Ambient

(Brian Eno, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream)

Eskaei: Bits Is All There Is

Eskaei is actually the one-man crew of Stefanos Kourtis. This talented artist has been making his own mix of eclectic electronic hip hop; skilfully creating a lush soundscape filled and inspired by hip hop music. Stefanos is also the brainchild for netlabel, Memory Format. He started it around 2006. He has also released several songs as well as compilations using different monikers in various netlabels. As Eskaei, he focuses more on his love for "electronically generated sounds;" creating a wonderful hodgepodge of elements that are both pleasant, complex yet easy to relax to.

Tracks to Sync – June 2011 (mp3 mix)

Tracks to Sync, June 2011 (MP3 Mix) is a pretty cool monthly compilation from Free Music Archive. This time around, the mix was inspired and made especially with the FMA online producer in mind. The songs focus on instrumental ambient tracks from new and up-and-coming artists in the indie online music world. There have been several "Tracks to Sync" mixes released on the site as well. Some of the previous ones include two versions of Ten Tracks to Sync, one featuring selections at FMA prior to 2011 and ones that were gathered right at the onset of the year. There's also a special compilation aimed for YouTubers to choose from and use in their videos.

Mind Cinema: Sun Beat

Spearheaded by Javier Elizondo, Priscila Orfanos, and Gerardo Gamez, Mind Cinema is a Monterrey/Vancouver band that creates surreal, numbing soundscapes, perfectly capturing the ambiguity, chaos and beauty of the subconscious. Their sound carefully touches on electronica, ambient and shoegaze indie rock. Sun Beat is the group's first EP. It comes with 8 tracks tinged with dreamy sounds that crosses between the unpredictability of The Flaming Lips and ambient landscapes of Sigur Ros. Listening to the record is like getting blown away into a dreamland where beauty and madness mix freely and are emanating from the same source. It's a record worth having. The group also has several cool videos on Youtube, check those as well. They perfectly capture the band's unique sound.
StrangeZero: Future is a Choice You Make

StrangeZero: Future is a Choice You Make

StrangeZero are in fact SteliosZero and Io-V from Greece. Their music is a wonderful combination of electronic sounds strongly influenced by the good days of Harthouse and Eye Q., strong acid 303 trips and experimental ambient sounds. While they already released some of their recordings on many commercial CDs by Sony BMG and TSOE, they are also keeping with the tradition by making five of their albums and two EPs available as a free download under the Creative Commons license. What separates StrangeZero and their latest EP Future is a Choice You Make from others is the level of quality and the professional production that will surely keep you listening.

John Praw: John Praw

Wisconsin based ambient musician, John Praw, creates a stunning work of ambient sounds that swirls and sweeps you away with its moody soundscape. This self-titled release is a compilation of tracks that were written and recorded between 2006 to 2011. This album is actually available for sale but you can grab the download as long you credit back to the site and the artist, of course. His first debut record is an amazing mixture of sounds that reflect a dark, gloomy mood. Despite the gloom, it's a beautiful piece that's should be worth a listen.

Fauve! Gegen A Rhino

Fauve! Gegen A Rhino is an experimental electronic, noise band. Their sound is a mixture of unusual sounds, guitar distortions, weird chimes and occasional haunting/cryptic vocals. This is the second official release from the three piece crew. Made up of Andrea, Matteo and Riccardo; this eclectic, electronic noise rock trio have members that are all in their early 20s. Despite the young age, they create a sound that is unique and encompasses a multitude of genres. If you love electronic pop or pretty much anything that can be characterized as an odd combination of sound, noise, bits and bobs; take a listen.

Bryn Thomas: Feel For Bumps EP

Feel for Bumps is the fourth EP released under indie netlabel, Cut Records. This four track compilation circles around hip hop, drum & bass and dub beats. The mastermind behind this EP is none other than Bristol based producer, Bryn Thomas. His brand of music explores various elements of hip hop and electronica, creating a wonderful sonic experience. He carefully mixes these to generate a nice, laid-back menagerie of sounds. The album is available as a pay-for-what-you-want download on BandCamp. It's a refreshing piece that's perfect if you're looking for something to play on your chill house party or simply something to relax to.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith: A Collector’s Guidebook

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is not a spy duo making music on the side, it's actually the pet project of model and songwriter, Hollis Smith. The album is a very low key folk record that's perfect for bundling up beside the fireplace on a cold, winter day. This 10 track album is only one of several compilations already released by the artist. Although the songs are quite simple, there's a certain mysterious aura that circles most of the tracks. It's this beauty that makes the album worth listening to over and over again. Play it as background music as you read or as you work, it's certainly a wonderful piece to complement your day.

Daniel Wyckoff: The Quadrature

The Quadrature by Daniel Wyckoff is an acoustic instrumental progressive haven. It's not everyday that we cover instrumentals here in Frostclick, so here's one to feast your ears on. Daniel Wyckoff is a guitar aficionado that has just released his second record of nothing but sweet acoustic guitar goodness for free. His second album, A Shift, is available as a free download on Jamendo. Before that though, he released The Quadrature which feature a lite-prog and math rock sound. The recording quality isn't perfect but you have to admire this guy's skill and what he can do with his guitar.