Here are my favorites from 2015. These are listed roughly in the order they were released. I've tried to challenge myself by narrowing the list down to my top three favorites; I've placed a * next to those. (But I've learned that these rankings can change easily. In hindsight, Echo Ark was the 2014 release that got the most playtime in 2015.)
Blake Gibson & Robert Davies - Quiraing *
Haunting drone work, with a majestic, grand atmosphere. Wonderfully done. Shortly after this was released, Blake claimed he was taking time away from recording. I hope that will be a short-lived vacation.
http://databloem.com/home/766-blake-gibson-robert-davies-quiraing-.htmlAlpha Wave Movement - Earthen *
This is not necessarily radically different from other Kyryluk releases, but I really like the way this particular album hangs together, and the serene washes that hold it together are both fascinating and soothing. The title track is a work of art.
https://anodizesound.bandcamp.com/album/earthenAutumn of Communion - Autumn of Communion 5This was supposed to be the last release, but it wasn't. It wasn't even the penultimate release! Anyhow, it is incredible. I'm a bit ambivalent about the remix by Stormloop at the end, but the first two tracks are incredible: Beautifully evolving soundscapes.
https://autumnofcommunion.bandcamp.com/album/autumn-of-communion-5Bill Seaman - f(noir)This is an unusual release. It makes me feel like I'm in a David Lynch film, sitting in a dimly lit basement bar, apprehensively awaiting a meeting with a stranger. That probably doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, but, if that is your jam (it is mine), you'll love this.
https://eileanrec.bandcamp.com/album/f-noirMick Chillage - Pixels IIThis isn't Mick doing what Mick does best, but this particular release really grabbed me for reasons that are difficult to explain. It is mostly looped material with incidentals and a really cool (deep) base line that emerges like a whale from the sea. It is mesmerizing.
https://anodizesound.bandcamp.com/album/pixels-iiŘe - UnseedThis is outstanding ambient glitch work, much in the spirit of Porya Hatami. This particular slice-and-dice style isn't uncommon, but it is rare for artists to truly merge the billowing, drift quality of ambient music that I find attractive with deft experimental processing. This album excels in that regard. It flew way too low under the radar; please check it out.
https://arboretumrec.bandcamp.com/album/unseed-hanami-series-001Steve Roach - Bloodmoon Rising This represents my favorite Roach Style: Dark loops that lead your imagination to otherworldly spaces. The scope of the work is attractive too; I'm a sucker for multi-disc releases.
https://steveroach.bandcamp.com/album/bloodmoon-rising-complete-4-cd-setMax Richter - Sleep *
There are things I don't like about this release (it is not good for sleeping). But, overall, I love it. The tracks are well crafted, the instrumentation is fantastic, and the way Richter processes classic acoustic performances to create novel ambient dronescapes is magnificent. A CD version is being released in the US soon and I'll probably buy that too.
http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/us/cat/4795267Omni vu deity - Nuiemiu Rift Tribal otherworlds. Ishq had many, many releases this year. This one was the stand out for me. I'm not sure that it is necessarily his best or even my favorite, but it is so different from everything else that I couldn't help but be impressed with it. It also ends up being played on repeat a lot.
https://virtual1.bandcamp.com/album/nuiemu-riftVirlyn - Arctic Radio Creative dark ambient, built around unusual acoustic samples. This was released in late December, so it is probably not fair to include it in a "favorites of" list. But I love it. And, this guy releases things so infrequently that I can't help but savor it and delight in every sonic moment.
https://virlyn-music.bandcamp.com/album/arctic-radio
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In all seriousness, the live set is well structured, diverse, and sounds great. I wish I could have seen that performance in person.
