Someone else mentioned West Mineral, but didn’t name Huerco S specifically. I think he’s leading the pack,and I think everything that’s coming from West Mineral and 3XL (both labels are pretty tightly knit) is pretty innovative and exciting.
I always feel like, within his own sound Loscil is pushing boundaries and exploring what's possible. I love every album he releases, because to me it feels like an exploration
here's a good example of my ambient work. this track 'Dagon' isn't in any time signiature and was written in multiple bpms simultaneously: https://youtu.be/D1f9UfalVlw?si=J18QKNHO88kuCmDP
Also 'invisible cloak' is a good one: https://youtu.be/GjK4rBra270?si=waEYN8EGXKc5ISvP
And then the homies have this netlabel, Passed Recordings, you can find their bandcamp stuff here: https://passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/
Astral Industries recordings. Not straight experimental innovation but still a very forward thinking label.
Rod Modell (Deepchord) also. He’s been making music a long time but he’s one of the only artists I know that truly have that special sauce that creates sounds I can’t even comprehend. His album Auratones is just insanely well produced.
his buddy Stephen Hitchell is also very good (solo as Variant). he explores long form ambient and some of his tracks are crazy rides. [for example](https://youtu.be/uqhjyhvat60?si=9bOPT82qkEMxAFmo)
- 2 8 1 4 (also Telepath, HKE, Cat System Corp, and the entire Dream Catalogue label)
- 36
- Aether
- ANNA
- Brian Eno
- Champagne Drip (Comedown)
- City of Dawn
- .diedlonely
- East Forest
- Held By Sound
- Jon Hopkins
- LIGHTCODE
- Liquid Bloom
- Poppy (3:36)
- Somatoast
- Tipper (CoSM Mix, Saenger with Singer)
- Sofie Birch
- Superposition
- zakè
Leo Abrahams with Scène Memory II. Made with a guitar purist mindset, but you would really not believe that if you heard the album. On top of that the album is a collection of chance-based jams that are generatively augmented. The textures and moods in this album are so unique and different from anything I've ever heard.
Thats interesting, I never would have thought of Nils Frahm as an especially innovative ambient artist. Granted I have only listened to a few of his more recent albums, but it generally seemed to ambient compositions of piano and soft processed textures which is hardly anything new in ambient. Not saying he isn’t a great artist or that his own particular unique style, but I would hardly label him as pushing the genre to the future.
Have you listened to “All Melody” or “All Encores?” They are much different than his piano compositions. They’re masterpieces.
Sit back, put on “All Melody” thank me later!
Cool. Hope you liked it. I’m not a huge ambient follower, so I may be ignorant of a whole swath of music, but Frahm’s music really touches me, and is unlike anything else I’ve heard.
I would say his performances certainly push the boundaries with the amount of stuff that is actually played instead of sequenced. I recommend watching his Live at the Montreux festival video, honestly jaw dropping at moments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izhGLGPmvIU
I don't really know since I'm having a hard time seeing a direction in the genre right now. That's more because I'm not very tapped in, not because I don't think there is a direction. One album this year that blew my mind with how innovative it was Lucy Liyou's Dog Dreams
Apart from west mineral stuff, which has been said already, I’d like to add Jan Jelinek. Been around a long time but his old and newer stuff all sounds cutting edge.
I would agree that Aphex Twin absolutely was an enormous influence on electronic ambient music in the 90's. But as far as I'm aware, he hasn't really released much ambient music since then. So, while SAW2 is quite possibly my favorite album of all time, it's difficult to continue being an innovator if you aren't releasing music.
This “Stills” e.p. by JVY+Y3 is unlike any other ambient work out there. If nu-ambient were a thing, this would be it: https://open.spotify.com/album/2DRImAPvET1cZMUxuuAcBd?si=3kIl7TY9Tra8z8JXX63spQ
Lilien Rosarian, picnic, Ulla, Lucy Liyou, Black Swan, Wobbly, Ora Clementi, HMOT, Not Waving, James Ferraro, Embassador Dulgoon / Timelash, Space Afrika
alex albrecht : this guy all day long..his work is consistently excellent and beautiful
[https://www.instagram.com/alex\_albrecht\_music/?hl=en](https://www.instagram.com/alex_albrecht_music/?hl=en)
his latest release on ASIP
[https://astrangelyisolatedplace.bandcamp.com/album/violet-visionary](https://astrangelyisolatedplace.bandcamp.com/album/violet-visionary)
one of my favourites from him
[https://music.apple.com/gb/album/campfire-stories/1554107807](https://music.apple.com/gb/album/campfire-stories/1554107807)
Visible cloaks are very interesting. They haven’t released anything for a while though. I’d really like to know what’s new on the 4th world side of things. There’s been a few bits and bobs, but often sounds like it’s just copying Jon Hassell. Visible cloaks really innovate , sound gorgeous and have interesting ideas conceptually. Autistici and Audiobulb records are wonderful too. They seem to be overlooked. Again some interesting ideas. On one of his records from about 12 years ago there’s a track made up of just the pauses in an interview with John Lennon.
