ince it was formed by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie of the legendary Cocteau Twins in 1997, Bella Union Records has quietly been releasing some of the best records of the past few years. Although the label’s introduction states that they release “anything that takes their fancy”, many of its records inhabit the downtrodden marshes of vague sound frequented by the Twins in their foggy heyday. Yet, the difference lies in the details: it’s in the smoldering torch songs of Devics, the stripped and humbled splendor of Dirty Three, the deafening shroud of mystery and allure that engulfs Lift To Experience, the ornate grandeur of Departure Lounge. The music that has emerged from this roster has ensconced itself into the nocturnal subconscious of every group since that has worked within its parameters; its expression is limitless, its boundaries non-existent. And it’s the knowledge of this that has allowed Raymonde and Guthrie to ascend to the uppermost stratosphere of today’s imprints, regardless of stature.

And yet, even without the contributions of the aforementioned groups, Bella Union’s collective works would stand in the same esteemed light. With records by Francoiz Breut, the Czars, Gwei-Lo, Kid Loco, Sing-Sing, and Violet Indiana to its credit, the label could still stand head to head with any other in operation today and come out on top at least half the time. Crossing the boundaries of space, language, emotion, and, perhaps most notably, time, the music of Bella Union is an exercise in variation and, as studiously noted by Stylus alum Colleen Delaney in a Devics write-up featured on this site last summer, timelessness. While some acts may resemble smoking lounge kitsch or Nissan commercial gimmickry from afar, a more trained glance reveals a distinctive stylistic and emotional palette that renders the real thing galaxies away from any unfavorable initial reaction.

Recent releases from Dirty Three, Devics, and Departure Lounge show that, if anything, the bands’ respective strengths are only in a state of upward growth, ensuring that the label’s fortunes are in better hands than ever. When, in 20 years, listeners equate Infinite Zero with corrosive post-punk and Mego with cutting edge electronic splicing, the “nighttime” album will have but one true home with Bella Union.

Label Roster: Departure Lounge, Lift To Experience, Czars, Jack Dangers, Francoiz Breut, Simon Raymonde, Sing-Sing, Yu-Ra, the Wave Room, Robin Guthrie, Gwei-Lo, Nanaco, Russell Mills/Undark, Cocteau Twins, Sneakster, Dirty Three, Devics, Violet Indiana

Ten Essential Releases:
V/A - At Least You Can Die With A Smile On Your Face
Dirty Three - Whatever You Love, You Are
Devics - My Beautiful Sinking Ship
Cocteau Twins - BBC Sessions
Lift To Experience - Texas/Jeruselem Crossroads
Francoiz Breut - Vingt a Trente Mille Jours
Departure Lounge - Too Late To Die Young
Sing-Sing - Feels Like Summer
Violet Indiana - Roulette
The Czars - Before...But Longer