Listening Notes: Playlist Clearance Vol. 5

The short-review materials in this playlist are starting to narrow down to a few artists who happen to have multiple releases—so yes, things might get a bit repetitive. But hey, what’s the harm? After all, this is basically just a personal log for every release outside of singles and compilations, as well as an attempt to keep my writing habit alive—even if there’s little to no improvement in quality.

I’ll keep using the random-selection method until only the same names remain; then I’ll add new releases into the stock. So, what shows up in this fifth batch? Let’s see!

Aygan – Aygan (2010)

71%

The session opens with the self-titled album from Brazilian progressive metal band Aygan—a complex genre that always feels intimidating for a casual reviewer like me.

Even as a relatively small band, the production quality is solid, leaning toward Dream Theater with a lighter weight reminiscent of Fates Warning, at least based on what I know from Long Day Good Night. The heaviest moments I caught appear in “Bloody Meanings,” “Now It’s Over,” and “Aygan.”

Since I lean more toward melodic lines and rapid double-pedal bursts typical of power metal, I’m not sure what else to say—even though this genre is technically among my favorite metal styles. No track truly grabs my heart yet, so I’ll pass for now and maybe never return.

Highlight: ?

Bålsam – Night Bloom / Luna Nueva (2020)

67%

Next up is Colombian ambient artist Bålsam. I’ve reviewed them several times already, and the signature field recordings remain strong here—arguably dominating the sound. Birds, rain, everyday activity—if you look at the title “Luna Nueva,” it clearly suggests nighttime, enhanced by mysterious aerophone-like sounds evoking a remote environment.

Still, neither single leaves a deep emotional mark, so I’ll skip them for now.

Highlight: Night Bloom

Carlos Ferreira – Sad Loops (2022)

70%

Still in ambient territory, we meet Carlos Ferreira again—who knows how many times by now.

Released under Umé Records, this album sometimes feels rough, as if clouded by emotional turbulence—like hoarse sobbing or tangled thoughts swirling in the mind. In short, there’s an odd sensation across these four loops that seems tied to psychological stress or similar mental states.

In the end, I realized something after feeling fairly satisfied with last year’s first attempt—I held back for a moment to add parts of this album into my favorite playlist.

Highlight: Loop 3, Loop 4

Hiroe – Wrought (2022)

73%

That same year, an American post-rock unit forged their debut EP, involving people connected to major names in the scene—like Matt Bayles and Will Yip.

After reading the Bandcamp description, I started to understand the drum work in the intro “Irusu” and closer “Doom Moon.” It feels like a metaphor for the forging of human resilience during the COVID pandemic—from public panic to the survivors who emerged changed afterward. Some grew stronger, others collapsed under loss and exhaustion. I felt it too—though honestly, the causes started long before that era.

The EP’s overall flavor doesn’t fully sink in, and if “Everything Is Fine” had a different title—or didn’t exist—I might have ignored the band entirely. Still, I think Hiroe deserves a chance in my favorite playlist. For reference, fans of Russian Circles, Caspian, or Mono might enjoy this.

Highlight: Everything Is Fine, Black Mountain

Release the Long Ships – Winderness (2016)

74%

One of the first-wave post-rock bands I discovered through Free Music Archive—and well … I’ve probably replayed this for the fourth or fifth time now. Strangely, the emotional layers of previously overlooked tracks are gradually becoming clearer—like “Snow” and “The Heart of the Mountain.” Maybe it’s envy triggered by romantic posts on social media that makes them resonate more? Who knows.

Now I’m feeling melancholic—almost on the verge of tears—thanks to the clash between romance and nostalgia. Especially after realizing I’d overlooked the piano version by heklAa closing the album, even though added vocals make it falter from mid-song onward. I’m also starting to waver on the electronic-leaning “I Have Never Seen the Light,” once a standout track for me. This is dangerous… though several songs may still enter my favorite playlist. As always, all I can say is: “Thank you, Release the Long Ships!”

Highlight: Snow, The Heart of the Mountain, I Have Never Seen the Light

Wounds of Recollection – An Undying Winter (2015)

72%

Wounds of Recollection again! Hahaha…

The third album from this project flows quickly—after only two attempts, I always find myself near the end when I check. Not because it’s amazing, but because it feels fairly ordinary. The post-black metal territory still floats vaguely in the air, ready to be forgotten soon. One emotionally striking moment appears when “Serenity, Part II” plays.

So yeah—the winter from Wounds of Recollection isn’t eternal in my mind; it melts and flows away quickly. Maybe it would feel colder with deeper concentration, but fans of the genre will probably appreciate it more.

Highlight: Frozen Corpses on the Mountainside; The Dangers of Curiosity, Part I; Serenity, Part II