Genre/Influences: Electro-ambient, experimental, cinematographic.

Background/Info: The German Kompakt label has reassembled 12 tracks composed by artists dealing with progressive electronics, but more especially with electro-ambient music. Most of the artists are familiar with the label from Köln. Notice by the way that Japanese artist Yui Onodera has been featured with 2 tracks while Pfeiffer has been featured two times as well, working with different artists.

Bands: T. Raumschmiere, The Orb, Yui Onodera, Fresco & Pfeiffer, Chuck Johnson, Triola, Kenneth James Gibson, Kaito, Mikkel Metal, Jens-Uwe Beyer, Würden & Pfeiffer.

Content: When you discover the impressive selection of artists and you’re a bit familiar with Kompakt, it’s hard to imagine this album as mix between pop and ambient music. Most of the bands are clearly experimenting with an electronic format of ambient music. The tracks are moving from progressive experiments towards pure cinematographic work to evasive electronics.

+ + + : This is a high-tech format of progressive ambient music. Most of the artists gained a serious reputation dealing with visionary electronic music. It’s an evasive sensation made with delicate treatments and sophisticated noise treatments. “Pop Ambient” rather sounds as a sonic laboratory for further generations!

– – – : I don’t really understand the ‘pop’ part of the title. This album has less in common with traditional pop standards. It’s pure ambient music and what I’m missing is not exactly the pop aspect of the work rather than visual content, which would be the right match with this kind of music.

Conclusion: Kompakt is a major label when it comes to progressive and visionary ambient- and experimental artists. This album is a nice and international trip to discover a great ambient music canvas.

Best bands: Mikkel Metal, The Orb, Fresco & Pfeiffer.

Rate: (8).

Label: www.kompakt.fm/imprint / www.facebook.com/KompaktRecords