V.A. - Amulet Of Tears

The Lithuanian ambient mavericks Amulet of Tears are celebrating their 5-year anniversary with the release of this massive compilation showcasing the talent that has graced the grooves and tapes of their boutique label. Mutant Zones favourites Zhe Pechorin, Night Foundation, BODYXVIII, Script, and Volunteer Coroner all leave their mark, alongside a number of other acts new to me. Honestly, this is a fantastic project that demonstrates impeccable curation and a wholesome community. Happy birthday to the founders, I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Buy the album here, and stream it in full down below.

BODYXVIII - Closer

Fresh off the press, and likely the final release of the year from the Amulet of Tears label, is "Closer" by BODYXVIII. Layered with textures of field recordings, drones, and dark ambient soundscapes, the record feels eerily suspenseful and creepy. "Panacea" for example, could easily find its way onto a Twin Peaks soundtrack. Although the album's front cover depicts a desolate forest on a hill, the nine tracks in this project evoke the feeling of being composed for an industrial, haunted warehouse, where one can wander disorientedly through various rooms and spaces looking for exit (or survival). BODYXVIII created a great album that feels like it could score a 4D interactive experience.

"Closer" was released on lathe and tape, and you can get them here. Stream all nine tracks down below.

V.A. - Language Instinct: Our Nature.

One of my favourite new labels, Language Instinct, released their first compilation yesterday - collecting 21 songs that represent the imprint and sum up their 2024 schedule. From fragmented tape loops and cinematic drone soundscapes to textural ambient noise and captivating field recordings, "Out Nature." offers something for every fan of contemporary experimental music. I am still in the process of exploring their impressive discography, but some highlights from this year include Field Designer's "Anthropology", BODYXVIII's "Slow Flashing Light", Summer Film's "Please Don't Look Away" and Modernist's "Pathetic Decisions". However, there's still so much more I haven't checked! I cannot encourage you enough to follow them for future releases.

Download the compilation for free here, or better yet support the label and buy their discography! Alternatively, you can stream the release down below.