Back catalogue: Modern Classical

Review: James Clements (ASC) has been one of the most highly regarded artists in ambient, ambient techno and IDM scene since his evolution into the sound about 15 years ago. His ability to create deep soundscapes over lush beats and atmospheres come from his liquid drum n bass background prior to working with more cinematic tracks. ASC is back with a new release and it finds a home at the Past Inside the Present stable where he had put out a few EPs on the last couple years. This haunting and beautiful release Loss, explores various moods and atmospheres to great success. Tracks like the amazing and spacious 'Sensory Disintegration' to the poignant 'What More Can Be Said' which adds a lush airspace to a stunning piano piece. Some soundscapes are majestic and triumphant while others are minimal and then foreboding. New age and ambient fans will rejoice after hearing this magical album. Available in limited quantities so act quickly! Comes with download code inside.

Review: Berlin trio AUSKLANG are back with Kairos, a second superb album that builds on their last effort, 2020's Chronos, also on Past Inside the Present, 2020. It finds the trio of Fabian Koppri, Benjamin Sohn, and Simon Ansing play with concepts of time and entropy across eight movements that balance melodic post-rock and layered ambient soundscapes. It's a deceptively complex blend of glitching electronics, drums, bass and guitar with classically inspired orchestrations that makes for something as immersive and grand as it is beautiful. As the summer fades and autumn arrives, this richly rewarding album is sure to prove a great companion as we spend more time indoors.

Review: New York-based Black Swan returns with an impressive ninth album on ambient gold mine Past Inside The Present. The is the CD version (we also have it on cassette) and it's a record that blends analogue recording techniques to blur the lines between memory and reality. Influenced by musique concrete, ambient and dark drone traditions, the album is a continuous suite of 20 tracks that reflect a spirit navigating the physical world. Some are short vignettes while others evolve over longer play times with layered intensity. Standouts include 'Like Dust, I Linger' with its tender warble and 'Ad Infinitum' which is lit up with shimmering synths. It's another triumphant work from Black Swan.

Review: Past Inside the Present label head and ambient powerhouse zake aka Zach Frizzell has collaborated with several of his renowned peers over the years, not least From Overseas aka Kevin Sery and James Bernard. Their collaborative album Flint showcases them all their peak with an immersive blend of their own sounds making for a rich soundscape full of subtle depth and warmth. Beginning with 'Conifer,' the record evokes autumn's crisp air with understated drones and field recordings while the title track layers electronics, bass and guitar into a lush, Fripp & Eno-inspired sound. Together with other widescreen standouts like 'Fir' and 'Thistle' they create a beautifully cohesive and reflective ambient trip.

Review: Mike Lazarev drops his first album on Past Inside the Present and it's one that reminds us why he has such a great reputation as being one of modern ambient and classical's finest composers. After exploring notions of time on previous records, for this one, he embraces the here and now and that lends itself to a record steeped in mindfulness and meditation. As such, Sacred Tonalities is a perfect accompaniment to introspective moments with textural soundscapes placing you at the centre of them. The harmonics range from soft to gritty, the moods occasionally hint at trance and the layers of bass, piano and arps bring subtle and ever-shifting rhythms.

Review: ***B-STOCK: manufacturing fault not continuous play ***


Founded by Zach Frizzell aka zake of Past Inside the Present fame, Healing Sound Propagandist (HSP) is based in Indianapolis and has quietly amassed a catalogue of nearly 100 releases since its inception, all of them specialising in textured drone and experimental ambient music. To mark this achievement, Retrospective [2019-2024] compiles 76 standout tracks across a five-hour odyssey through the label's most significant works. The compilation features artists like James Bernard, Pallette, and Sean Evans who, along with many others, create a varied world of atmospheres through unique instrumentations. HSP emphasises a focus on deep listening and quality over gimmicks and this retrospective serves both as a tribute to the label's legacy and an introduction to its transformative, meditative soundscapes.

Review: Past Inside the Present, Healing Sound Propagandist and Fallen Moon Recordings mark an outstanding year with Past/Present 2024, a new three-hour compilation that spans serene ambience, deep drone and experimental sounds. Featuring scene legends like 36, bvdub, ASC and James Bernard alongside talents like Slow Dancing Society and Black Swan and rising artists such as Innesti and Angela Winter, the collection captures a rich blend of modern ambient music and showcases just how strong these imprints are. Opening with a 71-minute live mix by LA's Inquiri, this compilation has been curated by label founder Zach Frizzell aka zake and highlights like T.R. Jordan's 'Swapped' and Black Swan's 'Perhaps We Never Were' making a lasting impression.

Review: It is now six years since Past Inside The Present label head zake dropped this debut album and in that time he has put out a steady, high-quality stream of sounds that have furthered honed in on ambient perfection. This latest album to start off 2025 is Caelum, an eight-track collection which features two versions of four originals, with the second half being Slow Blink Decayed takes that rework the first four cuts. It's another immersive work of frayed analogue synths, sweeping soundscapes, delicate drones and ambient beauty.

Review: Wind Rust is the debut collaboration between zake (Zach Frizzell) and Almost Silent (Guy Teixeira). True to their signature sounds, it's a melange of ambient drone with elements of weather, erosion and decay. Teixeira used the Lyra-8 synth to generate natural, living sound textures while Frizzell deconstructed his stems through random selection creating a unique, evolving soundscape. The four tracks feature tactile, organic elements, like 'Thence' with its powerful string and field recording interplay and 'Dross' where synth harmonies build and vanish. Closing track 'Quell' crescendos with chaotic intensity. In capturing the essence of nature's unpredictable forces, Wind Rust makes for an arresting listen.

Review: Certain Path is a serene, piano-driven album by collaborators zake (aka label head Zach Frizzell), From Overseas which is Kevin Sery and City of Dawn aka Damien Duque. This reflective collection of seven pieces invites deep contemplation with tender piano motifs and subtle drones creating a meditative atmosphere. Opening with 'Where Time Slows Down,' the album blends delicate melodies with layered guitar textures. Inspired by Frizzell's wife, the title track offers heartfelt emotion, while 'Avec l'aide de Vincent' honours a close mentor. Throughout, the artists employ nocturnal recording sessions, field recordings and analogue treatments to craft an introspective, evocative listening experience.

Review: Past Inside The Present label head and ambient powerhouse zake and Tyresta follow up their recent and well-received The Worlds We Leave Behind with Jade, a companion album that expands on previous themes in three long-form tracks. It's a deep blending of pregnant drones and delicate details that is typically organic and analogue. 'Jade No. 1' layers analogue textures that make for a comforting, melancholic embrace, while 'Jade No. 2' features more fractured melodies and natural sounds that bring a sense of peace and calm. The third cut, 'Waiting For the Light,' is a lofty one with soft synths and orchestral gravitas that with the other two pieces make for a contemplative and reflective listen.