Yup. Huge thanks to both Antònia and Citymusic for taking over in my absence. I had a great holiday, thanks for asking.

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We Like Ambient (Curated by The Sly and Unseen)
I downloaded a compilation from Hibernate the other day and when I went back it was gone. It was called We Like Ambient and it was curated by Visionary Hours. I'd missed the fact that it was a temporary affair. The label has shared another one, though, from The Sly and Unseen, whose album All Similarities And Technical Difficulties End Here is due next month. Grab it while you can. 

Roadside Picnic - Watership Drowned
Of course it's just a pun, but I'm wary of sharing this release without comment given the present tragic circumstances in the Mediterranean. That said, I doubt there's any connection. Released on Invisible City Records, it kicks off with a flurry of noise, like too-loud footsteps accidentally recorded from from the pocket of a sound artist. It then shifts into gentler moods, serene and dreamlike, across two 40-minute stretches.

Joseph Curwen - A Key To The Origin
The bould Joseph is taking a break from this moniker to focus on real-world activities, but this is quite the swansong (of sorts). It's a touch quieter and less intense than previous works, but not without that same attention to detail and levels of density. Sublime.

Secaina Hudson: Music to... Shake What Your Mamma Gave Ya To
Ronseal innit. Bangers for days.

Deep Mix Moscow Radio Dima: Igra
In Florence and Rome I came across a couple of paintings that brought me back to my obsession with Renaissance compilations in the early 00s. As such I've been revisiting some of them, as well as spending time with newer mixes of a similar state of mind, if not sonically identical. This one is maybe a bit... not cheesy, but... upfront for some tastes. Still, chuggy and propulsive.

Dekmantel Podcast 013 - Linkwood
Maybe this is more your thing. It's a bit deep, quite artful, very sensuous and groovy but not in a sleazy or cheap way. Sleaze isn't all bad for the record. Anyway. Dekmantel need more women on their lineups and in their podcast series (they've done 14 but Black Madonna is the only female contributor thus far) but I can't front on this. And Call Super features! 

EB Radio Presents: Call Super - The Sound of Basement Q Volume 2
Call Super is my hero. This mix is great. It's got current favourites like Fit Siegel's 'Carmine', Lynx's 'Call', Levon's 'Launch Ramp... ' and more. It's gr8.

antenna_research - Keen for a Dead Child [disquiet0172-daconflater]
Super weird track that takes strange 1950s Irish singing and chops and loops it and more. Gnarly.

Xiii - No (The Relative Effect Of Explication)
I've listened to this more than anything else this year. It's a wonderful release on Gang of Ducks and it captures perfectly the feeling of displacement and discombobulation so prevalent in the modern world. There's one track that's like Twin Peaks with modulated acid solos on top. I know comparing anything to that is a mug's game but the similarity is really there. The whole thing is a murky, gelatinous trip.

Trinkkets - Noname (Free EP)
Free pair of tracks from Trinkkets, who came to my attention on last year's Life Between Screens comp on WotNot Music. Drifting pads and loose percussion and spoken word. 

Mat Dryhurst - MINE: Chapter 1
A bizarre yet humorous radio drama you might call it, incorporating voice play, droning electronics and speculative fiction. The subject matter is a strange siren-like sound that appears sporadically, and its potential links to a couple named Juan and Jane. Chapter 1, it's titled — I look forward to hearing more

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I'm running a 10k this weekend. Pray for me.

All the best,

Aidan