zakè | Spieth | Guentner :: Arcadia (Affin)

If you’re into sonic continuums and slowly evolving, reflective soundscapes, there’s no doubt that Arcadia will satisfy your need for emotional escapism and contemplative journeys.

Where tonal colors flow gently

Three renowned representatives of modern-day ambient music and textured atmospherics join forces to release a meticulously crafted album, where tonal colors flow gently, adorned with sinuous micro-details and subtle variations, inviting the listener to immerse themselves in a revitalizing spiritual bath.

zakè is the owner of Past Inside the Present Indianapolis-based label which explores an infinite range of microtonalism, tape loops, and subtly evocative dronescapes around the production of multifaceted contributing artists. Zach Frizzell (alias zakè) released numerous albums solo and in collaboration; mostly self-published and occasionally released by other net indie labels. Joachim Spieth is the owner of Affin, founded in 2007, a fabulous label and among finest providers of challenging electronic music around. He is also a skilled sound artist with a vast catalog. Markus Guenter notably published materials on Affin (see our reviews) and is actually one of the most honored sound artists with a musical trajectory which started back from the early 2000s on the legendary Kompakt.

Arcadia presents a heavenly, enveloping, and beatific collection of pieces that resonate within the vast inner sanctuary of one’s soul, following the timeless signature of aural soundscapes forged by sound artists such as Robert Rich, Matthias Grassow, Rod Modell, and Harold Budd, as well as Japanese spiritual sound alchemists from the Ongaku (environmental music) movement. The difference comes from the arrangements and additional somber/grainy micro-sound motifs that appear in the mix—sometimes imposing heart moving melancholic feelings next to more soothing and relaxing dreamlike moments.

If you’re into sonic continuums and slowly evolving, reflective soundscapes, there’s no doubt this album will satisfy your need for emotional escapism and contemplative journeys.

Arcadia is available on Affin. [Bandcamp]