Disquiet

Given how many drones there are on SoundCloud, the music repository could use more drone rock — more solo chordal dirge guitar work to complement the abstract harmonic textures. More things like “Subsidence” by Radio Free Ul-quoma. Yes, it sounds like Black Sabbath drained of its blood, like Sunn O))) in a particularly reflective mood, like Earth tuning up for a memorial service. And yes, at 6:50, it could be several times longer with no complaints. It’s enjoyably meditative, the sound of heavy metal melting.

Track originally posted for free download at [soundcloud.com/radiofreeul-quoma](https://soundcloud.com/radiofreeul-quoma/subsidence). Radio Free Ul-quoma is Andrew Gladstone-Heighton
of Gateshead, England. His SoundCloud account leaves no further Internet mailing address.

Much loop-based music has a sense of accrual, a sense of layers being added, phases being shifted. That is very much the mode of Moldbreath’s “Rose Buried in Sand Excision,” except that the layering of sound makes the opposite impression. The compositional approach is accrual, while the sounds are of something being disentombed. There is dirt being shifted, footsteps in nearby mud, crackling and shaking, all manner of low-tech mechanics. It’s dark and scary and morbid, and thoroughly impressive.

Track originally posted for free download at [soundcloud.com/moldbreath](http://soundcloud.com/moldbreath/rose-buried-in-sand-excision).

Call it analog-digital tension, call it a tribute to Brian Eno’s admonition that computer music needs more “Africa” in it, or call it a desire for simple tools when endless tools abound. Whatever the cause, the kalimba is a favorite sample-ready source for electronic excursions, and it proves a worthy subject of attention on “Council Ring” by Chicago-based Mereology. The kalimba here is the root of low-key pachinko play, mixes of light random percussion that follow along a downtempo pace, abetted by lovely tonal foundational material:

Track originally posted for free download at [soundcloud.com/mereology](https://soundcloud.com/mereology/council-ring). The musician also goes by the name Will Farina. More at [twitter.com/mereologyst](https://twitter.com/mereologyst).