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I need some chill out and ambient music sometimes, and I’ve covered several such albums this year so far. The newest one I’ve been liking is Kinobe’s Out of the Blue, which was released earlier this month. The band comes from the UK but is based in Australia now, and is comprised of Julius Waters and Mark “Blackie” Blackburn.
When I say chill out music, I mean downtempo, warm, and nostalgic. Kinobe has a bit of Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, and the Beatles in their sound, plus a bit of Canterbury prog rock, I think. They use those familiar tones to create hovering melodies, casual but strangely complex bass lines, serene orchestrations, and soothing vibes. It’s an album I’ve been listening to quite a bit, but I only know how relaxed I feel; I don’t really have a full review’s worth of analysis for you.
Out of the Blue feels like visiting the golden years of your past. I think the mix of retro and psychedelic imagery plays into this very well. The singles “It’s Only a Dream” and “Lucky Stars” are perfect samplers of the album. If you like the dreamy, calming vibes there, you will enjoy the album. Other favorites are the sparkling fancy of “Gold Run”, the earnest peace of “Serenity”, the subtle cinema of “Middle of Nowhere”, and the sunny vista tones of “Bird of Passage”. If you need something that sounds like a big hug, check out this album.
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In 2019, I reviewed an album called One Day Closer to Yesterday by Virginia, USA’s Shumaun. I apparently missed their next album in 2021, but here they are again with Opposing Mirrors, which was released on June 28th. This is one of those albums that I thoroughly enjoy, but I don’t remember much about it later, and I don’t have many words for it. Still, I think some listeners would really like it. The band includes Farhad Hossain on guitars, vocals, and keys, Jose Mora on bass, and Tyler Kim on guitars.
The band plays a mix between prog rock and prog metal. To me, they sound like a Porcupine Tree-influenced modern prog metal band, akin to Teramaze, perhaps. They have a smooth, fresh sound with plenty of riffs, but also great vocal lines. I particularly like the guitars and drums, both of which have good heft to them. The band clearly knows how to write a catchy chorus, and the whole affair sounds really good.
The opener “The Perils of Amnesia” sets the tone and our expectations, I think. I like the verses on this song especially, and how the riffs hit nice and hard. I think the drums are the highlight, though, with plenty of dynamic play. Another favorite is “Anxiety and Daydreams”, which transitions between heavier portions and more ambient, acoustic fare. I like the back and forth and the guitar lines on this one. I also really like “Beyond Reflection”. It isn’t a ballad, per se, but it is slower and more thoughtful, and the guitar soloing on it is wonderful. If you like modern prog metal that feels clean and crystal clear, this might scratch that itch.
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Some albums catch my interest because of the potential I hear within them. Mountains of Jura is a trio from Los Angeles comprised of Daniel Cleland on guitars and vocals, Jason Damiano on bass, and Greg Paxton on drums. Their new album self-titled album launched on May 31st.
The band plays a folksy, ambient dream pop. I call it “pop”; but, honestly, it leans heavily towards a dark, shoegazing folk sound. You’ll hear bits of indie, Lord Huron, and Dead Can Dance in the aura they create, and their music is overall more about texture and ambience than anything else. I will say that the vocals can get a little repetitive, particularly on the track “The Cave”, though that might be on purpose due to the title. The vocals, however, are effervescent and beautiful.
This is also one of those records that I feel has a better second half. The first half has some good tunes, like the spacey “Old Leon” or the uncharacteristically fiery “I Am Not A Program, Parts 5-6”, which is an instrumental piece with some energy. “Reverse Creek”, the very next track, is also instrumental, but has a floating feeling to it, so basically a polar opposite.
My favorites are the last three pieces, though. “Lost Days” is a gentle and beautiful piece with emotional lyrics; I just like the way it sounds. “Ocelot Path” is another instrumental piece but has a bit of quirk mixed in with its spacious atmosphere. My favorite overall is the closer “Oracle”, and this is where I hear the real potential. This song is amazing; I love how it flirts with darkness, and how it feels reserved in the verses, but gushes in the chorus. The final few minutes are like a fire itching to burst forth, but the band perfectly balances it into a climax that is equal parts reserved and heroic. I love the lyrics and the emotion that hangs like a mist about this song. And the whole album gets better after hearing the second half. I’ve come to appreciate it more and more.
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The PROG Mind 