Leave it to Oakland’s Inner Islands to come up with incredibly chill tunes I never knew I needed. The label’s latest batch includes a self-titled gem from Oakland’s Dragontime, with “Futures Past” kicking off the relaxed atmosphere. It’s got this ambient, mystical vibe that brings to mind the animated version of The Lord of the Rings that no one seems to like (or, at least, it took a more low key approach that’s been overshadowed by Peter Jackson’s CGI circle jerk of a trilogy). I can easily see Frodo and his crew wandering around in the woods with this jam in the background. What I’m trying to say is there’s less of a “back to nature” vibe, though, and more of a fantastical outdoorsy feel, if that makes sense to anyone? It’s a recurring theme with Inner Islands, if you go back to label head Sean Conrad’s Ashan project, as well as Stag Hare’s Spirit Canoes LP. Anyway, if you think I’m out of my damn mind or something, just stream “Futures Past” below, and browse the Inner Islands Bandcamp to see just what the hell I’m rambling about. I’ll finish by saying this is another underrated tune from an underrated label, and I recommend everything with that Inner Islands logo on the side.
• Dragontime: https://dragontime.bandcamp.com
• Inner Islands: http://innerislands.com
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