Real talk 101, TMTers: anytime I hear the pan flute, especially when paired with soothing field recordings, I feel like I’m going to break down in tears. But not the kind of tears that speak to some emotionally jaded existence I lead; rather, ones that make realize that I’m alive, and there’s more to this life than sitting in front of my computer, typing words into a box for 1-2 people to read. But here I am, sitting, typing, weeping (well, not really on the latter). Matthew Barlow’s Hatha, recently dropped via Oakland’s clutch Inner Islands, and it’s a half hour of mellow tones, with much emphasis on that blessed flute. Like watching a PBS nature documentary, it’s best to put this one on and let it work its magic. Tapes are available now, individually or as part of the label’s Late Spring Batch. If you’re also looking for more info on Inner Islands, consider this interview I did with label head Sean Conrad. Hatha, by no coincidence, would make for some very soothing background sounds while you read ;)