Ryan’s Music Picks: 7 November 2016

It’s election week this week, and I am stressed. I’m not going to bring politics into this email list, but if you’re curious, you can take a look at my twitter. So, with stress comes plenty of beautiful, mostly instrumental music for me. Check it out:

Delicate Steve – Positive Force (Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify)This album is therapy. This is the album I reach for when I need comfort, when I am stressed. Delicate Steve’s lyrical guitar playing taps into some sort of emotional lock down in my lizard brain, and it allows me to just stop freaking out better than any other musical force I’ve found. Seriously, it’s one of the most aptly named albums on earth.

Casino Versus Japan – Frozen Geometry (Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify)This guy has been making quiet, extremely relaxed albums for 15+ years now, but it’s been a while since the last one. So he’s given us 80 tracks of hazy perfection, with some synthesizers in places, some guitars in others, but pure space heart distributed throughout. This is a “wrap you up in a blanket with sound” kind of album, which is exactly what you need sometimes.

Pogo – Wonderland (Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify)This little EP has been around for a while. It’s four little dubstep tracks built entirely of samples from Disney’s animated Alice in Wonderland (1951). It’s tiny and charming and surprisingly transportative for only 4 tracks constructed from a children’s film. It’s pay-what-you-want on bandcamp!

Douglas Holmquist – PinOut OST (Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify)I recently discovered PinOut through a friend on twitter. It’s a supremely-addicting combination of pinball and an endless runner-type game, with great Tron aesthetics. The most important element of that Tron feel is the synth-tastic soundtrack from Douglas Holmquist. He absolutely gives Daft Punk a run for their atmospheric money in this gem of a soundtrack.

Geotic – Mend (ONLY ON BANDCAMP)Geotic is an ambient side project from the guy behind the band Baths, mostly consisting of guitar loops and reverb. It is the most relaxing, put-your-kids-to-bed music the world has ever produced, and I have successfully used it on the iPod in my kids’ room for the last 6 years. It’s pay-what-you-want on bandcamp, and your life should not be complete without listening to this album.

Mesarthim – .- -… … . -. -.-. . (ONLY ON BANDCAMP)Another total gem from these atmospheric ambient metal dudes. It’s equal parts brutal and beautiful, partially depending how loud it is, and partially based on how well you deal with screaming. I deal well with screaming. Only $1 on bandcamp!