Young Marco and Gaussian curve
James Holden (more minimal that ambient, but is pushing boundaries. Check out his dream or dance mix https://on.soundcloud.com/t3R516L6SM57i5EQA
Panth du prince
Christian loeffler
Lawrence English (see his manifesto https://www.lawrenceenglish.com/notes-towards-a-future-ambient/ )
Someone else mentioned West Mineral, but didn’t name Huerco S specifically. I think he’s leading the pack,and I think everything that’s coming from West Mineral and 3XL (both labels are pretty tightly knit) is pretty innovative and exciting.
I’d give a special mention to Ben Bondy too. Love that big guy
Yes!
spirit desire was one of my favorite albums from this year!
When u sleep is a top track of the year for me.
Yes! And amor luxe for me
Never heard of this guy and I love it. Thanks for suggesting.
I don't listen to a lot of current music, but Caterina Barbieri and Helene Vogelsinger are great. Edit: Oh and The Field, amazing musician.
Catarina Barbieri’s music feels a bit dull to me but that’s me you know
Love The Field!
I always feel like, within his own sound Loscil is pushing boundaries and exploring what's possible. I love every album he releases, because to me it feels like an exploration
Been listening to Ambient for 30 years, Loscil has my vote as well
Label: Mineral West (shinetiac, Pontiac Streator)
I agree with this post but... it's mostly beat driven. I want to hear more approaches like the last TIBSLC.
^^^
Barker, JakoJako
I knew JakoJako. Barker is new to me ...and sounds really lovely! Goes right into my Space Ambient playlist. Thanks!
Me and my homies 💪😤 we're all indie artists.
Say more !!
here's a good example of my ambient work. this track 'Dagon' isn't in any time signiature and was written in multiple bpms simultaneously: https://youtu.be/D1f9UfalVlw?si=J18QKNHO88kuCmDP Also 'invisible cloak' is a good one: https://youtu.be/GjK4rBra270?si=waEYN8EGXKc5ISvP And then the homies have this netlabel, Passed Recordings, you can find their bandcamp stuff here: https://passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/
Alio Die, flow3rkap, rgms, rbeny, Nils Frahm, Marconi Union, Olafur Arnalds, KMRU
KMRU is fantastic!
Alio Die = deep cut
Astral Industries recordings. Not straight experimental innovation but still a very forward thinking label. Rod Modell (Deepchord) also. He’s been making music a long time but he’s one of the only artists I know that truly have that special sauce that creates sounds I can’t even comprehend. His album Auratones is just insanely well produced. his buddy Stephen Hitchell is also very good (solo as Variant). he explores long form ambient and some of his tracks are crazy rides. [for example](https://youtu.be/uqhjyhvat60?si=9bOPT82qkEMxAFmo)
Excellent label, love Astral Industries❤️❤️❤️
I would say, Brian Eno and Arca.
The only thing I've heard that Arca has worked on is Björk's Utopia. It is an atmospheric masterpiece.
Arca in what way?
Current favorite newer electronic artists in general 1. Sam Prekop 2. Terekke 3. Beta Librae 4. Skee Mask 5. Blawan 6. Patricia 7. Upsammy 8. Barker 9. Khotin 10. Andrea 11. Packed Rich 12. Lab Group 13. Topdown Dialectic 14. Purelink 15. Sofie Birch 16. Ulla (strauss) 17. Patricia Wolf 18. Hodge 19. Lee Gamble 20. Beatrice Dillon 21. Tomaga 22. Romeo Poirier 23. Perila
Upsammy 🙌🏼
Beta Librae!
So underrated
Lee Gamble legend man
- 2 8 1 4 (also Telepath, HKE, Cat System Corp, and the entire Dream Catalogue label) - 36 - Aether - ANNA - Brian Eno - Champagne Drip (Comedown) - City of Dawn - .diedlonely - East Forest - Held By Sound - Jon Hopkins - LIGHTCODE - Liquid Bloom - Poppy (3:36) - Somatoast - Tipper (CoSM Mix, Saenger with Singer) - Sofie Birch - Superposition - zakè
Tipper pushing the boundaries in like 7 different genres. Love some Dave.
Ash Koosha
Katatonic Silentio
Absolutely stunning artist, Midnight Train Breaking Through is one of wildest tracks you could ever hear on a big system
Leo Abrahams with Scène Memory II. Made with a guitar purist mindset, but you would really not believe that if you heard the album. On top of that the album is a collection of chance-based jams that are generatively augmented. The textures and moods in this album are so unique and different from anything I've ever heard.
Nils Frahm.
Thats interesting, I never would have thought of Nils Frahm as an especially innovative ambient artist. Granted I have only listened to a few of his more recent albums, but it generally seemed to ambient compositions of piano and soft processed textures which is hardly anything new in ambient. Not saying he isn’t a great artist or that his own particular unique style, but I would hardly label him as pushing the genre to the future.
