Colin Stetson Had Me Weeping; Masakatsu Takagi Tranquil Sessions Offer Repose; Cicada Had Me Seeking The Sources of Streams; and Steve Gunn & David Moore Had Me Dreaming of Celestial Possibilities…

By Joshua Gutierrez - Editor

2023 was a difficult year.

Most often, this playlist offered the best opportunity to reset and brought me toward clarity. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without it. These songs are for the most part tranquil, though they are juxtaposed by a brooding darkness of chaotic sonic orchestration.

This concept of collecting my favorite ambient/instrumental songs has been developing over the past three years. In past year-end collections, I would often insert my favorite instrumentals alongside songs with vocals, which make up the majority of my favorite music. Ambient/Instrumental songs always seemed out of place in this format.

I think the natural progression to feature ambient/instrumental songs has created a space where the mind can fully blend away.

I hope y’all enjoy this wonderful collection of songs.

Bye!