Pop Ambient 2009 CD / Kompakt Records

COLOGNE, Germany (Top40 Charts/ Kompakt Records) - The bliss is finally back - presenting the 2009 edition of Kompakt's highly-anticipated fan-favorite series, Pop Ambient. To the uninitiated, Pop Ambient serves as a very essential arm of the Kompakt family - always curated by Kompakt co-founder Wolfgang Voigt (aka Gas, Burger/Ink, etc.), always offering a provocative collection of listening music that is guaranteed to give you warmth throughout those cold winter months.

One of the most striking things many will find on this year's edition are the many new faces, compared to the historically familiar roster that has graced previous editions. Leading noise/experimental producer Tim Hecker of Alien8 and Kranky fame joins in with a tremendous contribution that builds wave after wave of textured noise and melody. Boomkat's winners of best album of 2008, The Fun Years take loop melody and turn it inside-out with an astounding, exclusive, guitar-based tune.
Pop Ambient 2009 turns to the mighty imprint Type and the esteemed producer Sylvain Chauveau with two contributions of untreated works from the lovely Nuage full-length that straddles his work with a small ensemble and his own piano and guitar performances.
Considering the overwhelming response to Wolfgang Voigt's Gas collection reissue Nah Und Fern and the Raster-Noton book/CD of 2008, it's fair game he dominates this compilation under the guise of Mint, with this deep and somberly moving piece, as well as together with longtime production partner Jorg Burger as Burger/Voigt with a Gas-eous remix of Jurgen Paape's "Ausking" and a highly-emotive original. Popnoname shows off his diverse talent with a Kraut-y sunscape of majestic measure.
Finally, Pop Ambient favorite Klimek appears in stunning splendor... the horns of heaven ring loud to open the compilation, and together with Husak, he brings Pop Ambient 2009 to an end with a majestic roar. Other artists include: Marsen Jules and Andrew Thomas.

Considering that 2008 was such an amazing year for left-field electronic music, Kompakt anticipates this year's change of pace will be welcomed by their loyal fans and maybe make some new friends with a new sound.

"[Pop Ambient] is another faultless ensemble of downtempo leftfield electronica. At points blissfully war and majestic, at others spine-tinglingly cold and haunting, the quality persists throughout." - DJ MAG

Pop Ambient 2009 CD (KOMP 069CD) is out now on Kompakt Records.