V/A :: Sequence5 (Futuresequence)

For fans of all things experimental, ambient and neo-classical you can do no wrong with Sequence5—and if that’s not enough for your ears then head across to the Future Sequence back catalogue for the last four in the Sequence series—only another 168 tracks of excellence waiting for you there.

V/A ‘Sequence5’

[Release page] UK net label and magazine Futuresequence deliver the fifth installment of the Sequenceseries—a free to download collection of 42 tracks showcasing experimental artists from across the globe.

According to the site some 200 tracks were sent in for consideration and the daunting task of whittling that lot down to a mere 42 has been attended to with much care and attention resulting in a stylish and fascinating collection of sounds. The onus here is on the deeper more pensive side of ambient, drone and gentle neo-classical work. Percussion is barely a feature—rather more experimentation with field recordings, synths, instrumentation and brooding introspective atmospherics built from heavy duty audio manipulation. The quality of work is extraordinarily high and the whole compilation runs as a beautiful all round listen with no let-up in excellence from first track to end. It also makes for a superb discovery tool as alongside more established names we find plenty of new artists providing further aural gems for your ears.

From the melancholic piano of Tiny Leaves’ “Breath” to The Oo-Ray’s wonderful epic cello experimentation on “Barriers” to the underwater shimmer of Paskine’s “Dropped Memories,” you will undoubtedly find yourself drawn in, immersed and wondrous at the sheer volume of musical goodness within. Infinite Particles deliver downright beautiful synth and guitar work on “Perhonen II,” whilst Navigator offers a weeping elegance and far too early a fade out on “Drawing Mountains.” Creaking, nervy atmospherics are provided by Prayers, there’s a proper dead of night fog imbued haunting from Max Hampshire and a genius marriage of cello, epic guitar and rhythmic oddities from Guy Gelem on “Remain.” Things are rounded off in style with a highly endearing lullaby for piano “As You Sleep” written by Neil Milton for his niece.

For fans of all things experimental, ambient and neo-classical you can do no wrong with Sequence5—and if that’s not enough for your ears then head across to the Future Sequence back catalogue for the last four in the Sequence series—only another 168 tracks of excellence waiting for you there.

Sequence5 is available on Futuresequence. [Release page]

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