Distantreverb #2

In the following tracks, we explore the mellow side of electronic music, most of which feature some sort of beat, which in a way differentiates these songs from more ambient music. Some real crackers in here, with "i know you are…" and "atoms for peace" as standouts.

1. Atoms For Peace - Thom Yorke

Thom Yorke's debut solo album 'The Eraser' serves up a collection of multi-layered beauties, polka-dotted with appealing "found sounds" and minimalistic piano/guitar. This song in particular stands out for its somewhat clumsy tune accompanied by a similarly regularly irregular beat.

2. She Moves She - Four Tet

Just a sterling track with a lot of listen for, in true Four Tet style. A soothing main melody plods on beneath glitchy, artificial-sounding noises in the forefront and a cool beat that forms the backbone of the song.

3. Old Panda Days - Casiotone For The Painfully Alone

Here we have another example of Owen Ashworth continuing to produce deceptively simple songs that in fact have a lot of depth to them. The keys add effortless warmth to a somewhat harsh, ‘old school’ casiotone, drum beat. The vocals are soft and blend comfortably.

4. Green Grass Of Tunnel - Múm

The icelandic band deliver one of their finest songs here. It is somewhat underwhelmingly epic, in a good way. As one of Mum's less meandering tracks, it comes together in an calm, collected cacophony with delightful melodies everywhere.

5. Irene - Caribou

It's no surprise that Caribou's Andorra won the Polaris Music Prize in 2008, and this song provides perfect justification. The beauty of this track comes from the continuous restarts and unusual panning techniques that keep the listener interested. Irene climaxes towards the end as delicate vocals penetrate the ambient mood.

6. I Know You Are But What Am I? - Mogwai

On the surface, it seems like one of Mogwai's more simple excursions; the song really changes in feel once the mesmerising drums kick in, and this coupled with the sweet high-pitched melody offer a solemn yet sincere mood.

7. Yellow Chalk - The Fields

Alex Willner, The Field, has a real way with loops and samples. This track exhibits the outstanding use of delayed synths with a strong rhythmic bassline. Coupled with the voice sample, a powerful, eerie atmosphere is developed.

8. (This is) Dream of Evan and Chan - Dntel

Perhaps the most upbeat song in this playlist. Jimmy Tamborello finishes 'Life Is Full of Possibilities' in good style with this lively number. The vocals are catchy, bassline big and mood uplifting. Great track. It's also worth checking out the EP of remixes of just this track.

9. So Glad To See You - Hot Chip

Hot Chip deliver a sensational track here; lovely dreamy, almost melancholy vocals combined with a soft yet solid throbbing make for an entirely catchy song. Various vocoders at the end of song provide a pleasant finish.

10. Gettysburg - Ratatat

A rare quality track out of a generally unconvincing album. The guitars remain interesting throughout, and even more so as a mini-buildup leads to a heart-warming rhythm guitar line that'll make you put this song on repeat for quite a while.

Moneeb/Adi