Leftfield Recommendations April 2011

Review: Sven Weisemann returned to FauxPas under his less-known Desolate moniker, one which he uses predominantly for more experimental investigations into sound. Celestial Light Beings opens with "Ambrosia", a quick reminder of what this guy is capable and warning off all that is to come. The LP floats gently between different moods and styles, from the broken beat rhythms of "Teariness Of Lemnia", through the haunting, noise-induced soundscapes of "Se7en" and ending up at the soothing synth waves and piano keys of "Exclusion Of Light". A wonderfully executed project and one that grows with each new listen.

Review: The man also known as Gas (or less officially Mr. Kompakt) delivers a special package of testing avant-garde atmospherics that demonstrate the man's ability to further the ends of ambient electronic music. It's dense, affecting music that leans heavily on feedback loops of drones, pads and choral voices, and in most cases leads to a considered cacophony of noise. While it may not be easy listening, there's something utterly engrossing about the culmination of these sounds, from the anchorless cries of "6.1" to the taut rhythmic pulse of "6.3"; perfect for those moments where you want to scare yourself of those around you.