Instead of sticking with, what I believe has become a stale format of topic on GW, the this-is-my-genre-here-are-artists, I've decided to change it up a bit. This week I'm giving you 5 albums to relax to. They're not necessarily obscure, but thought I'd try this and see what it's like. Gives a bit more of a specific point of discussion.


5. Beach House - Devotion
    Site | Wiki | MySpace



     Described as dream pop by pretty much everywhere I've looked, this is the second album of this band. It's a very atmospheric album and much fuller than their first one. It can be almost haunting and dark at times, but "Wedding Bell" strikes in with such an upbeat sound that the vocals seem almost out-of-place before settling in really nicely. My favourite song has to be the last though, after a friend pointed it out, "Home Again". It's a truly relaxing song and I've went to sleep with this album on more than a few times now.


4. Grouper - Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
    MySpace



     This album is very recent and probably the most obscure on my list. It's also my favourite album of the year so far. The vocals are very mystical, and at times can be haunting, but ultimately float over the superbly fragile guitar in the background. The artists has had two previous drone albums, so there are some elements of that creep in from those albums, especially the distinguishable recording technique. But for me, it just adds to the sound and atmosphere of the album.



3. Air France - On Trade Winds/No Way Down EPs
    MySpace | Wiki



     I've decided just to bundle these two EPs together since it's a total of 35 minutes for both, and it's all the band have released. I just recently discovered them, and they're best described as "bliss pop". It's just such a cheery, upbeat set of EPs that I can't get enough of. The vocals are so wonderfully melodic, and the layers of instruments create an absolutely brilliant dreamy atmosphere. From the first EP, the song "Beach Party" is perfectly titled, as it sounds exactly like it is and all the added touches and background melodies in "Collapsing on Your Doorstep" make it my favourite from the second EP. Very upbeat.



2. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
    Site | Wiki



     To describe this album in 5 words, I would use: One man and his banjo. Although there is some percussion and strings in the album, the banjo takes the lead and, combined Sufjan's incredible voice, this album is such a relaxing journey. Most of the songs consist of just a delicate riff repeated and it creates such a simple set of tracks that I never get tired of. The album's main subject matter is faith but this is not Christian rock or Christian folk. It's just Sufjan's chosen subject matter for this album. I don't see why it should, but please don't let that affect your opinion of this album. He is not preaching to you. As for the songs I think Sufjan is a master of progression and buildup to the almost choir-like choruses and the choice of instruments in each song has been carefully whittled down to the essentials. "The Dress Looks Nice On You" is a personal favourite and a portfolio for stripped down acoustic music, and "In The Devil's Territory" shows what he can do with composition and just a few extra layers. I think this is an absolutely essential acoustic album.


1. Air - Moon Safari
    Site | Wiki | MySpace



     There are few greater pleasures in my life than going to sleep with this album in the background. Except waking up and pressing play again. I can't get enough of this album. It's so light and airy, with so many perfectly tweaked instruments and melodies layered on top of each other to create a slice of delicious ambient cake. The album starts out with crashing waves which progresses into a funky bass riff before moving onto a fantastic keyboard solo and then ending in dreamy synth. And that's all in the first song, "La Femme D'Argent". But the band are more than capable of creating incredible catchy, tuneful pop songs in "All I Need" and "Kelly Watch the Stars", as well ending the album in what I can really only describe as space-jazz, with "Le Voyage De Penelope". This album will relax you like no other.

I'll think of a few electronica/hip hop albums to add when I'm less tired but I'll just quickly say I totally agree with you about Seven Swans. Basically my chillout album of choice.

Sister almost kills it for me though. Something about the screechy guitars takes me out of the mood.

dude Beach House is BEAUTIFUL.
What a great voice and spacey music a la flaming lips.
In fact this band has like a lot of flaming lips subtleness while being destinctly unique by itself.
Sweet stuff, excellent recoomend.

As for Grouper, kind of boring imo. I mean, I like it but doesn't really move me, so I deleted the album afterwards. It tends to post rock to me, and we all know how good post rock is at being boring.

