V/A :: Mindfield (Psychonavigation)

Like passing through the past two-decades of ambient, techno, electronica, noise, IDM and any other possible sub-genre, Keith Downey (label boss) has inadvertently retraced the foundations of the scene and given it a fresh new face. Like an archeological discovery, ancient electrical artifacts are now presented with a 2011 spin, creating for a new trajectory of what’s to come. Win a copy of this compilation!

V/A 'Mindfield'

[Release page] Labels like Warp began the electronic listening music campaign back in the mid-90’s with their highly-effective Artificial Intelligence series. DeFocus treadled a similar groove in the early 2000’s with Did You See? which crossed the lines between cooled melodica and Detroit-inspiring interludes. Neo Ouija kept with a constant signature around the same time as they unveiled their Cottage Industries series; a smattering of electronics filled with brightly polished outtakes on precision bleeps and tweaks. But just as Artificial Intelligence had a visual and audible appeal, Psychonavigation have compiled a parallel assortment of music spanning wider fields. Not solely composed of peaceful sonic bubbles and dusty ambiences, Mindfield stretches genres to a state of deformation, and recomposes them for a broader audience to consume. Similar to the releases mentioned above, each of these sonic escapades reveal an exciting chance to get back to the root of it all. Prime quality electronics pinpointing each step of the way; its spotlighted artists are original sculptors of this century. And although folks like The Black Dog, Scanner, Spacetime Continuum and The Future Sound of London have been long at it, they still manage to spark just enough inspiration to get the ball rolling.

Pyschonavigation’s press release, perhaps the best descriptor for this massive package of music, easily guides its fans to Mindfield‘s hidden audio treasures. Like passing through the past two-decades of ambient, techno, electronica, noise, IDM and any other possible sub-genre, Keith Downey (label boss) has inadvertently retraced the foundations of the scene and given it a fresh new face. Like an archeological discovery, ancient electrical artifacts are now presented with a 2011 spin creating a new trajectory of what’s to come.

A quick glance at the tracklisting reveals that some homework was done to draw listeners towards Psychonavigation’s audible canvass. Featuring a vast reaching scope, artists include Zombie Computer, Robert Leiner, David Morley, Karol Gwóźdź, Anodyne, Sense, Norken, Boxcutter (to name a few). Raw experiments in electronics with a knack for touching the ears, heart and mind has each of these fragments creating identities worth seeking further. Kudos to Psychonavigation for trudging a pathway for these artists to expand their horizons while keeping a centered focus on style.

Win a copy of Mindfield by filling out the comment field below with your thoughts about this compilation, any of its artists or Psychonavigation! Only three available for igloomag.com readers.

Minefield is out now on Pyschonavigation. [Release page]