PITP'S TOP 25 AMBIENT ALBUMS OF 2018
Past Inside the Present is delighted to present what we believe are some of the best ambient releases of 2018. It was strenuous compiling the list to a Top 25 especially since 2018 was such a wonderful year for ambient music and the sub-genres thereof. I know we didn’t even scratch the surface of ambient releases of 2018, but nonetheless, we hope you discover something new from this list.
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36 - CIRCUIT BLOOM We are pleased to announce that 36’s “Circuit Bloom” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Circuit Bloom is a blissful listen that encompasses faint drones, subtle piano work, and calm melodies. Circuit Bloom came at a perfect moment in time, when the season was beginning to prepare for regrowth and springtime welcomed us. A wonderful addition to his beautifully established repertoire. Check out his other alias SYNE while you're at it. LISTEN>> |
ANT'LRD + BENOIT PIOULARD - DECK AMBER We are pleased to announce that Ant'lrd + Benoit Pioulard's "Deck Amber" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. It was a quiet and serene summer of 2018 made in part by Ant'lrd + Benoit Pioulard's collaborative effort, "Deck Amber" - an album that has a deep abundance of sun drenched soundscapes accompanied by delicate and graceful textures. Blanton & Meluch provided a captivating listening experience that is overwhelmingly beautiful. LISTEN>> |
ALONEFOLD - IMPRESSIONS We are pleased to announce that Ant'lrd + Benoit Pioulard's "Deck Amber" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Alonefold is the musical project of Scott Beardow, an Australian ambient composer. Two compositions that come in at just over 41 minutes, Beardow’s latest effort is some of his finest work to date. Both songs stay within close proximity of a main theme and encourages the listener to engage in a transient world of blissful drones with heavenly accord. LISTEN>> |
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CELER - I WISH YOU COULD We are pleased to announce that Celer's “I Wish You Could" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Celer is Will Long, an American ambient artist with an expansive back-catalogue of beautifully produced compositions. "I Wish You Could" swells lightly, yet remains constant. These two arrangements are richly layered with an exhilarating aimless drift. PITP is very excited to hear what is in store for 2019 and beyond. LISTEN>> |
TAYLOR DEUPREE - FALLEN We are pleased to announce that Taylor Deupree's “Fallen" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Fallen is the pinnacle of Dupree's work to date. Masterfully engineered, these compositions exemplify and perfectly define the balance of mass texture and delicate instrumentation. Fallen is gentle, subdued and introspective in nature - undeniably a source of inspiration and an example of ambient brilliance. LISTEN>> |
KBD + WRT - KBD / WRT We are pleased to announce that Kyle Bobby Dunn’s | Wayne Robert Thomas’ “KBD / WRT” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Released as a split between ambient composer Kyle Bobby Dunn and fellow ambient guitar extraordinaire, Wayne Robert Thomas, “KBD / WRT” is a perfect illustration of what these gents do best; billowing, harmonious textures with delightful ebb and flow attributes. A lovely listen indeed and certainly deserving of a spot on PITP’s Top 25 List. LISTEN>> |
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FOREST MANAGEMENT - 21ST CENTURY MAN We are pleased to announce that Forest Management’s “21st Century Man” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Forest Management is the solo ambient project of American composer John Daniel. The album coexists between an ominous and tranquil journey; some of Daniel's most somber and auspicious work to date. As quickly as each composition emerges, it suddenly disintegrates into a dark space of boundlessness. LISTEN>> |
MARCUS FISCHER + SIMON SCOTT - SHAPE MEMORY We are pleased to announce that Marcus Fischer + Simon Scott's "Shape Memory" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Shape Memory is a collaboration between 12k label mates Marcus Fischer and Simon Scott. There’s a captivating density to the sound with plenty of atonal moments. Shape Memory is an album that’s not simply the sum of its parts, but a new creation from two talented explorers. LISTEN>> |
GALLERY SIX - TRIVIAL TREASURES We are pleased to announce that Gallery Six’s - “Trivial Treasures" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Gallery Six is the soundscape project of Japanese composer Hidekazu Imashige. Trivial Treasures offers delicately layered synthscape-based drones meshed with beautifully incorporated field recordings. These compositions are rich in color and shimmering with meditative ponder. LISTEN>> |
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MARKUS GUENTNER - EMPIRE We are pleased to announce that Markus Guentner’s “Empire" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Empire is a dark, contemplative long play. Guentner has a unique approach to manipulating looped drone textures that are vast and sustained, while creating an atmosphere of magnificent proportions. Empire is a divine and introspective listen, worthy of recognition and remembrance. LISTEN>> |
HAKOBUNE - PARHELION We are pleased to announce that Hakobune’s “Parhelion" made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. These compositions are exquisitely dreamy and rich in ambient bliss. Each piece never steers too far away from its theme, which is a good thing. Yorifuji has mastered his craft in creating subtle treatments and panoramic undercurrents. Parhelion is undeniably a stunning piece of work. LISTEN>> |
CHIHEI HATAKEYAMA - AFTERIMAGE We are pleased to announce that Chihei Hatakeyama’s “Afterimage” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Afterimage has extraordinary warmth that is saturated in nostalgia. One will find many moments of awe-inspiring beauty, spectral ambience, and layers of resonant guitar work. Afterimage is a beautiful testament of ethereal music and is a truly euphoric listen. LISTEN>> |
