Whereas as the power of ambient drones lies in the seamless binding of layers of sound together to create a mood and engage emotions directly, electroacoustic music weaves its magic by focusing on textural and environment details with a minimalist aesthetic. Acoustic instruments, human & environmental noises, and other auditory ephemera mix with synthesized sounds to create to create a sense of place, summon memories, tell a story, or simply evoke tranquility. They can even be complete ecosystems of sound where the artist is not unlike a macro photographer capturing otherworldly beauty from ordinary things. Here are ten such albums released in 2014 that I enjoyed.
Illuha
Akari [12k]
‘Structures Based On The Plasticity Of Sphere Surface Tension’ by Illuha
Wil Bolton
Bokeh [Home Normal]
‘Bokeh’ by Wil Bolton
Twincities
Variations for the Celesta [Eilean Rec.]
‘A Ships Bell (Sings)’ by twincities
Leigh Toro
L’Esprit De L’Escalier [Eilean Rec.]
‘Pavilions’ by Leigh Toro
Francesco Giannico
Metrophony [Time Released Sound]
Metrophony (excerpt) by Francesco Giannico
Porya Hatami
The Garden [Dronarivm]
‘Ladybug’ by Porya Hatami
M. Sage
A Singular Continent [Patient Sounds]
‘Three Bashful Stallions’ by M. Sage
Harnes Kretzer
Petrichor [Fluttery Records]
‘Petrichor’ by Harnes Kretzer
Taylor Deupree
Lost and Compiled [12k]
‘July 032013’ by Taylor Deupree
Richard Ginns
Fall, Rise [Twice Removed]
‘(Fall)’ by Richard Ginns
Stationary Travels 