DreamFeel

Phew! That took a little bit longer than I expected. Much has been happening recently and I hope to write a big ole blog post to recap what I've up to and all the games I'm working on right now (five! with more on the backburner/frontburner).

Before that I have a post about Journey which I played and was blown away by very recently. I was compelled to write about initial impressions while I was still experiencing a sudden wave of thoughtfulness on finishing. If you want something actually clever and well written I suggest reading Ian Bogost’s thoughts on the game. He looks at it from many angles, but I particularly like his take on the rarity of watching an artist or collection, Thatgamecompany, in games mature and change against a fixed background rather than adapting to evolving technology. Anyway!

This is the second half, about 49 mins, and the first is here.

Listen on soundcloud here. 

1. Sleep Dealer - Oneohtrix Point Never
     Something otherworldy. A quiet, reflective and odd track to open up the set. Also: lots of sighing.

2. Mexican Grand Prix - Mogwai
     I saw Mogwai live last year and this song closing the main set stood out a million miles. I hadn't listened to them for a few albums and while I loved their post-rock noodlings standing up listening to an hour of one similar track after another can be tiring. This track was a revelation, completely unexpected and so full of energy and ideas. Almost Krautrock!

3. Adult Goth - Gang Gang Dance
     One of my favourite albums of the year: really thick production and complex, interesting sounds. I have no idea what's she singing about, reminds me Dengue Fever taken to another level, but it's awesome. I think it's the fat synths and those drums that really win me over. MENTAL.

4. Canon (Interlude) - Justice
     A brief baroque respite. "You know, just simple lines intertwining". Segues nicely to...

5. A Real Hero - College (Feat Electric Youth)
     Back to the synths! Drive was one of my favourite films of the year, it created an atmosphere you could cut with a knife and this song was at the heart of it. Another throwback sure but beautiful. Carey Mulligan, Ryan Gosling, Nicolas Winding Refn & the 80's. Bliss.

6. Familiar - Nils Frahm
      I loved Nils Frahm's last collection of work Wintermusik, and this takes the improvised piano of that to another place. Intricate, delicate piano. You can hear each key as he plays, the acoustics of his groaning instrument, and you can hear each breath. Intense.

7. "Lose It" - Austra
     One of the more lesser known but should-have-been-a-big-hits on this list. Great synth pop that recalls if Ellie Goulding and the like were closer to the Knife and Fever Ray. I especially like the breakdown towards the end of the song.

8. Cruel - St Vincent
     I always like St. Vincent the most when she's at her most vicious. Sweeping 1950s strings and soaring vocals meets great distorted guitar meets a plinky plonk thing? Unnervingly uplifting.

9. Baby's Breath - Bill Callahan
     This singer-songwriter is a nice change from all the other tracks, but this is much more than an empty, pleasant sing along. There's a real hint of bitterness and anger, but also sadness and regret. The country-ish electric guitar reminds me of Dylan's Time Out of Mind which is no bad thing, and the subtle tempo changes are very nice too. I cant help but frame this with Joanna Newsom's song from last year Baby Birch, and the lyrics of this carry even more weight. Fantastic writing.

10. Splendor - M83
     A euphoric anthem. 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming' was easily one of the most inventive albums of the year filled with great melodies and sounds. This song placed towards the end was simple but epitomized the positive, wistful vibe and tried

11. Art Of Almost - Wilco
     An out and out rocker to close. Wilco gave it everything they had to create this modern epic with all kinds of electronic weirdness that was wholly unlike the rest of the album. This is contemporary 70's Dinosaur rock: Kid A crashes into Achille's Last Stand by way of Neu!. This. this this this.

Right, hope you enjoyed these two little playlists! Thanks for getting this far, send me an email. :)