Angel Eyes - “Off the Floor”

If you were into collecting obscure psych tapes back in late 2010, you may have stumbled across a cassette release called Dire Dish. This debut drone-pop album from the mysterious Australian artist called Angel Eyes was released under the radar on Not Not Fun.

Now, Angel Eyes has a new full-length cassette called Vice to Vice, which is currently out on the Moon Glyph label. This dreamy collection of burned-out alien drone-pop jams is the work of Melbourne’s Andrew Cowie. As if he’s transmitting a murky sludge of ancient extraterrestrial wisdom into the caverns of primordial life, Cowie’s warped vocals, distant drum machine taps, and dizzy synths immerse the listener in waves of color and ambient bliss.

Listen to “Off the Floor,” the almost-danceable seven-minute space jam that lifts you high in the sky onto a bed of pink fluffy clouds infested with neo-reptilian tentacles. Or should I say, wherever your imagination takes you.

Vice to Vice is currently available for sale as a limited edition cassette, with a run of 150 tapes from Moon Glyph. The tape features six spacey tracks, with cover art by Suzanne Pfutzenreuter. Get ‘em while they’re hot.

Keys Cut - “A Basement”

[Fall Asleep Already, self-released, 2011]

Dylan Khotin-Foote (of Happy Trendy, Kumon Plaza) recently introduced me to this fantastic new instrumental electronic EP from one of his Canadian pals, a Vancouver artist who performs under the name Keys Cut. Fall Asleep Already contains five lovely, chilled-out ambient tracks perfect for ending a long day.

“A Basement” is the fluttering, airy opener which sets the tranquil tone for the rest of this release. Nothing abrasive here, but nothing dull either. Just seventeen minutes of calm, beautiful electronic sounds to fill your ears and relax your sprit.

Download the rest of the EP from the Keys Cut bandcamp page. Chill out, it’s free.

Ra Cailum - “Close My Eyes”

Anthony Engelhardt (a.k.a. Ra Cailum) has just released a digital copy of his new album Walkabout for free on his Bandcamp, where you can stream/download the album in its entirety. Walkabout will be available on cassette from Wonder Beard Records soon, most likely in January. 

This album maintains a distinct sound of ambient synth-pop and boasts some crafty beats, as apparent on the track “Close My Eyes” which is posted above for your listening pleasure.

Here is a word from Anthony on his recording process, as posted on his Bandcamp:

I made this over the course of my tenure at SAIC. It’s supposed to sound like Owen or Cap’n Jazz. I wanted to make a more emotionally-driven album, instead of making tracks that were based on formal aspects within the song. I improvised a lot of the vocals, and most of them were recorded in one or two takes, with very minimal editing. I hope y’all dig it! 

Solar Bears - “Perpetual Meadow”

[She Was Coloured In, Planet Mu, 2010]

It seems that this week has truly been a time of giving within the musical blogosphere, with unexpected new releases from Atlas Sound, GOBBLE GOBBLE, and Jaded Hipster Choir, among others. Today, John Kowalski of the band Solar Bears was kind enough to send me a digital copy of their album She Was Coloured In which was released on Planet Mu Records this past September. You can pick up your copy here.

The album is a spacey, colorful treat with an ambiance crafted from otherworldly electronics, crystal clear synths, and the occasional guitar melody giving the album a deeply human touch. The whole thing comes together on the closing track “Perpetual Meadow” which intertwines harmonious textures of acoustic and electronic bliss to send you sailing off into the clouds.

Ricky Eat Acid - “Bones”

Last night rising musician Sam Ray (a.k.a. Ricky Eat Acid) announced his brand new EP called Sometimes We’re Blue, which is available for free/name your own price download on his Bandcamp. His latest EP takes a different direction than last month’s dark, sample driven Dance With U EP. On Sometimes We’re Blue, we find him creating beautiful, ambient, piano-centric melodies perfect for Sunday morning.

Listen to “Bones” (posted above) and “I Found Your Flower Crown” (over at Clap Clap Colour). If you like what you hear, which I am sure you will, you can stream/download the rest of the EP here.