contemporary orchestral // epic post-rock Known for his truly unique voice and the use of a cello bow on guitar, Jónsi Birgisson as a frontman of Sigur Rós is no less than a post-rock icon in the music world. The comparison of his solo effort to the ethereal sound of Sigur Rós is unavoidable. While Go (2010) carries those familiar enigmatic soundscapes and hypnotic arrangements, Jónsi takes a somewhat joyfully naïve approach for his solo work. “Go Do”, the first single and album opener, evolves from layered vocal textures and graceful flutes to pulsing percussion. Go ranges from soaring, fast tempo compositions to melodramatic post-rock arrangements. It’s just too good not to mention. Powerful and vibrant orchestration. Jónsi - Boy Lilikoi (stream only)

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Orchestral / Jazz / Dark Ambient Overtures creep towards you bearing ominous insight. A ravenous beast of symphonic scale lurks behind every measure; its teeth a menacing discord that devour your surroundings presence. Henryk Górecki could be leading The Cinematic Orchestra through such a place, yet the scourge of blaring horns and thunderous storms resemble unknown regions. This elegant, brooding ardor bleeds from The Netherlands as The Kiliminjaro Darkjazz Ensemble; a project originating with Jason Köhnen and Gideon Kiers to recreate scores for classic movies like Nosferatu and Metropolis. Angelic offerings scarcely appear to cradle your stay, but whirlwind strings and industrial plight will have their say. Aching with beauty and purpose, Here Be Dragons is a story I do not want to unhold. A modern-day masterpiece.

Arrangements for Hallows’ eve. The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Caravan! The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Embers + Purchase / Visit

folktronica // swedish experimental
Fredrik Karlsson, a.k.a. Solander, a part of Aurgasm-featured Fredrik, has his own solo project and it’s the one project you were all waiting to hear about, without even knowing it. Similar to Fredrik’s compositions, Solander’s debut Since We Are Pigeons (2009) carries a distinct Scandinavian, unique yet familiar sound. The album infuses hushed vocals, fragile strings arrangements and warm electronics with just a hint of experimentalia. In “Looking For Gold” Solander slowly builds up the mood by layering off-beat guitar with beautiful orchestration and hypnotic vocal harmonies. Definitely one of the most promising indie projects coming from Sweden this year. Strong, captivating melody. Solander - Looking For Gold

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Itinerario Festival 25.26.27/06/2009 Rocca Malatestiana Cesena

Tetragram for Enlargment an Architectural Video Installation

Apparati Effimeri: Federico Bigi Marco Grassivaro Roberto Fazio

Sound Design: BeInvisibleNow

Video content 1600x1200 px

apparatieffimeri.com info@apparatieffimeri.com Cast: Apparati Effimeri

electro-funk // grimey synthpop Maneuvering brainwaves routed by intricately synthesized polymers of Moloko and Phon°noir familiarity, Frances Noon and Lazlo Legezar have materialized an undulating ecstasy that voyages vital force and bites at your feet. His surreal chorus of extravagant noises deploys a fulgent realm for her iridescent vocals; fluently shifting between sinister and saccharine to timid and giddy. As their motley, crystalline wisped sounds are consumed, a subterranean purlieu emerges. In a carnival’s bygone mystique of bright lights and smiles since ceded to a hitchcock bale, are mad hatters absconding to unite with strawberry shortcakes, rampantly dissolving the absurd, unwanted, depreciating rationalities that impersonate rainbows and he-man transgressions of societal laste. Where We Are threshes trip-hop’s quintessence into dizzying bits and pieces then coalesces to form a twisted treat of enigmatic, aural candy.

Trip-Hop in the age of Twitter. My Toys Like Me - Superpowers My Toys Like Me - Bats + Purchase / Visit

indie-pop // experimental Josh Ottum, a Seattle-based musician and songwriter, has been making his tiny-bedroom-music for 4 years before composing his debut album Like The Season (2007). To put it in his own words, Like The Season is a twelve song journey into the hallways, bedrooms, dining rooms and garages of popular music. Josh’s “The Easy Way Out” evolves from sweet, coherent and easy-on-the-ears harmonies to a rhythmically driven complex production. With layered arrangements of multiple drums, repetitive piano, catchy horn lines and quirky phrasing Josh builds “The Easy Way Out” to a charmingly dynamic indie-pop song. [Editor's note] Hey, any Aurgasm readers in Seattle? Please leave a comment so I can ask you about your city. -Julija Whimsical songwriting, complex instrumentation. Josh Ottum - The Easy Way Out amazon==”http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000JJS806/aurgasm-20″> + Purchase/Visit

swedish folktronica // experimental Fredrik, a six-piece Malmö-based ensemble, embodies some of the finest Scandinavian experimental pop aesthetics: captivating melodies, rich layered arrangements and complicated charming instrumentation evoking the sound of Sigur Ros and Efterklang. Without overloading the compositions, Fredrik builds layer upon layer of atmospheric, melodically overpowering and somewhat mystical soundscapes. The title track of the album “Na Na Ni” ranges from warm waves of melancholy and hypnotic repetitive chanting to haunting harmonies. From quiet to powerful experimental arrangements. Fredrik - Na Na Ni + Purchase/Visit

electronic // hip-hop // downbeat Organic, soulful, electronified and good-feeling vibes, freely shared by Colorado producer Derek Vincent Smith. Nearly four hours of this Pretty Lights sound is available for free on his website. It’s a vivid collage of continuity, enriched with robust beats, eloquently laced vocal samples that range from nostalgic to serene, both compelling and entertaining, with a diverse selection of instruments all aimed towards enjoyment.

All about the good vibes. Pretty Lights - Solamente Pretty Lights - Maybe Tomorrow download this cd

electropop // experimental When asked to describe their sound, Highland Park’s Fol Chen said, “You know that mysterious black object that the creepy family is staring at on the cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Presence” album?” (Yes). “Fol Chen sound like that.” Cryptic descriptions aside, Fol Chen’s recently released Part I: John Shade, Your Fortune’s Made, is a dramatic debut. Their complex layers, which include strings, horns, multiple vocals and the requisite drum machine, are captivating. “Cable TV,” one of the standout tracks on the record, is a pounding, tongue-in-cheek dedication to cheap weekend escapes. Cryptic, dark and danceable. Fol Chen - Cable TV + Purchase/Visit