Chilled Vibrations: A Sonic Journey Through Modern Trip-Hop and Lo-Fi

ANKO's "Landing": A Sonic Journey Back to Trip-Hop's Golden Era

In the realm of chillout music, "Landing" by ANKO stands as a testament to the enduring allure of Trip-Hop and Lo-Fi beats, reminiscent of the genre's golden era in the 90s and early 2000s. Crafted by the Parisian duo Nicolas de Ferran and Antoine F. Martin, "Landing" embodies a modern production approach to beatmaking, infused with the spirit of abstract hip-hop. ANKO's journey began with a collaboration on music for primetime TV shows and documentaries, eventually evolving into an original project driven by a passion for creating. Their debut E.P., "Waved," released in March 2018, is a harmonious blend of electronic textures and acoustic warmth, drawing from diverse influences including hip-hop, classical music, and jazz. This track, in particular, is a prime example of ANKO's ability to weave oxymoronic elements into a sound that is both soothing and invigorating.

"Ascension" by Mark Ski: Elevating Beats to New Heights

"Ascension" serves as the lead track of Mark Ski's "Mountains," an album designed to musically narrate life's highs and lows through an exploration of Hip-Hop's instrumental sub-genres. This track offers an uptempo journey, heavily influenced by the likes of DJ Shadow, UNKLE, and RJD2, featuring a blend of break-centric beats, funk samples, and layered synth textures. Mark Ski, a prominent figure in the Northampton Hip-Hop scene, leverages his vast experience as a DJ, turntablist, and producer to craft a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. His work, celebrated in various prestigious platforms, embodies the essence of classic instrumental Hip-Hop while introducing contemporary elements, making "Ascension" a compelling addition to any chillout playlist.

"Eclectic" from Odelet: Blurring the Lines Between Genres

As a prelude to her much-anticipated album "Pisces Pie," Odelet's single "Eclectic" promises an amalgamation of genres that transcends traditional musical boundaries. Hailing from Detroit and now based on the west coast, Odelet's versatility as a singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist allows her to create an immersive auditory and visual experience. Her upcoming album, inspired by a love for old-school Hip-Hop and siren singers, is anticipated to be a homage to her diverse musical influences, ranging from Jazz to R&B. "Eclectic," as the name suggests, serves as a sneak peek into Odelet's experimental approach to music, blending her unique vocal style with classic Hip-Hop production elements. This track not only showcases Odelet's innovative spirit but also hints at the depth and variety listeners can expect from "Pisces Pie."

Underground trip-hop hailing from Northern Greece

‘Rhuba’ presents trip hop and abstract hip hop with a fresh identity across 17 tracks.

Inspired by hip hop and childhood cassette tapes, beatmaker Mononome began his music making journey in 2011. His music is based around sampling, which he developed his own style of ethereal downtempo, nu jazz and instrumental hip hop. Currently one of the key figures in the vibrant Greek electronic scene, Mononome often performs freestyle and improvisational live sessions around Europe with his MPC set up. 

Mononome incorporates an alternative and diverse approach to his music. For his album ‘Two Thirds’, he made a soundtrack for investigative reporter Ian Urbina’s new book “The Outlaw Ocean” utilizing field recordings from the reporter’s global travels. Whereas his release ‘We Grew So Far Apart’ accentuates Bulgarian folk elegy songs with glitchy abstract patterns. 

Featuring an abstract and holographic album cover, ‘Rhuba’ brings together a compilation of 17 songs by various artists. Diffract Records released both digital and vinyl versions on September 30th, with the latter limited to 500 copies and sporting double 12” vinyl in a full printed gatefold cover. Mononome’s ‘Of Past And Present’ sits in a laid back atmosphere with downtempo bass and drums, easing the listener into the album before the tracks drift more into electronica later on.

Support the album on Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify

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