It's been a heavy week. Sending love to all, but that's not enough.
What else can I do? I'm here for you, in whatever way I can be.

VA - Ego te Audio (Carpe Sonum Records)
This is a collection of forthcoming tracks on Carpe Sonum, due for release in 2017/18. From weeping ambient (Lingua Lustra, Architects of Existence) to Boards of Canada-esque drift (Motionfield, whose 'Indian Summer' sounds like BoC remixing Röyksopp, Faex Optim), it's got some really stellar stuff. 

Bjørn Torske - Fuglekongen
I first heard of Bjørn Torkse in articles about Röyksopp (he remixed 'Eple'), and somehow he's kind of passed me by since. He's still going, however, and was recently remixed by DJ Sotofett. This release is a thunderous clash of drums, a barrel of warming fun.

Experimental Housewife - Neversummer EP
In case you weren't aware, a devastating fire broke out at a warehouse party in Oakland last week and claimed dozens of lives. Some people are still missing. Two of the people who died were involved in this release — remixer Cherushii and masterer Johnny Igaz (more on him below). Cherushii was a really vibrant producer and remixer, she made colourful house and proper dance music. Hers is a really driving take on Experimental Housewife's 'Canyon Guts', which itself is a foggy drone of a track (I featured it on the BC Tumblr recently). David Last's remix of 'Private Life' is a chuggy wonder, while CMD makes the title track a dreamy house bop. There's a lot of emotion here. All proceeds from this release are going to support victims of the fire.

VA - Transparens (Idle Chatter 003)
Idle Chatter is the cassette-only partner label of Brooklyn's Fabrica Records. This three-tape release was put together by Wren Turco. The first tape is from Montréal's Gambletron, and starts with foggy murk before moving into thrilling hip-hop vibes, albeit shrouded in thick fuzz. Norwegian-born, Swedish-based NaEE RoBErts is behind the second tape, where lush electronica and opaque pop combine. Turco's contribution is thick and squalid, techno at the wrong speed, muffled nightmare electronica. 

Behind Clouds Cloud 9 Series 08: Andon
This is a lovely deep mix of ambient and dubby sounds from Basel-based Andon. It's part of the Behind Clouds series of mixes, and beyond that set they've a wealth of gorgeous material, in particular Into The Abyss [Continuous.Mix]. Check them out.

Chrissie - Drone Solo gig, December 2016
Chrissie Caulfield recently took part in an eight-hour drone concert, and this is her performance from the day. She's written about the experience here. She says she played herself into a corner, but I think it's a wonderful hour of music. 

SOFT POWER - Sky Sound
I haven't heard from Lindsay Dobbin in a while, so this nine-minute lurching ambient is most welcome. 

OBW - klatsch
OBW is Wayne O'Brien, an Irish producer and DJ based in Dublin. This track is filled with personality, a weird looping melody and squelchy wahs dancing around some incessant beats. A gorgeous synth line slowly drifts in and hangs around for the duration. Nice!

Gombeen & Doygen - 7,000 Years (Forthcoming on 'Absolutely Wino' 2xLP)
More weirdo Irish music here, it's the opening track from the Absolutely Winocompilation from Wino Boys. Slo-mo house with rumbling bass, treated vocals and weird guitar, it's a trip. I cannot wait to hear the rest.

Nackt - Scheherazade (City Mix)
Johnny Igaz, aka Nackt, was DJing at the time. He recently posted this beautiful piece with the following accompanying text, which makes for heartbreaking reading now:

I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our more stupid melancholy propensities, for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one’s very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away? 

His former partner Hunter Leight wrote this heartfelt piece about their relationship. If you can help in any way, from donating to the fire relief or the Trans Assistance Project, please do. If you can't, that's cool too. 

I've written a lot this week because I've felt I've had to.