Ambient music is a genre that I have been a pretty big fan of for some time now. Something I have found with Ambient music though, it's not exactly the easiest accessible music out there. Small record labels putting out releases are everywhere. Just when you thought you knew quite a bit about the genre, you find 15 more labels doing this stuff, and you realize you are still just scratching the surface. This recently happened to me when I was introduced to Mountains. Released on Apestaartje, which was completely unknown to me before hearing this album, I was introduced then to several more artists who are at the peak of the genre. Mountains stuck out quite a bit to me though.
Mountains is the collaborative project of Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp, who are not only the brains behind the records of Anderegg and Aero, but also co-founders of Apestaarjte. What started off as a project solely based on live performance, is now a full on act with a debut CD that has done nothing but amaze me.
The self titled album is four tracks, with one of those tracks being a live recording. They manage to feel very sleepy, but are never lethargic. There is a level of life amongst these tracks that is inexplicable. Acoustic guitar is backed by static that holds the feeling of blacking out on a windy night and trying to hold on to the last couple moments of consciousness, followed by the moment of panic as if thinking this blackout may be the last time you fall asleep. Letters are typed with a sense of nervousness and insecurity.
Overall, this record is one of the best ambient records to come out this year, and quite the hidden little gem. If you're a fan of Brian Eno's Discreet Music or Ambient 1: Music for Airports, you'll highly enjoy this record. I look forward to see what this duo can come up with next.
