Hello, friend.
It was after 9 in the evening (9 in the afternoon?) on a weeknight when my wife wanted to go for a walk.
We slunk out of our apartment building and onto the quiet street. The white church towered above us, sucking in what little light was left—a soft orange glow emanating from the lamp over the intersection.
Setting off down the sidewalk, we walked hand-in-hand, swinging our arms slowly to the sounds of the night—myriad insects, distant drivers, and a whispering breeze on the edge of death.
Eventually, I dropped her hand and strutted into the middle of the empty street, a wry smile wringing my lips. Defiance!
Continuing our ramble, we observed and reported on the houses we passed. Would we ever live in that one? The next one seemed better with it’s open porch and timeless architecture. Oh, but look at that one with the large yard and the 10-feet high sunflowers!
We turned up a dark side street that straddled a graveyard. My wife loves graveyards. She scurried up a small hill of grass to reach the old stone wall encircling the cemetery. I followed, and as I reached the top, I peered over the wall and saw the field of headstones silhouetted by the half-waxed moon’s soft light.
My eyes panned from left to right, looking, admittedly, for something spectral. No orbs, no figures. But feelings? Yes. There were senses raised. I felt a tug toward the plain grounds, knowing the departed lay beneath. I wished them well, wherever they may have been.
Onward we strode. The next road over gave us our first signs of life since we had left—car lights pulling into a driveway. Welcome home, neighbor. We were headed back in the direction of our place now, and as we grew closer, the light seemed to increase progressively, ever so slightly. Still, the houses we passed remained quiet and dark for the most part.
Suddenly, we realized we were passing a small tavern. Through the few windows were mostly men who wore rugged ball caps and lifted beer bottles to their bearded faces before staring down at them. I wished them well.
As we arrived back home, we hesitated almost undetectably. But I knew then, in that brief moment, just as I know now, that neither of us wanted to leave the world alone.
Hello again, friend. I hope you enjoyed the reflection—and I also hope you can take a walk outside soon.
While it’s lovely to listen to the world around you, I also love a walk with some headphones and great music. Maybe this week’s list of my music recommendations would suit your next stroll? Let me know what’s in your queue too, please.
Happy listening.
Intertidal by Harmonic Pathways (album / organic, field recordings) [Signal Alchemy]
I love it when an album slots perfectly into the central theme of Hum, Buzz, & Hiss, like a bespoke garment perfectly enveloping one’s specific form. Organic ambient like the works coming from Canadian label Signal Pathways, who specialize in this brand of nature-based ambient music, tend to fit. Here, the Ontario-based Harmonic Pathways pairs well-mixed field recordings (picture water on stones) with gentle piano, reverberating synthesizers, and guitar, creating a collage that sounds like sunlight refracted by fresh water. It’s the smallest details that shine brightest here, thanks to the care and attention of the artist listening for the music innate to the world all around them.
The Last Bright Place by Hollie Kenniff & Kazuma Okabayashi (album / new age, drone) [Nettwerk]
Super lush, peaceful landscapes that will set you adrift. Floatation, levitation—pick your motion, but The Last Bright Place will help you keep it slow and steady. Sounds like taking a very deep breath just after stepping outside into the fresh air and the bright light of the late morning sun.
Slowly Arranged: 2016-2019 by William Doyle (collection / experimental electronic, environmental, sound collage) [Tough Love]
This is not a new release—it was released 4 years ago this week—but it is a new stumble for me. As I was digging through the virtual crates this morning, I was instantly hooked when I heard Seeing Spectral, the first track from the first of 4 LPs in this collected boxset (just press play below and you’ll hear it). All told, this set collects a few hours worth of experimental ambient-leaning electronic works that combine to create a thrillingly unique universe of sound. I can’t wait to spend more time exploring it.
Life is a Dream by Anthony Hopkins, Philharmonia Orchestra, & Gustavo Dudamel (album / classical) [Decca Music Group Ltd.]
Throwing this one in for a little cinematic classical listening from Sir Anthony Hopkins. Known as a brilliant actor and visual artist, Hopkins has composed some touching orchestral works here that feel like they could fit in a variety of film scenes, whether grand and triumphant or tender and contemplative.
No Offering by Plummet (album / alt rock, slowcore) [Independent]
Say a Prayer to the Gods of Getting Going by Squirrel Flower (album / indie rock) [Polyvinyl Records]
ii by Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats (album / hip-hop/rap) [Loma Vista Recordings]
Music List Reminders: Bandcamp links provided first when available—if an album is not on Bandcamp, then YouTube or other preview links are provided. List format: Title by Artist (release type / approximate genre or subgenres) [Label].
That’s all for this week’s issue. Thank you for reading. Until next time.
Your friend,
Melted Form
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