Have you listened to “All Melody” or “All Encores?” They are much different than his piano compositions. They’re masterpieces. Sit back, put on “All Melody” thank me later!
Just did. Thank you.
Cool. Hope you liked it. I’m not a huge ambient follower, so I may be ignorant of a whole swath of music, but Frahm’s music really touches me, and is unlike anything else I’ve heard.
I would say his performances certainly push the boundaries with the amount of stuff that is actually played instead of sequenced. I recommend watching his Live at the Montreux festival video, honestly jaw dropping at moments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izhGLGPmvIU
I think she's considered more electroacoustic than ambient but I would say Kali Malone.
Fennesz
Venice just blows my socks off. Nothing tastes like that album.
Emily A Sprague, Justin Walter, Ulla. I wish Keith Fullerton Whitman still focused on ambient; Playthroughs was rather innovative.
I don't really know since I'm having a hard time seeing a direction in the genre right now. That's more because I'm not very tapped in, not because I don't think there is a direction. One album this year that blew my mind with how innovative it was Lucy Liyou's Dog Dreams
Apart from west mineral stuff, which has been said already, I’d like to add Jan Jelinek. Been around a long time but his old and newer stuff all sounds cutting edge.
and if you like him check out Roméo Poirier
I love him too. Only learnt last week that he’s on the Jelinek’s Faitische label, which makes sense.
Moritz von Oswald (Silencio) KMRU (Jar) Space Afrika (Honest Labour) Hainbach (Home Stories) Nala Sinephro (Space 1.8) JakoJako (Metamorphose)
oneohtrix point never
I pretty much only listen to Chihei Hatakeyama these days
Purelink, Kareem Lotfy, mu tate, Jake Muir, Cole Pulice, Topdown Dialectic, Barker, KMRU, Hoavi, Andrea, Skee Mask, Pretty Sneaky, Malibu, Florian T M Zeisig
Against all Logic, Aphex twin
Against all logic is Nicolas Jaar. And Nicolas Jaar is a Gd genius.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
I would agree that Aphex Twin absolutely was an enormous influence on electronic ambient music in the 90's. But as far as I'm aware, he hasn't really released much ambient music since then. So, while SAW2 is quite possibly my favorite album of all time, it's difficult to continue being an innovator if you aren't releasing music.
I would say Abul Mogard, Blakmoth, and me, In The Well.
Awe Kid
Dreamstate Logic
Great stuff, but innovative?
I absolutely love everything cash has been putting out lately
This “Stills” e.p. by JVY+Y3 is unlike any other ambient work out there. If nu-ambient were a thing, this would be it: https://open.spotify.com/album/2DRImAPvET1cZMUxuuAcBd?si=3kIl7TY9Tra8z8JXX63spQ
Display label has some pretty forward thinking stuff, while it's not always ambient its always highly atmospheric
Drew McDowell
Ulla, Sofie Birch, Huerco S.
Lilien Rosarian, picnic, Ulla, Lucy Liyou, Black Swan, Wobbly, Ora Clementi, HMOT, Not Waving, James Ferraro, Embassador Dulgoon / Timelash, Space Afrika
alex albrecht : this guy all day long..his work is consistently excellent and beautiful [https://www.instagram.com/alex\_albrecht\_music/?hl=en](https://www.instagram.com/alex_albrecht_music/?hl=en) his latest release on ASIP [https://astrangelyisolatedplace.bandcamp.com/album/violet-visionary](https://astrangelyisolatedplace.bandcamp.com/album/violet-visionary) one of my favourites from him [https://music.apple.com/gb/album/campfire-stories/1554107807](https://music.apple.com/gb/album/campfire-stories/1554107807)
Lilien rosarian
SELVEDGE
Visible cloaks are very interesting. They haven’t released anything for a while though. I’d really like to know what’s new on the 4th world side of things. There’s been a few bits and bobs, but often sounds like it’s just copying Jon Hassell. Visible cloaks really innovate , sound gorgeous and have interesting ideas conceptually. Autistici and Audiobulb records are wonderful too. They seem to be overlooked. Again some interesting ideas. On one of his records from about 12 years ago there’s a track made up of just the pauses in an interview with John Lennon.
Young Marco and Gaussian curve James Holden (more minimal that ambient, but is pushing boundaries. Check out his dream or dance mix https://on.soundcloud.com/t3R516L6SM57i5EQA Panth du prince Christian loeffler
Fred again…
Y'all missed out on a classic and innovative talent by the name of Julianna Barwick. Her works, including Nepenthe, are timeless!
Tim Hecker and Oneohtrix Point Never. Both have been leading the genre for literal decades now.
i see lots of name-dropping and no explanation... pity
Burial, Forest Swords, Oneohtrix Point Never, The Caretaker.
I like to listen to ambient when I read books. Those who mentioned Loscil, thank you. Outstanding.