Blue Ribbon– 2012205

It’s basically one long analog drone, with chord changes every once in a while. But because it’s a little bit over four minutes long, it’s eerily brilliant. The mind goes away from just the notes to the actual sound of the wavering note as it undulates slowly like some sort of aural Mobius strip. A lot of the songs on this record are rather pedestrian synth-pop, but these intermittent moments nearly recommend the record on their strength alone.

[visit the website here, buy it here]

Populous– Hip-Hop Cocotte

It’s interesting how Boards of Canada has become such a strong signifier for a certain type of music, even though so few actually imitate or even try to imitate it. But they’re a useful signifier because descriptions can move away from there elegantly to accurately describe the music in question. In Populous’ case, everything is a bit smoother and cleaner, with a nice bit of guitar thrown in for good measure. It’s all very pleasant overall on the upcoming record, but this one shines the brightest.

[visit the Morr Music website here, pre-order the album here]

Michael Hedges– Aerial Boundaries

I was turned on to this amazing track by none other than Velocirecords newest act, Sean Booth. His words: “He’s one of the best guitar players that has ever lived; unfortunately as well, he died just a few years ago in a mysterious car accident. He was the one who turned me onto drop tunings and approaching my instrument more creatively and intuitively. Any guitar player who hears his instrumental compositions will wholeheartedly agree he was and still is a master of the instrument. The song itself is all done with a “fret tapping” technique, as if he is playing a piano; there are no overdubs, but it sounds like there are at least three guitars playing independent parts at once; and it sounds like a bird’s eye view of the land below.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

[visit the website here, buy the album here]