2025 Label Compilation - Mixed by todos

2025 is probably our first year without a proper ambient release, with this year’s annual compilation reflecting how diverse our catalog has grown.

KILN and Monoparts presented music this year that pushed expectations, with KILN’s music pretty much in a world of its own anyway, and Monoparts bringing a vocal-heavy trip-hop record to the lineup - two records that would stand on their own on any label, irrespective of genre classifications.

Christian Kleine’s second Lost World volume spoke to our true IDM roots of past, and Mikkel Rev’s Journey Beyond, to the future perhaps, with a subtle wink to Trance music running through our blood.

A new signing in WNDFRM presented a landscape of micro-rhythmic IDM, as did returning artist Salvatore Mercatante, through a live set that traversed a spectrum of bass-heavy atmospheres.

Tying this all together in one mix has become todos’ annual challenge, and he would be the first to admit this one was his most challenging yet. While I would never force this concept on him, if it didn’t work, todos has the permission to edit, layer, chop and re-work where he needs to, just like a live set. In turn, his magic becomes a completely new way to absorb the releases from our past year, and an enjoyable way to spot moments you missed.

Available on Bandcamp

Thank you to everyone who has supported the label and the artists included here this year.

todos - Continuous mix tracklist

01. Mikkel Rev - ‘Fragile’ (edit) / WNDFRM - ‘WVLT 021’ (edit) / Monoparts - ‘Abandoned Woods’ (edit) / KILN - ‘Moon Ratchet’ (edit)
02. KILN - ‘Ptarmigan’
03. KILN - ‘Moon Ratchet’ / Christian Kleine - ‘Beyond Repair’ (edit)
04. Mikkel Rev - ‘Transmit’ (edit) / KILN - ‘Solarsystem Breathing’
05. Christian Kleine - ‘Slow’ / KILN - ’Cadmium Lounge’ (edit)
06. Salvatore Mercatante - Extract from ‘Live at Public Records’
07. Mikkel Rev - ‘LM8182’
08. Monoparts - ‘Abandoned Woods’
09. WNDFRM - ‘WVLT 021’ / Salvatore Mercatante - Extract from ‘Live at Public Records’ (edit)
10. Christian Kleine - ‘Closer’
11. Monoparts - ‘Abandoned Woods’ (ASC Remix)

Mikkel Rev / Journey Beyond (ASIP043)

Following Mikkel Rev's debut album on the label in 2023, ‘The Art Of Levitation’, the Norwegian artist returns with Journey Beyond, a selection of tracks demonstrating his innate ability to conjure the most atmospheric trance music, irrespective of BPM.

Journey Beyond was created from an extensive set of tracks sent to the label that were initially sequenced as two shorter EPs. With the first offering a slower 80bpm trance style, and the second EP, a classic ~130bpm trance style. However, over time, with tracks swapping in and out, ASIP had the idea to create a mixed version, progressing through the tracks and increasing bpm's, showcasing Mikkel’s ability in bridging euphoric worlds - and a style that is often reserved for Mikkel’s live performances amongst the forest raves held as part of the Ute Collective in Norway.

Classic trance and the art of a DJ mix have been influential to ASIP since the label’s inception, making this release and the process of creating it a true reflection of how Mikkel and the label come together to define the end output.

Featuring artwork by Ventral Is Golden and mastered by James Bernard, the album is available now on Bandcamp to preorder for just $1, with full release following next Friday and a Bandcamp listening party the day before (Thursday 22nd, 11am PST).

ASIP - Unrush 093

There are only a few podcasts and mix series that stand the test of time over the years and become regular go-to’s. Unrush, for example, began 8 years ago and has since hosted classic mixes from Wanderwelle, Jamie Mccue (Silent Season), Kamikaze Space Program, Sven Weisemann, and the host herself, Mareena. If you’re not familiar with the series, you have some digging to do.

As many may know, my DJ mixes are often conceptual and ladder to a bigger idea. For example, my most recent mix for Monument was made entirely of loops, and I’d often spend weeks perfecting the output.

I often try and do more with recorded sets because you have more time to obsess and create something different than what someone would hear playing live. However, for this mix, given it was over the holiday period and life is pretty hectic right now, I chose to adopt a more “don’t overthink it” approach, and just did what hit me...

I was also more optimistic about kicking off the year, and I didn’t want to go down a dark or ambient route (as might be the initial reaction given the mix series title). In hindsight, I very rarely do straight-up ambient sets.

