#81: An Exquisite Corpse

A fun, new collaborative mix from myself and 7 other DIY ambient artists + plenty more music to kick off March

Currently listening to: Exquisite Corpse II by Studio Obscura

Now available for free download on Bandcamp

Hello, friend.

I’m excited to share a new collaboration with you this week. Meet Exquisite Corpse II: a mix of 8 ambient tracks from 8 independent artists, including myself and a bunch of fine folks from the Studio Obscura community (who also happen to overlap into our Hum, Buzz, & Hiss community!)

The concept of an exquisite corpse may be familiar to you—it’s a work of art that is created through the process of one artist making something, which then inspires another artist to make something else, and so on down the line. In the case of Studio Obscura’s Exquisite Corpse series, the rules are:

1. One artist creates a song.

2. Another artist uses the last 30 seconds of that song in some way to create their own song.

3. Everyone tries to avoid listening to each other’s full tracks until the entire mix is finished.

What you’ll hear is a lovely collection of lush pads, airy drones, intricate textures, and subtle echoes of melody. It truly is a seamless blend from one track into the next to the point that it feels almost indistinguishable—a longform, 40+ minute ambient work that goes here, there, and everywhere.

It was a ton of fun to be a part of, and I’m honored that I was given the opportunity to kick off the process with the very first track. Special shoutout to dreamwarper for inviting me to take part and ant for organizing and mixing/mastering the whole thing.

By the way, this is the second iteration in the EC series—if you’d like to listen to the EC1, it’s name-your-price on Bandcamp.

Exquisite Corpse II artist lineup:

Melted Form
Channel 21
Outerlab
ellipses
Bleeptwig
Our Forgotten Future
dreamwarper
Uneven Shade

P.S. Want to come hang and maybe collaborate with us in the future? You can meet most of this gang in the Hum, Buzz, & Hiss Discord Community!

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The Living Music List

Hello again, friend. I hope you enjoy your autopsy of Exquisite Corpse II—and I hope you’ll also enjoy the other great new records I’ve got in store for you this week.

By the way, it’s also Bandcamp Friday! Today, March 6, 100% of your money spent on Bandcamp goes directly to the artists and labels from whom you’re purchasing records. Good day to cross some albums off your wish list!

Happy listening.

1. The Quiet Below by Clariloops (album / electroacoustic, melodic) [Whitelabrecs]

   Ruby Ester Mae Lulham’s work as Clariloops is my much needed reminder that the clarinet exists and is quite underrated. She improvises with it here to hypnotic effect, but its presence is amplified by the variety of electronic sounds forming the bed on which the clarinet can dream. Clariloops experimented with synths like the Organelle M and the Arturia Microfreak, as well as the iconic Hologram Electronics Microcosm effects pedal. The resulting works are dreamy, melodic blends of airy woodwind acoustics and digital tones.

   Whitelabrecs label head Harry Towell invited Adrian Newton to host an insightful interview with Clariloops that I’d recommend you check out if you’re interested in learning more about her production process and inspirations.

   

2. gentle voices, vol. 1 by cloud collecting + Echoes Blue Music (compilation / minimalist, New Age) [cloud collecting / Echoes Blue Music]

   I’ve long been a reader of Cynthia Bernard’s cloud collecting newsletter, which features the work of women and gender-expansive artists in the ambient space. You’ve also probably seen me recommend her music as marine eyes several times. Now, she’s connected with Anita Tatlow of Echoes Blue Music (all:ambient fans, anyone?) to expand cloud collecting into a label. gentle voices, vol. 1 is the debut compilation of this collaborative curation, featuring 10 pairs of artists from around the globe who were selectively matched and asked to create a track under the titular theme. Overall, the compilation feels soft, warm, and light on the ears. It’s full of beautiful, reflective moments, whether they are scored by tender guitar, processed piano, ethereal vocals, or reverberating synth pads. A fitting record to celebrate International Women’s Day this Sunday, March 8!

   

3. Autechre Guitar by Shane Parish (album / ambient guitar) [Palilalia]

   First off, I have a confession: I’m actually not the biggest Autechre fan. Gasp! I know, take away my ambient electronic fan club card. Truth is, I don’t mean that I don’t like Autechre—I have really enjoyed everything I’ve heard from Autechre (ie, Amber and Tri Repetae)—but I must then be honest in acknowledging that there is so much I still haven’t gotten around to listening to. Thankfully, that didn’t stop me from loving the hell out of these 10 twangy, pastoral fingerstyle guitar adaptations of classic Autechre tracks, pulled from 4 of their classic 1990s-era albums (I was halfway prepared!) It also didn’t occlude me from knowing how remarkable this effort must have been for Shane Parish to interpret Autechre’s complex electronic compositions for guitar. Autechre Guitar is simply a brilliant listen, whether you’re an Autechre die-hard or just a poser like me. ;)

1. HELP(2) by Various Artists (compilation / alternative) [War Child Records]

   In 1995, the charity organization War Child raised funds by sponsoring the release of The Help Album, a compilation featuring 20 tracks from like Oasis, The Stone Roses, Radiohead, Portishead, Sinéad O'Connor, and more. It was a cultural moment, I’ve heard (1997 baby here). Now, over 30 years later, War Child has released HELP(2), a new compilation for the 2020s with 23(!) tracks from some of the most exciting artists, new and old, spanning multiple genres, but mainly in the very wide alternative scene. Black Country, New Road, Arooj Aftab, Depeche Mode, Big Thief, Cameron Winter, Pulp, Wet Leg, Olivia Rodrigo… oh my. Oh, and acclaimed film director Jonathan Glazer was Creative Director for HELP(2), overseeing the filming and art direction for the project. I’ve only listened to the pre-release singles thus far, but I’m excited the full comp is finally here. All proceeds from this album support War Child UK to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living through conflict around the world.

   

2. Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally by Harry Styles (album / pop) [Columbia]

   Harry Styles is officially back (and he’ll be back for major residencies at arenas like MSG and Wembley Stadium later this year too). When I first heard lone single Aperture, I wasn’t necessarily wowed, but I did appreciate the electronic direction the production was taking. I’m very happy to see that direction has been fully committed to on this new record. From my listening of the full record thus far, I’ve got sparkles in my ears while I analyze the blown out but subtle drum breaks on Season 2 Weight Loss, the funky bass line of Dance No More, and the synth patterns on Ready, Steady, Go! There are still glam rock elements and quieter cuts, but overall, this record feels like somewhat of a sizable swing from an instrumental standpoint compared to Styles’ previous records—what excited me about certain tracks like Music for a Sushi Restaurant are sprinkled all over. And it’s certainly making me want to dance and sing along.

3. fabric SELECTS VI by Various Artists (compilation / dance) [fabric Originals]

   Speaking of dancing, here’s a comp of 16 dance tracks from London-based imprint fabric Originals. It’s hard-hitting, gritty, and somehow both dark and vibrant at the same time. It feels timeless, with some cuts echoing dancefloor classic and others feeling quite progressive and modern. If I wasn’t sick with a cold this weekend, I’d love to use this as pregame inspiration before transitioning to a club (who am I kidding though, I’m almost never at clubs lol). But this record makes me want to spend every Saturday night sweating under the strobe lights!

Music List Reminders: Bandcamp links provided first when available—if an album is not on Bandcamp, then YouTube, Soundcloud, or other preview links are provided. List format: Title by Artist (release type / approximate genre or subgenres) [Label].

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That’s all for this week’s issue. Thank you for reading. Until next time.

Your friend,

Melted Form

Read the previous issue of The Living Music List:

#80: Survival Instincts

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