Grouper - "The Man Who Died In His Boat"

Sorry for the lack of updates yesterday and today, humanoids.  It's just been one of those lazy summer weeks.  Chill out and be lazy with Portland's Liz Harris as she sings you to sleep under the alias of Grouper.  Sit under a big shady tree and nap to this.

GROUPER - "THE MAN WHO DIED IN HIS BOAT"

Kranky Records 2013

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Blue Hawaii - "Untogether"

Alex Cowan & Raphaelle Standell-Preston have made a fantastic debut LP together under the moniker Blue Hawaii.  Relaxing and hypnotic, the softly kinetic acoustics of "Try To Be" skitter under an ethereal new age wash.  Dubstep-esque drops harken the arrival of "In Two" before the song takes on new life as a trance-forged butterfly.  Unlike so much electronic music being made these days, Blue Hawaii manage to avoid so many of the same cliches and pitfalls that ensnare their contemporaries.  Infusing their sound with ambient and new age influences gives the entire affair a feeling of intimacy and meditative sensuality that will titillate devotees of The xx.  This is baby-making music that has depth and substance from a compositional standpoint.  Light some Nag Champa and get lost.

 

BLUE HAWAII - "UNTOGETHER"

Arbutus Records 2013

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The Range - "Nonfiction"

A seemingly out-of-nowhere release, "Nonfiction" was a pleasant surprise to me during the cool autumn months of 2013.  The Range has created an album which reminds me of some of my favorite parts of Bonobo and Four Tet without ever compromising his unique sound.  Jungle drums and R&B-indebted keyboards coalesce into a compelling froth, adding a signature twist to the downtempo goodness.  Not quite a total chillout album, as some of these albums could take on new life on the dance floor, "Nonfiction" is still a remarkably relaxing listen.  I've spent many a late night and early morning immersed in it, and it continues to draw me in nearly a year later.

THE RANGE - "NONFICTION"

Donkey Pitch/Project: Mooncircle 2013

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