So, five posts down and now it’s the turn of me, the blog writer, to list the 5 albums that left the biggest impact on me from this year!
With future releases promising various moods, genres and instrumentation where 2023 will take me is a mystery even to myself, but I’m hoping to share many more of my creations with you!
2022 was a steady year for Chris Hobbs, with a track on both the Christmas Passed & _scapes compilations seeming to suggest a movement away from his Acousmatic routes into something entirely more Ambient.
It also marked the year in which the seemingly previously empty Sound Toys page on his webpage was finally populated.
Continuing the theme of Passed Recordings artists listing the 5 albums that left the biggest impact on them, here are five more from Chris.
Each post from this series will see the 5 albums added to the “Our Favourite Albums of the Passed Year” playlist – so you can listen along with each post as we count down to the end of the year!
Grace Ives – Janky Star
It’s rare for a Pop record to grab my attention. Janky Star was probably the first contemporary Pop release to do so since Grimes’ Art Angels. I love everything about the way this record sounds – little flurries of eclecticism balanced into easily consumable, compact songs.
Florist – Florist
While I quite like some Folk music, it’s fair to say I don’t know it inside out. But this release really captured me. Simple, intimate-feeling songs interspersed with field recordings and sparse instrumentals give Florist an air of individualism that is calming and maybe even teetering into lightly psychedelic.
Chihei Hatakeyama, Habokune – It is, it isn’t
I can’t remember when I first heard this album, but I remember the impression it left on me. Rich, calming and pastorally evocative droning work that I have just found endlessly enjoyable throughout the year.
Ellen Arkbro, Johan Graden – I Get Along Without You Very Well
This release was the first that came to mind when writing this list. Everything about the instrumentation, vocal range and performance resonated deeply with me from the first listen. The woodwinds feel perfectly orchestrated in this and the constantly complementary vocals have kept me coming back ever since its release.
Rachika Nayar – Heaven Come Crashing
There’s a really sleek finish to this record which belies some quite innovative and spectacular compositions. I often listen to new music in expansive playlists on shuffle and this album consistently had me checking my “now playing” as I became more and more hooked on it.
And that’s it! We’ll be aiming to release these posts every weekend, so keep an eye out for your favourite album! We’re looking forward to hearing your views on this years releases from Passed Recordings too!
Christmas Passed featuring Chris Hobbs and many other artists (Passed Recordings labelmates & more) available now!
