Former Selves - Hope

Former Selves stuns on Bridgetown Records with five hazy, shimmering, tracks that float effortlessly between minimalism, and lush romantic dreamscapes. Great melodic stuff that shows just how musical you can be while remaining intelligent and challenging. This is not the brain drill wall of noise stuff that pervades so much of the tape scene. This is the lost soundtrack to an 8mm film of the perfect summer night you dreamed about.

I purchased my copy direct from Bridgetown, and got a personal email from Kevin who runs the label with links to all sorts of awesome extras. Plus, they've got a new batch of five tapes on the way, and a good amount of touring going on. Give these guys the support they deserve by going here.

Belarisk - II

New tape from Belarisk on Semanta Productions. Interesting and varied sounds from 8 bit to melodic, to harsh noise, and all of it enjoyable. Deconstructed melodies played backwards through decaying factory machinery, or some other type of metaphor that imparts a sense that this release is outstanding. The track, "Serpent Lays and Egg In a Unreachable Relm" is one of the most emotive, moving pieces of harsh electronica I've experienced. I wasn't familar with Belarisk or Semanta before this release, but will certainly become more so now.

I purchased my tape at the fastest shipping distro on earth, Discriminate, There appear to be a few copies left from Semanta as well.

:Of the Wand and the Moon: - The Lone Descent

New album out on 2LP from Neo Folk legend Kim Larsen. Beautiful, heartbreaking, joyous music. A bit more emotive, and less ritualistic than prior OTWATM offerings. What intrigues me most about Larsen's work is the sense of cohesion that runs throughout each album. Every moment, instrument, song, and album has a sorrowful, breathtaking sense that remains completely unbroken throughout.  I preordered and purchased from Tesco USA.