DA’s Sunday Morning Medicine: Volume 132

by: Will McCarthy Feb 21, 2016

Sunday Morning Medicine is a feature from Dancing Astronaut dedicated to the mellower side of electronic music. We bring you our favorite therapeutic selections — old and new — in an attempt to alleviate the agonizing effects of a long weekend of partying.

1. Not all that glitters is gold, and not all that soothes is saccharine. “A Pledge” is one of the few pieces from Gesaffelstein‘s Maryland score that adheres to any classic musical sensibilities. Though fundamentally harrowing because of its dissonant melodies and discordant ambience, “A Pledge” evokes a calming catharsis that mollifies in a unique way.

2. Vocalist/guitarist Novo Amor’s “Anchor” is comforting song that is nothing short of opioid in character. Romanian producer Boehm leaves the original vocalizations and guitar work largely intact, melding them with tasteful percussion, ambient fills, and mellifluous synthesis. Ultimately, Boehm’s understated re-envisioning of “Anchor” is tranquil, but not trite.

3. London-based imprint Erased Tapes Records has received critical acclaim for their eclectically avant-garde selections to release. While most famed for backing electronic artists like Kiasmos, the label also releases a plethora of contemporary classical music. In November 2015, Erased Tapes released Rivers and Streams, an album from veteran composer Lubomyr Melnyk. The 67-year old Ukrainian pianist enraptures listeners with his signature style of “continuous music” in the album’s first piece “Parasol.”

4. Los Angeles-based producer Tsuruda has amassed a very diverse catalogue of music in his short time. Often leaning toward vigorous bass, and often veering in the opposite direction entirely, Tsuruda implements his jazz roots as a constant throughout all of his music. Tsuruda’s most recent song, “for matthew [legendsneverdie],” is an elegiac piece honoring the recent passing of producer Dr. Derg. Tsuruda channels Derg’s serene style by fusing elements of subtle hip-hop percussion, lo-fi sampling, and jazz instrumentation.

5. It’s hard to believe that Marcel Everett was only 16 years old when he broke into the public eye with his sophomore album, the self-titled XXYYXX. Perhaps the most tranquil track amidst a very serene selection, “Breeze” is perennially ideal for springtime relaxation. As winter approaches its final throes, “Breeze” is a fitting conclusion to this week’s edition of Sunday Morning Medicine.