some random albums · 8:18pm Jan 9th, 2021
If you guys have followed me for a while, you'd know that once upon a time, I would dole out a post that highlights all the progress I've done and all my plans for the corresponding month. I would also headline them with a set of album covers that I've been listening to that month, though it never went beyond that.
This is a post that will go beyond that.
I generally listen to music whenever I can. Even while writing, I'd pop in a song, maybe an album or two to get me in a certain mood. However, I do get bored easily, which means I'm always on the lookout for something new, which means I'll have a session every day where I discover and binge every new music I come across. So in essence, the albums I've listed here are the ones that stuck with me. Some of them even inspired me and some of my stories, so I hope you guys would give it a shot and see if they'll do the same to you as well.
Also, I'll be restricting the list a bit to albums that I feel are heavily overlooked and underappreciated. That includes those albums with some level of hype surrounding them (sorry, Phoebe Bridgers' fans 
). All of these are pretty niche picks, so I'll tag them with their respective genres. There'll be more familiar genres in future instalments, but for now, we'll go with albums that are a bit more obscure music-wise.
One last note: these are just my personal recommendations and my experience with them, so don't take my word as gospel. Like it or not, it's all good! On that note, if you wanna talk about them, or if you have some recommendations of your own, feel free to leave a comment! I'm all ears!
Now, onto the list:
The Paralian
Andrew Wasylyk
Contemporary folk, instrumental, jazz, classical
This album is subdued. Regal, yet intimate. It's a gentle love letter to the Scottish east coast that sees a blend of classical music, jazz and the British folk music of yesteryear seamlessly coming together to create a soundscape that soothes the ears. The songs mark a pathway through the countryside, taking the listener on a little journey through the glens into an uncertain future, at times holding your hand and assuring you that come what may, it'll all be fine in the end.
Listening to this album especially allowed me to be introspective, and to be patient while being as such. It's music like this that I return to in search of inspiration and, at times, a reminder of what the stories I write should strive to do. I recommend just sitting back, get yourself a drink and let this album unravel before your ears. Truly a warm and surreal experience.
Backdrop
The Kraken Quartet & ADOBO
Indie rock, math rock, post rock
A collaborative effort that blends the fickle clicks of guitars with the droplets of a vibraphone across five calming tracks. At only around 18 minutes, this EP is lush in its simplicity with lyrics that give praise to a world in spite of these trying times, reminding us that we are always larger than the darkness we might find ourselves in.
For a body of work with such a short length, it delivers an eclectic calm that is not too unlike the quieter works of old math-rock bands. I find myself coming back to it often, mostly because it's just an EP that never fails to bring a small yet hearty smile on my face. Great for a quiet car ride home after a long day at work.
Forgotten West (西部)
Sam Liao (廖士賢)
Folk, electronic, psychedelic
Taiwanese musician Sam Liao has created something extravagant and heartfelt with this eight-track offering, his husky and sombre voice ferrying us across a mellow river of melancholic melodies as he harkens back to moments long lost in time. An exquisite yet muted orchestra with sprinkles of echoing synths carries the weight of his words, with a few traditional instruments joining in the background sometimes that adds to the richness and mystique that was already present.
This was an album that I had initially planned to leave it on in the background while writing, only for it to entrance me and grab my complete attention midway through the first song. The world it paints is stoic yet vulnerable; solemn yet colourful. If you want to hear something truly special and you don't mind not understanding the lyrics, this is the album for you. Highly recommended.
From Somewhere Invisible
Oiseaux-Tempête
Spoken word, shoegaze, post rock, noise rock
Dark, brooding and desolate, both in the instrumentation and the poems that come with it. The French free-rock collective Oiseaux-Tempête delivers a harrowing, magnanimous soundtrack that is equal parts grand and oppressive, with frontman G.W. Sok bellowing intricate and obtuse prophecies regarding the modern man as they go marching into the eve of twilight.
This album is a force to be reckoned with. It demands you to be patient and listen, rewarding you by imparting upon you ancient wisdom that still rings true in this day and age. If you like the garish soundscapes of bands like Swans and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, this is an album that'll be sure to ring your ears hollow and keep you coming back for more.
Swiva
Inoyama Land
Ambient, electronica
With a career spanning over forty years, Japanese electronic duo Inoyama Land gives us another helpful of their quirky, playful sounds in this latest album. There is nothing short of fun here, all of it condensed in an array of synthesizers that seemed to have been revived from the arcade games of yore. At times cheery and exciting, at times serene and enchanting, it paints a world that is as wistful as it is bright. An encouragement to look forward as much as we look back.
The last album on this list, as well as the most optimistic. This is an album that just breathes fun, which is something that everyone needs to have once in a while to even things out. Any lovers of electronica-based albums, particularly those who loved the soundtracks of Minecraft and Animal Crossing, go give this a listen! You'll be sure to have a good time!
That's the list for now. I'll probably do another set of these in the near future. Hopefully, you guys got some good recommendations out of these artists, maybe a bit of inspiration as well.
Thanks for stopping by! WritingSpirit, signing out!
Got links for any of these? :O They on Bandcamp or the like?
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Yep, Spotify as well. Except for Swiva by Inoyama Land. That one, I listened to on a physical disc. Can only find a video containing the whole album on YouTube, though I guess I'll link it anyway.
Spotify links below:
Andrew Wasylyk - The Paralian
The Kraken Quartet & ADOBO - Backdrop
Sam Liao - Forgotten West
Oiseaux-Tempête - From Somewhere Invisible
Inoyama Land - Swiva
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Finally getting back to this because my free trial of Amazon Music has run out. <.< Sadly, I don't use Spotify.
But that means I can listen to Swiva! What a weird album. XD But it was fun!