Various Artists - Archipelago

 

Released: January 30 

With beautiful pieces from a number of artists, this superb compilation from Bathysphere records is brought to us in homage to and support of the preservation of our oceans. The goal of the compilation is to support the Ocean Rescue Alliance International with all proceeds from sales going directly to the organization. It’s a wonderful cause and the music contained here captures the magic of these intricate ecosystems impeccably. From the very start of the opening track “Always Return to You,” we are immediately treated to soft lo-fi textures and sparkling synths that combine with small bits of ocean sounds that serve as the perfect enhancer without overwhelming anything else.

As we move through the compilation, every subsequent contribution keeps this motif going perfectly. The compilation as whole has this amazing continuity to it that feels rather organic. A hazy clouds seems to sit atop everything, uniting all tracks in a commonly aura. Even some of the more abstract standouts still sit well within the motif of the album as a whole, including Scott Solter’s “Floating Market.” This one caught me almost as much as the very first track but for quite different reasons. While the washed out sax sounds of the opener caught my ear, this track instead opts for a darker tone that features mildly tense strikes and a presentation that sounds like a storm cloud rolling in overhead. 

The compilation also features some more emotionally heavy sounds, such as on “Surrender” - a track that features a rather sparse soundscape of gentle pads and light atmospheres that are punctuated by the deeply felt weight of processed piano keys. It has a truly hopeful feel that is marked by a feeling of transcendence that views everything through a lens of the splendor of the natural world. But none of the tracks here are any more important than the others, as the all form an incredibly cohesive experience through the runtime of a compilation seeking to praise and preserve the beauty of our world.