ Eleven Into Fifteen
For years, Fatcat imprint 130701 had been releasing some of our all-time favorite albums, including Max Richter‘s The Blue Notebooks, Dustin O’Halloran‘s Lumiere and Jóhann Jóhannsson‘s The Miners’ Hymns. Then the label went dark for three years, and we feared it had been lost. Fortunately, the imprint resurfaced
Various Artists ~ Eleven Into Fifteen
For years, Fatcat imprint 130701 had been releasing some of our all-time favorite albums, including Max Richter‘s The Blue Notebooks, Dustin O’Halloran‘s Lumiere and Jóhann Jóhannsson‘s The Miners’ Hymns. Then the label went dark for three years, and we feared it had been lost. Fortunately, the imprint resurfaced
a closer listen 