Saito Koji - luck (2011, Resting Bell)

Each new release by Saito Koji is like a new iceberg joining the ice sea, a new monotonous area with his own landscape and minor variations. Would it be ice, sandy desert or tropical forest, his music always perfectly illustrates the definition of ambient music (a style of instrumental music with electronic textures and no persistent beat, used to create or enhance a mood or atmosphere.) once developed by Brian Eno with his ambient works. 

Villa Venus - villa venus ep (2010)

Villa Venus is a slowcore band from Brooklyn, with if I'm not wrong, 

Jeff Ciprioni (guitar / vocals), Mike Zorrilla (guitar), Beth Ann Coulton (bass) and Ian Vidaurre (drums), playing slow melodic songs, recalling the older stuff of bands like Barzin, Radar Bros or The Clientele but also more obscure formations such as Coastal, Hula, Best Boy Electric, The Relict or Nord Express.

interview : Coate

Would it be through his solo project Arroes or as a member of Coate (both highly recommended, reviews here and here), Will Roud is becoming a familiar name of my usual shuffle playlist. On the heels of the superb debut EP of Coate a few questions quietly explored:

Apollo - the small step ep (2011)

First EP for Apollo, a band from Brisbane adding his name to the underestimated, underexposed list of Australian bands showing some slowcore features in their genes.

Idaho - you were a dick (2011, Talitres)

Eighth album for Idaho, six years after "The Lone Gunman" and eighteen years after "Year After Year", "You Were a Dick" is another step in a faultless career and offers enough gems to be cherished. Jeff Martin is alone behind the instrumentation and songwriting, recorded at home, with just a few backing vocal by Eleni Mandell.