The result:

We are delighted to begin the year with a mix from ASIP (Ryan Griffin), the founder of A Strangely Isolated Place - a label and mix series that has become a cornerstone for contemporary ambient music. Inviting him felt long overdue, and we couldn’t be happier to share this contribution from someone whose work continually inspires us. For this mix, Ryan delved into musical memories, crafting a journey filled with nostalgia and influences. As he beautifully puts it:

"Thank you, Mareen, for the invite to your series. This mix is full of nostalgia, some Balearic undertones, and classic approaches to ambient electronic music, without an agenda. It starts to speak to some major influences on me over the years. Growing up on 90's electronic music, influential summers in Europe, and the formative years of early 00's IDM and electronica. If Unrush is self-described as 'a serene space within the mind that is free from the encumbering stresses of daily life,' then this is music that always helps me get there."

Ryan’s contribution is a heartfelt journey through time, marked by the sounds that have shaped him and continue to inspire, perfectly embodying the unrushed ethos. Let yourself drift and enjoy... ❤️

The set features 3 unreleased tracks that may or may not be forthcoming on the label. Well… Aspetuck’s is locked and loaded at least, and the Mikkel Rev and Alvar are in the early discussion and sequencing stages (the fun part!)

Listen to the mix below or on Soundcloud. Bandcamp links in the tracklist wherever possible.

UNRUSH · 093 - Unrushed by ASIP

Download MP3

Tracklist:

01. Ishq - And Awake (2011, Interchill Records)
02. Aspetuck - Hit Me With Your Pet Shark (Forthcoming, A Strangely Isolated Place)
03. Wilson Tanner - Further Than Your Headlights (2016, Growing Bin Records)
04. TSR - gtchi3 (2012, Record Union)
05. MPU101 - Sunset Memories (2024, Ilian Tape)
06. Dream Dolphin - L.E.A (Mirror Coordinate Mix) (2023, Music From Memory)
07. C-thru - Awake In A Dream (2023, Pacific Rhythm)
08. Norman Feller - Melting From The Inside (2003, Electrolux)
09. Gallo - That Moment (2023, Hell Yeah)
10. Spooky - Let Go (1993, Guerilla)
11. Neutron 9000 - Empire (1994, Rising High)
12. Alvar - Our Peach Sky (Unreleased)
13. Mikkel Rev - Unknown (Unreleased)
14. Ebi - Kaze (1996, Space Teddy)
15. Jochem Paap - Dx-Snth (1999, Fax)

ASIP - Deep Breakfast Mix 267

The Deep Breakfast mix series has slowly (quite quickly compared to my isolatedmix efforts!) become one of the greatest ambient-leaning mix series around, pulling in some of the finest curators and artists to grace our small world. From well-known artists and DJs to passionate music collectors, it seems Francesco, the curator, is intent on hosting a series truly meant for every corner of the ambient spectrum.

The name of the mix series gives you an idea of what to expect, and for my submission, I battled hard with what style to attempt in order to live up to the many great mixes that have been featured before. Breakfast to me - deep or not - can often be light and uplifting - chill or even dubtechno on some mornings. But similarly, a deep breakfast may also mean the edges of light at 4 or 5am… and this is more the route I went with this mix. Look out for some of the many upcoming ASIP tracks featured in this one!

Big thanks to Francesco for the invite, and I hope you all enjoy the mix.

Deep Breakfast Series · Deep Breakfast 267 ~ ASIP

Listen on Soundcloud or the ASIP Podcast

Download MP3

Tracklist:
01. swanasa - AHO (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)
02. Hiemal - Pays D'en Haut I (Self)
03. Thomas Koner - Nuut (Night) (Force Inc)
04. Markus Guentner & Abul Mogard - While Hunting Nightmares And Dreaming For Peace (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)
05. Ayaavaaki & Purl - Einstein-Rosen Bridge (Passage II) (LILA)
06. LF58 - Utopia (Northern Electronics)
07. Avsluta - It's Always Lonely Being Free (Self)
08. Pete Namlook & Bill Laswell - Angel Tech (Subharmonic)
09. STBL - Carousel Of Light (Self)
10. Mikkel Rev - Lauryl (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)
11. James Murray - Grace (Home Normal)
12. Robert Rich - Summer Thunder (Self)
13. OKRAA - Canto Luminoso a la Luna (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)

Monument Waves 002 : ASIP

A new mix for the brilliant Monument platform, and their new series ‘Waves’ which looks to feature more of the ambient side of things, rather than the deep techno world they are known for, if the first of the series by Chris SSG is any indication.