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IAN HAWGOOD + DANNY NORBURY FAINTLY RECOLLECTED We are pleased to announce thatIan Hawgood + Danny Norbury “Faintly Recollected” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Faintly Recollected is a long form piece by Danny Norbury and Ian Hawgood. A beautiful testament to the neo-classical genre, one will find somber and wistful layers of cello accompanied by subdued ambient vignettes. Quiet, evocative, and faint. LISTEN>> |
HELIOS - VERIDITAS We are pleased to announce that Helios’ “Veriditas” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. For the ambient enthusiast, this is easily one of the best collection of compositions of the year. Synth-tones radiate and hum as vignettes, often crisp and cloudless. These pieces are patient, immense, and wondrous without ostentation- a fine balance of texture and harmony. LISTEN>> |
HILYARD - PROMONTORY DRIFT We are pleased to announce that Hilyard’s “Promontory Drift” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. There’s a compelling depth to Hilyard’s work; rich in luminous wonder with radiant, ethereal echoes. Promontory Drift is two spacious ambient drones effortlessly morphing through different melodic shapes and tones. Excited to here a proper long play hopefully in the near future. LISTEN>> |
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HOTEL NEON - MEANS OF KNOWING We are pleased to announce that Hotel Neon’s “Means of Knowing” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Means of Knowing is an introspective journey, evoking blurry memories and gentle melancholy under the canvas of glacial beauty. A truly touching, visceral masterpiece. Limited edition 12" records are still available for purchase here and through Archives Label here. LISTEN>> |
KWAJBASKET - I NEVER THOUGHT... We are pleased to announce that Kwajbasket’s “I never thought I'd find comfort in a voice” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Kwajbasket is an exploration into ambient minimal guitar music fronted by Sam Gould. His latest effort is absolutely stunning. It's an album of quiet, spacious meditations. Slow billows of harmonically rich spaces and reverberating guitars create a sense of weightlessness. A spectacular and inspiring listen. LISTEN>> |
RAFAEL ANTON IRISARRI - SIRIMIRI We are pleased to announce that Rafael Anton Irisarri’s “Sirimiri” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Sirimiri is made of four long and mid-length pieces, each composed of different perspectives, processes and identities. Sirimiri travels inside the beauty and melancholy of an observing eye, a quiet rebel insurrection. Tour de force. Check out other RAI releases on Umor Rex here. LISTEN>> |
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OLAN MILL - CURVES We are pleased to announce that Olan Mill’s “Curves” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Alex Smalley is the mastermind of Olan Mill. Curves is built upon field recordings from his home and various work environments. Layers of processed guitar, synthesizers and voice were added to create a time-capsule of locations and experiences. A wonderful addition to his extensive collection of releases. LISTEN>> |
BENOIT PIOULARD - MAY We are pleased to announce that Benoît Pioulard’s “May” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. “May” is a beautiful account of Meluch’s on-going experimental ambient work. Warm, lush, and saturated in nostalgia- Meluch’s key components always deliver magnificent, stunning arrangements and May is no exception. Meluch is one of the best ambient composers of our time and his works will be revered and cherished for many years to come. LISTEN>> |
POEMME - MOMENTS IN GOLDEN LIGHT We are pleased to announce that Poemme’s “Moments in Golden Light” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Jointly released on Constellation Tatsu and Stereoscenic, Moments in Golden Light is a small collection of daytime soundscapes that are soaked in angelic and ethereal beauty. These delicate compositions slowly drift along, with subtle shapes emerging as they float away across the horizon. Absolutely beautiful. LISTEN>> |
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TAPES AND TOPOGRAPHIES - FATHOMS We are pleased to announce that Tapes and Topographies' “Fathoms” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. The numinous, cosmic qualities of Fathoms are impartially disguised by a veil of gentle sadness, a quality magnified by the sublime echos in and around the freely floating harmonies. Fathoms is meditative and beautifully crafted. LISTEN>> WILLIAM BASINSKI + LAWRENCE ENGLISH - SELVA OSCURA We are pleased to announce that William Basinski's + Lawrence English's “Selva Oscura”made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Selva Oscura emphasizes a collective forbearance; the result of five years of shared spirit and resolve. These tracks slowly and gradually shift with glacial pace. In an eternal state of delicate movement, textures and tones carefully appear and recede in almost indistinguishable motifs creating the sense of continual reveal. There should be no surprise that this collaborative effort is nothing less that a magnificent and awe-inspiring listen. LISTEN>> |
WARMTH - PARALLEL We are pleased to announce that Warmth’s “Parallel” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Warmth is the ambient project by composer Agustín Mena. 'Parallel' offers homage to the minimalist sound of the nineties. A gorgeous example of slow-motion soundscapes that summons the listener to a truly atmospheric state of mind. LISTEN>> |
PHILLIP WILKERSON - REVERIES We are pleased to announce that Phillip Wilkerson’s “Reveries” made it on PITP’s Top 25 List of ambient releases in 2018. Reveries is dreamy, pleasant daydreams shrouded in quiet and diaphanous ambient resonance. Elegant and gentle in its delivery, these movements invoke sanguine sentiments while channeling asomatous reflection. A meditative listen indeed. LISTEN>> |
