ASIP - Journey Upwards

With our next release by Merrin Karras just weeks away, I've decided to celebrate the unique style of the album with a themed mix.

Merrin Karras' upcoming album, Apex combines Brendan's gilded production techniques with an armory of hardware (including the Moog Minitaur, Vermona Mono Lancet, Juno 106, Nord Rack 2, and the Korg Monotron) serving as both a modern ode to the synthesizer and a reverential nod to the early pioneers, a sound and style any ambient and electronic fan will appreciate. 

Along with influences that Brendan lists as having an impact on his upcoming album (Steve Moore, Oneohtrix Point Never, Abul Mogard) the mix features some of my favorite contemporary synthesizer pioneers such as Alessandro Cortini and Donnacha Costello. As the title may suggest, there's a subtle story at play here; beginning at ground-zero and ending in a galaxy far, far away.

This mix should give you a taster of what to expect when Merrin Karras' album, Apex, hits the shelves June 10th, featuring the title track, Apex along with a first listen of Isolation. Pre-order for vinyl and digital is now available.

Download.

Tracklist:
01. ASIP - Ground
02. Abul Mogard - Bound Universe (Circular Forms)
03. Steve Moore - Aldebran Exchange (Light Echoes)
04. Merrin Karras - Apex (Forthcoming on ASIP)
05. Alessandro Cortini - Retta (Forse 3)
06. Oneohtrix Point Never - Months (Rifts)
07. Donnacha Costello - Ten Ton (Love From Dust)
08. Merrin Karras - Isolation (Forthcoming on ASIP)
09. Majeure - Solar Maximum 2 (Solar Maximum)
10. Stellardrone - The Belt of Orion (Invent The Universe)
11. Steve Moore - Light Echoes II (Light Echoes)

Rising Sun - The Lamentations Of Rising Sun

This album's been on repeat for me the past few weeks. Berlin producer Rising Sun, who seemingly has a healthy back catalog, released his second full length in March on the respected Fauxpas Music label (home of Desolate and Brambles) titled, The Lamentations Of Rising Sun. 

It's hard to pin this one down and that's what makes it so good. It's 90's inspired for sure, with rave synth-lines and vocals, reminiscent of early jungle music in You Loose. Early Moby style "Go" tracks like Parade Version F, Amen Break rips in Brighter Day, Kaito style melodic ambient synths in D.E.T.R.O.I.T, Desolate/Sven Weisemann influenced slow jams like Hold The Line, and Frankie Knuckle / Robert Owens straight-up string-house influences in In My Mind. 

"More crossover than one specific style. The music itself is the sketchy attempt to detain moments that haven’t been planned, so it’s a statement that I can foresee in any way, even though the open up of a track is always the same, almost like a ritual. The character is to capture and convert the music of rising sun".

Something in here for any dance music fan that experienced the euphoria of early 90's music, with an additional new Berlin twist.

Available on Bandcamp. 

OKADA - Floating Away From The World

Released earlier this month, Gregory Pappas dropped his second album for the n5MD label titled, Love Telepathic and follows it up with this exclusive mix for ASIP. 

Following in the footsteps of his previous release, Impermanence, Love Telepathic is a dream-like trip through punching beats, ethereal vocals and layers of warmth, sitting somewhere between ASC, Kiyoko and bvdub. Taking the extended track approach (10+ minutes each), OKADA builds each piece with meticulous patience - the kind that makes time disappear and the world melt around you.

Angelic vocals set against conspicuous organic beats, tick over like the lull of a metronome, 
inviting you closer to its misty depths. A soundtrack for sinking to the bottom of a glistening ocean, or floating to the blue skies above. 

Gregory's influences are clear amongst his mix, presenting us with a range of styles from the beautiful vocals of Julianna Barwick, to the awe-struck complexities of Ametsub, and the euphoric ambience of Bersarin Quartett.

Download.

"Music of artists that intoxicate and evoke a pure emotional response from me and influence my OKADA compositions. Most of these artists I've been listening to a long time. In fact, one of the artists on this mix, World's End Girlfriend, is the reason why my music is in long-form, which I first started to do on the album Anathema under the name ZXYZXY" - OKADA.

1. Julianna Barwick - One Half
An artist with strong vocal composition skills. Someone I'd like to borrow for my own compositions, to be honest.

2. 2 8 1 4 - 真実の恋
Two-artist effort that have pierced the veil of vaporwave; hurling it far into the daydream atmosphere.

3. Ametsub - Faint Dazzlings
Japanese electronic music at its finest. Yes, there is a sound unique all to Japan and its electronic music scene. I'd say this is a great example.

