11 votes

Koan Sound - Led by Ancient Light (2023)

4 comments

  1. [3]
    3_3_2_LA
    Link
    This is the latest album from Koan Sound which was released yesterday! From wiki: The entire album if worth a listen, but if you're in a hurry, here's a couple tracks that might convince you to...

    This is the latest album from Koan Sound which was released yesterday!

    From wiki:

    "KOAN Sound (/ˈkoʊən/ KOH-ən;[1] named after the word kōan) is an English electronic music production duo from Bristol, consisting of Will Weeks and Jim Bastow."

    "They initially gained recognition as dubstep producers, with earlier popular tracks including "Akira". Some of their many types of music includes glitch hop, neurohop, and Drum & Bass. The duo have since released music on various labels including Inspected Records and Owsla, and have worked with a number of other artists, including producer Asa and singer Ed Sheeran."

    The entire album if worth a listen, but if you're in a hurry, here's a couple tracks that might convince you to listen to the entire album ;)

    1. Ascension
    2. Liquid Levity

    There's no vocals on any of the tracks, and the focal point seems to be a cello, and of course, their intricate drums.
    I hear quite a bit of different genres, ranging from boombap, dnb, to neuro!

    If anyone is aware of other artists that make similar music, I'm all ears!
    Have you listened to Koan Sound before this?

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      drannex
      Link Parent
      I've been listening to Koan Sound since ~2010, they are by far one of the better producers when it comes to sound design. Every release and they just become even more breathtaking in their work. I...

      I've been listening to Koan Sound since ~2010, they are by far one of the better producers when it comes to sound design. Every release and they just become even more breathtaking in their work.

      I think Voices of Dissent is certainly the best produced track on the entire album.

      3 votes
      1. 3_3_2_LA
        Link Parent
        Gosh, yes! The cello riff is so...raw, and the tension evoked by the strings is just unreal! A bit of a tangent but they have a patreon and I've noticed there are a few M4L ableton devices to...

        Gosh, yes! The cello riff is so...raw, and the tension evoked by the strings is just unreal!

        A bit of a tangent but they have a patreon and I've noticed there are a few M4L ableton devices to create generative sounds like those on this album.

        1 vote
  2. 3_3_2_LA
    Link
    Here's a MusicRadar article summary by Kagi:

    Here's a MusicRadar article summary by Kagi:

    "KOAN Sound's new album Led By Ancient Light tells a sci-fi story through music. Each of the 13 tracks accompanies a chapter in the novella and visuals. To align the narrative and music, the duo explored unfamiliar techniques like writing fiction and recording cello and piano in novel ways. This challenging process of merging different creative forms felt like starting anew but allowed them to tap deeper into human emotions. The result is a cohesive work that reflects their personal journeys reconnecting with humanity in an increasingly digital world."

    1 vote