Musique libre

Here's something you don't hear everyday! A field recording from the outskirts of Bandung in West Java in Indonesia. "REAK, a ritual from an animistic past clinging to an urban present," according to the liner notes. Music propels the participants into a deep trance, exchanging consciousness for an invisible, wild spirit, a transition from human to animal consciousness.

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Atmospheric ambient drones with guitar loops, drum machine and keyboards.

Search 'lofi hip hop' on Youtube and you'll likely find many mixes with "chill/study/relax" in the title, plastered with an anime thumbnail image. 

I don't know about you, but from where I am (Singapore), these playlists are EVERYWHERE. Almost everyone I know are either listening to these mixes or a new upload by Majestic Casual. 

Because of the popularity of these playlists, Trip Hop (used synomously with Downtempo - though the latter has a cleaner, less 'earthy' sound) is 'Lofi Hip Hop' to the people in this region. 

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Their formula is simple, but the results are wonderful. Just because something is labeled 'minimalist' doesn't mean it can't be layered and interesting. A group that demonstrates this principle beautifully are Battery Operated Orchestra: the duo of Chris Black and Brigitte Rose from Brighton, UK. Their "Wish List" EP has only four tracks, but it packs a lot of enjoyment into those fifteen minutes. See if you agree and have a listen below! 

Unthunk has released Coin, the fourth full length release from Happy Puppy Records on freemusicarchive.org.

Coin consists of two distinct halves. From the perspective of a make-believe suicide cult, the first half combines functional music-making in support of the Order of Eternal Tranquility's ceremonies with studies by and about the cult's key characters. 

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Inspired by our love of thrash metal guitar riffs and the repetition and overlapping time signatures of minimal music.

Yan Terrien is a French musician who experiences inspiration for his music all over his life: from mathematical experiments and outer space, to time spent in hospitals, his music is an expression of his mind, body and soul. We find his music compelling, as well as the stories behind his songs. Give our interview a read below: 

FMA: Tell us a little about yourself. 

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Over the course of more than 190 tracks spanning 15 releases, The Polish Ambassador has generously shared more music than most at the Free Music Archive through Jumpsuit Records. We are delighted to recommend his new album, "Twilight Safari," from its beautiful cover art to the killer tracks themselves.

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"“The Gang’s All Here” is a mindfulness parable. It's about the self’s attention, as it’s lured into thought, and away from the present. 

I made a video for it which I think is pretty funny: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrREp-5s0To

Love,

CS

French indie-pop band Juniore visited WFMU to perform on Sophisticated Boom Boom with Sheila B on Friday, July 13 2018. Their session was added to the archive this week, and we wanted to shine a spotlight on these wonderful tracks. There are elements of Françoise Hardy and other slinky French pop stars that came before, but there are also clear through-lines to early rock and roll, from overblown organ interludes to bluesy bass walks, and a touch of surf here and there. 

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FOO FEST is AS220's annual summer block party all-ages fundraiser in downtown Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday, August 18th, 2018!

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Retrowave is a term used to describe music that hearkens back to early synth sounds used in pop. In this case, think of early Japanese animation. Fast cars, chunky moto jackets, night marketplaces, dance clubs and asymmetrical hair. It might also be called Citypop - a term that is a jazzy, cosmopolitan sound that was all the rage in 1980s Japan. This album, Osaka Lights, brings the more synth-driven sound to the fore.

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If the occasional daydream involves you fighting epic space bosses, you're in for a treat. 

This week's special is Dark Electronic, flavoured with sinister industrial beats, heavy wub bass and gritty synths.

Menace has never felt so good. 

This selection of #DarkElectronic from the FMA is brought to you by Musiio, A.I. generated playlists. Got something else you think we should check out? Comment below!

Ysabel @ Musiio

The "Enchanted Forest" of Rod Hamilton and Tiffany Seal is a many-splendored listen. Each track has its own texture and unique flow. The opening, title track introduces the album in a calming, meditative way, but the rest of the album veers from that path often, to introduce new sonic landscapes.

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