Haven't heard Air France yet, might check up later, but the myspace site aint working.
As for Sufjan, well I got some of his stuff, I like some of it but he releases so much fucking stuff I simply cannot be assed to know what he's up to.

and dunno Air.


I'll throw some electro-chill music:
Hood (album: Cold House)
Bonobo (album: Dial 'M' for Monkey)
Blockhead (any album)
Mice Parade (any album)
Her Space Holiday (any album)
Landing (album: Seasons) (dreamcore)
White Rainbow (album: Zome)
Vincent Gallo (albums: When & Recordings of music for a film)
Seaworthy
Amina
Tim Hecker (album: Radio Amor) (noise chill)
The Sword Project
Tortoise

I got that Bonobo album from the zoo, so I'll give it a listen and I'm gonna check out the other stuff. I'm sure I've heard of White Rainbow somewhere, but I can't think where.

so basically everything is chill-out as long as it isn't energetic or too emotional.

I found beach house too boring, I could never get through the CD. which means I didn't listen to the last song, so I guess I'll give the end of the CD another listen. I was neutral towards the vocalist

I guess I'll post about Fleet Foxes here since no one else on the forum ever has. if nothing else their stuff is really soothing and great to listen to right before you sleep. they've got soft harmonies, and the songs contain natural imagry. I prefer the Sun Giant EP

Fleet Foxes do have some sweet harmonies.  The only thing I don't dig is that the songs don't really feel like they are about much.  I've only heard the new album though, so maybe Sun Giant was better in that respect?

nah most the lyrics aren't about much, some of it bordering on "we're just bringing this up cuz it sounds cool and natural". still nice and relaxing tho

Fleet Foxes actually played with Beach House at one of my local venues but I missed the gig.

I prefer Beach House, I think the vocals are much better. Although Fleet Foxes' album is pretty relaxing.

Her Space Holiday (any album)

The end. This is the correct answer.

I saw JOJOFACE at "last post" and I KNEW it was going to be about Her Space Holiday.

I'm not sure why, I'm under the impression it is a scene thing but shrug

you will never know.

also

Arms And Sleepers - Black Paris 86 is really, really good to relax to.
The American Dollar - The Technicolour Sleep is also really calming. In an oddly hopeful and happy way. It's really nice.
And anything from Iambic² is A+ relaxation in my book.

Capitano, Beach House, so fucking great.
Excellent recommend.
Gila and Heart of Chambers my fav from the album.
Master of None is also a favorite of the other rrecord, got it, gonna listne tomorrows.

Capitano, Beach House, so fucking great.
Excellent recommend.
Gila and Heart of Chambers my fav from the album.
Master of None is also a favorite of the other rrecord, got it, gonna listne tomorrows.

Yeah, no kidding. I've been listening to Beach House pretty much non-stop and it is some really great stuff. Thanks for posting it dude. Hey, do any of you know where I can get their self-titled? I can find Devotion everywhere but I have a lot of trouble finding self-titled albums, especially when the band names are pretty common words like Beach House.

Linda Lööf
http://www.myspace.com/lindaloof


This girl just added my band and she is actually pretty good!  A pleasant surprise in the usual onslaught of bands adding bands.  Definitely fits into this topic as her stuff is real chill.

Try Soulseek Chef I got it from there. Soulseek is terrific at getting the most obscure or indie music. It even finds music by bands only "myspace known"

Beach House are pretty fucking excellent, and I PM'd you chef about that first album. I thought I'd add another few to the list, as I listened to a few albums recently for the first time and liked them:

Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5.55 - Really great album, imo, music by Air, vocals by C.G.
Blonde Redhead - 23 - I'm sure DS or someone recommended this in my shoegaze topic, but I just got round to listening to them, and they're brilliant.
M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us - Awesome album, really awesome. To be honest not the most relaxing, but is in some parts. Can be very epic. But the album is brilliant.

I couldn't access her profile Couch, I don't have a myspace unfortunately.

ahahaha Oops that was some moms profile.  Post is edited with correct one.

Just listened to As We Celebrate Our Fall by her. It's amazing. I really love it. I wish she had an album.

I have all Blonde Redhead albums except 23..
Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons is the best but I don't think it is a chillaxing band.