4. Bersarin Quartett - Bedingungslos
No one does it like BM. The guy is eons away from everyone when it comes to pure beauty in music. Any of his songs could fit here.

5. Ex Confusion - Speak Softly in My Dreams
One of my favorite n5MD artists. Any of his songs could fit here as well.

6. Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm - a1
Need no introduction here. Just a fantastic collaboration.

7. OKADA - Reconciliation
While I probably should have picked something off my new record, it just wasn't the type of mix I wanted to make. One of my personal favorites, and I plan to bring this style of composition back in the future.

8. MONO & World's End Girlfriend - Part 5
Two of my top 5 artists in collaboration right here, and they create a piece that is equal parts from both groups. The whole album is fantastic.

9. A Winged Victory for the Sullen - Requiem for the Static King Part 1
A short, yet elegant piece from these two fantastic composers.

10. Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto - Moon
I adore all of RS's work, but his work with AN is always incredible. Perfect music to make me want to curl up in my bed on a rainy day.

11. envy - Fading Vision
A band I so badly wanted to sneak in this mix. Not easy since they are a screamo/post-hardcore band, but they're definitely in my top 5 as well and I had to have them here. This song is a great example of their breadth as musicians. Top tier group that exemplifies how to evoke an emotional response. I highly recommend them out.

Additional recommendation:

Eric Whitacre - Lux Nova
I couldn't fit this track on this mix, because of time and how it stuck out of place, but he definitely needs to be mentioned. His choral works prove that choral music is not dead. He is amazing.

~

OKADA n5MD | Facebook | Twitter

Video: Merrin Karras - Void

Merrin Karras' upcoming ambient album Apex is less than a month away and we're slowly but surely unleashing some of the brilliant tracks from the synth-inspired release.

This video for the euphoric track, Void, was created using footage from a 1960's Soviet-era film called Battle Beyond The Sun. The vintage space-race and its slow burning journey to new planets suits the progressive, burning build of Void, with the basic premise of hope and exploration balancing the anxious, mysterious surprises awaiting the crew at the end of the journey. 

You'll notice however, we cut some of the unglamorous monsters you'll find in the full original film... check it out here. 

Merrin Karras's album Apex is now available to pre-order on double green vinyl and digital.

Camara, Silent Harbour, Sand Circles, Massive Suits Quartet, Boreal Network

A spotlight on a few of the records I picked up last weekend after some friends came into town. We hit up Mount Analog (best in the city) and the rather intimidating selection at Amoeba Music. 

Camara - Before We Sleep

Understated and calming, Camara's, Before We Sleep is a lovely little album from the heart of Portugal. Like a cross between Fever Ray, Little Dragon and the powerful melodies of a Joy Division guitar. My favorite track, the opening lull of Skeletons In The Sand. Available on Bandcamp.

Silent Harbour - Hinterland

This was one of those moments where the cover drew me in - a beautiful snowy, icy harbour landscape. Turns out these rather ominous dark, dubby tones are an alias of Conforce, otherwise known for his straight up techno on the likes of Delsin. Jackpot. Available on Delsin. 

Sand Circles - Motor City

Previously only available on cassette back in 2012, this dive into a retro-synth world is a colorful picture of dystopian landscapes played out in an 80's video game. Boards of Canada meets Com Truise, now on vinyl. I also managed to pick up the new Motor City remixes EP which co-incides with the new press, and features a glorious remix by Northern Electronics mastermind Abdulla Rashim, heralding the original feel in a refreshing ambient take. Available on Posh Isolation.

Massive Suits Quartet - Full moon Wizard

A slightly odd one, picked up after being intrigued by the name (and a quick google search). "Full Moon Wizard” is a personal journey by it’s creator Grégoire Marty (aka Dandy Teru) delving into his love of original movie soundtracks and various composers. Crafting a sonic and aural odyssey for a movie that exists only in his mind and imagination".

Jazz, hip-hop, ambient and of course, soundtrack combine amongst a atmospheric-themed score for an imaginary dubbed out freak-film. Let your imagination run wild - a very pleasurable and intriguing listen. My favorite being the Theremin-waving The Odyssey Part 1. Available on Bandcamp.

Boreal Network - Itasca Roadtrip

It looks like this one has done the rounds, especially amongst the BoC community, but it's finally available on vinyl. Funky electronic vintage synth goodness - like BoC on a summer's day (not one of those dark, Tomorrows' Harvest days...) Available on More Than Human (vinyl) and Bandcamp (digital)