Back catalogue: Modern Classical

Review: The music from Apocalypse Now is a compelling piece of the film's unique atmosphere, composed by Carmine Coppola and his son, Francis Ford Coppola. This remastered gatefold 2xLP presents a score that is anything but conventional. Featuring bold electronic experimentation, the music complements the film's depiction of chaos and inner turmoil. Tracks like 'The Delta' and 'The Dossier' create a meditative, eerie backdrop, while 'Orange Light' and 'Voyage' highlight the hallucinatory journey of its protagonist, with the latter infusing a touch of psychedelic guitar. While it's not a traditional, action-driven score, the pulsating synths of 'Nung River' and dissonance of 'Chef's Head' bring tension to the forefront. Its final moments with 'Finale' bring reflection to a movie that explores the boundaries of duty and sanity. Although challenging at times, the music's blend of synthetic and natural elements provides a fascinating listen, especially for those open to a bold 1970s electronic sound.

Review: Fan Club Orchestra originated in Brussels in the late 90s and evolved through collaborative performances across Belgium and neighbouring countries. Rooted in DIY principles, they thrived during a time when contemporary arts spaces embraced experimentalism without the constraints of funding or audience expectations. Their performances blended informality with spectacle and channelled the experimentalism of New York's 1960s downtown scene. Now regrouped, they offer up VL_Stay on 12th Isle featuring Baudoux, Ann Appermans and Ze?phyr Zijlstra.

Review: Holuzam reissues Toze Ferreira's groundbreaking 1988 sound art LP Musica de Baixa Fidelidade long after it has been heralded as a pivotal release in Portugal's experimental music scene. It was created during Ferreira's time at the Institute of Sonology and plays with musique concrete, noise and abstract sound across masterful compositions like 'More Adult Music' and 'This Is Music, As It Was Expected.' With elements of piano, bells, and processed voices, it creates a tactile, immersive experience that challenges conventional music structures. This first-ever vinyl reissue includes the original artwork and a new insert with remastering done by Taylor Deupree. Ferreira's blend of technical skill and emotional depth is mesmerising here.

Review: Flutter Ridder is the collaboration between Norwegian artists Espen Friberg and Jenny Berger Myhre, and both are key figures in Oslo's contemporary art and music scene. Their creative bond formed during the production of Friberg's 2022 debut album, Sun Soon, and in November 2023 they recorded their debut self-titled album in a historic wooden church in Hvisten, Norway. The duo created a unique sound influenced by the flow of air and electricity by combining Friberg's Serge modular system and the church's pipe organ. The result is a whimsical, cinematic album that smudges liturgical, microtonal drones with unpredictable timbres that reflect their environment and vision.

Review: A deeply reflective solo piano album that bridges the ambient side of synthpop/electronic pioneer Foxx's career with classical music. Largely composed this in the quiet, early hours of the morning, following one of his rare live performances at Kings Place, London, he creates a serene and evocative experience. The stillness of dawn, when the piano faces a misty valley at sunrise, serves as the perfect backdrop for Foxx's contemplative compositions. The album reflects Foxx's thoughts on the enduring influence of time and the people we encounter. Each note seems to resonate with memories and fleeting moments, creating a sense of calm introspection. Drawing on his experience with electronic textures, Foxx seamlessly blends ambient sounds with classical motifs, resulting in a series of compositions that are both haunting and beautiful. Each piece offers a glimpse into Foxx's emotional landscape, where the echoes of past experiences intertwine with a peaceful acceptance of the present. A tranquil, elegant work.

Review: After nearly two years since his acclaimed Music For Animals, Nils Frahm returns with a live recording captured at Paris's Philharmonie. Known for his inventive, expansive performances, Frahm brings new life to his extensive catalogue, weaving through reimagined tracks and debuting the immersive new piece, 'Opera'. This release captures a single night's performance, showcasing Frahm's ability to captivate audiences at iconic venues worldwide. Frahm's seamless blend of composition and spontaneity here underscores why he's one of today's most sought-after artists, offering a rich snapshot of his evolving artistry.

Review: A decade on from its original release, this compilation remains a spellbinding window into the musical mind of one of modern music's most innovative figures. As comfortable behind a grand piano as a homemade synth, Frahm brings his taste for boundary-blurring to this curated journey. Consider this a love letter to his inspirations and a reflection of his multifaceted artistry. The compilation weaves classical greats, jazz legends, ambient pioneers and experimental mavericks into a singular, late-night odyssey. Vladimir Horowitz's crackling rendition of 'The Flight of the Bumblebee' connects Frahm's own virtuosic piano play to the classical canon, while Miles Davis' smoky 'Generique' and 'Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio)' speak to the atmospheric jazz undercurrents that color much of his work. Nina Simone's aching rendition of 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' carries the same stripped emotional core that Frahm achieves in his more minimalist moments. Elsewhere, the warmth of Dub Tractor's 'Cirkel' and the ghostly dub of Rhythm & Sound's 'Mango Drive' nod to his love of minimalism beyond genre. Boards of Canada's slow-burning 'In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country' is also featured, showing the esteem Frahm holds these newer tracks in, nestling among legendary musical acts of the past. From Colin Stetson's avant-garde saxophone to Bibio's lush textures, the compilation spans eras and aesthetics with cohesion and care. It's not just a mixtape - it's a tribute, a seriously rich tapestry of influences that shaped a singular voice.

Review: This new one from our favourite US ambient outlet takes the form of a selection of long-form compositions from artists who are close to the label. As such it's a perfect reflection of its signature sound - deeply immersive soundscapes, slowly shifting synths and meditative moods made with a mix of hardware tools, guitars, pedals and even baritone vocals. It's named after a Norwegian term for warmth and intimacy, which certainly plays out from the evolving loops of 'A Whisper' to the textured melancholy of 'Canaan' and the reverberant drift of 'Coronation Ring'.