Kompakt: Pop Ambient 2014 CD + Vinyl LP

Kompakt’s annual compilation of lush drones and beautiful ambient soundscapes is always something to look forward to. The German label is best known for their minimal techno catalog, but once a year they put-out Pop Ambient, now on it’s 14th installment, for when you need a break from the 4/4 thump. With Pop Ambient 2014, Kompakt calls upon old friends as well as new contributors to paint the sonic landscape with entries from Ulf Lohmann (who actually has two tracks featured here), The Field, Marsen Jules, Cologne Tape, Simon Scott, and Wolfgang Voigt (those that have been following Kompakt since the beginning will also note Voigt’s return to the Gas alias on the remix of The Field’s “Cupid’s Head”). Beautiful stuff through and through, and also includes CD copy of the album to save you the trouble of a vinyl rip. Recommended.

• music label: Kompakt 2014

reviewed by TKB 02/2014

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