After our label showcase mix I did for them a few years back, I was extremely pleased to return to Monument again and decided on a new approach for #2.

Taking inspiration from the podcast series’ title, I aimed to create a mix that focused on repetition and layers, as if staring out to sea watching blankets of waves roll in from miles out; changing in intensity, but forever calming in their unbound repetition.

The result is reflective of the many adjacent styles I enjoy from ambient, to IDM and deeper techno and some of the seconds of tracks that stand out to me, or I forever wished to be looped in my head - be it a texture, vocal or beat pattern.

Thank you Monument for the support over the years, and for inviting me to what I am sure will become a very special series.

MONUMENT · Monument Waves 002 : ASIP

Listen on Soundcloud or the ASIP Podcast

Download MP3

Tracklist:

01. Mikkel Rev - Evocation  [Unreleased / A Strangely Isolated Place] (Loop/edit)
02. Chronovalve - Almost There [Home Normal] (Loop/edit)
03 . Yumi Iwaki - Nocturnal[Kankyō Records]  (Loop/edit)
04. DJ Healer - Great Escape [All Possible Worlds] (Loop/edit)
05. Susumu Yokota - No Kaori [Leaf Label] (Loop/edit)
06. The National Pool - Through The Beach [Infraction] (Loop/edit)
07. Bana Haffar - Lifter [Touch] (Loop/edit)
08. Pontiac Streator - Stuck In A Cave [Motion Ward] (Loop/edit)
09. TSR - 01 [Record Union] (Loop/edit)
10. Christina Chatfield - Sutro [Mysteries of the Deep] (Loop/edit)
11. Oneohtrix Point Never - Format & Journey North [Arbor] (Loop/edit)
12. Gi Gi - Montjuic Feat. Mi Mi [Quiet Time] (Loop/edit)
13. Jonny Nash - All I Ever Need [Melody As Truth] (Loop/edit)
14. Saphileaum - Elegant Voyage [Mysteries of The Deep] (Loop/edit)
15. RQ - Hounds (Sam KDC remix) [Auxiliary] (Loop/edit)
16. Michael Stearns - In The Beginning [Continuum Montage] (Loop/edit)
17. Solar Quest - Flying Spirals [Crammed Discs] (Loop/edit)
18. Zodiac Childs - Kepler Track Two (Zodiac Wax) (Loop/edit)
19. Central Industrial - After Image [Auxiliary] (Loop/edit)
20. Intrepid Soul - Under The Sun (The Gods Planet) (Loop/edit) 
21. Anatolian Weapons - Teachings In Stone [Self] (Loop/edit)
22. Theef - Sun & Smoke  (Unreleased / A Strangely Isolated Place) (Loop/edit)
23. Quiet Places - Side B (A Strangely Isolated Place) (Loop/edit)
24. Courtesy - You're Not Alone [Kulør] (feat. Erika de Casier & August Rosenbaum) (Loop/edit)
25. Maxime Denuc - Ouverture [Vlek] (Loop/edit)
26. µ-Ziq - Whale Soup [Self] (Loop/edit)
27. Adam Johnson - Version 02 [Merck] (Loop/edit)
28. Autechre - Bronchusevernmx24 + Aphex Twin - On + Aleksi Perala - UK74R1406070 (edit)
29. Pub - Summer [Vertical Form] (Loop/edit)
30. Loess - Sofar [Toytronic] (edit)
31. Biosphere - Monju 1 [Touch] (Loop/edit)
32. Salvatore Mercatante - Classical [Unreleased]
33. OKRAA - La Gran Corriente [Unreleased / A Strangely Isolated Place]
34. Lihla - Becoming Human [A Strangely Isolated Place] (Loop/edit)
35. Ylia - Drifting Off into The Waves  [Balmat] (Loop/edit)
36. The Eightsome Reel - A Stranger Landing  [Self] (Loop/edit)
37. Terre Thaemlitz - Music is Controllable Desire You Can Own [Self]
38. Echospace - Love Always Lives [Self] 
39. Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook - Telepathy II [FAX] (Loop/edit)