Released in September 2013 Tussenlicht is Anne Chris Bakker's second solo recording (Weerzien, 2012), which I haven't heard so judging progression of sound or technique is not possible. Let me say first off that I was surprised that this CD played on what seemed to be the label side of the disk. It's just a black surface on one side and the silver surface on the other. Logic would demand playing the silver side but actually you play the black side. Freaky! Anyway, as far as the music is concerned this is an enjoyable example of Brian Eno inspired minimalistic ambience (even if she doesn't think she's copying him. These complicated webs of influence happen all the time in music). Music in a dream-state, consonant tones playing over a sound bed of droney electronic (I'm guessing here) loops. But this isn't as static in tonality as Eno's stuff is. There's the added dimension of location recordings to put the music in the real world, giving it a sense that there's a living, breathing person behind it all. If the music had been in a minor key it would have been sad and creepy, but it isn't. Just a bit of "slice of life," like staring out your window while the music is playing in the room behind you, the sounds of the neighborhood and the music reaching the ears at the same time. Something to listen to at the end of a long day to wind down, or on a quiet Sunday afternoon, sitting in a comfortable chair with your eyes closed. Nothing earth-shatteringly new (is that even possible anymore?) but I liked it.

After you get past the truth that there's really nothing new under the sun, the next step will be how well it is done. What we have here is yet another release of dark ambiences, this time with the addition of field recordings. The CD is divided into two parts of three tracks each, all fulfilling their role as set pieces for this meditation on the ultimate. Sounds flow in and out of our perception, sometimes taking control of our attention, sometimes existing just at the edge of our consciousness. Whether all this does what the artist intended is up to you I suppose. I would characterize this as the sonic equivalent of waiting for the sun to come up in the morning. Listen to it on headphones in the dark. One of very many same such releases out there but I consider it above average in execution.

Great, great, great isolationist dark ambient. Three tracks that suck you in and hold you tight. Dark, menacing and ultimately enjoyable. The sonic equivalent of walking in the woods just after dusk and catching something large moving in the corner of your eye. Adrenalin pumping, heart pounding, and blood thumping in your ears. Did I say this was great stuff!

Gushing Cloud [love the name] is basically Gus Kumo. A delectable mixture of electronic music genres all done in a satisfying fashion, giving the listener something different every 3-5 minutes with most of the tracks running into each other to produce a nice suite-like atmosphere. There's seven tracks on this CDR/EP of electronica, hip hop beats, ambient atmospheres, and general sonic experimentalism that keeps things interesting. Nice dark ambiences too. Check it out if you have ADD or just like a good mix of things musical.

A collection of 15 tracks using various samples, vocals, and instruments tortured in various ways, all in a pleasantly child-like manner. This second release by the duo MFTF, specifically Gary Young and Arthur Harrison, is all very free form while still trying to be actual songs. Most of the tracks are under three minutes so they have their say and get on with the next one, which is probably why this works so well. A bit dark at times, and disturbing too. Like a kid burning ants with a magnifying glass. The first step in the development of a serial killer or a healthy outlet? You decide.