The Living Music List #10: On the Aversion and Allure of Alleyways

A mysterious ambient demo for walking down alleyways and a pathway to 50 new music releases from artists like Alliyah Enyo, astropilot, anthéne, Atticus Ross, and more

Read the previous issue of The Living Music List:

The Living Music List #9: On Coming of Age

Currently listening to: Alleyways (Demo) by Melted Form

Reflection

Hello, friend.

Walk down any dark alleyways lately? How did you feel following that narrow path tucked between buildings, tracing the line of a forgotten space that most avoid?

Alleyways are odd places. They are the leftover square footage separating the areas people actually intend to inhabit. When we think of them, we see scattered garbage, scurrying rats, and dark shadows.

They are, in many ways, liminal spaces. Transitional pathways between streets, between edifices. They can also possess that eerie, surreal feeling typical of liminal spaces. It feels a bit wrong to walk within them. There’s an air of danger, even when we see no real threat.

Some of us, however, feel called by these alleways and their dangerous allure. Some cast their gaze down the thin slices of concrete, cobblestone, or pavement, and then feel their feet twitch in its direction. Maybe there is a mystery to be solved, a hole in the wall to be stumbled upon. Not all of us turn away from these thresholds with a scowl and a shudder.

For those who dare to venture down these alleyways, perhaps there is actually a nice moment of peace to be felt. Solitude there in these no man’s lands. Their dangerous auras become shields, protecting those courageous enough to take their dimly lit shortcuts and lurk around their corners.

For those who can befriend the alley cats and the scurrying rats and the darkness, those who seek a shortcut and are willing to pay the price of unease, or for those who may enjoy the embrace of the walls on either side keeping you tucked in… I offer today’s demo track: Alleyways.

An evolving alleyway. Artwork by Gerry J on ArtStation

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Music Recommendations

Hello again, friend.

Thank you for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed the reflection and the track—let me know in the comments what you thought of Alleyways and where it took you.

What other liminal spaces do you feel like we come across in our daily lives that, when you stop and spend some time in them, make you feel many different ways? Empty offices? Elevators? The foyer in your home?

Anyways, let’s get on with today’s list of new music releases. New Feature: I’ve included Bandcamp links for all of the ambient releases to make the discovery process smoother for you ambient fans.

As a reminder or a catch-up note, I provide 2 lists of new music recommendations every week: ambient and all genres. In the all genres category, I tend to prioritize electronic music, but you’ll see everything from alternative to country to metal to indie. It’s definitely worth scanning the whole list and seeing what titles catch your eye! Part of the reason I only provide titles, artists, release type and overarching genre notes is because I want you to enjoy a bit of mystery going to find out why I’ve included a release in my recommendations. And of course, I myself haven’t had a chance to listen to all of these in full, as most have released today or within the last week. But I listen to just enough to know it’s worth exploring further.

Happy Friday and happy listening!

The Living Music List—Ambient

Note: Most of the below ambient projects are available on Bandcamp. The Shōgun and Alien: Romulus soundtracks are available on major streaming services.

1. Selkie Reflections by Alliyah Enyo x Angel R (album / experimental, vocal) [bandcamp]

2. Falling by Henrik Meierkord (album / contemporary classical, drone) [bandcamp]

3. Shadowlorn by Mountain Realm (album / dungeon synth, electroacoustic) [bandcamp]

4. Bodymelt in the Garden of Death by Austyn Wohlers (album / drone, field recordings) [bandcamp]

5. Between the Mountains and the Sky by Astropilot (album / drone, field recordings) [bandcamp]

6. The Longing Daylight by Lee Anthony Norris & Porya Hatami (album / drone, field recordings) [bandcamp]

7. drone for a flower i knew by sea + i (EP / drone, ambient guitar) [bandcamp]

8. And Yet Another Journey Begins by Tales Under the Oak (album / dungeon synth, electronic) [bandcamp]

9. Home Normal x anthéne by Home Normal x anthéne (compilation / drone) [bandcamp]

10. MoKa 24 by Rapoon (album / drone, experimental) [bandcamp]

11. Untold by (LUX) (album / space, essentially a cut of Vangelis’ Blade Runner soundtrack) [bandcamp]

12. Enshrouded Mysteries Beyond Time by X-Orbital (album / space, electronica) [bandcamp]

13. Still Frame 2024 Rework by Lauge & Baba Gnohm (single / drone) [bandcamp]

14. Shōgun (Vol. 2) [Original Soundtrack] by Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross & Nick Chuba (album / film score)

15. Alien: Romulus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Benjamin Wallfisch (album / film score)

The Living Music List—All Genres

Note: All of the below projects are available on major streaming services.

1. Honeycomb by Semma (EP / electronic)

2. EPM: Laurent Garnier (DJ Mix) by Laurent Garnier (DJ mix / techno)

3. Deceltica by Koreless (EP / electronic)

4. The Lunatics (Solomun Remix) by Radio Slave (single / dance)

5. Archetype by ELZACE (EP / dance)

6. Mondrian by Miraj (AU) (single / electronic)

7. Quartz Dust by Inigo Kennedy (EP / dance)

8. Mixed Signals by David Bay (EP / electronic)

9. Immutable by David Castellani (single / techno)

10. Midnight / Frie by Basic Rhythm (single / jungle/drum’n’bass)

11. Milky Way by Koenig Saatgut (EP / techno)

12. ODD002 by frankydrama (EP / techno)

13. Blowminding by Snad (single / techno)

14. F-1 Trillion by Post Malone (album / country)

15. Paradise State of Mind by Foster the People (album / alt pop)

16. Triple Seven by Wishy (album / indie rock)

17. Disaster Trick by Horse Jumper of Love (album / alternative)

18. Quantum Baby by Tinashe (album / R&B/soul)

19. Forever by Charly Bliss (album / pop)

20. El Show Debe Continuar by Little Jesus (album / psych)

21. Stay Golden by Combat (album / alternative)

22. Long Way Home by Ray LaMontagne (album / folk-rock)

23. Before I Disappear Again by NoCap (album / hip-hop/rap)

24. Notes To Self by Tama Gucci (album / pop)

25. Persona by GEL (EP / punk)

26. Endtime Signals by Dark Tranquility (album / metal)

27. My Future by Girl K (album / alternative)

28. Reset Mariachi by Panda Bear, Sonic Boom, & Mariachi 2000 De Cutberto Pérez (EP / alternative)

29. To The Detested by Extinction A.D. (album / metal)

30. Connection Anxiety by Thotcrime (album / metal)

31. In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain by Blind Pilot (album / alternative)

32. Consequences of the Crown by Shelby Lynne (album / country)

33. Delicate Steve Sings by Delicate Steve (album / alternative)

34. Champion by Pom Poko (album / indie pop)

35. The Human Animal by Rare Americans (album / alternative)

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A Note on 10 Issues

Before I go, I wanted to leave a note of thanks to all you readers who have supported me across 10 issues of The Living Music List at Hum, Buzz, & Hiss. Thank you for reading my work, listening to my demos, and sharing your own kind thoughts and music recommendations with me.

I’m leaving tomorrow for vacation in Maine with family, but I intend to still put out another issue next Friday as usual. In fact, I’m hoping to get more writing done than usual since I’ll have a bit more time to relax on my hands. Stay tuned.

I’ll try to include some news stories next issue, sorry for skipping those this week.

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Thanks again for reading. Until next time.

Your friend,

Melted Form

Remember to listen to the hum, buzz, & hiss of the world around you—there is music to be heard there.