Announcing... waag_rel005 aka "Unhinged Constellations" by Cousin Silas

I can't believe my little little netlabel is now on it's fifth release... and what a release it is. To be honest, I've been sitting on this for a wee while... after receiving it from Cousin Silas around the time 'waag_rel001' was released. I wanted to give that release time to become... and wanted this release to stand on it's own.

Personally, I can't get enough of Cousin Silas' current sound... there is something timeless and otherworldly about the soundscapes he creates with his guitars, piano and synths. Whilst his use of vocal samples demonstrates a welcome progression from his work on 'waag_rel002' with Rebekkah Hilgraves... they help to create eerie moments reminiscent of his earlier 'Ballardian' work.

I am humbled to work with Cousin Silas and consider this album to be the best birthday present... given to me far too early... but one I am proud to share with you all.



The album is available for free (320kbps) over on Archive.org and as 'pay what you want' (Lossless) over on Bandcamp.com. I have embedded the player below to let you hear it.

Enjoy

Tx

Coming soon... waag_rel005 aka "Unhinged Constellations" by Cousin Silas

I'm delighted to say another Cousin Silas album will drop soon... waag_rel006 aka "Unhinged Constellations" follows on from Silas' debut release on weareallghosts whilst simultaneously building upon his joint release with Rebekkah Hilgraves.

We will release this album next weekend (18th/19th August)... to coincide with my birthday.

As before... there will be a 320kbps version on Archive for free and a lossless version on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want'.

Tx

A review for 'Algorithms' by Apta on Netlabelism.com

"...The opening track, “Rise” begins with muffled, ring-modulated keys laying down a stereo pattern before a long, lazy rhythm kicks in, skipping and stuttering gently. Warm keys play out a naïve melody in a series of notes and chords. Little backwards synths add to the depth of the soundfield. Synth glitches are played off against quiet guitar notes. A little bitterness is layered over the top by way of noise, contrasting with the sweetness of the rhythm. The track ends with a series of tiny synth sounds laid over piano. It’s a very positive, upbeat track, and a fine opener.

“Break” starts with warped guitar notes, first coiling alone, then behind a distorted pattern on keys, before they are finally dragged into an intricate pattern of almost organic textures. Once again, a slow rhythm appears, albeit completely different to that on “Rise”; it’s in the treble range, with very little by way of bass. A simple descending pattern is added as the music builds, with Fripp-ish guitar shimmering on top. The beat is manipulated, oscillators morphing and twisting the rhythm into something more metallic. A quick fade, and “Break” is over.

Halfway through, and we’re into “Shadows”; darker in name, but musically uplifting, carrying a haunting, nostalgic melody plaintively set above glitchy electronica. The lead is reminiscent of an old, half-remembered folk tune, dragged from the dim past into the present against its better judgement, and then perched carefully on the top of an intricate base of post-rock guitar and fx. The music is an odd mix of something very old and something not so much new, but rather “now”; it probably shouldn’t work, but somehow it just does. At the end, the guitar distorts, disintegrating into nothingness.

The final track, “To the Sky” is a peaceful, quiet mix of guitar interwoven with synths. A petite rhythm, almost childlike, grows under filigrees of untreated guitar. Briefly, strings hover at the edges, reminiscent of Eluvium. A pattern of delayed guitar appears, before being swallowed by more guitar notes, this time reversed. Broken lines of static creep in, almost morse-like, under the sound of birdsong. The EP finishes with a tiny, distant propeller aircraft fading off into the blue. It’s done so cleverly that the listener can almost see it, especially on headphones. This is definitely my favourite track here; it’s a gentle ride in the sun on the ground, before taking to the air. Absolutely lovely."

I hope my friend Baxter over at Netlabelism.com doesn't mind me cutting and pasting the majority of his review of Apta's glorious 'Algorithms'... because it is truly a great review.

Grateful.

Tx

A review of The Path Between The Trees from Damian O'Keeffe

"I'll be honest, it has taken me a little time to really get to grips with this release. Not because it isn't any good; on the contrary, it is very good. More because I wasn't quite sure what it was! .../

...The sense is of someone collecting all of the key tropes of this genre, putting them in a foil-lined sack to keep them fresh, and shaking them up! As they tumble back out, forming new and interesting patterns, the beauty and scope of the work begins to emerge. .../

...I'll be honest, it took a little time to get to know Cousin Silas but now he is like a member of the family."

My dear friend Damian O'Keeffe recently reviewed The Path Between The Trees over on his blog and his kind words really made my day.

Thanks mate... I'm glad you are enjoying Cousin Silas' work and hope you'll enjoy his next album... due to drop on the 19th August.

Tx

A review of "Algorithms" from Richard Allen for A Closer Listen

"At this point, Apta may be content to ride out the post-rock wave, but it seems more likely that he is realizing the potential of cross pollination. Highlight the field recordings and drone, the static and stuttering beats, and this project may grow into something unique. The bigger the risk, the bigger the gain or loss, but we’ve always been fans of going big. We’re already looking forward to the next chapter."

Richard Allen for A Closer Listen 

waag_rel003 - listen here

I've embedded the Bandcamp player below... have a wee listen:

waag_rel003 aka Algorithms by Apta has dropped

OK... I went early... I said it would drop tomorrow but... I couldn't wait. Yes, it's that good!

Four tracks from Apta that live in that wonderful no-mans-land of post-rock, ambient, and electronic sounds. Four tracks that I've had for a wee while now and come to adore.

As I say on the release notes... I was delighted when Apta offered this EP for release on weareallghosts... it's the kind of music we wish to promote by the kind of musician worthy of promotion.

I really do hope you enjoy it as much as I have!



Here's what Apta had to say about the EP:

I have made this EP as an attempt to fuse together the contrasting styles of music I love. By encompassing the melodic sensibilities of instrumental post-rock with the slightly skittish rhythmic nature of IDM and electronic music, I am trying to refine my sound into a cohesive whole. This EP was based around the idea of a problem, and a resolution, The contrast of light and dark, and the transformation from one into the other. 

Conceptually, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, but as with most things, it is merely a step towards the eventual goal. 

I'm eternally grateful for everyone out there who likes this, and as ever, to Thomas and weareallghosts.co.uk for giving me the encouragement to carry on. Thanks to all of you who listen.

The EP is available at 320kbps for free over on Archive.org or lossless for pay what you want over on Bandcamp.com. ALL profits will go to Apta... so if you can support this young and upcoming musician... please, please do so.

In closing, my thanks to Apta for entrusting me with his EP... and to you for listening.

Tx