Artist: Various
Album: Journeys: Escape. Sleep. Relax. Repeat.
Label: Needwant
Release date: 26/01/15
London based record label Needwant are in a sincerely reflective mood with the release of their aptly named Journeys LP. And no wonder, it’s been 5 years since Needwant began a personal music quest of their own. A quest that constantly resonates one word in my head, freedom. Freedom to stay true to your beliefs, to release music indiscriminate of fame and fortune. Freedom to deliver pure concepts of non branded electronic music.
Journeys is a perfect example of this purity; a delightful portrayal of artists and music whose soundscapes uplift the very roots of one's soul. Some with just a solemn repeated piano pedal point, an ambient synth and a delicate voice. Simplicity is this record's success; it eases into one's ears like a lullaby of melodic, tranquil paradise without falter.
Over five years Needwant has steadily grew its stem of influence from the underground Boroughs of London to mainland Europe, with global recognition I might add. Discovering vastly unique subterranean producers like Kiwi, to growing strong friendships with heavyweight producers like Brighton Producer Maxxi Soundsystem and House scene legend vocalist Robert Owens, is what Needwant does so well. Harbouring the undiscovered, letting their style flourish and ultimately, letting their music productions do the talking.
Journeys holds a number of stand out tracks: Porcelain Raft’s Despite Everything is a beautifully haunting song. It resounds the ears with an ethereal awareness, plucked gently from the bowed guitar, landing softly on one's mind, easing all troubles and fears away. Porcelain lead man, Mauro Remiddi, restores a sense of equilibrium to the mind, like a gentle, floating voice of reason. Also title track, Escape, by Apparat, fittingly delivers the first taste of world escapism, a track laced with placid beauty.
For me, record tagline, Escape. Sleep. Relax. Repeat. is a stark cry of rebellion to the egotistical modern music world, fuelled in certain areas by drugged up, hormonal “YOLO” swagging teeny-boppers, bouncing off the walls to EDM injected music. I’d have to say this record stands for much more: it’s the common voice of a generation still in love with simplistic originality in its music. Remember when we used to sit together and chill as best mates, reminiscing amongst the backdrop of harmonious melodies... This feeling is Journeys. You could say the record holds certain personal nostalgic vibes for my inner peace. Maybe you’ll feel them too.
WORDS | Ruairi Cahill
Tracklist:
01. Apparat – Escape
02. Luke About – Modern Driveway (Jon Hopkins Remix)
03. Alexi Murdoch – Towards The Sun
04. Alt-J – Interlude II (Guitar)
05. Library Tapes – Fragment II
06. Lanterns On The Lake – Green And Gold
07. CFCF – Exercise (Entry)
08. Clem Leek – Past The Pasture & Beyond The Hill
09. Porcelain Raft – Despite Everything
10. Ukkonen – Kaksi
11. The Frames – In The Deep Shade
12. Peter Broderick – Everything I Know
13. Synkro – Recognition
14. Dorisburg – Mima
15. Kindness – Swingin Party (Drumless)
16. Nils Frahm - You
