Distraction Therapy – Metamodern Midsummer Dayscapes

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As the summer equinox graces us with the longest day and the shortest night, the latest episode of Distraction Therapy on Radio Lear offers a selection of tracks that embody the metamodern spirit. These pieces reflect the profound sense of wonder and transformation that comes with extended daylight and the slow, gentle resolution of elongated days.

Birds of Paradise begins this journey with “Esset,” a transformative ambient piece that immerses listeners in an ethereal ‘headspace’. The blending of organic and synthetic sounds mirrors the harmony of nature and technology, akin to the balance of light and dark on this unique day. Following this, Brian Eno’s “Garden of Stars” presents a celestial and introspective track, inviting listeners to lose themselves in a cosmic garden, much like the vastness of a summer sky that remains lit far into the evening.

Bryan Senti’s “Malecon” fuses classical and electronic elements, embodying the ‘crossover’ genre with its rich, emotional textures, akin to the twilight that gently transitions from day to night. Caroline Shaw’s “A Gradual Dazzle” reflects the slow build-up of harmonic layers, dazzling like the prolonged sunset that stretches across the horizon.

Christopher Willits’ “Spiralling” takes the listener on a mesmerizing ambient journey, creating a sense of movement and depth that parallels the sun’s slow descent. Cool Maritime’s “Temporal Dryft” evokes a sense of drifting through time, with soft, evolving textures that mirror the serene, meditative quality of a long summer day.

Haxhigeazy’s “Alexa” explores the interplay between technology and nature, merging electronic beats with organic sounds to create a modern ‘headspace’ track. This reflects the duality of our lives, where long days provide time for both contemplation and connection. Habason & Krgovich’s “What Comes Back” blends smooth jazz elements with electronic undertones, capturing a sense of nostalgia and introspection that often accompanies the lingering summer evenings.

Joseph Shabason’s “Broken Hearted Kota” offers a poignant blend of ambient and jazz influences, creating a melancholic yet beautiful soundscape, akin to the bittersweet beauty of the summer solstice. Kangding Ray’s “Or” innovatively melds techno rhythms with ambient layers, providing a dynamic and immersive listening experience that resonates with the energetic pace of the longest day.

Sky H1’s “Topaz” is soothing and expansive, with shimmering sounds that evoke the clarity and depth of the precious gemstone, reflecting the crystalline beauty of extended daylight. The hour concludes with Sun Rain and Spookyfish’s collaborative ambient track “Ideas of Light,” exploring themes of illumination and ephemerality, using light as a metaphor for fleeting moments of beauty, much like the transient nature of the summer solstice.

Each artist in this selection brings a unique voice to the metamodern musical landscape, creating a diverse yet cohesive auditory experience that encourages reflection and emotional engagement during this period of elongated daylight and fleeting night.

• Birds of Paradise – Esset
• Brian Eno – Garden of Stars
• Bryan Senti – Malecon
• Caroline Shaw – A Gradual Dazzle
• Christopher Willits – Spiralling
• Cool Maritime – Temporal Dryft
• Haxhigeazy – Alexa
• Habason & Krgovich – What Comes Back
• Joseph Shabason – Broken Hearted Kota
• Kangding Ray – Or
• Sky H1 – Topaz
• Sun Rain and Spookyfish – Ideas of Light