A Music Fan’s Guide to Exploring Sounds from Around the World
By Nikki Thach
It’s time for you to collect more musical acts on your listening passport! An album is guaranteed for every kind of music listener as each piece is introduced along a scale of listening accessibility.
Mainstream & Approachable: Moon Safari by Air (France)
This section describes an album that features memorable melodies and straightforward structures without compromising production. An album under this section is fit for any setting and casual listening, attracting all kinds of music fans.
French electronic duo, Air offers a unique mix of chill synthpop and downtempo, featuring acoustic guitars and faux-string arrangements in their debut album, Moon Safari (1998). The album consists of hypnotic instrumental tracks, along with tracks paired with smooth vocals from Beth
Hirsch. Moon Safari transports listeners to a retro dreamscape without being overly complex, making it a great accessible album for casual music fans who want to ease into new sounds.
For Fans Of: retrofuturism, sunsets, coffees on a quiet morning
Similar Artists: Zero 7, Boards of Canada, the later work of Daft Punk
Personal Favorites: Sexy Boy, La femme d'argent, You Make It Easy (ft. Beth Hirsch)
Engaging & Layered: Giving The World Away by Hatchie (Australia)
This section describes an album that is still accessible while introducing slightly more complex arrangements and/or creative production choices. An album under this section rewards close listening but won’t intimidate newcomers.
Hatchie’s third album, Giving The World Away (2023) serves as an amazing introduction to dream-pop and shoegaze while still embodying the glistening polish of a pop star. As described in her Spotify bio, Giving The World Away is an album “about self-confidence, about reclamation, about the strange time in young adulthood where you begin to finally be able to see yourself clearly.”
For Fans Of: nighttime cityscapes, overwhelming nostalgia
Similar Artists: Magdalena Bay, Cocteau Twins, George Clanton
Personal favorites: Lights On, Quicksand, This Enchanted
Adventurous & Dynamic: - Bocanada by Gustavo Cerati (Argentina)
This section describes an album that pushes boundaries while maintaining an entry point for the average listener. An album under this section may feature unconventional song structures, experimental production, and unique genre blends.
While Gustavo Cerati is known as the frontman of Soda Stereo, one of the most influential rock en Español bands of all time, his solo album Bocanada (1999) is a genre-defying gem, incorporating elements of neo-psychedelia, downtempo, art pop, and alternative rock. Bocanada is filled with a variety of textures that contribute to its dreamy and cinematic soundscape.
For Fans Of: nighttime walks on the beach, burning incense, petrichor
Similar Artists: Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tame Impala
Personal Favorites: Río Babel, Puente, Beautiful
Abstract & Unconventional: - Ágætis byrjun by Sigur Rós (Iceland)
This section describes an album that may challenge the listener with intricate compositions and instrumentation. An album under this section requires an open mind but offers a rich experience for those willing to engage.
Ágætis byrjun (1999) by Sigur Rós is a post-rock album that can evoke transcending emotions without the need for a translator. The ethereal instrumentation paired with Jónsi’s siren-like falsetto feels otherworldly. Ágætis byrjun explores themes of innocence, purity, and the joy of musical discovery. Fun fact: The song “Starálfur” was featured in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2005)!
For Fans Of: childlike wonder, fresh air on a mountain top, the mysterious beauty of the deep sea
Similar Artists: Spiritualized, Pink Floyd, Brian Eno
Personal Favorites: Svefn-g-englar, Starálfur, Olsen Olsen
Experimental & Inaccessible: - LONG SEASON - Fishmans (Japan)
This section describes an album that defies conventional music norms, guiding the listener through unconventional structures. An album in this section may be difficult to digest for a casual listener, but it serves as an intriguing musical journey for those who seek it.
While it’s the length of the average album, Fishman’s LONG SEASON (1996) is actually just one song. LONG SEASON is a 35-minute extended composition of Fishman’s song “Season”. Fishmans build an immersive world with their blend of dub, dreampop, and ambient elements. The best way to describe LONG SEASON is that it feels like watching clouds shift in the sky during the final days of summer.
For Fans Of: scenic routes, sunrises, train rides, corecore edits
Similar Artists: Mid-Air Thief, Candy Claws, Sweet Trip
Personal Favorites: The entire thing